Baptism

Baptism is the first and most necessary sacrament by which a person becomes a Christian and a member of the Church. Through baptism, original sin is forgiven and a person is reborn to a new life in Christ. Baptism is given to both infants and adults.

Apostle Peter's Pentecost sermon in Jerusalem penetrated deeply into the hearts of many listeners. They ask Peter and the other apostles: What shall we do? Peter answers them: "Repent, and let everyone be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, so that your sins may be forgiven, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (cf. Acts 2, 37-38).

But God's new community, the Church, is growing not only among the Jews. In the Acts of the Apostles, Luke tells about one of the seven deacons - Philip (Acts 8, 26-40). Encouraged by the Spirit of God, he reaches the road leading to Gaza, where he is overtaken by the carriage of a noble man from Ethiopia. The Ethiopian had come to Jerusalem to pray. Now he returns home and reads the book of the prophet Isaiah. Philip listens to what the stranger is reading and asks him: "Do you understand what you are reading?" He responded: "How can I understand if no one explains it to me?!" He tells Philip to get into the chariot and explain what Isaiah's words mean. Philip tells him how the words of the prophet have now been fulfilled through Jesus Christ: He wanted to reconcile people to God. But the people rejected Him. He accepted the Passion, did not resist and died on the Cross. He was slain as a sacrificial lamb. But God raised Him up. He is alive, we are His witnesses. He is the Savior and the Redeemer. Whoever believes that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior, and is baptized, becomes another person, a new person, a Christian.

While traveling, they brought water. And the Ethiopian said to Philip, "Here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?" They waded into the water, and Philip baptized him: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." He became the first Christian in Africa.

● Baptism is a common sacrament for all Christians. The Church provides it at the behest of its Lord: "Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit" (Mt 28, 19).

● Baptism establishes a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It also means that the baptized person becomes a member of the community of believers, the Church. He grants forgiveness of sins and begins a new life as a human being, a brother or sister of Jesus Christ, a son or daughter of God. The baptized pray: "Our Father, Who art in Heaven!".

● Baptism is the beginning and foundation of the Christian life, the Grace given by God, which must be maintained throughout life: together with Christ, "being buried in Baptism, you have been raised by faith in Him by the power of God, who raised Him from the dead" (Col 2, 12).

Every person can be baptized, everyone can baptize - even the unbaptized, if only he wants to do what the Church does. Baptism is given once for all, it cannot be revoked or repeated. No sin breaks the covenant confirmed by Baptism.

Adults who want to be baptized are prepared for Baptism - they are taught the truths of the Faith. This is how they are included in the Church. Parents and Godparents bring a baby to the Church for baptism, because, in addition to giving him life, they also want to pass on the Faith to him, promise to guide and accompany him on the path of Faith. Celebrating the mysteries of Easter, the faithful - adults and children - renew St. Baptismal promises.

Baptismal water is celebrated during the Easter Liturgy:

Almighty, Eternal God,

look at your Church

and open the fountain of Baptism.

Let this water acquire Yours

the Grace of the Son begotten of the Holy Spirit,

so that the old one is washed away with the sacrament of Baptism

the fault of man made in Your image,

and the water and the Holy Spirit raise him up

for the new life of your children.

Baptism: This word means "to be immersed" in water, the element of life. An unbaptized person, giving his life for Christ (martyr), receives "Blood Baptism". "Baptism of desire" is associated with those unbaptized who do good to their neighbor and thus - consciously or unconsciously - follow Christ.

We believe that the Loving God will not leave the children who died without Baptism without His Care. Baptism is performed as follows: the baptizer pours water three times on the baptized person's head saying: "I baptize you in the name of God the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."

Memo for Parents Requesting Baptism for Their Child

● Baptism should be arranged no later than a week before the planned date of baptism.

● It is necessary to listen to catechesis, which prepares for baptism. You need to have a birth certificate with you, and for godparents, a document confirming that they have received the sacrament of confirmation (mandatory).

● IMPORTANT: Godparents who have a wife/husband and children must be married in the Church. Otherwise, they cannot be godparents.