The Reason I was Baptized as an Orthodox Christian

Originally published in Greek under the title Γιατί βαπτίσθηκα

Preface

   Many times our teacher, Professor Stergios Sakkos, was invited to preach at the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, and he always had a word of divine wisdom to offer. Each time his preaching revealed new aspects of the mystery and helped us to deepen our understanding of God’s all-knowing love and the nurturing power of the Church. These sermons also vividly emphasized the responsibility of parents and godparents for the upbringing of the newly illumined child and holy member of the Church “in the discipline and admonition of the Lord”. Parents usually make a video of the entire Sacrament so that, when the children grow up, they may watch their own Baptism and listen to the sermon, which as infants they could not understand.

   We found it greatly beneficial to gather excerpts from these sermons and publish them in a booklet, so that they might reach a wider circle of readers. We believe that the theological insights and practical teachings contained contribute to a deeper understanding of the mystery of Baptism. They lead us to realize how divine grace makes us citizens of God’s Kingdom, granting us a new and blessed life. Such an understanding illumines, more than anything else, the glorious day of Baptism, “the illumination” of our children.

Thessaloniki, October 1993

«CHRISTIANIKI ELPIS»

ORTHODOX SISTERHOOD

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