Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church in Salem, MA was the site of a joyous celebration Sunday, bringing together St. Vladimir's seminarians and an alumnus for the baptism of a baby boy. On January 9, The Rev. Theophan Whitfield presided over the baptism of Luca Raffaele, son of Seminarian Paul and Sarah Patane.
At Sunday's baptism, the Patanes were joined by fellow seminary families Andrew and Amber Prather and Ronald and Rebeckah Austin. The Austins are godparents of the newly illumined Luca.
Paul, Andrew, Amber, and Ronald are all in their second year of studies in the Seminary's M.Div. program. Father Theophan, the rector of St. Nicholas, holds two degrees from St. Vladimir's: an M.Div. (2010) and a D.Min. (2019).
Paul and Sarah have a special relationship with Fr. Theophan and St. Nicholas, their home parish.
"Father Theophan chrismated us and brought us into the Church, he sent us to seminary, and now he has baptized our son into the Church," Paul explained. "It's a wonderful lineage that our family is so blessed to be a part of!"
More photos from the baptism may be found on St. Nicholas' flickr page.
May God grant the newly illumined Luca Raffaele and his parents many years!
