Children of Heaven
By Fr. Aleksandar Radunovic
Who are the children of Heaven? They are those born not of the flesh, nor of blood, but of the Holy Spirit and truth. They are souls that shine like stars in the darkness of a fallen world, living in the light of Christ. Through baptism in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, they become new creations, obedient to the heavenly law and deemed worthy to dwell in eternal light. Yet, before one becomes a child of Heaven, before they descend into the waters of baptism and rise as one resurrected in Christ, their heart, soul, and will must be tested.
From apostolic times, the mystery of entering the Church—the heavenly assembly—demanded seriousness, sobriety, and spiritual discernment. The holy apostles and fathers did not admit into Christ’s flock those whose hearts harbored duplicity, negligence, or a pretense of faith. They tested spirits, seeking the flame of true love for God within the souls of those who approached the Holy Mysteries.
Catechumens, the future children of Heaven, underwent lengthy periods of preparation. Catechesis was not merely instruction in the basics of faith but an initiation into the light. Over years of learning, their will and faith were tested, as gold is refined in fire. Only when they demonstrated a sincere desire to renounce sin, the world, and the lies of demons were they admitted into the community of the elect.
The apostles, like stars in the celestial vault, shone with wisdom—not their own, but through the Holy Spirit who dwelt within them. They discerned spirits, distinguishing falsehood from truth. Was this a child of Heaven or a child of darkness? This question did not remain hidden before their spiritual eyes. Saint Peter recognized in Simon the magician the root of bitterness and impurity (Acts 8:23). It was not enough to simply approach baptism; one had to die to sin and rise with Christ.
Children of Heaven are those who not only confess their faith with words but live it. Their faith is not merely a sound but a fragrance, a light, and a love. Before baptism, they underwent prayers for purification and exorcisms that expelled all shadows of darkness from their hearts. The priest, like a watchman at the gates of paradise, prayed and lifted his hands toward heaven, pleading for mercy upon the soul standing before the threshold of salvation.
Why was all this necessary? Because the birth of children of Heaven is the greatest mystery. The baptized are not merely ordinary people; they are members of Christ’s body, sanctified vessels in whom the Holy Spirit dwells. They are called to be the light of the world, to overcome death and sin, and to walk in the glory of Heaven even here on earth.
The holy apostles and fathers understood that faith cannot be imposed. Love for God is voluntary; it reflects free will. Therefore, they questioned, discerned, and examined—not to reject, but to prepare and purify souls. For a child of Heaven must be pure, like a child gazing with love upon the face of their Father.
Children of Heaven are those who, through baptism, become the sun reflecting in the boundless ocean of God’s mercy. But before the sun rises, the night must pass. The testing of spirits, the sincerity of faith, and the renunciation of the old man—all these are preparations for the moment when heaven and earth become one, when the Holy Spirit descends and seals the soul that cries out, “Abba, Father!”
Let each person who strives for Heaven ask themselves: Am I truly a child of Heaven? Does my heart burn with love for Christ? Am I ready to die to my old life and live in the new light? For the one who belongs to Heaven no longer lives for themselves but for the One who loved them first.
And so, in the holy mystery of baptism, man is transformed from earthly to heavenly. He becomes a child of Heaven, chosen and sealed by grace, walking toward the eternal glory of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Father Aleksandar
