Information for Baptism

Congratulations on joining the Orthodox Christian faith! As you prepare for your baptism, keep the following steps in mind.

About a week before

• Set up an appointment for confession with Fr. Theodore or Fr. Elisha. You can make an appointment here.

The day before

• Make sure you have had confession by the night before, if you have not already.
• Prepare the clothes you will arrive in. These should be dark clothes you are comfortable getting wet, as baptism is by full immersion.
• Prepare the clothes to wear after the baptism. These should be all white as much as possible. Wearing white symbolizes being born again and united with Christ.
• Abstain from all food and drink from midnight on the day of baptism.
• Dress modestly for the baptism and the Divine Liturgy. Please avoid tight-fitting clothing, shorts, and sleeveless tops. Skirts and dresses should be at least knee length.
• Feel free to invite as many people as you want.
• Discuss a baptismal name with the priest. It represents our new life in Christ and is typically a name from the Bible or one of the saints of the Church.

The day of your baptism

• Prayers begin at 7:15 AM on the Sunday of your baptism unless the priest indicates otherwise. Please arrive on time.
• The priest will put the white tunic over your dark clothing, pray over you, then over the baptismal water.
• You will be anointed with the oil of catechumens, take the baptismal vow, and be anointed with the oil of joy.
• During the baptism itself, the priest will submerge your head in the water three times in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
• You will then change into your white clothing and return for additional prayers.
• The priest will anoint you with the holy Myron oil for your confirmation and tie a red ribbon around you, symbolizing being saved through the blood of Christ.
• You will attend the Divine Liturgy and receive communion. When communion begins, come to the front of the line, as you will be the first to receive the Body and the Blood. Please remove your shoes before coming forward. Women should also have their heads covered; head coverings are available in the back of the church.
• During standard times of the year there is a procession immediately after the Divine Liturgy. During the Holy Fifty days after the Feast of the Resurrection, the procession is during the Liturgy. You will join the procession with the deacons, carrying a candle as you walk around the church.
• At the end of the Liturgy, remain at the front of the church facing the altar. The priest will pray a concluding prayer over you and remove the red ribbon.

Congratulations again! We are so happy that you have joined our Orthodox family, and we look forward to seeing what God will do through you to further His kingdom. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to Fr. Theodore.

For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:13)