Infant practises - How are they celebrated by different parts of Christianity?

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Religious Studies Coursework

A01 – Infant practises – How are they celebrated by different parts of Christianity?

Baptism comes from a Greek word meaning to immerse or dip in water. The practise was adopted in the New Testament and almost every Christian will be baptised (the exceptions are Quakers and the Salvation Army). However there are many different opinions on how and when this important Christian Rite of Passage should be carried out. Many will think at birth. Hopefully I can help so you can make your own decision about what some call a sacrament and others call a sacrilege.

The Catholic Baptism Ceremony

The Catholic Church, (and also the Anglicans who practise infant baptism in a similar way) see Baptism as a sacrament and that it is very important to baptise infants. The ceremony begins with the baby and the family being welcomed by the priest on the behalf of the Christian community. He asks the parents what the baby will be called and whether they accept the responsibility of bringing up the child into the Christian faith. In the Catholic service the priest then makes the sign of the cross over the baby’s head and the parents trace the sign of the cross to signify that this baby is now a member of the Christian church. Prayers are then offered for the baby and the family, and the family can either select some prayers or write some themselves. Then it is asked that the saints in heaven also pray for the baby so that all will bless it. To prepare for the actual baptism the priest first anoints the baby with the Oil of Baptism as a sign of Christ’s strengthening power and the priest asks that the baby be delivered from all evil. Then the water is blessed and the minister asks you to renew the vows made at your own Baptism and reminding you of your duty to bring up your child as a good Christian. Now is the most important part of the ceremony where the priest pours baptismal water over the child’s head and says three times “I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”. These words are used in all denominations that baptise, whether infant or believers’ baptism. They come from the words of Jesus.

Go therefore, make disciples of all nations;

Baptise them in the name of the Father,

And of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit”

(Matthew 28: 19-20)

Following custom the baby is anointed with the Oil of Chrism. The baby now has the special work of living as a part of Christ’s body (the church) and will take part in other sacraments during their life as part of Christ. The baby is wrapped in a white garment and a member of the family is given a candle to light from the paschal candle.

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The Anglican baptism is similar, but does not include rituals such as the oils, the white garment or prayers to the saints. High Anglicans may include the lighted candle.

The Orthodox Baptism Ceremony

As in the Catholic Church baptism is seen as a sacrament in the Orthodox denomination too. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, babies are brought to be baptised when only eight days old. The child is undressed to symbolise the removal of their old sinful self. Each child has a sponsor to represent them as they are obviously to young to represent themselves. The priest turns ...

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