It is a well-known and undisputed fact that in the early Church the communion of all the faithful, of the entire ecclesia at each Liturgy was a self-evident norm. What must be stressed, however, is that this corporate communion was understood not only as an act of personal piety and personal sanctification but, first of all, as an act stemming precisely from one’s very membership in the Church, as the fulfillment and actualization of that membership. The Eucharist was both defined and experienced as the “sacrament of the Church,” the “sacrament of the assembly,” the “sacrament of unity.” “He mixed Himself with us,” writes St. John Chrysostom, “and dissolved His body in us so that we may constitute a wholeness, be a body united to the Head.” The early Church simply knew no other sign or criterion of membership but the participation in the sacrament. — Alexander Schmemann
Amen! I love Schmemann. Note: “the communion of ALL the faithful, of the ENTIRE ecclesia at each Liturgy was a self-evident norm.” Everyone, including children were included on the basis of church (Covenant) membership (through Baptism), “an act stemming precisely from one’s very membership in the Church”
peace,
adam Theology
Indeed Adam. The Orthodox Church thought and has continue to believe that the ecclesia includes children. Now, isn’t that a noble concept?