Sydney: Ten newly baptised Orthodox Christians at the Parish of the Resurrection of Christ, Kogarah
With the blessing of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia, ten new believers were welcomed into the Orthodox Church, at the Parish of the Resurrection of Christ, in the suburb of Kogarah in Sydney.
His Grace Bishop Christodoulos of Magnesia, Parish Proistamenos and Chief Secretary of the Holy Eparchial Synod of the Archdiocese of Australia, performed the Sacrament of Baptism and Chrismation of the ten members of the Parish’s catechism course, and was joined by Father Athanasios Giatsios, Father Socrates Dokos and Father Anastasios Kalogerakis.
The church was filled with many parishioners, family members, as well as friends of the newly illumined, who wanted to be present at this sacred and important moment in their lives.
The atmosphere was charged with great emotion and intense spiritual joy, as these ten souls – Anastasios, Job, John, Julia, Artemis, Stavroula, Panagiotis, John, Sophia and Angeliki – were received into the fullness of the Orthodox faith. Through holy Baptism they “put on Christ”, an event that marked a new beginning in their spiritual journey.
His Grace Bishop Christodoulos conveyed the paternal blessings of His Eminence Archbishop Makarios of Australia to the newly baptised members of the Orthodox Church, emphasising the importance of their devotion to Christ and His Church. All members of the community stood as witnesses, offering their support and prayers, as these ten believers were reborn in Christ.
After the Baptism, an outdoor dinner was hosted by the Philoptochos Association of the Parish, at which parishioners and guests participated in the joy of the newly baptised, with wishes for abundant blessings from God and guidance in their new life in the Orthodox Church.
