FEBRUARY 2009

celebrating
the epiphany
Dozens of babies baptized
in annual rite
By Joyce Wiswell
Photos by Wilson Sarkis
Msgr. Zouhair Toma
(Kejbou) of St. Joseph
in Troy has a
way with babies. His touch
instantly calmed the little
squirming tykes growing impatient
with their baptism ceremony,
and they fully cooperated
as he rubbed their heads
with holy water.
January 6 was a busy day for
Msgr. Toma as it was for all the
priests in the Chaldean Diocese.
Scores of local Chaldean
families chose the Epiphany
– the day Jesus was baptized in
the Jordan River by John the
Baptist – as the day for their
baby’s christening. More than
100 babies were baptized that
day in Metro Detroit’s Chaldean
churches, said Fr. Manuel
Boji of Mother of God in
Southfield.
“Today Jesus was baptized
and I like for my son to have
the same day,” said Sara Kakos
of Sterling Heights. “It’s more
blessed for him.”
Five-month-old Joseph,
resplendent in a white satin
suit, seemed to enjoy being the
center of attention from his
grandparents, godparents and
dad Maher.
Joseph’s cousin, sevenmonth-old
Channelle, looked
like a tiny bride in her elaborate
christening gown, darling
cap and frilly socks. Proud parents
Eddie and Linda Hana of
Macomb beamed with pride
during the ceremony.
“We thought it would be
special to have the baptism
today since it is the day of Jesus’
baptism,” explained godmother
Amanda Hana.
Photographers and videographers
were busy recording
the event in the manner
of Hollywood paparazzi. They
occasionally crowded the altar
for the perfect shot, only to be
shooed back by Msgr. Toma.
At the ceremony’s conclusion,
applause and halholes
filled the air.
“January 6 is a feast day
that sums up all the other
feasts related to the birth of
Christ,” Msgr. Toma explained
afterwards. “On January 6 God
returned his son to humanity,
so this day is the highlight.”
Msgr. Toma reminded the
new godparents that their duties
go well beyond the christening
and said they should
spend time with the child each
January 6.
“Even if you are on the
moon you must come back to
spend the day with the child
to remind them of the promises
given,” he said. “Bring a
worthwhile present to remind
them of the day they were reborn
in Christ and started the
journey of faith.”
Fr. Boji said the Epiphany
used to be considered more
important than Jesus’ birth.
“According to our liturgy,
this day was celebrated with
four or five hours of prayers a
century ago or more,” he said.
“We are trying to revive the
meaning of the baptism with
our families.”
To this end, on January 6
Mother of God also held its
third annual mass for babies
baptized during the prior year,
an event that drew some 100
children and their families.
1. The scene at the 5 p.m. Baptism at St. Joseph.
2. Godfather Rony Shamoun and baby Tony Shamoun
3. Elena Alrais and godmother Elena Alrais
4. Godfather Rany Daniel with baby Leonardo Daniel
5. Ayden Jacob Dickow is christened as godfather Revon Dabish
(left) and parents Ayad and Najla Dickow look on.
FEBRUARY 2009 CHALDEAN NEWS 33