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# Mississippi Parish Baptizes 22 New Members in Joyful Celebration
- URL: https://uoj.news/news/mississippi-parish-baptizes-22-new-members-in-joyful-celebration/
- Published: 2026-07-13T17:30:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-09-25T16:08:27.000Z
- Description: An Antiochian parish celebrated its largest baptismal gathering in recent years as 22 people entered the Church.
- Author: Tobias Straney
- Tags: #Category: News, Mass baptism, Antiochian Archdiocese of North America, Church Growth, Orthodoxy in America

**TUPELO, MS —** As reported by [OrthoChristian](https://orthochristian.com/178904.html?fbclid=IwdGRleATB5qVwZG9mA2ZkaWQWUKdt1jvSJhLt3KWOOR8Pi%5FImoBtUNWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR5shWRCJF2kpNuT1rPHCa1riVUkmVD1OHODMqrv5dZjURE-2VFRHkf17qIKiw%5Faem%5F9p75ElJKSAzGxSX9URXOlw), St. Paul Orthodox Church of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America celebrated the baptism of nearly [two dozen new members](https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story%5Ffbid=1355074460092745&id=100067706106787&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=zaPZhYlRm1zMllJZ#) on July 11, marking a significant moment of growth for the Mississippi parish.

The parish welcomed 22 people into the Orthodox Church through Holy Baptism during the joyful service. “Blessed to baptize 22 people today!” wrote rector Fr. David Bibeau in a [social media post](https://orthochristian.com/178904.html?fbclid=IwdGRleATB5qVwZG9mA2ZkaWQWUKdt1jvSJhLt3KWOOR8Pi%5FImoBtUNWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkCjY2Mjg1NjgzNzkAAR5shWRCJF2kpNuT1rPHCa1riVUkmVD1OHODMqrv5dZjURE-2VFRHkf17qIKiw%5Faem%5F9p75ElJKSAzGxSX9URXOlw) following the celebration.

[![](https://uoj.news/content/images/2026/06/mississippi-parish-baptizes-22-new-members-in-joyful-celebration-image-116a08599573.jpg)On this topicRomanian Orthodox Missions in Latin America Receive 50 New Faithful](https://uoj.news/news/87325-romanian-orthodox-missions-in-latin-america-receive-50-new-faithful/)

The baptisms continue a period of notable growth at St. Paul Orthodox Church. Since Pascha, the parish has reported receiving 24 new members into the Church and welcoming 15 additional catechumens who are preparing to enter the Orthodox faith.

The Tupelo parish is among a number of growing Orthodox communities in the United States experiencing increased interest and expansion. St. Paul Orthodox Church recently completed another major milestone when it moved into a new church building in the spring of 2025, providing additional space for its expanding congregation and liturgical life.

![Members of St. Paul Orthodox Church at the baptism service](https://uoj.news/content/images/2026/07/mississippi-parish-baptism-body-1-ccb18f56be56.jpg)

Photo: St. Paul Orthodox Church / Facebook

The baptism service was shared by the parish as a celebration of the spiritual growth taking place within the community and as a witness to the continued spread of Orthodox Christianity in America.

Previously, the [UOJ reported](https://uoj.news/news/fourteen-children-of-fallen-servicemen-receive-baptism-in-russia/) that fourteen children of fallen servicemen received baptism in Russia.