Baptisms, Chrismations, and catechumens across America

# What happened

In mid-September 2026 a number of Orthodox parishes around the United States reported fresh conversions and large catechumen groups. The events include baptisms, chrismations (receptions by chrismation), mass catechumen enrollments, and large introductory catechetical classes.

# Notable parish reports and dates

• St. Innocent Orthodox Church, Macon, Georgia (Orthodox Church in America): on Saturday, September 12, nine people were received into Orthodoxy. Eight were baptized and one received by chrismation. The newly illumined are named Raphael, Isaac, Adam, Emelia, Paisios, John, Emelia, Ignatia, and Michael.

• Christ the Savior Orthodox Church, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (Orthodox Church in America): on Saturday, September 13, seven people were chrismated into the Church. The newly illumined include Gabriel, Herodian, Nathanael, Anna, Enoch, and Emmelia.

• All Saints Antiochian Orthodox Church, Raleigh, North Carolina: on Saturday, September 19, sixteen people were baptized. The parish has been repeatedly reported as experiencing steady catechumen growth.

• Holy Resurrection of Christ Serbian Orthodox Church, Lebanon, Pennsylvania: on Sunday, September 20, five people were received into the Church by baptism. The newly illumined are named Joshua, Emilia, Paul, Elizabeth, and John.

• Holy Theophany Orthodox Church, Colorado Springs (Orthodox Church in America): the parish reported that 27 more people became catechumens in August and September, continuing a broader pattern of rapid local growth.

# Context and patterns

These individual parish reports are part of a broader wave of conversions and catechumen enrollments reported across multiple Orthodox jurisdictions in the U.S. OrthoChristian notes similar mass baptisms earlier in the year, including large Pentecost and Holy Week baptisms, and has previously reported on parishes with very large catechumen rolls (for example, All Saints in Raleigh enrolling dozens at a time and Colorado Springs parishes with roughly 170 catechumens between a mother church and a daughter parish).

The activity reported in September includes both infant and adult baptisms and receptions by chrismation, organized catechetical classes designed for large audiences, and formal catechumen enrollment ceremonies. Several parishes cited ongoing efforts to plant missions or serve areas lacking a local Orthodox parish.

# Practical takeaways for readers

• Local parish life: Parishes in different jurisdictions are actively receiving converts and preparing many catechumens for reception.

# Closing note