ORTHODOX INFANT BAPTISM

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The Orthodox Christian News Service

Submitted December 20, 2003

"A few days ago I was present at a baby baptism. It was an Orthodox full-immersion christening. What a lovely sacrament it was! The baby was only about five or six months, and all his family were there: grandma & grandpa, mom & dad, sisters & brothers, and godparents. Then, there were several of us strangers looking on.

The baptismal basin is large enough to safely submerge an infant, without him/her being cramped. It was constructed of a shining copper; very pretty under the ornate Orthodox chandelier.

In the beginning, prayers were recited, and there were scripture readings by the priest and the godmother in the narthex.

After a quiet procession of participants into the sanctuary, the child's family and friends gathered round the font, and the priest blessed the waters.

When it came time for the Father to immerse the child, I thought for certain the baby would cry, as from his perspective he did not fully understand what was happening or comprehend what all this special fussing over him was about. But what a surprise! Not the slightest whine from the contented babe throughout the entire ritual!

After the first complete immersion, he was quickly -- yet very gently -- lifted from the font. Elevated into the air (dripping wet), he kicked his feet rapidly, as if readying to swim. After a brief pause, he was dipped the second time, and brought back up, again with his tiny feet in swift motion, which may be the instinctive reaction. Then the final immersing, and up from the font once more, with those little legs & feet still running in place as the priest held him high until a towel was draped around him, with no upset, no tears. The baby's expression was so cute, one couldn't help but smile and laugh. It was as if the baby sensed he was in very good & safe hands, and that something meaningful and loving was taking place.

Afterwards there was a chrismation for him, and more prayers. He continued to enjoy the whole experience, without the expected squirming. His little soul seemed in total trust and compliance with God. I thought that was pretty amazing for such a tiny child. He felt the peace, perhaps.

The godmother carried him to a blanket-covered table in the back of the sanctuary, to redress him in an infant's tailored white suit and cap. As I sat on the sidelines watching his relatives and friends surround him, I noticed his grandmother crying. Of course, upon seeing her emotion, the innocence of the event caused tears to well up in the eyes of a few others present.

I'd never seen an infant's full-immersion baptism before; just the sprinkling kind, or a dedication where the baby is prayed over while held in a pastor's arms. So this was nice. I was impressed.

In previous years I'd often questioned the necessity of infant baptism, thinking that since they (tiny babies) are oblivious to the meaning of the sacrament, it might not be as efficacious in their lives, or instill as observable an effect as the baptism of the Holy Spirit does. Throughout childhood I met so many who had been baptized as babies, but they often did more mischievous things than those who hadn't been! And, there were a few classmates in high school who were not always the best examples, yet they'd been reared as baptized church-goers.

As a youth I wasn't ever pressured to attend church regularly, and was baptized* when I made the decision to be. I truly believe though, that if our family had been actively involved in church activities, that it would have been helpful when my parents divorced. There would have been less pain, or perhaps no divorce at all.

Also, what some may consider a child's being "forced" to attend church, is actually more a concerned and wise parental guidance. As I look back, I see how a rounding up of the kids on Sundays and carting them off to church, would have been more of an “opportunity.”

I recall overhearing my parents once commenting on how they should look into baptisms for my brother and me. They'd even mentioned who they thought might serve as godparents. I remember thinking it sounded like something momentous, but they never did any more about it. Time passed, and with the development of an adolescent's reasoning mind, the need began to be questioned. After maturing a bit, I sought a baptism on my own.

Baptism is a way of dedicating a child to God, and for the child to be prayed for by those with devotion. A baby’s christening, whether seen as a bringing into the church through this symbolic death, burial and resurrection with Christ, or as potent form of intercessory prayer, is believed to have impact on a life; though there are those counteracting influences of the “world” and environment, that continually bombard the spirit during upbringing and adulthood.

Thank goodness for intercessory prayers. Maybe that is what baptisms are all about, a formal rite of intercessory prayer that generates God's protective grace in a child's life.

Today I still wonder about those who are baptized as infants and confirmed, yet go on to do bad things. Why doesn't the baptism provide absolute assurance against any such depreciations of grace? Obviously there are other aspects factoring in to those cases.

Nonetheless, upon any doubts that rise from time to time, we must stand firm in our faith that there is purpose for this instruction of Christ -- that we are to be baptized.

There is significance, and much hope in this sacrament of bestowing grace, or the washing away of the remnants of "original sin" on the soul.

I do believe baptism can be a powerful form of sheltering intercessory prayer, entreating that an infant be blessed with a good life. Besides being an official pronouncement of inclusion in the Body of Christ, it is a petition to God that He watch over the child, infuse in them keen discernment that shields from future sin, and is a humble request that the child will be receptive to cultivating a relationship with God. The baptism I attended recently most certainly got one child off to a good start!

May that little fellow's God-given free will never fail him."

Sincerely,

Charmaine Allaka

*This has been posted with the understanding in mind that there are differences of opinion within Orthodoxy about whether or not baptisms performed outside of the Orthodox Church meet their criteria for a valid sacrament and the subsequent bestowing of full grace.