The Holy Mysteries
Holy Baptism
United with Christ and received into the life of His Church.
The Sacrament
New Life in Christ
The entire Church—triumphant and militant—rejoices when a child is grafted onto Christ through Holy Baptism. Your decision to baptize your child in the Orthodox Church is an expression of your love for the Church and her sacramental life.
Holy Baptism cleanses the soul from sin and receives the person into the Church established by Christ. Our Lord sanctified the waters when He was baptized by Saint John the Baptist in the Jordan River.
The baptismal service brings together three Holy Mysteries: Baptism, Chrismation and Holy Communion. Through Holy Chrismation, the newly baptized receives the gifts of the Holy Spirit and begins a new life within the Church.
Advance Notice
Please contact the parish approximately three months before your preferred date.
Infant Blessing
Infant baptisms may normally be celebrated following the 40-day blessing.
Service Length
The complete baptismal service generally lasts approximately 45 minutes.
Planning Your Baptism
Information and Requirements
Select a section below to learn about preparing for and celebrating Holy Baptism at Prophet Elias.
Please contact the parish priest or church office administrator to arrange a meeting concerning your baptism. The church office will prepare the necessary documents and provide information about applicable church fees.
The parish priest also holds mandatory baptismal preparation meetings by Zoom. These meetings explain the service, its requirements and the responsibilities of the parents and godparents. They also provide an opportunity to ask questions.
An adult seeking baptism, or a family wishing to baptize a child, should first contact the church office to schedule an appointment with the parish priest.
We recommend arranging the baptism at least three months before the desired date to reduce the possibility of scheduling conflicts. Baptisms are generally not celebrated on certain major feast days. Please speak with the priest if there are special circumstances affecting your date.
Because Baptism is a Holy Mystery of the Church, it cannot be celebrated in a spiritual vacuum. The person being baptized, or the parents of an infant, must approach the sacrament with faith and a sincere desire to participate in the life of the Orthodox Church.
- The person has not previously been baptized in the Orthodox Church.
- Anyone who has received baptism in another Christian tradition and wishes to enter the Orthodox Church must first meet with the parish priest. The priest will determine the proper manner of reception according to the teachings and policies of the Archdiocese.
Infant baptisms may normally be celebrated following the 40-day blessing. This requirement may be waived in a medical emergency.
Families often find that an age of approximately three to six months works well. When selecting a time, consider the child’s usual feeding and sleeping schedule so the child is comfortable and well rested.
The complete baptismal service generally lasts approximately 45 minutes.
The godparent—the koumbaro or koumbara—participates sacramentally in the service. The godparent speaks on behalf of an infant, joins in the renunciation of evil and confession of faith, assists with the anointing and receives the newly baptized from the font.
The godparent must be an Orthodox Christian in good standing and an active member of an Orthodox parish. A godparent from another parish must provide a letter of good standing from his or her parish priest.
Godparents accept the responsibility of being spiritual parents. They are expected to help guide their godchild in the Orthodox faith, encourage participation in the sacramental life of the Church and model an Orthodox Christian life.
- Must be a baptized Orthodox Christian.
- Must be an active Orthodox Christian who attends church and regularly receives the Holy Mysteries.
- Must know the Lord’s Prayer and Nicene Creed.
- Must be a registered member in good standing at an Orthodox parish.
- If married, the marriage must have been blessed in the Orthodox Church.
- If divorced following an Orthodox marriage, an ecclesiastical divorce decree may be required.
- A sponsor from another Orthodox parish or jurisdiction must provide a letter of good standing from his or her parish priest.
- Must understand the lifelong responsibility of guiding and supporting the godchild in the Orthodox Christian faith.
Photography and video are permitted, provided they do not impede or distract from the sacrament. Photographers must remain quiet and respectful. Flash photography is permitted, but flying video drones are prohibited inside the church.
Professional photographers and videographers should arrive early so that the priest can explain the church guidelines before the service begins.
The following items are normally provided by the parents or godparents:
- A cross and chain.
- A completely white outfit to be worn after the immersion.
- A small bottle of olive oil.
- A bar of Ivory soap.
- One white hand towel.
- One large white bath towel; bring two for a double baptism.
- One large baptismal candle; bring two for a double baptism.
- One white sheet, traditionally called the ladopano.
- From Christmas Day through the Feast of Theophany, December 25 through January 6.
- During Holy Week and on the Great Feasts of the Lord.
Because the newly baptized person, clothing and towels have been anointed with holy oil, they should be washed with appropriate care and respect.
The water used for the first bath and for washing the baptismal clothing should not be emptied into the sewer. It may instead be poured around the foundation of the home, into a flower garden or in another outdoor place where people will not walk over it.
Begin Planning Your Baptism
Please contact the church office before selecting a date or making arrangements with a reception venue.