|
|
 In
Russia, July means baptism and baptism, second only to Easter in
significance, is huge. For it is only after baptism that one becomes
a member of the church. It is only after baptism that one can assume any
official duties in the church. And it is only after baptism that one
receives the title of brat or sestra (brother or sister) in the Lord.
Typically, a candidate for baptism here in Bashkortostan waits anywhere
from six months to a year to be baptized. During this time, a candidate’s
faith and walk are observed carefully to make certain that he or she has
truly repented. But finally, the probation period
comes to an end, the ice on the Belaya melts, and the church assembles en
masse on the banks of the river for one of the high points on the sacred
calendar.
|
|
|
 Converts
come from beneath the water jumping and pumping their hands in the air in
victory. A former “hooligan” ascends from the water to the loud
sobbing of those on shore. “Slava Bogu!” (praise God), the crowd shouts in
unison. As each of the new believers are raised from the river, the
congregation breaks out in song and friends and relatives of the
“kreshchennie” (the baptized ones) race to the water’s edge to embrace
them and smother them with kisses. There is no tedium here, no routine, no
dead ritual. Every eye is moist. There is joy on every face… so much joy
that we simply have to inquire about it. “Brother,” one says, “many of us
had fathers and grandfathers who died under Stalin. We know that baptism
means picking up one’s cross and following Jesus. |
 And that is why we
rejoice, for the privilege of sharing in His suffering.” Rejoicing in
suffering- how very Russian! How very Christian! Still, not everyone along
the banks of the Belaya rejoices. There are the usual curious onlookers,
but then there are other, better dressed observers that people say are “ne
nashi” (not ours). “Probably FSB-niki (KGB),” some say. On our way to a
waiting van, we run into a gentleman with a PhD in Philosophy that we have
not seen in a while. He once gave up his speaking time at a philosophy
meeting so that Larry could speak, catching his colleagues somewhat
unaware. Larry is surprised that the scientific materialist is at the
baptism and asks what he is doing here. “It is hard to say,” he says. Our
ride is beckoning us, and we have to go. We leave praising God for such a
rich experience and praying that the young doctor might one day attend
this blessed annual event, dressed in white. |
| Pray that Almighty God might protect the 21 new believers at the House of Prayer for All Peoples in Ufa from lapsing back into sin. Pray that the young PhD might turn to Christ and have his sins forgiven. Pray that we might all have the joy of the Lord so much in evidence at a Russian Baptism, no matter what the circumstances. |
The
novoobrashchennie (literally the newly turned ones) gather in their
dazzling white baptismal garments behind a banner that reads “whoever will
believe and be baptized, will be saved.” Scores of relatives from all over
the Republic stand ready with cameras in hand. There are sermons, hymns,
prayers, and then more sermons (after all, this is Russia). Then at last,
the pastors who will officiate wade into the river, raise their hands and
cry out for God to take pleasure in those who have turned to him from sin
and darkness. One by one, the new Christians enter the water under an arch
of flowers to declare that they have died to sin and are now being raised
to walk in newness of life through faith in Jesus Christ. There are a few
who are turning to Christ after many years of drug use. A great many more
are repenting of a daily liter of vodka. Some are turning to Christ from
the emptiness of the Russian Orthodox Church; while still others have
spent most of their lives trying to appease Allah through good works and
Muslim ritual. Some have even “sat” (Russian euphemism for prison time)
for various crimes. But now their sins have been forgiven. They are
slaves to sin no longer. And their joy at the baptism is palpable. For the
space of a few hours, the usually stoic Russian believers brim with
emotions. Babushkas enter the water with hands clasped in front of them
and arms raised, shouting “Spasibo Iisus, Spasibo” (Thank you Jesus, thank
you)! A young woman skips into the water tossing bouquets of flowers
before her in gratitude for her salvation.