1 /5 Rob Trevino: I came today to this church with an open mind and loving heart. I came with my Russian wife and Russian/American son. This was my first visit and I am not baptized as Orthodox. I am no theologian and I am not highly educated in the ways of Christianity and I am just an humble man who cares about his fellow man.
However, I attempted to get a blessing today at the end of the service and was terribly sadly sent away and brushed aside without receiving a blessing from the priests. I was asked if I was baptized as Orthodox and I said no, so I was denied the blessing. But my wife and son who were in front of me were not asked the same question I was asked and received a blessing. I am a Hispanic male and have a brown skin color, so I know it’s because of that the the white priests assumed I am not baptized and refused to bless me.
Again, I am no expert in Christ’s teachings, but I felt awkward and dejected leaving this church today. Christ is about inclusion and love for all men and women. And I don’t feel like Christ would refuse blessing anyone just because they are of any particular faith. I honestly was expecting to feel uplifted and embraced after attending church. But I feel ostracized and deeply ashamed and disappointed by the actions of the clergy at this supposed house of God.
I pray for all the attendees of this church and the clergy and I pray that God shows them the true way of embracing humankind and not judging anyone by skin color or faith. I pray God accepts me in a much more loving way than this Church did today.
