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Over the past few years I have often reflected on a simple question:
Who are the heroes our children are growing up with? Today's children are surrounded by superheroes, fictional characters, social media personalities and commercial toys that often have little to offer beyond entertainment. They quickly recognise the faces of cartoon characters and movie heroes, yet many Orthodox children struggle to recognise Saint Nicholas, Saint George, Saint Marina or Saint Nektarios when they see their icons in church. As both an Orthodox Christian and someone who has spent many years creating products that support Orthodox family life, I found myself asking whether there might be a gentle way to help change that. This question became the inspiration for Our Faithful Friends—a collection of Orthodox saint dolls created to help children become familiar with the saints from their earliest years. I would like to share the heart behind this project, as I recognise that the idea may naturally raise questions, particularly regarding the depiction of saints on children's dolls. First and foremost, these dolls are not icons, nor are they intended to replace the holy icons of the Church or become objects of veneration. Holy icons occupy a unique and irreplaceable place within the worship and life of the Orthodox Church. Rather, these dolls are educational companions, created to support parents in introducing the saints to their children within the home. They are intended to complement—not replace—the life of the Church, the icon corner, family prayer, Sunday School, the reading of the lives of the saints, and participation in the Holy Mysteries. The Orthodox home has always been the first place where children encounter the life of the Church. Before they can read the Scriptures, they see the family icons. Before they understand theology, they learn to make the sign of the Cross. Before they can explain their faith, they hear the hymns, kiss the icons, light candles, and watch their parents pray. It is our hope that these companions may naturally belong within that same environment—encouraging conversation, curiosity, and love for the saints, while always pointing children back to Christ and His Holy Church. Children naturally learn through familiarity. They learn by seeing, touching, repeating, asking questions, and imitating those they admire. Long before they can understand theology, they understand friendship. Long before they can read the lives of the saints, they can recognise their faces. A familiar face becomes a familiar name. A familiar name becomes a beloved story. And over time, that story becomes an example to follow. The question, therefore, is not whether children will have heroes. Every child will admire someone. Every child will imitate someone. Every child will aspire to become someone. The question is... who will those heroes be? If our children can immediately recognise fictional superheroes but not the saints of Christ's Church, perhaps we are missing an opportunity to place before them better examples. These dolls seek to introduce children to men and women whose lives reflected courage, humility, compassion, faithfulness and sacrificial love. Instead of admiring imaginary powers, children discover courage in Saint George. Instead of fame, they learn generosity from Saint Nicholas. Instead of worldly success, they encounter humility in Saint Nektarios. Instead of bitterness, they witness forgiveness in Saint Dionysios. Instead of self-centredness, they discover compassion in Saint Panteleimon. Each saint becomes an invitation to conversation. "Who is this?" "What did this saint do?" "Why does the Church love them?" These simple questions become opportunities for parents and grandparents to pass on the treasures of our faith naturally within everyday family life. We also hope that children will gradually come to understand that the saints are not simply historical figures or moral examples. They are beloved members of the family of God who continue to pray for us and encourage us by their example. Our prayer is that children will come to know the saints not only as heroes to admire, but as heavenly friends who continually lead them toward Christ. Some may understandably express concern that children may not always handle these dolls with the respect due to those whom they depict. Children may carry them throughout the house, sleep with them, or occasionally leave them on the floor. This concern deserves thoughtful consideration. Yet childhood is also the season in which reverence is lovingly taught. We do not expect children instinctively to know how to venerate an icon, make the sign of the Cross correctly, light a candle, kiss the priest's hand, or behave reverently in church. These things are learned through patient guidance, gentle correction and loving example. In the same way, these dolls provide another opportunity for parents to teach that the saints are holy men and women who devoted their lives to Christ, and that anything depicting them should be treated with love and respect. Rather than distancing children from the saints until they are older, we hope to bring the saints into the ordinary moments of childhood, where friendships are formed and memories are made. Perhaps a child will fall asleep holding Saint Stylianos. Perhaps a little boy will carry Saint George everywhere because he wants to be brave like him. Perhaps a little girl will proudly tell everyone that Saint Catherine is her friend. These moments may seem small, yet they plant seeds. One day that same child may enter the church, recognise that familiar face in an icon, and joyfully say, "That's my saint!" At that moment, the saint is no longer an unfamiliar historical figure. He or she has become someone the child knows, loves, and desires to imitate. My prayer is not simply that these dolls will be enjoyed by children. My prayer is that they will become the beginning of countless conversations between parents and children, grandparents and grandchildren, teachers and students, and priests and the young people entrusted to their care. If one child learns to recognise Saint Nicholas in church because he once hugged a Saint Nicholas doll... If one little girl discovers courage through Saint Marina... If one family begins celebrating the feast day of a saint because their child asks about the companion they carry everywhere... Then these little companions will have fulfilled the purpose for which they were created. They will have helped one more child grow to know, love and follow Christ through the example of His saints. We are not trying to place saints in the toy box. We are trying to place the saints in the hearts of our children. It is with humility that I share this project with you. I welcome your thoughts, your guidance and your prayers as we prepare to introduce Our Faithful Friends to Orthodox families. If, with your pastoral blessing, these companions can help even one child grow closer to Christ and His Church, then I will thank God for allowing me to play a small part in that journey. May the Lord bless our children with hearts that seek holiness, and may the prayers of all the saints guide them throughout their lives. Asimina xo |
