Lavige, Luzon Island Philippines, October 28, 2025
From the service in Lavige. Photo: phvieparchy.org
38 people were baptized into the Orthodox Church at two different parishes in the Philippines this weekend.
In the village of Lavige on Luzon Island, 33 catechumens from the parish of St. Seraphim of Sarov were baptized in the waters of the Pacific Ocean on Saturday, October 25. The Sacrament was celebrated by priests from the Manila deanery of the Philippine-Vietnamese Diocese: Fr. David Grubbs and Hieromonk John (Gondayao), reports Global Orthodox.
Following the Baptisms, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated during which the newly baptized received Holy Communion for the first time. After the service, parishioners and guests gathered for a festive meal where the priests addressed the new community members with words about Christian life.
The Lavige community now numbers about 100 Orthodox faithful, most of whom are children. Despite modest material conditions, the parish continues to develop actively and grow spiritually.
In 2021, a local resident named Athanasius was healed immediately after receiving Baptism, which deeply moved local residents and led many to express a desire to join the Orthodox faith. Due to the pandemic, a mass Baptism didn’t take place until March 2023, when 31 people were baptized in the ocean waters.
Since then, services have been held regularly in Lavige, and parishioners receive spiritual and material support from the diocesan Department of Charity and Social Ministry. The first Liturgy at the newly formed parish was celebrated in May 2023. Since then, services, charitable events, and humanitarian aid distributions have been held regularly in Lavige.
From the service in Macalangot. Photo: Philippines-Vietnam Diocese
On the same day, five more people received the Sacrament of Baptism at the parish of St. Seraphim of Sarov in the village of Macalangot in the North Cotabato Deanery.
The catechumens were baptized by the parish rector Fr. Nicholas Salgado. The new members of Christ’s Church were given the names Anna, Jonah, Stephen, John, and Paul.
OrthoChristian previously reported on the Baptism of 26 people in Bacoor, Philippines.
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