Describe and explain the central features of infant and believers baptism.

baptised the celebrant explains to them their responsibilities and asks the godparents if they are willing to help the parents bring the child up in the church. The role of godparents is to help their godchild lead a Christian life.  The Priest then moves on to celebrate God’s word. A reading from the Bible is told, usually describing the baptism of Jesus. After a short Sermon in which the priest explains the reading, the prayers of the Faithful or Bidding prayers are recited followed by the Litany of saints, where all those present ask the saints to help the child:  “St. Anthony pray for us…. etc.” The priest now recites the Prayer of exorcism asking for the child to be rescued from the slavery of sin and pass into the freedom of God, he then anoints the child on the chest with oil of Catechumens. Everyone then goes to the baptismal font, the celebration of the baptism begins and the water is blessed. The priest asks the parents and godparents to renew their faith. At this time in an Orthodox Church baptism the Creed is said. The child is now baptised, the priest pours water over the child’s forehead three times while the following words are said, “I baptize you in the name of the father, and of the son and of the Holy Spirit.” The Orthodox Church immerses the child 3 times in the water. The baptism is followed by a second anointing, the priest anoints the child on the crown of the head with Chrism. This is done in silence, after which the child is dressed in a white gown. The priest now holds the Paschal candle and says: “Receive the light of Christ”. A Parent or Godparent lights the child’s Baptismal candle from the Paschal candle. The baptism then ends at the altar, the ‘Our Father’ is said, the Priest blesses the mother, then the father and finally he finishes by blessing the congregation. This ceremony is very similar to the Baptism service of the Anglican Church. At the end of the Orthodox ceremony, a small lock of hair is cut as a sign of dedication to God. In Believers’ Baptism the minister gives a sermon to explain the importance of baptism. He may call upon the congregation to remember their own baptism, and to renew their commitment to Jesus. Those who wish to be baptised are called forward, there is usually more than one and they each come up in turn. The candidates are asked if they have repented of their sins and if they faith in Jesus. Each candidate may read a short passage from the Bible; they may also give a testimony, explaining how they came to be Christians. The candidate enters the pool by a set of steps. The candidate and the minister will then step into the pool. The minister says, “(Name), because you have repented of your sins and have requested baptism, I now baptise you in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen”. The candidate is gently immersed in the water and then leaves the pool. As the candidate comes out of the water the congregation may sing a hymn. A friend will be waiting at the top of the steps with a towel, this person will have been chosen by the candidate. The candidate is led off to change and the baptism is then over.                 Kevin Mc Anena 12F