A Japanese Man’s Encounter with the Orthodox Church

April 11, 2026 A.D.

During the Vespers of Holy Saturday, in the Holy Trinity Church in Tokyo, I received the Sacrament of Baptism, with Father Constantine Masuda officiating. I was blessed to have my godparents, brothers and sisters of the Church, friends, and relatives present. A little before the third Pascha of my life, I am filled with gratitude to be reborn as John.

April 19, 2024.

“Where are you from?”: That’s how it all began, when someone on the ship to Mount Athos spoke to me. He was a white-haired missionary, accompanying a group of pilgrim priests from Indonesia. At that time, I was in Greece for a conference on marine protection. After the conference, Mount Athos, which I had read about in a book, drew me in. I obtained (fortunately) the diamonitirion for non-Orthodox visitors and, knowing nothing, jumped onto the ship.

I think that man knew that deep in my heart I carried anxiety and loneliness. As we looked at the Aegean Sea, he asked me: “Why do you like the sea?” He nodded at my awkward answer and, with a warm but somewhat stern tone, added: “But the sky is infinite.” The sky was blue and clear to the horizon.

April 20, 2024.

The Elder led me to a bench overlooking the monastery’s vineyard. He was a friend of Mr. Nosti. After we sat down and caught our breath, he began to speak slowly, with a piercing gaze. ” The purpose of this life is to learn to love. To love as God loves. “.

I didn’t understand at all what God is, but I felt as if light had fallen into my heart. Then he pointed to the sun and told me: “The energy of the sun, the light and the heat. These three, as one sun, give us life. The same with God: the three are one. God is love. Thanks to God’s love, we can live.”

Two years have passed since then, and I still understand only a small part of this wisdom. But on the day of my baptism, Father Constantine Masuda told me: “Today is like you have transferred your civil registry. From here, the journey begins.” And also: “You will learn to love as God loves.”

An endless path, which I don’t know if I will traverse even in an entire lifetime. Above all, I feel gratitude for having found myself at its starting point, and I want to walk the life given to me from now on.

John Ito

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