baptism: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

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The Sacrament of Baptism, as well as other Sacraments, is conducted in accordance with the order found in the Orthodox Sacramentary Book (Εὐχολόγιον).

The parents of the one to be baptized must be in good standing with the Church in their Community. 

A Godparent must always be:

• an Orthodox Christian (NEVER NON-ORTHODOX)
• single or married in the Orthodox Church 
• over 12 years of age 
• a member of a Community and in good standing with his Church obligations. 
• If a person is married civilly or has entered in Common-Law Partnership, but has not been married in the Orthodox Church, he/she may not become a Godparent for the Baptism. 
• If a person has been married in the Orthodox Church and has been separated or divorced civilly or has had a marriage annulment, but not an ecclesiastical divorce, he/she may not become a Godparent for the Baptism. 

It must be noted that the names given to those about to be baptized must be Christian according to the Orthodox Calendar of Saints. The parents and the Godparents are to consult the Priest before the Sacrament concerning the child’s religious name.

After the Baptism, the Priest will provide with the Parents a signed Baptismal-Birth Certificate. The Baptism is then entered in the Book of Records or Registry of the Community.

Baptisms ARE NOT CONDUCTED on the following days: 

• September 14 (fasting day and the Exaltation of the Holy Cross) 
• December 13 through 25 (Advent-Fasting period for Nativity)
• January 5 and 6 (Fasting day and Epiphany)
• During Great Lent, Holy Week and on the day of Pascha (Orthodox Easter) 
• August 1 through 15 (Fasting period for the Dormition of the Most-Holy Virgin) 
• August 29 (Fasting day for the beheading of st. John the Baptist) 
• On the day of any of the other Major Feast Days. These are the following: 
  • February 2, the Presentation of our Lord 
  • Ascension of our Lord 
  • Pentecost 
• Baptisms will also not be conducted on the first Sunday after March 25 and October 28 due to the Doxology and the Festivities for the Greek Independence Day 1821 and OXI-Day 1940. 

See “What you need to know” before anything else! 

Think of a date for booking and call Fr Bohdan on 905 926 7040 to make an appointment. Please note that you will have to speak with the Priest for the details.

The Priest will ask you to come with the future Godparent and see him. Make sure the Godparent has his/her BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE with them. This document serves as proof that the Godparent is Baptized in the Orthodox Church. If the Godparent does not provide the Baptismal Certificate during the meeting, the Priest will not book a date for the Sacrament. If the Sponsor has been baptized in our Parish, you don’t need to bring the Certificate. The Priest will check the corresponding entry in the Registry Book 

Arrange for a Baptism Rehearsal. Upon your meeting with the Priest, he will provide with the Godparent the lines he/she will have to speak during the Sacrament. The Sponsor has an active role during Baptism, it is therefore wise and practical that you arrange a rehearsal before the Sacrament so that everyone knows where to stand, what to do, what to say, how to move etc. 

Prepare for the Sacrament. Ensure you have everything for the day of the Sacrament: Olive oil, white undergarments for the one to be baptized, along with a white oil sheet, a large white towel and two small white towels (ladopana/λαδόπανα), a tall white candle (lampada/λαμπάδα) and a cross necklace for the one to be baptized. The Priest will provide you with the same details upon your meeting and during the rehearsal.

The day of the Sacrament. If you did the rehearsal, then you know what to do and where to stand. The Priest will guide you through the Sacrament when necessary. Approach with befitting piety and respect for the Sacrament and pray for the one to be baptized to be illumined throughout his/her life with the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

After the Sacrament. Becoming a Godparent is a huge responsibility. The Godparent promises before God and the Church to be the Spiritual guide of the one to be baptized, teaching him/her our faith, our religious ways, our traditions and our customs as Orthodox Christians. The Godparent is responsible and accountable before God if he/she fails to uphold this promise. That is why becoming a Sponsor or a Godparent is not to be taken lightly. It is accustomed that the Godparent brings the newly baptized Christian to Church three Sundays in a row to receive Holy Communion, holding the white candle used during the Sacrament of Baptism. On the third Sunday he/she leaves the candle at Church to be burnt out.  

As the Godparent is responsible for teaching our religion to the newly illumined Christian in the outside world, the Parents are responsible to teach our religion to their baptized child at home and to bring him/her to Church after the first three Sundays. A baptized child should be brought every Sunday at Church to receive Holy Communion. That way he/she becomes a member of the Body of Christ and advances spiritually as they grow up. 

From the moment the parents or Godparent enter the Church with the baptized child, it is the Priest who is responsible to teach the faith, customs and traditions of our Church.