THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM

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

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

THE GODPARENT(S)

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. 

NAMES

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.

BAPTISMAL CERTIFICATE

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.

BAPTISM: WHAT YOU NEED TO DO

1. Think of a date for booking and call the parish priest to make an appointment. 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.  Please note that the date and time for a proposed baptism will only be confirmed after the parents have met with the priest.

2. 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. 

3. Prepare for the Sacrament. Ensure you have everything for the day of the Sacrament: 

• Olive oil,
• White undergarments for the one to be baptized,
• A white oil sheet, a large white towel and two small white towels (ladopana/λαδόπανα), A tall white candle (lampada/λαμπάδα)
• 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.  

6. 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 to Church to receive Holy Communion, and should participate in all the religious, spiritual, cultural and educational activities as appropriate for the age level.  These may include Sunday School, Youth Retreats, Greek Dancing, Greek Heritage School, community social activities, etc. In this way the child becomes a member of the Body of Christ, advances spiritually, and become part of a community which will help and support them as they mature.