By serving as sponsor in the Divine Mystery of Holy Baptism, you accept a real and binding responsibility. This role is not a matter of preference or choice; it is a sacred and lasting obligation. From this day forward, you are expected to share with the parents in the spiritual and religious upbringing of your godchild. If for any reason the parents are unable to keep the child close to the Sacramental and Catechetical Life of the Church, you are called to speak with conviction and help ensure that your godchild lives within the life of the Church and follows the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Furthermore, to be a dedicated and responsible sponsor, you must live the Sacramental Life of the Church, which you profess as an Orthodox Christian, in a manner that will be a convincing factor to your godchild's spiritual development.
Responsibilities of Sponsors
Sponsors for Baptisms and Weddings must be duly baptized Orthodox Christians. If married, his/her wedding must have been performed in the Orthodox Church. The sponsor must have fulfilled his/her financial responsibilities to the Church for the current year.
Please use this link if have not yet become a member of Kimisis.
If the sponsor belongs to another Parish, a written verification from his/her Parish Priest called a "letter of good standing" must be maile dor emailed to our Church as soon as possible, stating that spiritually and financially the Sponsor is a member in good standing of said Parish.
The sponsor should be of a mature age so as to understand the full significance of the Sacrament. An Orthodox Christian name (a name of one of our Saints) should be provided of the child.
After Baptism, according to tradition, the child is brought to Church for Holy Communion for three consecutive Sundays.
NOTE: The child should be brought to Church for Holy Communion every Sunday!
Articles needed for the Celebration of Baptism (Traditionally, the articles are provided by the sponsor)
- A small bottle of olive oil
- A bar of soap
- A large white bath towel
- A small flat white sheet (not fitted)
- Two white hand towels
- A white outfit to clothe the child following Baptism (including a white undergarment)
- A Baptismal Cross & chain
- One white Lambada - candle (24-36 inches)
- Two smaller white candles (optional)
Service for the Catechumens
PRIEST: Do you renounce Satan? his works? all adoration of him? all his angels? and all his pride? (three times)
SPONSOR: I do (three times)
PRIEST: Have you renounced Satan? (three times)
SPONSOR: I have (three times)
PRIEST: Breathe and spit on him.
SPONSOR: (Blows and spits three times - symbolically)
PRIEST: Do you unite yourself with Christ? (three times)
SPONSOR: I do (three times)
PRIEST: Have you united yourself with Christ? (three times)
SPONSOR: I have (three times)
PRIEST: Do you believe in Him?
SPONSOR: I believe in Him as King and God
** (At this point the sponsor recites the Creed in English or Greek)
PRIEST: Have you united yourself with Christ? (three times)
SPONSOR: I have (three times)
PRIEST: Bow down and worship Him
SPONSOR: I worship the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Trinity one in essence and undivided.
The Creed
I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten not created, of one essence with the Father through Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate
of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried. And He rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. And He will come again with glory to judge the living and dead. His kingdom shall have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets. In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come. Amen