A Fresh Little Orthodox Christian

Baby Luke was baptized and chrismated (aka "confirmed") into the Orthodox Church last Sunday, the 28th, and he also received his first communion. Our little guy is officially an Orthodox christian and may participate directly in all the appropriate sacraments.

He did pretty well for the first couple of minutes, but then it was that throaty cry for the rest of the time. As you can see from the pictures, his mama had to come over and hold him for a little bit. Fortunately he settled down just before he was given the Eucharist.

For those who aren't familiar with the Orthodox church, the parents are given the responsibility to decide for the children that they be Christian so we don't wait to chrismate. Technically, we choose the godparents--in this case the very worthy Dn. Stephen and Mary Patty Holley--and the godparents speak for the child in the service. Of course when the child becomes older the parents can no longer force Orthodoxy on him, but for now it's our prerogative.

If you notice in the pictures, Luke is wearing a blanket with lace around the edges. The Holley's gave that to him--it was worn in baptism by Dn. Stephen, his mother, and his grandfather.

Baby Luke's Baptism