MASS BAPTISMS, ORTHODOX CHURCH IN RWANDA - BAPTÊMES DE MASSE, ÉGLISE ORTHODOXE AU RWANDA

 Titus Twungubumwe 

MASS BAPTISMS ORGANIZED AT THE PARISH OF SAINT CATHERINE - ORTHODOX CHURCH IN RWANDA: JUNE 3, 2023.

With the blessing of His Eminence Innocentios BYAKATONDA the Metropolitan of the Holy Orthodox Archdiocese of Burundi and Rwanda, Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Alexandria and All Africa, Holy Sacrament of Baptism was conducted in the Parish of Saint Catherine / Rwanda on this Saturday, June 3, 2023. More 300 people were baptized and a big number were adult people from different parishes and Church Communities in the country. Father Archimandrite Nectarios Alexandru DIMA the Vicar General was helped by Father Panagiotis, Father Theodoros, Father Nicholas, Deacon Nectarios and Subdeacon George in the Divine Liturgy and administration of the sacrament. The present Readers, the representatives of Church Communities, the chanters and the volunteers have also helped for the good administration of this sacrament to which a big number of the faithful has attended.

All who have been baptized in Christ have put on Christ Alleluia!

Reported by:

Reader Timotheos Tito TWUNGUBUMWE / Orthodox Church in Rwanda.

THE SACRAMENTS OF INITIATION: BAPTISM, HOLY CHRISMATION AND HOLY EUCHARIST.

Christening is “the ceremony of baptizing and naming the child”. The word “Christening” is derived from Christ, which indicates that this is the ceremony that marks an initiation into God’s Kingdom.

Therefore, everything that happens during an Orthodox Christian Christening is done for the purpose of entering an individual into a relationship with God, which is why there are three Sacraments present within the ceremony.

Sacrament of Baptism.

Typically, Baptism in the Greek Orthodox Church happens at infancy and is looked at as an expression of how much God loves us. Jesus commissioned baptism in Matthew when he told the Apostles to, “make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19).

Baptism is an important sacrament in the life of a Christian. It symbolizes the death of a sinful way of life and a rebirth into a new life in Christ. Note that baptism is just the beginning of the journey. It doesn’t guarantee passage into Heaven. However, it is the first step to getting there.

Sacrament of Holy Chrismation.

During the Christening, the Sacrament of Chrismation happens after the Baptism itself and like Baptism, it can only be administered once during a lifetime. The purpose of this sacrament is to receive the Holy Spirit. In doing so, the newly baptized infant receives guidance and spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit, which will allow for spiritual growth.

Various parts of the body are anointed during Chrismation. The forehead represents our thoughts. The chest signifies our heart and our desires. The eyes, ears, and lips represent the senses. The hands and feet represent good works and our spiritual walk.

Sacrament of Holy Eucharist.

The Sacrament of Holy Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is optionally administered after the Christening itself is complete. This is the first communion for all Orthodox Christians and is administered at every Divine Liturgy service. All Orthodox Christians are welcome to receive communion at each Divine Liturgy service when the proper preparations are made.

The Christening is a new Christian’s opportunity to begin his or her spiritual walk. In the Greek Orthodox Church, the Christening is most often done in infancy. During this ceremony, three sacraments are administered. These are Baptism, Chrismation, and Holy Communion. Baptism and Chrismation are only performed once in a lifetime. Holy Communion is given at each Liturgy service. The Christening ceremony, in general, signifies the official beginning of the Christian life.

Περισσότερα...

https://www.facebook.com/titus.twungubumwe