The Holy Mysteries
Holy Baptism
The first of the Mysteries, in which a person dies with Christ and rises with him, is born again of water and the Spirit, and is joined to the Body of the Church.
“Buried with Him in baptism, raised with Him through faith.” — Colossians 2:12
The Mystery of new birth
Baptism is the Mystery of new birth. Through threefold immersion in water in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the baptized person is united to the death and Resurrection of Christ. The old life of sin is buried, sins are forgiven, and a new creation rises from the font.
Baptism is therefore more than an outward declaration of faith: it is incorporation into Christ and entrance into the communion of His Church. Saint Nicholas Cabasilas describes it as a true birth and re-creation through which the Christian begins to live in the likeness of Christ. Because it is a genuine birth into the new life, Baptism is received only once.
Practical guidance
Baptism in practice
The rite
From exorcism to tonsure
Catechumenal prayers and exorcisms, the renunciation facing west and adherence facing east, the Creed, the blessing of the water and the oil of gladness, the immersions, the white garment, and the tonsure.
Sponsors
Standing surety in faith
The sponsor makes the renunciation and the confession of faith on behalf of an infant and answers for the child’s upbringing in the Church. A sponsor must be an Orthodox Christian.
Infants and adults
One font for both
Infants are baptized on the faith of the Church and of their sponsors, as whole households were baptized in the Acts of the Apostles. Adults are prepared as catechumens before approaching the same font.
Arranging a baptism
Baptisms are arranged with the pastor, who will go over the preparation, the choice of a sponsor, and the name to be given. Speak with him before a date is set.
