with Baba Mim....
Check out my other websites too:
Not Retired From Learning! http://www.notretiredfromlearning.com
and....
Bizic Education Enterprises.
"The Power of Three"--> www.mimbizic.com
And the Moon Township Historical Society website:
Serbian History 101
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The following information is from Fr. John Shimchick, in Jacob's Well, Spring/Summer 2002.
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3 Sacraments of Holy Baptism
"The Service of Baptism inaugurates the person’s reception of three Sacraments –
Baptism, Chrismation, and the Eucharist – allowing that person to have the same
potential as any of the greatest saints.
"Nothing more can be added.
"Baptism is one's personal acceptance of the feast of Pascha. It celebrates one's unification and identification with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
"Holy Chrismation marks one's acceptance of the Feast of Pentecost, in which the Holy Spirit descended upon the gathered disciples. It celebrates the consecration and dedication of a person’s uniqueness and talents - all in the context that "God's Holy Name might be glorified" in the life of that person or child.
"The gifts of Baptism and Chrismation prepare one for the true possibilities of communion, life, and nourishment that God provides in Holy Communion, the Eucharist.
"These Sacraments of Entry mark the opening moments of Christian life: the beginning of
a life in Christ which leads from "glory to glory" and to continual re-discovery and joy."
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Usually we think of babies being baptized, but here we have two sisters, beautiful young ladies, who decided on their own, to be baptized into Christ. If you haven't been baptized yet, think about making the commitment to Christ. He welcomes all!
EXORCISMS
Fr. Rajko Kosic and Nicholas' Kum help prepare him for a life with Christ.
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
Parker Nicholas' first trip to the Altar with Fr. Rajko, Pgh.
Before the conclusion of the service, the priest takes the newly baptized and chrismated one to the altar. He/she is offered to God and the church, just as St. Simon offered Jesus to the temple. The priest then proclaims, "The servant of God is Churched in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy SPirit." The mother then receives the child at the Royal Doors at the altar just as Virgin Mary received Jesus at the temple.
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Thanks to our website Contributors George Vurgich and his sister, Dolores Vignovich, who collaborated to produce this wonderful Baptism leaflet for St. Nicholas' Serbian Orthodox Church in Monroeville to help people better understand the Holy Sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation.
Baptism, as St. Paul writes, is death and resurrection with Christ. In the Sacrament of Baptism, the Holy Spirit cleanses the soul of sin so that all the human soul enters into a relationship with God through grace and is received into the fellowship of true believers. Those baptized receive forgiveness of original sin and are united with Christ in such a way as to receive full benefits of His redemption. They are mysteriously reborn into a spiritual Christian life.
The Orthodox Rite of Baptism begins in the vestibule of the church. The priest breathes three times into the face of the one being baptized, making the sign of the cross on his/her forehead and chest. By this he signifies that through Baptism the breath of life has been granted, just as God breathed into the nostrils of Adam, the first man. The three times indicate the life-giving Trinity.
The Priest makes the sign of the cross on the brow of the one being baptized three times to signify that by personal disgression he/she is separated from unbelievers. The brow is considered the center of disgression. The placing of the priest's hand on the head indicates that the newly baptized has taken refuge in the church. o be completely separated from Satan and to belong to God, the one being baptized and their sponsors (Kum and Kuma) are turned away from the altar, toward the west, and asked to reject Satan three times and to breathe and spit upon Satan. Then turning toward the east, to the altar, the sponsors are asked to confess three times on behalf of the infant, their acceptance of Christ--thus uniting the infant with Christ. The Nicene Creed is then read in its entirety.
Blessing the Water and Immersion
Here's a special baby! Welcome Samantha!
Bato and Ljubi (Ostojich) Hayden were pleased to welcome to Christ, their 3rd grandchild, but the first (1st!) female in the Hayden family in 38 years!
Bato and Ljubi have four sons: Milan (Jen) have Ilija; Adam (Beth) have Luke and Samantha (baby shown here above); and Luke and Daniel are still single as of this writing. (Come on' girls!)
Bato Hayden is originally from Aliquippa, PA. He's a relative to Sava Hajdin, founder of the Serb National Federation. Bato is founder of the "Pee Wee Division" of the SNF Basketball Tournaments.
Baba Ljubi's maiden name was Ostoich, and her mother was a Chicago Popovich. Beth's (baby Samantha's mother) maiden name was Lauer.
The Christening took place at St. Archangel Michael's Serbian Orthodox Church on Oct. 10, 2009, with V.Rev. Fr. Dr. Milos Vesin officiating.
Kumovi for Samantha were Mark Zagorac and Dana Wilkins, marking a 2nd generation Kumstvo, as Bato and Ljubi held Mark for his Christening. Marko's brother Sam (Nicole) and the Hayden's son Milan (Jen) are also Krsteni Kumovi.
Maternal grandparents are Bob & Kathy Lauer
Great-grandparents are Sophie (Popovich) Ostoich of Lansing, IL, Barbara Hayden of Marco Island, FL and Joe and Pam Lauer, Lansing, IL
Ziveli, all!
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Baptized unto Christ....
Family and Friends gather....
The Midland, PA St. George Church altar is beautiful!
Top photo: Fr. Milan Pajic baptizing in the name of the Holy Spirit.
Bottom photo:Cutting the hair: First gift to God after baptism.
This ritual cutting of the hair is a sign of dedication, commitment and obedience, as well as faithful service to God. The newly cut hair is preserved in candle wax and given to the mother for safekeeping.
THE CUTTING OF HAIR -more-
After confirming the child, the priest cuts three locks of hair from the child’s head. This is an
expression of gratitude from the child, who having received an abundance of blessings through the
Sacraments of Baptism and Confirmation and having nothing to give to God in return, offers part of its hair, which is symbolic of strength (see Samson in the Old Testament). The child, therefore, promises
to serve God with all its strength. In the words of Fr. Schmemann, the cutting of the hair “is a sign that
the life that now begins is a life of offering and sacrifice.”
THE ANOINTING WITH OIL
Jocelyn welcoming the Holy Spirit and the "Oil of Gladness" from Fr. Tom Soroka, separating herself from unbelievers.
The Olive oil is blessed and then applied by the priest to the various members of the child’s/adult's body: hands, feet, ears, mouth, in order to dedicate them to the service of Christ. The oil is called "THE OIL OF GLADNESS," symbolic of future happiness.
However dark may be the night that surrounds us, baptism remains the sacrament of entrance
into light. It opens the eyes of the soul to see Christ, the light of the world (John 1:19). It makes us
sons of light (I Thess. 5:5).
In the early church, the baptismal candle was always kept by the one baptized. It was given to
the newly baptized with the scriptural admonition: “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16).
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The Immersion....
Deacon Dragoslav Kosic and his happy Family
Happy relatives share the joy!
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This is what its all about!
Kuma Paula Winowich knows!
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Joining the family of Christ
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