Holy Baptism. If you’ve been following the catechumenate process from the first lesson of this series to the present, you’re drawing close to your Holy Baptism and Chrismation into the Orthodox Church. It’s an exciting time, and a lot is going to happen in very quick succession between the 12 days of Christmas from Nativity to Theophany - the day of your baptism and chrismation.
Please read through the Office of Holy Baptism in the Great Book of Needs found here.
If your entire family is preparing for baptism, and especially if you have young children, you may want to read through this all together so they know what to expect. You’ll likely note that it’s quite a bit different from the baptisms you’ve no doubt seen on television and in movies, though some aspects of it have survived into Roman and other western rites. You will be submerged three times, gently, into the water, and then brought out, dried, and clothed in your baptismal garment. You will also be chrismated - sealed with the Gift of the Holy Spirit - this is the moment you become an Orthodox Christian! Then you will be walked around the baptismal tank along with your godparent. Following this service you will participate in the Divine Liturgy and be the first to be admitted to Holy Communion.