St. Symeon the New Theologian Archives - Archangel Michael Orthodox Church

"Not only is it wonderful that He forgives us our sins, but also that He neither uncovers them nor does He make them stand forth clearly revealed. Nor does He force us to come forward and publicly proclaim our misdeeds, but He bids us to make our defense to Him alone and to confess our shins to Him. And yet, if any judge of a worldly tribunal were to tell some captured highwayman or grave robber to confess his crime and be excused from paying the penalty, this prisoner would with all alacrity admit the truth and scorn the disgrace in his desire to go free. But this is not the case in baptism. God forgives our sins and does not force us to make a parade of them in the presence of others. He seeks one thing only: that he who benefits by the forgiveness may learn the greatness of the gift. "

- St. John Chrysostom, Baptismal Instructions

Parish

Faith

Ministries

News

Calendar

Contact

St. Symeon the New Theologian

St. Nilus of Sora

Our Church

Join our Parish Mailing List