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THE SACRAMENT OF
HOLY BAPTISM
The entire Church, triumphant
and militant, rejoice when a child is grafted on to Christ through Holy
Baptism. Your decision to baptize your child in the Orthodox Church
are an indication of your love for the Church and for her sacramental life.
Holy Baptism is the cleansing of one's soul fro m the sin of Adam and Eve.
It is also the initiation, if you will, of the child into the Church which
has been instituted by Christ Himself, when He was baptized in the Jordan
river by John the Baptist. This sacrament actually has within it three
sacraments, Holy Baptism, Holy Chrismation, and Holy Communion. Holy
Chrismation is the imparting of the gifts of the Holy Spirit to the child,
and thus fills the void which is created when we wash away the sins of Adam
and Eve and our own individual sins. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are,
Holy Communion is offered to
the child as a sign that he or she is now a full member of the Orthodox
Church. Holy Communion is the ultimate sign that an individual is in
communion with the Church, and only those who are Orthodox can receive the
Sacred Mysteries, the Body and Blood of Christ. Thus, for the child to
receive it on this day, is the expression that he or she is part of the Body
of Christ.
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COORDINATING YOUR BAPTISM
Please contact Fr. Theologos
Drakos to arrange for a meeting pertaining to the needs and requirements of
your baptism. He will prepare all necessary Church documents,
along the with the collection of any Church fees. Please feel free to ask
him any question you may have concerning your baptismal service here at
Dormition of the Theotokos Greek Orthodox (Kingston - Ontario).
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SETTING THE DATE
A family desiring to be
baptize their child should first contact the church office to schedule an
appointment with the parish priest. It is preferable to schedule your
baptismal date with the parish priest at least three months prior to the desired date so that scheduling conflicts can be
avoided. According to the official policies of our Archdiocese,
baptisms should not be celebrated during Great Lent along with several
large feast days of the Church. However, please speak with Fr.
Theologos if you are choosing such a date.
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BAPTISM:
SPIRITUAL PRESUPPOSITIONS
Due to the fact that Baptism is
a sacrament, it cannot be celebrated in a spiritual vacuum. This,
therefore, presupposes that:
1. The person to be baptized
has never been baptized before in any other Church.
If someone has been baptized
in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, in another Church -
and wish to join the Orthodox Church, they need not be baptized. Holy
Chrismation is sufficient to 'make whole anything that is lacking', and to
join the individual to the Orthodox Church.
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KOUMBAROS /
KOUMBARA
The “koumbaro” or “koumbara” - the sponsor who will
participate sacramentally in the
service by speaking on its behalf as it accepts Christ and
renounces the devil, along with placing oil on the child and receiving the
child as it comes out of the Baptismal font, must be an Orthodox Christian and a steward/member of his/her
parish. They are charged with being the spiritual parents of the
child, to raise it in the Orthodox Church. If one is not Orthodox,
then this role cannot be fulfilled.
The “koumbaro” or koumbara”, if from another Orthodox parish, must
provide proof from his/her parish priest certifying his/her active
stewardship/membership in the Church.
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VISITING CLERGY
Guest clergy,
in Communion with the Orthodox Church, may participate in a baptism at Dormition of the Theotokos. Canonically, it is the responsibility of the
priest where the baptism is taking place to extend an invitation to any
and all visiting clergy. Orthodox Christian clergymen in communion with
the Archdiocese are welcome to participate in the celebration of
sacraments at Dormition of the Theotokos with the blessings of our
pastor.
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PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOTAPING
Photographs
of your baptism are permitted but should not in any way impede or
distract from the celebration of the sacrament. Photographers should
be quiet and respectful; the use of a flash is allowed. If you are
planning on professional photography and videography, please ask that
your photographer arrive early at the Church so that guidelines can be
laid out. Also, please ask guests to be respectful of the
professional’s space, for your benefit.
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NECESSARY ITEMS
FOR THE CELEBRATION OF THE SERVICE
Among the items necessary to
celebrate one’s baptism in the Church are the following:
Bottle of Olive Oil
Cross
Bar of Soap
Large Towel to receive the Child
New white clothing
Hand Towel
Some families choose to provide ahead of time the
Prosforo and Sacramental wine to be used in the preparation for Holy
Communion. If you wish to do so, please speak with Fr. Theologos Drakos
ahead of time.
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WASHING OF
CLOTHES AND BABY AFTER THE SERVICE
Due to the fact that Holy Oil
has been spread upon the child and is seeped into the clothing and towels of
the child, care must be taken when washing everything. When bathing
your child for the first time after the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, please do
so in a tub which does not empty into the sewer system. Rather, when
you are finished, you can empty the water, together with the Holy Oil around
the foundations of your house, in the flower gardens or any place outside
where people do not step. The same holds true for washing the towels and
clothing.
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