At the Cultural Center in Šilovo, as part of the Morava Spiritual Evenings program, a spiritual gathering was held under the theme “Let the Children Come to Me,” inspired by the Lord’s words:
The Morava Spiritual Evenings are organized by the Draganac Monastery and the Kosovo Pomoravlje Humanitarian Organization with the aim of opening discussions within Serbian communities in Kosovo and Metohija about topics that are important for faith, family, children, young people, and everyday life.
The guest speaker was Protopresbyter Dr. Oliver Subotić, Head of the Missionary Department of the Archdiocese of Belgrade-Karlovci. He spoke about parenting, raising children in faith, family life, and the challenges that digital technologies pose to modern households.
Children are not an obstacle, but a guide
The evening began with a reminder that the responsibility of parents and the wider community is not to stand in the way of children on their journey toward Christ, but to support and guide them.
In a time when children are increasingly shaped by screens, fast-paced content, and virtual relationships, this message carries special significance.
“The Lord calls us to become like children so that we may be worthy of the Kingdom of God. He does not say: remain children, but become like children.”
This is the essence of Christian upbringing: helping children grow in love, but also in order; in joy, but also in responsibility; in freedom, but also in obedience.
Parenting Requires Presence, Not Just Care
One of the strongest messages of the evening was that nothing can replace a parent—not money, gifts, or even the best technology.
Speaking about modern families, Father Oliver highlighted that children are most deeply connected to the living presence of their mother and father.
“Nothing can replace a parent. The most valuable thing, the one thing money cannot buy, is a mother and a father.”
This message is especially important for families in Kosovo and Metohija, where children often grow up in small communities with few peers and where every shared conversation, every game, and every moment together is precious.
Screens Must Not Raise Children Instead of Parents
“Children do not learn by listening—they learn by watching. They watch us, observe us, follow us. We are their model.”
For this reason, parents must first establish a healthy relationship with technology themselves. It is difficult to ask children to practice habits that adults are unwilling to live by.
As practical examples, he suggested simple family rules: phones should not be the first thing children reach for in the morning or the last thing they use before bed; screens should not be present at the family table; late-night screen time should be avoided; and computer use should always have clear limits.
“When it is family mealtime, we eat, talk, and spend time together—but there are no phones.”
Sports, Nature, and Human Connection
Father Oliver identified sports, physical activity, and spending time in nature as some of the best responses to the challenges of modern childhood.
“In the 21st century, sports have gained a new purpose: helping protect our children, as much as possible, from the negative effects of electronic technologies.”
Through sports, children develop physical strength, concentration, discipline, respect, social skills, and an understanding that they are not the center of the world. Through nature, they regain something that no screen can offer: real experiences, movement, peace, and genuine human connection.
For children growing up in Serbian communities across Kosovo and Metohija, where villages are often small and peers are few, this can be particularly challenging. That is why it is so important for families, the Church, schools, sports clubs, and the wider community to create opportunities for children to meet, play, and grow in a healthy environment.
The Family as a Small Church
At the conclusion of the evening, it was emphasized that Orthodox upbringing does not begin with great speeches, but with everyday life at home. The family is the first place where a child learns the meaning of respect, honesty, trust, and love
“If a child sees that a father loves a mother, that a mother loves a father, and that there is harmony, joy, and happiness in the home, then that child will naturally want to build a family of their own.”
A family with Christ at its center is not a family without struggles, but one that knows where to turn when challenges, misunderstandings, and weaknesses arise.
If a child comes to love God and learns to live before God, we will solve every problem.
So That Children Are Not Left Alone
The Morava Spiritual Evenings continue to bring people together around topics that touch everyday life, faith, family, and the future of Serbian communities in Kosovo and Metohija. This gathering served as a reminder that caring for children is the most important responsibility of every family—and of the entire community.
It is not enough to tell children what is good. They need to see goodness. They need to live within it. They need parents, teachers, priests, coaches, and mentors who will guide and support them.
Because if we want children to stay on the right path, we must first walk that path ourselves.
“As parents, we carry the responsibility to do everything that is within our power.”
The full lecture by Protopresbyter Dr. Oliver Subotić can be viewed on YouTube channel.Puls TV
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