'World's oldest mother' baptises infant daughter
A woman believed to be the world’s oldest mother has baptised her daughter, now almost five months old, the Romanian Bishop who performed the ceremony said today.
Adriana Iliescu, now 67, gave birth to Eliza Maria on January 16 six weeks prematurely after receiving in vitro fertilisation. The baby weighed just over three pounds and a twin sister was stillborn.
Although the Romanian Orthodox Church does not encourage in vitro fertilisation, Iliescu’s daughter received a full Christian Orthodox christening yesterday at the Pasarea Monastery near Bucharest.
“I saw a normal child and I performed a normal service,” said Bishop of Tomis, Teodosie, who performed the baptism. “It was a child who needed to be introduced to the Christian faith.”
Iliescu, was believed to be the world’s oldest mother at 66 when she gave birth after being impregnated using sperm and egg from anonymous donors. She is a university professor and writes children’s books.
