Holy Baptism is the basic and fundamental Holy Mystery (sacrament) of the Greek Orthodox Church through which a person is accepted into the Orthodox Church and becomes part of the Mystical Body of Christ. Through the grace of the Holy Spirit, the person who is baptized is cleansed of original sin and is counted among the chosen people of God.

In order for this sacrament to be celebrated with the proper dignity and solemnity, we offer this instructional guide that outlines the duties and obligations of both the Parents and Sponsors / Godparents. Please read these instructions carefully and call the church office if you have any questions.

Baptisms may not be performed from Christmas Day through the Feast of Theophany (December 25-January 6), during Holy Week, or on any of the Great Feastdays of the Lord.

OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARENTS

1. Parents must be continuous pledging members of the Church of Annunciation. If you are pledging for the first time, or you have skipped a year, then a minimum donation and pledge for $650 is required for those who are able. Please contact the church office if there is a financial difficulty. Please be assured that strict confidentiality is exercised at all times.
2. To call the church office and arrange the date and time of the Baptism as far in advance as possible.
3. To select a Christian name for the child.
4. To select a Godparent for the child who is of the Orthodox faith and who will provide for the child an example of Christian virtue and faith for the child to emulate.
5. To complete the Baptism Petition Form and return it to the church office promptly, along with a copy of the child’s Birth Certificate. No date can be finalized before we receive this information.

OBLIGATIONS OF THE GODPARENT

In order to qualify ecclesiastically to serve as a Godparent (Nouna/Nouno) of a child or adult at the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, the following requirements must be met:

1. You must be a baptized and sacramentaly active member of the Orthodox Church. You must also be in good financial standing with the Church. Godparents must be continuous pledging members of the Church of Annunciation. If you are pledging for the first time, or you have skipped a year, a minimum donation and pledge for $650 is required for those who are able. Please contact the church office if there is a financial difficulty. Please be assured that strict confidentiality is exercised at all times.
2. If you are coming from another parish, you must send in a letter of certification from your parish priest, at least 3 weeks in advance, certifying your ecclesiastical eligibility to participate in a Sacrament of the Orthodox Church.
3. If you are married, you must have been married in the Orthodox Church.
4. A Godparent assumes an important and sacred responsibility. The godparent will be expected to make the appropriate responses and to read the Creed during the preliminary Office of the Making of a Catechumen.

The Godparent is requested to bring the following articles on the day of the Baptism.

• Three white baptismal candles (1 large and 2 small).
• One bar of soap.
• One small bottle of pure olive oil.
• One complete set of new white clothes for the child.
• One baptismal cross (neck cross with a chain) for the child.
• Two white hand towels.
• One large white bath towel.
• One white twin flat sheet.

Following the day of the child’s Holy Baptism, the godparent is asked to bring the newly baptized child to Church to receive Holy Communion for three consecutive Sundays and as frequently as possible thereafter.

The Godparent should pray about and consider that they are not simply an observer to the sacrament. Quite the contrary, the Godparent undertakes and assumes a great religious responsibility in the eyes of God and man. The Godparent assumes and promises to care for, and nourish, the child’s spiritual life, growth, and development within the grace of the Church. The godchild-godparent relationship is a life-long commitment.

During the Mystery of Holy Baptism, the godparent will respond on behalf of the child at the Catechism service, which precedes the Baptismal service and will accordingly offer a profession of faith in Jesus Christ by reciting the Nicean Creed for the child.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Discreet taking of photographs is permitted. Please have the photographer / videographer consult with the priest prior to the Sacrament, as to the appropriate times and locations. If you have any questions, please call Fr. Christos Christofidis 2156350316.

Click here for a Petition for Baptism in the Orthodox Church

Click here for Orthodox Christian Guidelines for Parents

Click here for Orthodox Christian Guidelines for Godparents