On Saturday 19 October, eight catechumens were welcomed into the Orthodox faith through the holy mystery of baptism in Jinja. The number included adult converts and children of Orthodox families. The triple-immersion sacrament and Chrismation were presided over by Bishop Silvester Kisitu at Holy Resurrection Cathedral in Jinja City. The hierarch co-served with Fr. Chrysostom Koolya, assisted by Monk-Deacon Moses Ssekubunga.
Another such spiritual occasion occurred on Sunday 13 October 2024 at St Arsenios Parish in Mbale City. There, Bishop Silvester of Jinja presided over the mysteries of Baptism, Chrismation and Divine Liturgy on the Sunday of the Fathers of the Seventh Ecumenical Council. Eight children owned by Orthodox families were inaugurated into the church through holy baptism and Chrismation. His Grace co-served with Fr Thomas Wananda – the parish priest, Fr. Andrew Wambwa and Monk-priest Paraskevianos Ndawula.
On both occasions the bishop reminded the godparents about the need to teach the newly baptized how to “keep their garments clean”. He said that no one will be saved because they were baptized but instead, they will be saved by doing what Christ commands us to do.
“At baptism, we put on Christ (Galatians 3:27), so it is the wedding garment. We keep the garment clean through confession, repentance, loving and praying for our neighbors so that we may be able to commune with God through partaking of His Body and Blood.”
The names of the newly baptized in Jinja are Athanasios Nsumba, Sophia Namugenyi, Cosmas Kasirye, Anna Naigaga, Catherine Akitwi, Peter Okware, Elizabeth Mutumba, and Stefanos Sediga. The celebrations were accompanied with blessing of bread (artoklasia) offered by the newly illumined Orthodox Christians and festal meals.
Blessings 🙏