U.S. Soldier Baptized into Orthodox Faith in Romania

Photo: Valentin Carlan/Facebook

FLAMANZI — A U.S. Army soldier recently embraced Orthodox Christianity through baptism at the Church of St. Nicholas in Flămânzi, Botoșani County in Romania. The conversion was announced by parish priest Fr. Valentin Cârlan, who shared the news on social media, calling the event a moment of joy for the local Orthodox community.

The story was first reported by Basilica News Agency.

After completing a period of catechesis and instruction in the Orthodox faith, the soldier received the baptismal name Ezekiel. “From a soldier in the U.S. Army, he became a new soldier of Christ,” Fr. Cârlan wrote. Following his baptism, the convert was also married in the same church.

The soldier’s entry into the Orthodox Church does not affect his military duties, but rather, as Fr. Cârlan noted, reflects the Christian understanding that all the baptized are spiritual warriors in the service of Christ.

Previously, UOJ reported that the Holy Synod of the Romanian Orthodox Church, chaired by Patriarch Daniel, had officially approved the canonization of 16 female ascetics during its latest session.

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