Greek Baptism

April 15, 2013

I’ve participated in many baptisms in my life. After all, I have a big fat Greek family…

4:30 pm EDT – April 14, 2013 | Annunciation of the Virgin Mary Greek Orthodox Cathedral, Toronto Ontario | My baby nephew Yiorgo at his baptism.

Greeks believe that baptizing children from infancy is an expression of God’s love for us. It shows that God loves us and accepts us before we can ever know Him or love Him. Greeks believe the Sacrament of Baptism was instituted by Christ Himself when He commanded to his Apostles. “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit”.

The many gestures involved in the performance of the Sacrament of Baptism in the Greek Orthodox Church are not mere forms devoid of meaning. Symbolically, Christ’s baptism, death and Resurrection, as well as the gift of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles at Pentecost, are re-enacted in the Ceremony.

Christianity is life. Each action in the Sacrament of Baptism expresses what Christ is actually doing for us through that Sacrament. ^

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