Global Mass Baptisms Celebrating the Feast of Theophany

Resaca, Georgia, January 22, 2025

Four people were baptized in the waters of the Pacific Ocean in the Philippines. Photo: phvieparchy.org     

Orthodox churches across the world welcomed new members this past weekend as mass Baptisms were held, timed to the feast of Theophany, commemorating Christ’s Baptism in the Jordan River.

The newly illumined include children and adults.

United States

Photo: Facebook     

On Saturday, January 18, the eve of the feast of the Theophany, nine people were baptized at the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia’s Monastery of the Glorious Ascension in Resaca, Georgia. They communed of the Holy Mysteries of Christ for the first time on the feast itself.

Their names are: John, Marina, Olga, Longinus, Nicholas, Constantine, Gabriel, Marcus, and Luke.

England

Photo: orthodox-europe.org     

On the same day, six adults received Holy Illumination during a Baptismal Liturgy at the Church of the Grand Duchess St. Elizabeth in Wallasey in northern England.

The group included three from the St. Elizabeth Church and three who traveled from the London Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Royal Martyrs. The Sacrament was celebrated by Archpriest Paul Elliot and Fr. Justin Venn, who were able to make use of the parish’s newly constructed adult baptismal font.

Following the festal Liturgy the next day, the waters of the Mersey Estuary were blessed.

Philippines

Photo: phvieparchy.org     

Four catechumens from the Church of Blessed Matrona of Moscow in Davao, Philippines, were also baptized on the feast of Theophany itself.

Following the feast-day Liturgy, Hieromonk Kornily (Molev) and the parishioners went to the coast to bless the waters of the Pacific Ocean. There, the rector celebrated the Sacrament of Baptism for four locals.

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OrthoChristian previously reported on several mass Baptisms taking place throughout the Nativity and Theophany season, including in Multiple mass Baptisms celebrated in Uganda during holiday seasonA series of mass Baptisms were celebrated in Uganda during the Nativity season.

“>Uganda, Australia, Christmas Eve marked with multiple Baptisms in BangkokThe newly baptized had been catechized for six months under the guidance of Hieromonk Micah (Phiaxayavong), a cleric of the cathedral.”>Bangkok, the First Liturgy and mass Baptism at new Congolese parishMore than a dozen people received Holy Baptism last week at a new parish of the Russian Orthodox Church’s African Exarchate in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.”>Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Alaska: New Orthodox Christians and new catechumens during Nativity seasonThe cathedral is home to the relics of St. Herman of Alaska, and his feast on December 13/25 “served to strengthen the community and extended a special grace to the catechumens in preparation for Holy Illumination.””>Alaska.

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