THE Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, baptised four believers by total immersion outside St Michael-Le-Belfrey Church.

The Sunday morning baptisms were part of a service held before the Easter Day Eucharist at York Minster.

The Archbishop of York prayed over the water in the specially-erected pool before asking: "Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit, who gives life to the people of God and makes Christ known in the world?"

He then immersed all four fully.

Two of the baptised spoke about their faith before the ceremony.

Emily Swiatek, 19, said "As I grew up, I was pretty anti-Christian, but I believed in God in some form.

"But when I came to York St John University College I met a group of Christians, and I began an amazing journey to faith.

"I just can't wait to start a new walk of life, and have Christ behind me all the time."

Tom White, 14, said: "I was born into a Christian family and I always believed in Christ.

"I went on a Christian summer camp a couple of years ago and we talked about the Resurrection and it really upset me that someone would sacrifice themselves for me like that."

Jack Shepherd and Pei-Fei Yu were also baptised.

The service, conducted by Revd Roger Simpson, the vicar of St Michael's, was broadcast live on BBC Radio Four.

Speaking after the service, Archbishop Sentamu said: "I say to all Great British people: 'live up to your history - this is a great nation'.

"I'm going to go the length and breadth of England, saying: 'Wake up. This is a great nation, but it needs to rediscover its Christian values'.

"I want everyone to be baptised with Christ and rise with him."

:: 'Rise with him out of your bewilderment, confusion, fear and sin'

"CHRIST is alive and individuals can actually make a difference."

That was the Archbishop of York's message to the country on Easter Sunday morning, delivered before he led more than 1,600 people in worship.

There was standing room only in the Minster as Dr John Sentamu delivered his sermon.

He spoke about Mary Magdalene's discovery of Jesus' empty tomb and her acceptance of Jesus as the risen Christ.

The Archbishop said: "The resurrection, that is faith in the risen Christ, involves entering into the very gaze of God, the way in which God looks at his world.

"The resurrection removes the clouds of fear, ignorance, superstition, cynicism, prejudice and self-absorption, because God in our own flesh and blood conquers all these demons, as well as evil and death.

"Mary's - and our - closed world is broken open by the voice of Jesus calling her name, speaking to her of the future, shattering her customary world, and opening up a brand new future. Something illogical, impossible, and unnatural takes place - the One who was certified dead and buried greets Mary." In conclusion, he said: "Alleluia! Christ is risen. Rise with him out of your bewilderment, confusion, fear and sin. For he died and lives for you."

The service was sung to the Spatzenmesse, by Mozart.

At the end of the service, members of the congregation emerged from the Minster to the sounds of pealing bells and queued to shake the hand of the Archbishop.

:: Campaigners fail to show at Easter service

THERE was no sign of Fathers 4 Justice at York Minster on Sunday.

The group had last week told the Evening Press they planned to "storm" the Easter Sunday service, led by Archbishop Sentamu.

The Fathers 4 Justice co-ordinators for Yorkshire could not be contacted for comment yesterday.

But international co-ordinator Andy Work, who is based in Holland, said: "There were plans to do something.

"I was aware of the action beforehand, but not the specific details.

"I haven't been in contact with the guys in Yorkshire.

"All I can assume is that something happened in the meantime.

"The most likely reason is that either the guys' physical safety was threatened, or they decided there was too high a risk of getting arrested."

The group's plans were revealed on the front page of the Evening Press last Tuesday.

There was a strong police presence around the Minster on Sunday morning, with several vans in the cathedral's grounds and more than ten police officers patrolling the surrounding area.

Updated: 08:56 Monday, April 17, 2006