Iohan's baptism

Just over a week ago, Iohan Hilary was baptized into the Orthodox Church at our parish, Christ the Savior. The boys' beloved godfather, Brandon, flew into Chicago for a too-short trip to be present at the sacrament; godmother Corene, being nearly eight and a half months pregnant, was unable to make the trip. (She was sorely missed!) Laura's mom and Gabriel's brother both made the trip from Michigan; we were also blessed with the presence of some of our Chicago friends, who roused themselves for the very early Sunday morning baptism. It was a wonderful weekend, and we are joyful beyond words that Iohan has been received into the Chruch.

Christ the Savior Church, with the baptismal font. The iconography is quite new (some, in fact, is still in progress) and is so beautiful as to be awe-inspiring. Brandon, right behind Father John, holds Iohan during prayer.

Those baptized into the Church are baptized by triple immersion, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. I'm fond of baptizing babies as close to the customary 40 days as possible. They have no idea as to what's going on and they don't fight the priest. Iohan took his baptism beautifully. Here he is over the font, with the icon of the Baptism of Christ in the Jordan on the far wall. I love this picture because Iohan is named for Saint John the Baptist and Forerunner, seen on the icon in the act of baptizing Christ. Iohan is practically reaching out to his patron saint here. I just realized that Iohan is about to be baptized by a man named John as well.

Post baptism, our pink little baby is dried and dressed in his white baptismal gown.

Every baby needs to fuss a little after being dunked in the water three times.

Feet are annointed with the oil of the Holy Chrism.

Father Anthony Coniaris, in his book, Introducing the Orthodox Church, writes:

"Baptizing infants before they know what is going on is an expression of God’s great love for us. It shows that God loves us and accepts us before we can ever know or love Him. It shows we are wanted and loved by God from the very moment of our birth. To say that a person much reach the age of reason and believe in Christ before he may be baptized is to make God’s grace in some way dependent on man’s intelligence. But God’s grace is not dependent on any act of ours, intellectual or otherwise; it is a pure gift of love."

(Thanks to Christine for finding that succinct passage.)

My mom made this beautiful gown and jacket for Jonah's baptism just over three years ago. All our boys have worn it, and I hope to one day pass it on for any grandchildren that we may have.