PROFITS PANDEMIC "A REAL STORY BAPTISM UZBEK " 
I put this story is real. Although a bit long, I recommend you to read to the end because there is no waste.
time I lived in Kazakhstan, I met the author of the story and his wife, since then, we are very good friends and we shared many anecdotes. The story he tells, and had commented to me when it happened but I always wanted to be able to share with everyone because I find it very interesting. Having lived through those lands, every time I read it I imagine and I can not stop smiling.
Thanks for letting me put on my blog.
Little Sasha (Chronicle of how an agnostic converted to Orthodox Christianity in a Muslim country)
Sasha my godson is Uzbek, Russian parents. His mother is half Russian half Uzbek. The father, half Russian half Tatar. I think that families like this is the word salad.
Born in Tashkent, capital of Uzbekistan, in 2007. Uzbekistan was part of the USSR since the mid-twentieth century until September 1991, which declared its independence. Its population is Muslim 88%, and only 9% are Christian Orthodox.
Well, what I am.
In 2007 I was stationed in Central Asia with my business. Sasha's mother is one of the vendors we have in Uzbekistan, and when he realized he was going to have a baby Christian in Muslim countries were asked to whom I sponsor the child for baptism? And caught the first in a delirium, it seemed Christian, serious, responsible and exotic addition to a point: that is me. The proposal made me very excited, I felt tremendously honored, that of being a sponsor of an Uzbek child should be on the list of things to do before leaving this world and not this bullshit to plant a tree or writing a book.
I admit I have a Catholic Christian card, because I was baptized, "communion" and confirmed, but I am really agnostic not wanting to offend anyone. But since I'm still officially affiliated with the Church, because I could not refuse.
The theme was extended and postponed, despite the travel and other stories, we agreed to baptize Sasha in November 2008. Parents, grandparents, brothers ... had waited more than a year to assemble the party, and were anxious for the day came. So I bought some gifts, I got a rather elegant suit, and went to Tashkent to celebrate my first baptism orthodox.
front of the church, the family was waiting, all dressed in their finery, the grandmother with a face of hope that seemed to be to marry his daughter, Sasha's parents finally happy to have me there. And then came the drama: the priest, who looked like a rock singer, 70, told them I'm sorry I could not be the best man because, though Christian, was Catholic and not Orthodox, and it seems that there are certain things about and others may not share. Then I found that the differences between Catholics and Orthodox include, for example, that the latter do not believe in the Immaculate Conception, but Mary was a woman like any other. So I understand they will not take too well. The news came as a bomb in everyone's mind, after all waiting time, is going to be Sasha without baptism?
immediately responded that in that case, I wanted to convert to the Orthodox Church, and go ahead with the ceremony, I remember that for a while, the family, the priest-rocker, Muslim friends of the family and I think even the little Sasha were watching me like a Martian. What does this? Want to change the Church as changing a jersey in Zara? But the priest responded and saw that he could steal a subscriber to its jurisdiction, agreed delighted. Suddenly, we already had two ceremonies to celebrate, and everyone was happy to have the rare foreigner it out there. Sasha's grandmother gave me many kisses to ask about his daughter's hand, or already own.
My conversion ceremony was really exciting: I got a cross, bad plastic, but valid to the end of the day, the priest of the group pushed me and gave me instructions for 20 minutes to see clearly that I was convinced of what he was doing. He explained that he would renounce the Catholic Church, and that would be valid throughout the world, not only in Uzbekistan. Although I speak Russian fairly well, half of the words were unusual, such as "trinity", "Resurrection" "Confession" and such, which I would say yes without really knowing what. But it seems that my submissive attitude seemed appropriate.
Best of all, it had to change my name, because mine was not a Slavic name. So I chose Georgy, and I had to fill in a form, a sort of diploma in accepting that from that moment my Christian name was different. I hope our government does not find out, to see if I'm going to take a pension when I retire ...
During the ceremony, which lasted about 15 minutes, the priest stood face to a cross and an icon of gold, endless humming texts, and I left my behind him, about 5 meters away, basically, I simply cross myself (in the opposite direction as do the Catholics, that is not confused by the street) and take a bow whenever he had a phrase, later I had also read an Old Russian text, also written in block letters Century of the chestnut, which I understood nothing of what I read (and I think nobody understood either, not even the priest). But theory was that he renounced the Catholic Church and promised to follow the precepts of the Orthodox, for ever and ever. And then the climax: reject the devil. For that, I asked him to give me around and spit 3 times into the air and then blow also 3 times, or vice versa, I forget. I remember how much it cost me to laugh, for I am a very respectful person, but you had to see me. After that, I made the sign of the cross does not know how many times in the head, and ready, and you are Orthodox, welcome to the club! It occurred to me (and not before, what a head of mine) asked if the conversion would not have my marriage annulled, but I swear I asked without malicious intent, really. It's just that in this case, explain this story back home might not be so much fun ...
and Sasha's baptism was a traditional ceremony, full of symbols, which I had to hold the child all the time, and as the boy already had more than a year, I ended up with broken arms. Oh, and instead take a little water on the head, putting him in a big bowl and you are throwing buckets of water over poor boy. Afterwards, we were all happy, especially the priest, who kept repeating that he had made the right decision.
After that we went to eat a pilaf (rice traditional Central Asia) to the home of Sasha's parents and, according to Uzbek tradition, were incredibly friendly and hospitable at all times. The vodka, sentimental speeches and delicious fruit to accompany Uzbek finished a great party, after which I went home thinking, hey, if there is a God, a sin that I did today? But I sure do not: the illusion of Sasha's family should be enough reason to forgive Georgy, the defector.
- Let it be clear that this story is not meant to offend anyone, but only to explain a personal story with humor. The names are fictitious, the facts are authentic. But unfortunately my poor memory has erased many interesting details .--
