Baptism

Churching of the Catechumen.

The procession into the church.

Prayer of the Catechumen

“I lay my hand upon Your servant (name)… Write down his name in Your book of life.”

Exorcism: (Facing West the priest says:)”Do you renounce Satan?…Have you renounced Satan?…Do you believe in Christ?” (Facing East we all profess our faith:) “I believe in one God, Father Almighty…”

Pouring the Oil of Gladness

The Blessing of the Water: “…That this water may be sanctified through the power and operation of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.”

Immersion into the Font of Life: “The servant of God, (name), is baptized in the name of the Father, (first Immersion), and of the Son (second immersion) and of the Holy Spirit (third immersion).”

Dying to the old man (sin) and rising to the newness of life !!!

(The baptized in Christ rises from death to life in Christ.)

Blessing of the new clothes: “The servant of God (name) is clothed with the garment of righteousness, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” (While the baptized is dressed all sing:) “Give unto me a robe of light, O You who clothe yourself with Light as with a garment. O most merciful Christ, our God!”

Blessing of the Cross.

Chrismation

Anointing with Chrism: “The Seal of the Gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Reply:) “Amen.” (The priest anoints the baptized making the sign of the cross with chrism on the forehead, eyes, nostrils, lips, ears, breast, hands and feet singing the above each time.)

Receiving the light of Christ.

The first footsteps of the new Christian. (All sing while processing around the font and through the congregation to the Royal Doors:) “As many as have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. Alleluia.”

Reading the epistle. (Romans 6: 3-12) “For since we have become one with him in dying as he did, in the same way we shall be one with him by being raised to life as he was. . . .”

Reading the Gospel. (Matthew 28: 16-20) “. . . Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age.”

“The servant of God (name) is presented to the Church…”

(Processing through the congregation, making the sign of the Cross three times with the child, the priest raises the child in offering to God.)

First Communion.(The baptized is now a full participating member of the Church of Christ – and as such receives communion with all the faithful.)