The Sacrament of Holy Baptism in the Orthodox Church

The draft booklet of the Pan-Orthodox Episcopal Assembly for Great Britain and Ireland, with regard to the Service of Baptism in the Orthodox Church (here).

• The parents must be active members of the Orthodox Church.
• The Godparents also must be members of the Orthodox Church. It is their responsibility to guide, teach, and counsel their godchildren in the Orthodox faith.
• Parents need to approach the parish priest to decide on the day of the baptism for their child.
• The child should receive a Christian name, a saint's name, who would become his/her patron saint.
• The parents will bring a copy of the birth certificate to the priest prior to the baptism.

• Little cross and chain for the child to be baptised
• Two white towels
• A little bottle of olive oil
• One large candle
• An ivory soap
• An icon
• White outfit for the child

Useful links

• The holy sacrement of baptism
• Baptism guidelines and checklist