06/15/2026
“Some journeys to Christ are instant. Others are slow, steady, and deeply intentional.”
On June 13th, we celebrated the Holy Baptism and Reception of Jaiden and Sadie, two souls who didn’t just want to become Orthodox; they wanted to live Orthodoxy.
Before the day of their baptism arrived, they paused some life decisions and spent over a year doing what many admire from afar but few are patient enough to embrace.
• sitting through catechumen classes,
• learning to observe the liturgical calendar,
• entering into the rhythm of fasting,
• showing up for the services,
• and slowly letting the life of the Church shape their hearts.
And after all of that, after seeing the discipline, the beauty, the sacrifice, and the joy, they still offered a yes that was not rushed, not emotional, not romanticized, but a tested, patient, and formed yes.
A yes that grew through Great Lent.
A yes that survived the fasts.
A yes that deepened through every Vespers, every Liturgy, every question, and every struggle.
Then came the moment that revealed the depth of that yes. They turned to the West and declared:
“I reject Satan, all his works, all his servants and all his pride.”
A real and conscious break with the old life.
Then turning to the East, toward Christ, they proclaimed the fullness of their desire with the words:
“I unite myself to Christ.”
One yes expressed in two directions. (1)Turning away from darkness and (2) turning fully toward the Light.
This day, heaven rejoiced, and so did we.
Welcome home, Jaiden and Sadie.
May God grant you many blessed years as you walk this beautiful, ancient path with Christ.
