vlad.tribnet.com / Issue #157 / Special reports / Reading article...

For the first time in the history of Primorye law enforcement, the Russian Orthodox Church baptized local policemen en masse.

The company commanders propose the idea of getting baptized three years ago. They asked Father Valentin, a local bishop, for permission to conduct the ritual (Orthodox priests do not use their last names). Finally, two weeks ago it was announced that any volunteer could be baptized.

Over 80 percent of the staff decided to take part in the ritual.

During Soviet times, baptism was a rarity in Russia. The regime persecuted the church, and followers fell away. But since the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991, officials have drawn closer to the church, and it is commonplace to have priests involved in government ceremonies.

Few of the participants knew what would be required of them. Father Vasily, who conducted the ceremony, at first confused the policemen because he required that they undo their shoelaces so that he could put water on their feet. He then dipped their heads into a baptismal.

After he put the crosses on the police, local press reported, a glow shone on the faces of the cops. There was a reason for this, according to Father Vasily: Baptism gave the policemen an additional spiritual shield against evil forces.