Baptism in East

It is well known for every Christian what Sacrament of Baptism is. As missionary man I got custom to fight or accept some deviations in local understanding of Baptism and other Sacraments.

Lack of teaching religion or just lack of presence clergy in collective understanding of nation made big changes in popular faith of people.

Church in soviet times even survived was ever far away out of daily activities. The people who entered in church were very old or just send to control: "are there children or state officials, or not".

Today, people in the East are coming to baptize a babe with funny superstitious, that "it may save health of baby". They choice Baptism fathers just because they expect gifts for the child and to remember during drinking alcohols who is responsible for which child and what he does for him.

Many adult people ask baptism, just because it is such a fashion now. I was told that workers of one firm to be original invited priest on their boss birthday with such a purpose: to greet him and baptize as birthday surprise. He was telling before that he wishes to be baptized, but he does not know how to do it.

If I wished to act according polish way of understanding Baptism, most of people in Russia asking me to baptize will be unsatisfied, because most of them do not have any Christian training, they come with wrong motivations or do not have responsible, well trained people to be Baptism Fathers.

Everything what I am going now to describe happened because of my naive character, because I came on missions without good missionary training. From another hand I ever tried to look for compromise and for Providence. I was so many sad, because so many good students from seminary and so many zealous priests stayed home in Poland and me as "black ship" came here without experience and satisfactory knowledge in this missionary labyrinth.

I made many mistakes in my missionary activities. But I think, out of mistake are only these people which do nothing. Errare humanum est. Does my activity have some sense or not, better to control fruits of these activities.

I. NORTH CAUCASUS

1. Black baptism.

The first Baptism, which impossible to forget was in Rostov on Don. Two boys from far away Africa, which came to USRR fro their studies, when they met Catholic priest first, they used all the arguments possible to convince me, That they got preparation to be baptized in Africa, but cannot baptize because they were send to Russia for studying.

They were not expecting so many difficulties in Christian activities they met in Russia. Ignoring, even destroying religion here was for them big surprise.

They were waiting for baptism so many years. First one was from Guinea Bissau, his name was Carlos, and second one was from Mozambique, his name Ernesto. Family of Ernesto was Moslem, but they sent him for studies to Catholic school and permit him to be baptized.

The third person baptized that day was one year old Monika, daughter of polish marine from Zielona Gora and Angelica, Cossack girl from Bataysk on Don. It was very curious story. Angelica and Robert were shopping in the market near sisters' house and were talking in polish. When they asked fish for Christmas the lady asked if they stay with polish nuns. They were surprised such a question and start asking about sisters. They find us and spent Christmas Eve together with us.

The first question was, if I can baptize the baby. I agree and in New Year I was giving them sacrament of Matrimony. Baptism was in former Greek Church, which was given by communists to Children Theatre. The only decoration I had was 1, 5 meter big wooden shield with self made picture of Betlehem Star and Holly Family in the center. Decoration was hanging on metallic line used so many times for different decorations in the theatre. The religious shield was hanging here the first time after Revolution. Microphone was hanging behind my head so people were hearing me very good.

Christmas carols were in self made songbooks. Translations from polish were also self-made. Most of singers in the choir were African, Asia and Latinos countries students. They were coming on repetitions with big pleasure. They were also happy that during ceremony their friends will be baptized. The fist was looking nicely. Two persons came with video cameras and I realized that even, being here just paid they were touched so much that some of them has tears in his eyes.

All the Russian country was these days very enthusiastic to religion. It is difficult to describe that huge hunger of religion which was easy to realize any place. All the adult people were happy like children when I proposed them to take Bengal fires and burn them in that occasion.

2. German Baptism in kosack village.

Another baptism took place in village Stepnoye the 1-st of May 1993-th. About local Catholics, I got know from my neighbor priest from Krasnodar land. He even took me to some family which adres he got in his parish and I slowly forgot the place. I asked my parishioners from Bataysk which have relatives there and was familiar with local Germans to tell them about my intention to visit them soon. They have gone on Easter and informed me that Germans were surprised but happy and wait us any time. They were asking us to baptize a baby.

The wether was beautifull. We came by train. It was 7 km walking from the station. I realized soon that we are going in wrong direction comparing the place my friendly priest was showing me in February.

I took German books, for praying the Mass. I was not sure if people know the liturgy and German language enough to participate in prayer.

Two elderly people, their children and grand-daughter were waiting us. Only one lady was still expected. The old host said something which was mix of German and Russian:

"Gelojfcie do Frau Maria i gerufcie na molitwu". Which was easy to understand for both Russians and Germans: "go hurry too Mrs. Maria and call her on a prayer"!!! Grammar and word prayer "molitva" was full Russian only vocabulary has something with German.

At the beginning I got big difficulty, because I realized that fathers of baby have never sacrament of Matrimony, so according the pastoral rules I cannot baptize their child. Family has to be practicing Catholic couple if wish to baptize and responsibly train in faith the baby. After long Catechetic talk with all the family we decided to make first Sacrament of Matrimony and later same day in same Holly Mass the Baptism. My knowledge about full religious ignorance of so called German Catholics in Russia was very big. After so many years without priests they were totally blank in their religious knowledge and practicing.

3. Eight of March

All the summer time I was very bussy. I was traveling to Poland, I got visitors from Italy and Spain, I was repairing without end the chapel and sisters house. We also were moving from Children Theatre to Picture Gallery in Rostov as place for Sunday Mass. In the autumn time came from Germany wooden chapel...

Finally Salezians took responsibility for parish in Rostov and I got opportunity to return in Stepnoye. In the meantime in Stepnoye happened the biggest wave of emigration. In 1993 about 40-ty people with German roots has gone to Germany. The family I met in May moth also has gone. It was not big loose, because the fame about Catholic priest in Bataysk has gone to all local Germans and they were looking for me in every case of funeral or baptism.

Finally I find the family I got to know first in February 1993. It was grand-ma Goering and her children. She was never married so both sons had different names. One of her sons had family name Eichwald. There is some settlement near Taganrog with such a name. Perhaps their roots are from these places. The second son has name of mother. That one told me that he was ever punished in the school because of famous German general's name, but in soviet army, he became a driver of some Russian extravagant officer, which was proud having "Famous Goering" as simple driver. Both boys were about 40 years old and nobody was baptized.

We decided together to have Baptism in 8-th March next year. This date was ever good for pastoral activities, because all the country celebrate so called "International Women Day" and everybody like in Christmas time is home.

All the weekends I was busy in big parishes, Stepnoye was just little outstation so I visited them ever during the week.

For same pastoral reasons I was coming to Stepnoye 1 or 9-th of May, 7-th November and another state Fest days. At first I was very surprised when I realized that in these occasions people celebrate not a single day but almost all the week even two, because one week before they have preparations (like novena in church) and one week after (like Octava)...

Every city in Russia has the streets under the name of date 8 March, 1 May, 9 May or 7-th November etc... It was very funny to know how the people venerate dates here.

It was very interesting family these Eichwald and Goering people. They were none education, small hope to go in Germany, because it need much documents much time and much money paying Russian lawyers and other bureaucrats. In fact they have done everything successfully and have gone in 1997 to the city Goerlitz on Polish and Czech border. I was visiting them in 1998 during my travel to Germany.

Local dean, during the meeting was telling me that people are good and participate nicely Sunday Mass. It was so good to hear such a word, but also it was big price and much time to make them good Catholics.

Same very night when they have gone the 9-th of June 1997 I got car accident just near their settlement... I was near to die but God had more plans for me in these places.

4. Looking for Leningradskaya stanitsa.

In spring 1993 I also was visiting Georgia, travel was very exciting. I was crossing South Osetia still in condition of war. I was also risking problems on the border because formally it was another country than Russia and I had none invitation to visit. With Gods help nobody was asking my passport or visa looking perhaps on my sutana as best document in these places and these times.

I was traveling on Turkish border to visit local Armenians and to train a bit their liturgy and customs. Bishop from Moscow gave me permission to go there with such a purpose. He was interested to attract local Armenian Catholics in Rostov which roots mostly were in Georgia.

In my travel back our Bus was near to shutting place and we were hiding some hours in forgotten street until the fight will stop. Except many impressions I got in Georgia much information about history of Rostov Land, because in Georgia priests had the book of Joseph Schnurr with detailed information about German colonies in Russia. There were names even photos of all Saratov diocese priesthood. I got also some addressed of Armenians in stanitsa Leningradskaya in the middle way between Rostov and Krasnodar. Leningradskaya was 60 km south from Stepnoye.

I came to Leningradskaya only in January 1995. There was no enthusiasm, because host was absent and his young wife very feared unknown people. She asked me to come later where their house will be repaired.

One year later they find themselves our chapel in Bataysk and Franciscan Father Janusz who was changing me these days baptized then new born baby. They were happy and glad, long time they were talking about that event.

The original name of Leningradskaya is Human, because local Cossacks came in Empress Catherine times from Ukraine city Human. After blockade of Leningrad many people was evacuated here from Leningrad and the name of the town changed. The place was good looking. Clean streets, flourishing gardens and monument of Suvorov, Cossack hero but evil of Warsaw. He killed 30.000 of civilians in the past in Poland.

In autumn 1996 I came again to Leningradskaya with statue of Fatima Holly Mary. I got to know that except Armenians there is a group of Polish People living there. I was invited to baptize the 4-years old boy, Waclaw Skakowski. His father and his older son were very enthusiastic. They have registered a parish under the name of Merciful Jesus and blessed Faustina Kowalska.

At first we Catholics priests were trying to find Catholics in big Russian cities but here I got another example that Catholics may be everywhere. Even in deep Cossack towns. We call them in Russian "stanitsa"

5. Miners' city Shakhty

In summer time 1995 thanks to Catholics from Leningradskaya I find big Armenian Colony in miners city Shakhty. There happened interesting missionary story. Everything thanks to Baptism of small baby. Parishioner who was asking a baptism was very powerful local businessman and in the future he was caring about local community with all the effort possible. I do not remember details of ceremony, but I remember very well so many adventures during traveling there. It was summer time, my friend Salezian was in summer vacasions. My duty was to work in my numerous parishes but also in Rostov. I was able to go in Shakhty in ordinary day. I had no car these days so I was traveling with many stops by local traffic. Our bus was stopping just on the main road; we were walking with nun sister again about 7km by foot. It was same difficult beginning as in Stepnoye, but it was very fruitful.

II. NORTH CAUCASUS-CALMYCK REPUBLIC

1. Catholic Paul

Interesting adventures I had also in Kalmyk Republic on Caspian See. The first Kalmyk-Catholic - it was official description of Paul, former Conventual Franciscan brother. He belong to local Mongolic population and he does interesting thing by his conversion to Catholic Church.

As classmate of actual President of Kalmyk Republic, Mr. Ilumzinow after Presidents meeting with Dalai Lama, which was good for Small Republic image in the world, he was planning his trip to Vatican under Paul's influence.

Paul in the past, he was working in show businesses and got interest to Catholic Church during his staying in Lvov. He got to know Franciscan father and later Bishop in Lvov Rafal Kiernicki and was baptized by him. Later he entered Franciscan postulate in Lublin and learned polish language there. The next step was his novice in Italy, but it was only a project, never realized because of his personal tragedy. He wished to save sick in leukemia native sister and offered even own respiratory organs in possible surgery in USA. He spends much time and all his diplomacy to earn money for such surgery. He even traveled successfully with sister there, but operation did not happen, the sick were not cured. Paul was very contradictory personality, finally Franciscans call him a layer, because he was promising much to them but does just a little. The fact is that President Ilumzinow met the Pope in Vatican and Franciscans got many privileges in Kalmyk Republic during their first step after coming for permanent work.

Also Brother Paul baptized two Morozowicz sisters, which father born in Kazakhstan, but his ancestors were native polish and Catholic from central Ukraine. Later Paul introduced me to this family. He also was in Wesoloye introducing Catholic Church as good choice for Kalmycks citizens.

2. Village Wesoloye

In fact nobody was calling this village by proper name. There was a big kolkhoz under the name 22-nd Party Assemble. So everybody was telling "I am going on 22-nd Assemble", it was funny to hear that especially when I was telling that to others...Catholic Priest going weekly on 22 second Party Assemble.

In that village I find easily native sister of Edward Morozowicz. Some hundreds of local people were native polish or Germans and I had the biggest number of baptism in my missionary life exactly in that place.

There was also small Greek-Catholic Diaspora from Carpathian Mountains, former Slovakian citizens.

The most impressive to me was Baptism of 12 years old girl from neighbor 7 km village Vinogradnoye. The girl was in fear like animal; she did not understand why she came so far away by foot to unknown village. She was hiding left hand behind her shoulder.

I was trying to not baptize schoolchildren without course of catechization. So when I got to know that these new people came to have baptism I even did not talk to them, very angry that people do not understand simple things.

During the mass one of nuns whispered me that the girl is paralyzed and perhaps will be good to baptize; she was walking so far...

I changed my opinion immediately. Even not ready to do so, even have no books to baptize full rite and no oil, I decided in heart to help that girl by baptizing and giving unction same very day. Next week the girl and her mother and mothers sister came again totally different faces, radiant and happy. The girl got back forces in hand, paralyze disappeared for ever and in few months later the girl took all the knowledge expected to be confessed and to take first Communion together with her two sisters. All her ancestors were Volga Germans.

III. FAR EAST - ZABAIKALYE

Bishop Mazur strongly asked us to follow not only a year catechization for adults, but also to inform him about every case of such Baptism, to give back all the dignity of that Sacrament. He was remembering us cannon law telling that adult person have to be not only baptized but also confirmed, and confirmation is Bishops business.

In memories of polish prisoner and scientist Benedict Dybowski which spend much time in Zabaikalye, I find some description about Orthodox Missions in the middle of Mongolic Buriats which mostly were Buddhist.. He informed that according Orthodox records, the number of Baptism was much bigger than Buryat population, which never mind still believed in Buddha.

The secret was that Orthodox priest were paid by state for the number of Baptisms and Buriats were given nice white dressings. To get these dressings people was asking naive Orthodox missionary priests to be baptized twice or three time in short term, and to get new dressings. After reading that story I understood better intention of our Bishop.

Sometime it may happen that rulers of the country proclaim this country to be Orthodox, but in fact so called believers, believe in magic, stay atheists, Moslems or Buddhist in heart but never Christians.

Please do not be surprised that in such conditions after half a year being parish priest in Czita I has not baptized even single person. Many of people were asking me about doing that but I was informing simply about bishop policies and they patiently waited. Yes in one case a boy which was historian and was very impressed by Harbin Greek-Catholic Mission asked permission to be baptized as Greek-Catholic. I invited a priest from Omsk, which traveled 3 days for that special purpose and in my presence baptized the boy.

Marian Monastery in Harbin was cancelled by Chinese communists and most of priests were evacuated to Russia to Czita. Theye were tortured in KGB, some of them martyred.

To that mission belonged fr. Anthony Leszczewicz MIC who was working in Czita just after ordination. He became later a member of East-Rite Marian brench and martyred before Chinese arrests. He was spending summer vacasions in 1939 in native Byelorussia and volunteered to be burned in church with a group of villagers arrested as collaborates with partisans.

IV. FAR EAST-SAKHALIN

On Sakhalin baptisms happen only twice a year. That custom was introduced by Korean Missionary priests. They were baptizing on two occasions: Christmas and Easter. They were doing so because most of Baptizing people were adults and these big fests were giving additional splendor to the event. Previous priests were starting from zero.

Only bit later we got to knew that there is original Catholic population on Sakhalin. It was the people which got baptism in Ukraine, Byelorussia, or Baltic countries.

The difference of race was too much surprising these European Catholics, which even knowing about small Catholic mission with Korean priests preferred to wait European Missionary people. They still think that Koreans have to be Buddhist not Christians. From another hand same time came big number of Korean missionary people representing Baptist, Presbyterian and Pentecostal church, that most of local population was thinking about our mission that we are some of these movements.

Not easy to fight with stereotype of thinking. Big change happened after coming of American priests and my presence also, after finishing construction of nice gothic church many people got interest and visited our church for permanent.

1. Warsaw citizen on Sakhalin

My parish manager I Sek Hi (in Korean-small comedian), called by Russians Valery Borysowicz informed me, that some lady from Warsaw was calling to the parish and wishes to know me. She has gone from Poland as 7 years old girl. She never was going to polish school, but her polish was excellent. In Siberia she got mary with some Tartar man. Here in Sakhalin appeared their daughter.

At first I baptized the husband of hers and give them sacrament of Matrimony and later I slowly baptized their daughter Olga and all her numerous children.

It happened in spring 2001. It was big happiness for old Wieslawa, which local people call Victoria.

First was their three years old baby. In Christmas was big typhoon and only few people were in church.

Later baby was sick and slowly I was thinking it may never happen. Same time his sisters Christina and Maria were preparing them to be baptized also.

Because they were school girls I was asking them to pass exam from catechism. The same with their adult mother Olga.

2. Teenager dreams.

It was very interesting family of musicians. Olga as teenager made a story about her dream to have five children. It was the soviet time when big families were criticized, so the teacher became sad reading the story. The girl did not change her meaning. She finished musical school and became professional singer. Her husband Oleg helped her to organize family ensemble. Boys were playing on guitars, girls on piano, the youngest boy was supposed to learn alt in the future.

Easter was very near. On Baptism came youngest daughter Christine and her mother. I was not asking what happened because I was still remembering delay with baptizing the boy. I got know from others that in the night Maria has gone to reanimation with coma. Her health was critical, doctors were thinking it may be meningitis, I do not know exactly the name of sickness. It was some strong form of headache which may finish by death. Coma was about two days and doctors were worry that she may loose memory and get other mentally complications.

In the parish was a guest from Caritas Japan. I was permitted to go and baptize her "in danger of death". I had only water with me, big Easter candle, which doctors did not permit to burn, because in presence of oxygen containers was danger of explosion, and the book. Nakako was assisting me. I asked her to be god mother and she agree. Doctors did not permit Maria's mother to enter.

12 years old girl was naked like death person in refrigerator! Her legs and hands were in bandages united do iron bed. The room was cold she was like crucified Andrew.

Without loosing time I started ministering the sacrament of baptism and at the end I was singing to her some Taize songs. I was blaming myself that I permitted her to go in Khabarovsk on organist courses in strong wind. Perhaps the travel was one of reasons that she became sick. I was asking God to make the same miracle like in Kalmyk Republic with the same age paralyzed girl. Thanks God next day, even same night, she waked up.

I have impression that my Korean parishioners were never before so strongly praying for any polish baby, but now Maria was in the center of all parishioners' prayers, never mind nationality.

By the way I was slowly more and more similar to my parishioners; I liked their Korean songs and their accent talking Russian. They were calling me shimbunim.

3. Koreans Baptisms

Later I was baptising also koreans. I happened exclusively in August month. The reason of such decision was bishops coming. He was supposed to consecrate church and make confirmation of new baptized people from all the parishes in Sakhalin. Consecration was planned 19-th of August in Sunday, to celebrate the title of the church of Assumption...to make Sunday celebration shorter I decided to baptize the people in Saturday.

It was very busy day. I have to go to Kholmsk and to Korsakov. Thanks God my Slovakian friend Martin Sebin who came as permanent priest for my previous outstation Kamchatka.

In each of 3 parishes I was supposed to baptize about 5 persons. Total number of candidates to Confirmation was about 20 people. Most of them just baptized people. In Korsakow and Kholmsk baptism took two leaders of new communities Polish Anna Kochetkova and Korean Miyata Tanya. Each of these baptisms it is separate story.

Two girls baptized in Yuzno-Sakhalinsk were students from 300 far away Uglegorsk. There was another Korean from Dolinsk. In Kholmsk except the leader I baptized 3 generations of Siberian family: grand-mother, daughter and two grand-daughters. All of them were expecting all the year for being baptized.

In Korsakov I baptized 30 years old lady from family Ciechonski. Many of her relatives live in Poland even in Japan and Germany. It was very interesting story.

4. Expansion of love

Baptism of 20 years old student from Uglegorsk was historical event. Some journalist from Moscow Natalia Kandudina made a movie under the title "Expansion of love" about her family.

Grand father of the girl was Korean Matsuda Dasao (in Japanese baptism book he has such a name)in Korean we were calling him Sin Haraboji (grand-pa Sin), In Japanese times he traveled to far away Kholmsk 300 km to be prepared by catechist Fujihara-san which still is alive, lives in Sapporo and correspondent with Sin Haraboji. The priest who baptized him was Polish Francisca father Gustaw Stysiak.

60 years history came back with strong wave, her catechist and God Mother was also Japanese, small catechist Takahashi Shoko and priest was polish like in case of grand-father.

Such possible story was in my dreams. Before I moved from Rostov I got a dream in which I saw old man dying and asking me "go and baptize my children"! The face of dying person was Asiatic with silver beard. Sin Haraboji had never beard in my presence but he was similar to that man in my dream.

Actually Peter Sin is living in Ansan near to Seul, he got nice flat from Japanese Red Cross, like many Koreans from his generation, which born in Korea, but during Japanese occupation were forced to work as obligatory workers in mines and forests of Sakhalin.

A year later just before being dismissed from Russia I baptized also young brother of Vika and her mother, the daughter of Peter Sin. He just came from Korea with short visit to Uglegorsk. Baptism was very poor just in the old flat of Peter which he offered as place for Catholic meetings and catechization.

It was some kind of chappel on Zawadskaya Street 20. On that baptism were present about 10 children which participated on summer camp organized with material help of Japan just in close city Shakhtersk.

It is not easy to describe my happiness and happiness of 4 new baptized persons. I hope that thanks such a moment Peter Sin will live long and happy life, because it was one of most zealous persons I met in Sakhalin. There are still three of his sons and their children waiting to be baptized.

5. German Icons

I will tell now another story from Kholmsk. One of baptized in 2001 was a lady fro Osetia, Nina. She was not Catholic, but she was a friend of German Catholics in Kazakhstan. When they were going for ever to Germany she got from them two old big icons Os Jesus and Maria Hearts. Nina was paralyzed after car accident, but having these icons she started to pray God about opportunity to walk again.

She was more that forty years old and she unexpectedly got pregnant. Doctors were insisting to kill the baby giving her many reasons like sickness, age and poverty. She does not agree. She bore healthy girl and she also got back her health. She can walk again.

6. Yi Bok

In summer 2002 I was in Ansan in Peter Sin house. I was able to visit some important for Korean Catholics places. I was on Andrew Kim De Gun grave; it was the first Catholic Korean priest which martyred 150 years ago. I was on 5 graves of first Korean Catholics, which 220 years ago after returning from China decided to accept Christian faith. They were preparing their decision staying in Buddhist monasteries. They were wise people and they were discussing open way about their faith. They got this way many adepts in the middle of the monks. They send one person to be baptized in China and to take instructions how baptize others.

It was wonderful event. Korea was baptized by activities of most important families in the country without having a single missionary man from Europe. I was told about it in Seminary, but only during my staying in Sakhalin I realized that Korean has very own style and vision of Christianity.

Yi Bok one of the first 5 Catholics once seeing his father sad was asking him about the reason of sadness. Father told him that Korean king is unhappy because of Yi Bok new faith, so as palace worker he is responsible for such a shame. Hearing such criticism King Ministers usually have to make suicide, but Yi Bok told father that he may not kill himself because in few says there will be no sadness anymore. Yi Bok starts fasting and in 2 weeks after being out of food and out of water he died "keeping family dignity".

Koreans think he was a holly man. Vatican is thinking he made suicide so no reason to call him a saint. After his death Christianity became more popular than before.

7. Paul Miki

My story about Sakhalin will be not full if I did not talk about Baptism of Japan. It was happening thanks to st. Francisco Xavier. It is famous story; we do not talk what happened later.

There will be nothing if Francis Xavier have none local followers. Paul Miki and some 20 martyrs started long list of heroes, which followed Francis Xavier activities.

I was slowly understanding that the number of martyrs in Japan is perhaps the same or even bigger than in old Rome. From the half million baptized people each the fifth died as martyr. The others were hiding themselves in forgotten islands like old believers in Russia. They were working in mines, forests, they agree to be most poor people but they wished keep their faith. These hidden Christians we call "Kakure Kirishitan"...it is similar to Jesus words about "the rest of Israel".

Talking about Russian and Sakhalin Catholics I have some good reasons to call them same name. Their wish to survive is similar to another famous story which happened perhaps 17-th February 1872.

Seeing near French church in Nagasaki "Seibo:, means Immaculate they recognized after 300 years the faith of their ancestors.

V. FAR EAST-KAMCHATKA

As result of my activities in Kamchatka some people was also baptized. Before my coming there catholic faith was not very popular. They were known here only thanks to some 300 graves of French and English marines killed in 1854.

In memory of that battle we have chapel in western style near these graves in picturesque place on so called mountain of love. I was praying Mass there few times in special occasions. 1-st November, Corpus Christi etc.

Before my coming two Magadan priests came here twice. Each time they baptize somebody: journalist Lena Korotkova's mother and some Russian marine Petrovich. Community had a name of st. Teresa Little Flower.

1. Indifferent husband

Mother of first child which was baptized in Kamchatka was young student. Ever nice dressed, short hairs, glaces, he had some Japanese bag to take baby in brains ever. She was very sad because of her husband atheism. He did not disturb her visiting church but he do not agree to have Sacrament of Matrimony, which made crazy our parishioner and very sad. She even talked to Bishop Mazur in 2001 about her problem. He gave her some advices and blessing in Annunciation day in 2001.

2. Baby of prayer

Another parishioner which child I was baptizing a year later was 30 years old lawyer. The girl was told by doctors that she cannot be pregnant at all. She visited our parish and got rosary. She started praying and miracle happened, she became pregnant just after that very first visit.

3. Spanish baby

The third baptism there was child of Igor. It was another parish marine. His father was so called "nino de la guerra" growing somewhere in orphanage of Tula. Igor born in Russia but he was proud having father Spanish and it is why he wished his child have to be catholic.

4. The honest male talk

In Easter 2001 I baptized some mother and two children teenagers. Their father was bringing them on Holly Mass but never entered in the chapel. In the last visit in Kamchatka he made me big surprise, he asked me to give him and his wife Sacrament of Matrimony. Few days later, knowing that in Kamchatka will work new priest he asked me to have honest and serious talk to his son. Earlier he was against our meetings at the end he also get some benefits from church activities.

I got new example that our family unbelievers in many cases just play such a role of unbeliever in fact everybody is attracted to Jesus more or less open way.

5. Baptism near volcano

Last Baptism in Kamchatka took place in famous city Kluche near the most high volcano in the world same name Kluche. 4500 meters! It happened on territory of army settlement.

Grand-mother of the baby was some Teresa also soldier woman. Dima which invited me to the ceremony was soldier and same time catechist. He was married on 30 years old Valentina with cancer in brain.

I spent with them New 2000 Year praying about her health. I gave them small relic of saint mother Maravillas, very famous Spanish Carmelite. Half year later they were in st. Petersburg in her oncology hospital and doctors were surprised realizing that sickness stopped. Afterwards that couple became very active catholics.

Valentina and Teresa both native Byelorussians were very familiar with Catholic Church, but in Kamchatka they have not many opportunities to see the priest. Teresa's son, father of baptized baby was also unmarried in church so I started giving sacrament of Matrimony later, baptism of their child.

6. The best journalist in Kamchatka

Such comment was written on visit card of Mr. Ivanov, young journalist from Petropavlovsk. When I was invited on local channel TV: GTRK Mr. Ivanov was not sure if it will be good to have interview with Catholic priest. After talking with me he told me that was the first time in his life that he was not tired at all making interview. The program was online in Lent Time. In Holly week I got 13 letters more-less same style and even same handwriting.

It was letters fearing me in the same style like 9 years before in Rostov. Very Orthodox believers were telling me that I made mistake talking in interview that Baptism of Russia was not Orthodox Baptism but perhaps Catholic.

I explained why I am thinking so. The separation between Orthodox and Catholic happened in 1054, Baptism of Prince Vladimir in Kiev was in 988. All the Russians believe that their Baptism happened just that moment.

Later in document written to Vatican by Orthodox official about Catholic Proselytism I was called by name as a man who was telling such stories on TV... I was telling the truth and only truth, it is sad that Orthodox people is feared to know own history of own baptism which was without any doubt Catholic Baptism.

Conclusion

Here I will finish my memories concerning Sacrament of Baptism. The people in different countries have opportunity to compare which ideas they have talking about that Sacrament, which memories.

I was acting in the country were still people have fear obtaining baptism in other than "state religion", means Orthodox.

I know there are not so many priests which can talk about all Baptisms they were serving their parishioners. In my case it was possible because the number of baptism was very limited. Every such event was very sentimental and coasted big price many efforts and travels. Each of them was some adventure.

For me it was like working in small catholic family on very large territory which has a name Catholic Church in Russia.

F. Jaroslaw Wisniewski

16 February 2005, Makeevka-Donbas-Ukraine