Source: Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
November 12, 2025
"Of all holy works, the education of children is most holy." + St. Theophan the Recluse
Knowing the truth and weight of these words, the parishioners of Holy Cross Orthodox Church in Yakima, Wash., set out to establish a parish school. In 2002, St. John of Kronstadt Orthodox Christian School opened its doors to five students. Twenty-three years later, the school has grown to include twenty-nine students, one principal, three full-time teachers, and nine supporting teachers and aides. Homeschoolers from the parish community now join the students every Wednesday for subjects such as Faith, Liturgical Music, and Iconography, bringing the total number of children participating in the life of the school to forty-two.
Though the school has grown, its mission remains unchanged—to guide and prune the hearts of the children to resemble Christ and His saints. The parish founded the school with the conviction that shaping the hearts and souls of their children was the greatest gift they could give them. As the founding priest of Holy Cross once said, "An Orthodox school is a wonderful, terrible thing." It demands great labor and sacrifice, yet it remains one of the most blessed endeavors of the Church. The school continues through the faithful support and selfless giving of the parish community.
...Read the rest at Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.
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