CLIFTON, N.J. – Metropolitan Evangelos of New Jersey, the Philoptochos of the Metropolis and of the community of St. George in Clifton, NJ on February 28 participated in the baptism of John-Emmanuel, the three-year-old son of Manolis Hajiantoniou, who is fighting terminal pancreatic cancer.
The service was different from many others performed in the Greek-American community because three generous community leaders responded to the call of Evangelos for sponsors. Together the covered all the costs for celebrating a grand baptism.
President of the Metropolis of NJ Philoptochos Anne Michals, President of the Philoptochos of St. George Effie Kampourakis and its Vice President Denise Poulos- Cecchini worked with their families and surrounded the Hajiantoniou family with respect and love.
The christening took place two months after TNH staff visited the humble apartment of the Hajiantonious in East Rutherford, NJ and as soon as the saw the journalists enter the Church they were embraced by Manolis, his wife Christine, and their children Mary and John.
“I don’t have the rest of my family here, but I have you today, I have the great family of the readers of The National Herald from the moment you came to our humble our home with love. You came to us in most difficult times and made a difference. You gave reason to have hope, and boosted our morale and our faith that we can defeat this damned disease. You gave us the opportunity to hope that there will be a resurrection for us and that our hopes will be realized,” said a tearful Hajiantoniou, who since Christmas 2014 has been battling pancreatic cancer.
“Since you came to our house our life has changed and became meaningful. We continue our battle with more strength and courage against by tumor and Mary’s brain cancer,” he said.
Hajiantoniou was happy to note that the day before the baptism was John’s birthday and that there was no better time for the celebration of baptism.
John is a bright child but he would not be parted from his parents – most of those present were unknown to him after all.
Once the pastor of St. George Fr. Peter Souritzidis called Koumbarakis and the two other sponsors to hug John he began to cry, catching the attention of all the guests.
Metropolitan Evangelos then began the emotional service.
Hajiantoniou watched as tears of joy streamed down his face.
Maria, who is eleven, tried to photograph every moment with smartphone. Her joyful movements and her smiling face obliged the faithful to turn their gaze and pray for her to also win her battle for the Hajiantoniou family to have always joys like this.
When Evangelos exclaimed the “the servant of God John –Emmanouil is baptized” the face Manolis Hajiantoniou shone with the knowledge that he has a successor and heir.
Evangelos asked for the blessings of good health on the child and urged his parents to pray and hope in the Resurrection.
Speaking to The National Herald Evangelos expressed its satisfaction that the promises that were made to Hajiantoniou family when they visited on the Feast of Epiphany were fulfilled.
“It was God’s will for The National Herald to draw attention to the drama of the Hajiantoniou family and inspire us, with the blessings of the Good Lord, to embrace pain of the family, to pray for them and do the needful. We thank the sponsors who volunteered, took care of everything and gave us the opportunity to celebrate the mystery of John-Emmanuel’s baptism,” the metropolitan said.
Michaels declared: “We thank you and The National Herald’s publisher for embracing the pain of the Hajiantoniou family and giving us the opportunity to surround it with love. Thank you for coming so far to record this touching event,”
Dr. Mike Kampourakis, scientist and entrepreneur, told TNH he was very happy when his wife anointed John with the holy oil. It was a very emotional day for him. Earlier, he attended a memorial service for his mother.
“That’s life, sorrow and joy together. I am grateful to God for giving us the opportunity to be sponsors of John – Emmanuel and pray together and respond, along with other members of the community, by helping this heroic family,”, he told TNH, adding “their generosity benefits the beneficiaries, but it also benefit benefactors because they then enjoy the gratitude and appreciation of others.”
The needs of the Hajiantoniou family continue to grow. Bills keep coming in and costs are growing exponentially because many tests and treatments Manolis and Maria must undergo which are not covered by insurance. They are unable to pay both medical bills and the rent.
The National Herald encourages readers to help. Donations, gifts, and love can be sent to: Manolis & Kristen Hajiantoniou, 236 Park Avenue (2nd Floor), East Rutherford, NJ 07073.