Becoming an Orthodox Christian
BECOMING AN ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN
The decision to become an Orthodox Christian should be made with great prayer and discernment. When making this decision, an appointment should be made to meet with Father Jason. At this first meeting, it will be determined whether you will be received into the Church through Baptism and Chrismation; or, through Chrismation only.
Regular Church attendance is mandatory for anyone desiring to become a member of the Church. Meetings for religious instruction (catechesis) will be scheduled, and you will be given material to study which will complement the guidance given by Father Jason.
Give careful consideration should be given to whom you will ask to become your sponsor (God-parent). This person must be an Orthodox Christian in good standing with a canonical Orthodox Church. If the sponsor is from another parish, he/she must provide a letter from his/her parish priest.
The date of your Baptism/Chrismation needs to be set as soon as possible. At this point you will be informed by the priest of what items will be necessary to prepare for this sacred event.
Please remember that once you have been received in the Orthodox Church that you will no longer be permitted to participate in sacraments of other religious denominations.
WHAT TO DO AFTER THE BIRTH OF A BABY
Call the priest immediately! The priest must be informed as there are specific prayers that are read on the day of birth, as well as on the eighth day, and 40th days. The prayer read on the day of birth is simply a thanksgiving prayer. The prayer on the eighth day proclaims the name of the child in anticipation of Baptism (Luke 2:21). These prayers can be read either at the hospital or home, or at the same time. The important thing is that both mother and baby receive pastoral care.
As we pattern our lives after that of our Lord, we present our children to the Church on the 40th day, just as He himself was presented to the temple (Luke 2:22-40). This is when the mother and child also come to the church for the first time. The mother is prepared to once again enter the church, and to receive the sacraments. The child is also presented to God as the child is dedicated to Him in anticipation of its Baptism when he or she becomes a full member of the Church.
The mother and child do not enter the church but remain in the narthex (or cry room). The priests should always be informed in advance of the date of the 40-day blessing, as should the parish council upon arrival. At the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy, the priest will meet the family in the narthex and read the appropriate prayers with the mother and child.
The child is received in the arms of the priest. He then asks what the baptismal name of the child will be, and processes with the baby in the church for the first time. The parents follow the priest to the icon of the panagia.
After the 40-day blessing, it’s recommended that the parents schedule the date of Baptism. Spiritual birth is even more of a priority than physical birth. Please do not delay baptizing your child.
BAPTISM
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father andof the Son and of the Holy Spirit…" (Matthew 28:19).
Baptism is the greatest of sacraments. Without it we will not be born again (John 3:5-7). Baptism not only washes away the stain of original sin, but regenerates and restores the image of God within us so that we may live a new life in Christ. Also, without baptism, we cannot partake of the other sacraments in the Church.
The mystery of Baptism is our own personal Paschal experience, where we participate in the death and resurrection of Christ. It is where we die with Christ by descending into the font, and we rise again with Him through our emergence.
The Baptismal Font is both a "Tomb” and a “Womb” of the Church. It is a "tomb" in the sense that we die with Christ in order to live with Him. And, it is the "womb" because in it, we are reborn through the Holy Spirit. We are also appointed a guardian angel over the soul of the one being baptized.
After Baptism, the newly baptized is immediately Chrismated with the Seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit. This gives him/her the fruits of the Holy Spirit, and the Holy Spirit Himself through His presence in the Holy Chrism. It is the child's personal receiving of the Holy Spirit – a personal Pentecost!
Tonsuring also takes place (i.e. the cutting of hair) in the sign of the Cross. A white outfit symbolizing purity is given to us. If the baptized is an infant, we call this the “onesie of righteousness!” A baptismal candle is given proclaiming that Christ is the light of this child's life. Finally, the baptized receives his/her first Communion. Unlike other Christian denominations, a baptized Orthodox Christian becomes a full member of the Church immediately through Baptism, Chrismation and Holy Communion.
PLANNING A BAPTISM AT KIMISIS
The information below will help you prepare for your child's baptism:
- Confirming a date: prior to the baptism, a date and time must be confirmed by the priest before commitments (such as receptions) are made.
- Selecting a godparent: A godparent must be an Orthodox Christian in good standing in the Orthodox Church. It is important to consult the priest before inviting a person to be a godparent. Keep in mind that only one person will sign the baptismal certificate as the godparent, so if there is a married couple, be sure to indicate which of the two will sign.
- Paperwork: all documents and payments must be sent to the church office no less than two weeks before the day of the sacrament.
- Baptismal information form completed.
- Child’s birth certificate.
- God Parents’ letter of good standing from their home parish if they are not stewards of Kimisis GOC
- $750 (non-steward facility fee)
- $150 chanter fee.
- $100 cleaning fee.
REMINDERS
Arrangements must be made by the parents and/or legal guardians of the child who is being baptized.
Arriving at church: on the day of the baptism, please be sure that you, the Godparent and the child arrive at the church at least 15 minutes prior to the agreed time of service. Keep in mind that a spirit of reverence and respect is required at all times in the church.
WHAT TO BRING: You will need the following items for the service. They are traditionally provided by the Godparent, but who provides what is at your discretion.
❑ A Cross (preferably Orthodox style) and chain. [Note: Babies will tear off little baby chains, and it’s very difficult for priests secure little clasps!]
❑ A large, white bath towel.
❑ A white flat sheet.
❑ A small bottle of olive oil.
❑ A white undershirt or "a onesie of righteousness"
❑ A small white hand towel.
❑ A white baptismal outfit
❑ A bar of white soap.
❑ At least one white candle. [Note: people often provide smaller candles for children to join in the procession around the font]
❑ “Martyrika” baptismal remembrances [Note: Please do not bring “Mati” into the Church]
AFTER THE SERVICE: Please keep in mind that the towels, the sheet, the diaper and the child's undergarments will have Holy Oil and Chrism on them, so special care should be taken in cleaning the sacrament from these items after the Baptism.
- You may place them in a hand tub or a wash basin filled with soapy water
- Carefully wring the items to remove all the Holy Oil
- Pour the contents of the basin into the ground outside in a respectable manner.
FOLLOWING-UP: For three consecutive Sundays after the service, the Godparent should accompany you and the child to the Divine Liturgy for Holy Communion with the child dressed in the new baptismal outfit and the Godparent carrying the baptismal candle. If it is not possible for the Godparent to attend, you may choose someone else to stand in or bring the child yourself.
INFORMATION FORM AND BIRTH CERTIFICATE: Please complete the Baptism Information Form and return it as soon as possible, along with a copy of your child’s official Birth Certificate. These may be emailed, mailed, faxed or delivered in person.
STEWARDSHIP: Please remember that the Holy Mysterion of Baptism is Sacred and the beginning of our life in Christ. It is imperative that you raise your child in the life of Christ and the Church. That you and your family worship and receive the Sacraments on a regular basis. Being a stewards also means that you give your Time and Talents in support of the Church and the Ministries we offer.
Please use this link if have not yet become a member of our Church
If you have any questions, please call the church office at (845) 452-0772 or email us at info@kimisisny.org
May the blessings of the Lord will be with you as you prepare for this great event.