The establishment of the Sacrament of Baptism occurred after the Resurrection of Christ. Having appeared to his disciples, the Lord said to them that He had received from His Father all authority in Heaven and on earth, and commanded them to, "Go therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you..." (Mt. 28. 19-20)
In Baptism, man receives, in place of the old existence he had, a new existence and life, and becomes a child of God, a member of the Body of Christ and the Church, and an inheritor of eternal life. Baptism, therefore, is indispensable for all, including infants, so that growing in body and spirit they might grow in Christ.
The Prayers at the Reception of Catechumens
After the Feast of Pentecost, when the Disciples went forth preaching the message of Christ, the majority of those being baptized were adults. The candidates for Baptism, called catechumens, were progressively introduced into the life of the Church by special rites which included exorcisms, prayers, explanations of the Scriptures, etc. This period of preparation, which according to local customs lasted anywhere from one to three years, involved the entire community, which was preparing itself for the reception of new members. It was during this time that each catechumen chose a sponsor who would assist the Apostles and/or Priests in teaching them about Christianity. The sponsor would then guarantee the sincere intentions and Orthodox belief of the person to be baptized.
With the appearance and prevalence of infant baptism between the 2nd and 5th centuries the role of the godparent has changed. Instead of acknowledging the sincere intentions of the person who is seeking to be Baptized, the sponsor is given the honor by the Church to assist the parents in the spiritual nurturing and upbringing of the child. It is the godparent then who responds on behalf of the child to the questions posed by the Church, thus renouncing satan and accepting Christ as King and as God. The godparent also recites the Creed paying further witness to the faith and teachings of the Church. It is for this reason that the sponsor must be an active member of the Orthodox Church and becomes from that moment the spiritual brother or sister of the parents.
The Baptism
The Blessing of the water begins with a Doxology (Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, now and forever and unto the ages of ages) which announces the Kingdom of God as the theme, the content, and the ultimate goal of Baptism. The Sacrament of Baptism begins the spiritual journey of the soon to be enlightened Christian, and the initial doxology reveals and announces its final destination: the Kingdom of God.
Following the initial petitions and prayers blessing the water, the pre-baptismal anointing with olive oil takes place. Oil has always been a religious symbol. It is a natural source of light and joy, and in ancient times was primarily used as medicine. In the case of baptism, it is the sickness of sin from which we are being healed. Oil is also known as the symbol of reconciliation and peace. We thank God over the oil and therefore make it again what God has made it: a gift of healing, a gift of peace, a gift of spiritual power and life. The priest makes the sign of the cross in the water with the oil three times and anoints the person who is to be baptized on their brow, their breast, their ears, their hands, their feet and their back. The candidate is baptized with the triple immersion in the name of the Holy Trinity, during which the entire Church "seals" each with an "Amen."
The Sacrament of Chrismation
Immediately following the triple immersion Baptism, the newly baptized receives the Sacrament of Chrismation, the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit. This sacrament is the fulfillment of Baptism and signifies the participation of everyone who is baptized into the Spirit of Pentecost, consecrating the person as the Temple of the Holy Spirit. (The material of the Holy Chrism is made of 49 aromatic substances which symbolize the infinite Gifts of the Holy Spirit. It is prepared every ten years on Holy Thursday in a special service at the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople in the presence of representatives of all the Orthodox Patriarchates.)
The priest also cuts hair from the infant's head in the form of a cross. This is done on behalf of the child who offers a gift to God to thank Him for the great blessings which has been received. A white garment, symbolizing purity and righteousness is placed upon the newly baptized along with the Baptismal Cross.
The celebrant leads the newly baptized with their sponsor(s) in a circular procession around the baptismal font, while the congregation chants the verse from Saint Paul's Epistle to the Galatians (3. 27): "All those who have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ forever, Alleluia!"
The Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist
Finally, the newly baptized partakes of the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. By partaking of Holy Communion, the child becomes part of the Church or Ekklesia. Here, everyone gathers to participate in the baptismal liturgy and to witness the Sacraments of Baptism, Chrismation and Holy Eucharist in celebration of the 'new life' offered in Christ to the newly baptized. This gathering serves also as a reminder that each of us is continually renewed through the partaking of Holy Communion and we, along with the newly baptized, are continually offered 'new life' in Christ!
Further reading:
- Infant baptism in the Orthodox Church
- The Feast of Theophany: The Baptism of our Lord Jesus Christ
- The Sanctification of Holy Chrism
- The Sacraments
- Iconograms for Baptism
