Astoria, New York, September 24, 2024
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Archbishop Elpidophoros, head of the Patriarchate of Constantinople’s Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, receive a group of 10 catechumens into the Church over the weekend.
The service, which represents the fruit of the Archdiocese’s African-American Outreach Mission, was celebrated at Sts. Catherine and George Greek Orthodox Church in Astoria, New York, the Archdiocese reports.
The outreach mission was launched in 2022. The newly illumined, seven of whom were received by Baptism and three by Chrismation, consist of black families from different African countries and Caribbean islands and people born in America whom Archimandrite Chrysostom Onyekakeyah, Project Coordinator for Mission and Outreach Development at the Archdiocese, met during his various outreach efforts throughout the year.
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“They have all been drawn to the beauty of the Orthodox Christian ancient worship, and sound teaching, and they have a keen interest in growing their faith within Orthodoxy,” the Archdiocese reports.
“You have made a great step in your ascent of the Ladder to Heaven, and you are helped along the way by the Virgin Mother of God, who became the Ladder of Lord’s Descent into world of the human family,” the Archbishop told the newly illumined.
“Your Baptism today is your emergence from the sacred womb of the Church. It is the fulfillment of your catechesis, the period of time when you studied and were instructed in the faith. But I urge you, do not cease from engaging with the truth of our faith,” Abp. Elpidophoros said.
“Being a disciple of the Lord is a lifelong pursuit. We do not follow Him for a day, a week, or a year. We follow Him for life. We spend our lives learning from our Ultimate Teacher, and in return He grants us eternal life.”
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