The holy baptism of
Martin
An old rite in an old city — candlelight, incense, and one brand-new Christian.
Sunday, April 25, 2027
Church of St. Demetrios · Thessaloniki, Greece
Until the bells of St. Demetrios
Our son
Eight months of Martin
Born on the 30th of August, 2026, in Thessaloniki, under a full moon
He arrived
On the hottest night of the year, calmly, as if he'd simply decided the sea air suited him.
The appetite
Martin discovered food and has approached every meal since with the seriousness of a monastery cook.
First steps — almost
Four steps between the sofa and grandmother Despina's open arms. She has claimed all four as a personal miracle.
The sacrament
Eight months old, our boy receives his name in the church his great-grandfather was named in.
The sacrament, as it has always been
The order of the baptism
The renunciation & the name
At the doors, the godparents speak for Martin — and his name is given before God, as it was for his great-grandfather in this same church.
The blessing of the waters
The font is censed and blessed; oil is poured into the water in the sign of the cross.
The triple immersion
Three times into the water — in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The oldest moment of the whole rite.
The chrismation & tonsure
The seal of the Holy Myrrh, the first small cutting of his hair as an offering, and the white garments of a newly-made Christian.
The churching
Three circles around the font behind the priest, candles burning, while the chanters sing 'As many as have been baptised'.
Where to be
The basilica & the seafront
The holy baptism
Church of St. Demetrios
10:00 in the morning
Agiou Dimitriou 97, Thessaloniki 546 33
The sacrament of holy baptism in the crypt-side chapel of the great basilica. Please arrive by 9:45; the chanting begins on time even when the guests do not.
Open in Google MapsThe family table
Ouzeri Thalassa
From 12:30
Leoforos Nikis 3, the seafront promenade — fifteen minutes on foot downhill
A long family table by the water: mezedes without end, the good ouzo, and a view of the White Tower for the toasts.
Open in Google Maps9:45
Gathering
The basilica courtyard
10:00
The holy baptism
Church of St. Demetrios
11:30
Bells, rice & photos
The courtyard
12:30
The family table
Ouzeri Thalassa
16:00
Cake & the last toast
By the water
His sponsors in the faith
The godparents
Eleni Papadopoulou
Nona — godmother
Yannis Papadopoulos
Nono — godfather
Eleni and Yannis will answer for Martin at the font, dress him in white, and hand out the martyrika — the small witness pins every guest wears home as proof they were there when he got his name.
What to wear
Sunday best, warm and dignified
The basilica asks for covered shoulders and knees. Ivory, gold, olive and deep red honour the day; the seafront lunch afterwards forgives a loosened collar.
Your presence at the font is the gift. For those who hold to the old ways, a small icon or a gold coin for Martin's keeping box is the tradition — but truly, come with empty hands and a full heart.
For guests new to the rite
Questions, answered
- How long is an Orthodox baptism?
- About an hour, sung from beginning to end. Sit anywhere, stand when the family stands, and don't worry — nobody expects guests to know the responses.
- Can we photograph the service?
- The church allows quiet photography without flash. During the immersion itself, let our photographer work — you'll receive every frame.
- What is the tonsure?
- A tiny, symbolic cutting of the child's hair — his first offering to God. It's brief, gentle, and Martin has plenty to spare.
- What do guests traditionally give?
- A martyriko — the small witness pin you'll receive at the door — is worn, not given. Gifts are truly unnecessary; a gold coin or an icon is traditional for those who insist.
- Where do we park?
- Use the garage on Kassandrou Street, two blocks uphill. Sunday mornings are quiet; the walk down to the sea after is the best part.
Kindly reply by April 4, 2027
Stand with us at the font
Katerina (mama): +30 69 555 0 421
Dimitar (baba): +30 69 555 0 467