Fourteen Children of Fallen Servicemen Receive Baptism in Russia

BIROBIDZHAN, RUSSIA — Fourteen children whose fathers were killed or remain missing while serving in the war against Ukraine were baptized July 4 at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Birobidzhan. The sacrament was celebrated by Bp. Luka of Birobidzhan and Kuldur after the children, who were participating in a rehabilitation program for families affected by the war, expressed a desire to enter the Orthodox Church.

The newly baptized children were taking part in the 18-day "Summer in the Circle of Friends" project, which provides spiritual and psychological support to young people who have experienced the loss of a parent. Organizers said the initiative to receive baptism came from the children themselves. With Bp. Luka's blessing, Jewish Autonomous Region Governor Maria Kostyuk agreed to serve as one of the godparents, joined by several senior regional officials. Authorities also assisted with transportation for the event.

According to Mikhail Khasminsky, director of the Center for Crisis Psychology, the ceremony was unprecedented in Russia because it brought together children of fallen or missing servicemen with regional leaders serving as godparents. The goal, he said, was to ensure the children found spiritual guidance and encouragement through the Church. In his homily, Bp. Luka said the children, though deprived of their earthly fathers, had found their Heavenly Father and spiritual families through baptism, describing the event as an expression of Christian compassion. The baptism was held on the eve of Russia's Family, Love, and Fidelity Day and formed part of a regional forum focused on supporting military families and veterans.

Previously, the UOJ reported that 23 catechumens entered the Church on Lazarus Saturday.