On Monday, 13 February a young Melbourne man from the Islamic religion was welcomed into the Orthodox Church by Bishop Eumenios of Kerasountos.
Ahmad Khodr, 28, who was born and raised in Lebanon was baptised Angelos after completing his eight week catechism period of getting deeply acquainted with the Greek Orthodox religion.
“I never had peace within myself,” Angelos said following his baptism. “There was always something missing in my life, but I didn’t know what. I believed in God, I grew up with the Islamic faith, but I had the feeling that God was different from the one I was told about as a child. One day I happened to be in front of an Orthodox church, I went inside and that was it; I knew now that the truth was here, I felt it. And I realized now that it was available to me to embrace it.”
Angelos, previously Ahmad, welcomed into Christianity by Bishop Evmenios. Photo: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia/Supplied
Angelos, previously Ahmad, welcomed into Christianity by Bishop Evmenios. Photo: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia/Supplied
Angelos, previously Ahmad, welcomed into Christianity by Bishop Evmenios. Photo: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia/Supplied
Angelos, previously Ahmad, welcomed into Christianity by Bishop Evmenios. Photo: Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia/Supplied
After that realisation, Angelos visited Bookstore of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia, on the premises of the Axion Esti Monastery in Northcote. There he began reading books about the Orthodox faith, while experiencing the hospitality and kindness of the people he interacted with.
“I was not judged, nor did I feel threatened,” he said, adding that Afterwards, he went on to meet Bishop Eumenios, who recommended who guided him towards Christian teachings while affirming his free will.
“I did it and learned so much, and it all made sense. My heart was changed, I came to know Christ and decided to be baptized,” Angelos explained.
At the end of the Baptism, Bishop Eumenios conveyed to the newly-converted Angelos the blessings of Archbishop Makarios, while welcoming him on behalf of his Pastor, all the Bishops and the entire Archdiocese as a member of the Orthodox family of the fifth continent.
