Washington State Antiochian Parish Baptizes 29 as 78 Catechumens Await Baptism

ARLINGTON, WA — St. Andrew Orthodox Church in Arlington, Washington, baptized 29 people on September 26, as the Antiochian parish continues to experience significant growth. Another 78 catechumens are currently preparing to receive baptism.

Located about halfway between Seattle and the Canadian border, the parish currently has 310 members. Its congregation has doubled over the past three years, with approximately 65 people baptized at the church so far in 2026.

Fr. David Hovik serves as rector of St. Andrew, which entered the Orthodox Church about 30 years ago after converting from a nondenominational Protestant background. Hovik has previously discussed his journey to Orthodoxy in an interview with Buck Johnson on the Counterflow podcast titled “Leaving Evangelicalism for the Ancient Church.”

Those baptized on September 26 included several single men, a high-school football player who subsequently led his mother to Orthodoxy, several young families, and four infants born to Orthodox parents.

The recent baptisms come as the parish continues to receive new members and prepare additional catechumens for entry into the Orthodox Church. With 78 catechumens still awaiting baptism, the parish’s recent growth represents a substantial increase from its membership of just three years ago.

Previously, the UOJ reported that a growing OCA parish baptized 16 more people.