Austin “Columba” Millinder

𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗥𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗻!⁣
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This year on Holy Saturday, April 11th 2026, my wife and I were received, through Holy Baptism, into the Eastern Orthodox Church! ⁣
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The Orthodox Church isn’t simply another denomination of Christianity. Rather, it is pre-denominational. It has believed, taught, preserved, defended and⁣
died for the Faith of the Apostles since Christ established His Church 2000 years ago. It is unchanged, original, and authentic. ⁣
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This is the unchanged Faith. The Faith that converted Greece and Rome; Africa and Russia; Ireland and Scotland. The Faith that proclaims the same Good News today, just as it did then. ⁣
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It is a great gift to be united to the body of Christ. Now, God willing, we can start the real journey. ⁣
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At Baptism, Orthodox Christians choose a Saint as their patron - often with whom they feel a personal connection, or perhaps one whose name they already share. It’s not uncommon for the Christian to go by that name in daily life. ⁣
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Erin chose Saint Demetrios (or Demetra in the feminine) - a protector and namesake of her Greek family for generations. ⁣
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I chose Saint Columba (or Collumcille in his native Irish) - the 6th century Saint who brought Christianity to Scotland and established the monastery of Iona⁣
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We feel so blessed by our home parish and community at @stmatthew_torrance , and especially by our very beloved Priest, Fr. John Mahfouz, who’s guidance and wisdom has truly been inspirational for both of us⁣
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𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗱! 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗯𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗽𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗯𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲!
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#orthodoxy #christian #baptism #easternorthodox