Epistle Reading for Holy Baptism

     

     The Sacrament of Baptism was instituted by* our Blessed Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. He spoke to His Disciples after His glorious Resurrection saying, "go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Holy Ghost. "This is called the "First" Sacrament since it is through Baptism that one is received into the Church of Jesus Christ.

     Though it appears to be but one Service there are actually three distinct Services which are performed at the Baptismal. Ceremony:
     (a) Exorcism and confession of Faith
     (b) The actual Sacrament of Baptism
     (c) The Sacrament of Confirmation (Chrismation) which invariably follows Baptism in the Orthodox Church

     The Sacrament of Baptism is necessary for salvation, therefore, it is imperative that every infant born of an Orthodox family be brought to the Church as soon as possible for Baptism. The godfather fin Orthodoxy the term sponsor is used) acts on behalf of the child about to be baptized. During the first Service known as Exorcism, it is the sponsor who will speak for the child. The prayers of Exorcism are both eloquent and profound in meaning. Most of these prayers were written by St. Basil, one of the great Fathers of the Church during the 4th Century. Prayers are read during the Exorcism in which the devil is renounced and other prayers implore the assistance of heaven to protect the child from all evil and distress. The sponsor on behalf of the child, responds to questions addressed by him by the Priest which reveal acceptance of Christ and denial of the devil. This is followed by the recitation of the "Creed" by the sponsor which consists of twelve articles of Faith as written by the Church Fathers of the first and second Ecumenical Councils held in 325 A.D. and 381 A.D. in the cities of Nicaea and Constantinople. A brief prayer follows in which the child is given its Christian name.

     During the Baptismal, Service which follows, a series of supplications and prayers are offered by the Celebrant invoking God's blessings upon the water in which the child will-be immersed and baptized.^ A moment before the actual immersion, the child is blessed with oil and the sponsor will rub the entire body of the child. This action (not to be confused with the Sacrament of Confirmation) typifies strength. Just as the warriors of ancient Greece were anointed with oil before battle against their enemies, so the new Christian who will battle the enemies of his salvation, is anointed as a faithful soldier of Jesus Christ. For this reason the Priest will invoke the descent of the Holy Spirit and pray t that the oil will be a "weapon of strength and justice" and "defense against every diabolic energy." Following the Baptism (three times the child is immersed in wafer, symbolical of the Holy Trinity) the child will receive the second Sacrament of the Church, the Sacrament of Chrismation. This is known as the "seal" of Baptism through which the blessings of the Holy Spirit are upon the new Christian. The Priest will then proceed to "cut "a portion of the -child's hair three times, symbolical also of the Holy Trinity. This action denotes sacrifice as a servant of Christ. Early Greek slaves before the coming of Christ invariably had their hair cut short to denote that they were servants in some Greek household. The hair of the child is cut to denote allegiance to Christ as "a servant of the Lord. "The child is then prepared for the "Procession" at which time he is dressed in "new clothes" symbolical of the new life he wife lead 'according to the Christian Faith. The candles which will be held by the sponsor and little children are symbolical of the warmth of our Faith in Jesus Christ who is truly "the light of the world." The actual procession around the table three times is of great significance, his symbolical of great joy and exaltation.

     The Service of Baptism is concluded with Holy Communion. Thus, the child in the Orthodox Church becomes a full member of the Church of Christ through the Sacrament of Baptism, Confirmation and Communion. The child is spiritually endowed with all of God's blessings with which he may grow "in wisdom and in stature", living a Christian life according to the Commandments of the Lord.