On July 15, 2023, seven people were baptized in the suburbs of St. Petersburg, Russia. The Moscow and Southwestern communities of the Seventh-day Adventist Church of St. Petersburg came together to celebrate this event.

The rite of baptism was held on an open reservoir under the guidance of the pastor of the church, Nikolai Stepanovich Smagin.

The ministry of Jesus Christ began with the sacrament of baptism. It is a testimony of faith and a desire to live according to God's commandments. In baptism, people receive the forgiveness of sins and the opportunity to start a new life in God. Baptism is a symbolic immersion in water that represents death to the old, sinful life and resurrection to a new life. In baptism, people become brothers and sisters in the church and are called by Christ to love and support one another. The kids have been looking forward to this day!

Preparations for baptism took several months. Together with the pastor, the baptized children spent time studying the Bible, praying, and discussing biblical truths. The Word of God bestows wisdom and inner nobility on those who come into contact with it. The church and communities expressed their deep gratitude to God for dear children and the opportunity to be witnesses of this wonderful event!

Photo: ESD

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The original version of this story was posted on the Euro-Asia Division Russian-language news site.