Gnesichi, Belarus and West Perth, Australia, July 30, 2025
Photo: eparhia.by
On July 28, the feast of St. Vladimir and the Baptism of Rus’, twenty people received Holy Baptism in the Neman River, near Belarus’ St. Elisha-Larishevsky Monastery.
The tradition of celebrating Baptismal Liturgies this day began in 2018, and this year it coincides with the 800th anniversary of the founding of the monastery, reports the Belarusian Church. OrthoChristian reported on the Baptisms in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Photo: eparhia.by
The service was celebrated by clerics from the Novogrudok and Minsk Dioceses and sung by the brethren’s choir of Larishevsky Monastery.
During the service, twenty adults and children from three dioceses received the washing of regeneration in the Neman.
And in Australia, eight children and adults were baptized at the Church of the Annunciation in West Perth on July 26, the feast of St. Paraskevi, reports Vema of the Church.
Photo: vema.com.au
The service was presided over by Bishop Elpidios of Perth. The newly illumined had spent several months in catechism under Protopresbyter Emmanuel Stamatiou. In his homily, the bishop spoke about the meaning of the Baptismal service and the rebirth that occurs through the grace of the Holy Spirit.
“It is a great joy for our local Church to witness so many people seeking Christ and embracing the Orthodox Christian faith. Their presence and commitment are a source of strength and inspiration for us all,” writes the Vema.
The newly illumined received the following names: Porphyrios, Ekaterina, Ioanna, Dismas, Anastasia, Evangeline, Alana, and Isaiah.
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