In a small and crowded room off the side of the main sanctuary, women stand, bare feet, holding their infant children, waiting. Two priests stand at the baptismal font preparing to baptize each child by full immersion followed by anointing with oil. On the eastern wall of the room hangs an icon of the Baptism of Christ by John the Baptist, the Holy Spirit descending like a dove. Facing the West, the officiating Priest recites prayers and begins the ritual, dipping and lifting each baby three times. With each submersion and lift he exhales: “Receive the Holy Spirit.”