Baptism on Lazarus Saturday

By the grace of God, on this blessed Lazarus Saturday—on the eve of the Triumphant Entrance of our Lord into Jerusalem—we were granted the great joy of welcoming new members into the life of the Church.

Following the Divine Liturgy, the Ebersole family was received into the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church through the sacred Mysteries of Holy Baptism and Chrismation. In the waters of Baptism, they were united to Christ, buried and raised with Him, and through Chrismation sealed with the gift of the Holy Spirit, entering fully into the mystical life of the Body of Christ.

How fitting that this new birth in Christ takes place on Lazarus Saturday—a day on which the Church proclaims Christ as the Resurrection and the Life. As Lazarus was called forth from the tomb, so too every newly illumined Christian is called from death into life, from darkness into the light of the Kingdom.

We rejoice with the Ebersole family and give thanks to God for His abundant mercy. May the Lord grant them many blessed years, that they may grow in faith, bear spiritual fruit, and remain steadfast as faithful inheritors of the Kingdom of Heaven—a citizenship we receive already in this life and carry with us into the age to come.

With love in Christ,

Holy Resurrection of Christ Orthodox Church.