Our parish prayfully observed the Sunday of Orthodoxy, which is the first Sunday of the Great Lent, and the day we celebrate the return of icons to our Orthodox churches. Many faithful parishioners and our Church School children partook in the Sacraments of Holy Confession and Communion during Divine Liturgy. Our Children's Choir, directed by Tijana Samardzija, beautifully sang the responses for the Great Litany and The First Antiphon. The children are learning that is important to follow along during the Liturgy and together read the Creed and Lord's prayer. During the preparation of the Holy Communion, the Children's Choir sang Usklliknimo, Da Mi Se Obeca Cela Carevina, & Spasi Boze. After Holy Communion, the children were dismissed for religious classes. The children enjoyed making icons in honor of the Sunday of Orthodoxy. The children were asked to take their icons home and put them in a special place in their room. The older children turned out to be quite the iconographers and are taking their time and focusing on details and will continue next week. The children were taught that icons are the "Windows to Heaven". They help to focus us in our prayer. They can help us to feel a connection with the person depicted in the icon. Following Liturgy, our Tromedja folklore group hosted a delicious Lenten Lunch. PLEASE BRING YOUR CHILDREN NEXT SUNDAY, AS WE WILL AGAIN FOCUS A SPECIAL LESSON FOR THE 2ND WEEK OF THE GREAT LENT.