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Some children seem to be bored at church during the Divine Liturgy. Are they so because they are being prematurely overcharged spiritually (which according to some authorities on parenting could result in them tuning God completely out of their lives)? Is taking children regularly to church good or bad for them?

The Holy Bible instructs us concerning children:

1. Small children will look up to their parents as an example in church worship. "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you." (John 13:15)



2. If your children live for the Lord Jesus Christ now, neither they nor the parents will have regrets later in life. "Remember now your Creator in the days of your youth, before the difficult days come, and the years draw near when you say, "I have no pleasure in them" (Ecclesiastes 12:1).


3. Efforts to teach our children about the love of the Lord and church worship are never wasted. Sooner or later the child will come around. "Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." If you have attended the Divine Liturgy in the same manner when you were a small child, chances are you still have memories from attending the Divine Liturgy, the Feast Days, the Sunday School lessons, but not your feelings associated with time.



4. Quietness should be observed during the Divine Liturgy. Neither should there be running or movement from seat to seat.  Occasionally, I would hear "my child is bored or my child is very active and I cannot control him”. Children learn self-control through parental guidance, NOT by having their own way. "It is good for a man to bear the yoke in his youth" (Lamentations 3:27).


5. The Lord Jesus Christ took time for little children and so must we. Spend time before the Divine Liturgy in preparing the child. The day or night before, give small and simple explanations of what will happen the following day during the Divine Liturgy. But our Lord Jesus Christ said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of Heaven" (Matthew 19:14).


6. Each parent longs for the happiness of their children. The Holy Bible tells us; "All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children" (Isaiah 54:13).


7. Lastly praise a child's efforts at good behavior during the Divine Liturgy. This cannot be emphasized enough. "And suddenly a voice came from Heaven saying, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased" (Matthew 3:17).

The Divine Liturgy, especially the Eucharist, is the chief act of public worship. It might be long for the very small kids. However, "long" can be a positive thing. As they develop cognitively and their verbal command increases, so will their understanding of the church services. Children thrive on the cause and effect phenomena occurring in the world around them.

A child of three has a vocabulary of about 900 words. At this age a child can use language competently and can sing simple songs. The church environment can be a very stimulating one for him. A child of four has a vocabulary of about 1500 words, can exaggerate, boast, and tattle on others. At this age an imaginary friend can be an important part of play. With developmental milestones such as these, children can indeed benefit from attending the Divine Liturgy.

In the Divine Liturgy, the focus is on the Lord Jesus Christ. Toys brought into the church and in a cry room defeat this purpose.

Please keep in mind that when you read sources outside the Coptic Orthodox realm you may need to put things in perspective. For instance if church worship was actually 4 hours long per Divine Liturgy and the child attended Divine Liturgy once per week, is it considered "overload" if there are 20 additional hours left in that particular day and 164 hours left in that particular week?

May God bless all the little children.