New York City, September 29, 2026
Photo: orthodoxobserver.org
28 catechumens, children and adults, were baptized and chrismated at St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Shrine Church in New York City on Sunday.
The service was led by Archbishop Elpidophoros, head of the Patriarchate of Constantinople’s Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, reports the Orthodox Observer.
Fr. Samuel Davis and Archimandrite Chrysostom Onyekakeyah, directors of the Apostolic Mission to the African Diaspora in the Americas, West Indies, and Caribbean, led the missionary work that brought the catechumens to the font. Through pastoral care, catechetical instruction, and community outreach, the two priests have built missionary networks that welcome seekers from a range of backgrounds.
Photo: orthodoxobserver.org
At the start of the service, Fr. Samuel and Archimandrite Chrysostom led the catechumens into the narthex, where they professed their allegiance to Christ. Archbishop Elpidophoros then invoked the Holy Spirit upon the Baptismal waters, anointed the water with oil, and immersed each catechumen three times. He sealed each with the gift of the Holy Spirit in Chrismation, and the newly baptized received their first Holy Communion.
In his homily, the Archbishop said the day reflected the essential Apostolic mission of the Church: to go forth and make disciples of all nations.
“Before our very eyes, so many beloved souls have been united to Christ and incorporated into His Holy Body, the Church. Through the waters of Holy Baptism and the seal and the Gift of the Holy Spirit—Holy Chrismation, you have been born anew. You have put on Christ. You have entered into the communion of the saints,” Archbishop Elpidophoros said.
“And now I say to you: This is your Church. This is your family. This is your home,” His Eminence told the newly baptized.
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