For those who do not understand the Greek Orthodox Baptism service, I wanted to point out a website you can see that explains why certain things are done during the service. To learn more, Click Here.


The hall before the baptism.



One of the favors. You can see some of the pink bear in the background, which was another type of favor.



The party favors for Stavros.



Here's the peanut butter frosted chocolate cake.



The dessert table.



The baptismal font.



Stavros knows something is up.



A few pics of the kids and the Godparents out in the narthex of the church.











The Godmothers form up around the font.



Stavroula doesn't seem too excited yet.



Maria was calm as ever. She didn't suspect a thing.



Stavros is really heavy. My cousin Roula could only hold him for so long before her mom had to come in to help. He's a big boy!



The kids all had to be undressed.







Stavros was the first to go.



He was not the happiest kid in the world here. Once he started crying, Stavroula cried, too. Maria just looked around completely oblivious to anything going on.



Stavros is pulled out of the font.



And dunked back in!



Next up, Stavroula. The Godmother covers the hair and the body in olive oil. You can learn why by clicking the link I put at the top of this page.



She is starting to be covered in the oil.



Afterwards she is baptized. The child is placed in the font three times. The priest says, "Stavroula is baptized in the name of The Father," then she's placed in the water, "The Son," again in the water, "and The Holy Spirit," before being placed in the water a third time.



Down she goes for her third and final dunk.



Next up, Maria. Her Godmother puts the oil over her body.



Finishing up with the oil.



Then she is baptized.



After being baptized, each child is Chrismated, as shown here. Afterwards, the priest cuts four locks of hair from their heads. This is also explained in the link above.



Aftwards, the kids were all clothed in their baptismal garb.















The hymn that is sung by the chanter and the priest during the celebration is one my favorites.



It's hard to see with all the people up there, but all three children receive Holy Communion for the first time.



The Godparents buy chrosses for their Godchild. The priest then places it around their necks after they receive Holy Communion.



Kelly and I with the girls.



Time to celebrate! I think Stavros is behind my cousin Roula, unless he's being passed around.



Here is our tabl3, but one baby short.



The hall, full of the guests. The bar, which was an unexpected surprise, was behind me. I'll give you three guesses as to who got the leftover liquor. :)



Stavroula had a great time at the party.



So did Maria, seen here with a family friend, Dede.



I think someone's hungry!



Greg's daughter Heidi.





No desserts for you!



Timi and Kelly confused the celebration for a wedding party.



What a long day! We were all pretty tired aftewards, but had a great time. I'm glad my daughters are finally a part of the church.