Christian Orthodox Baptism(Mysteries of the Church)

Baptism is the gateway to grace and participation in the Mysteries of the Church. It is a new birth and is performed for our salvation.
He who believes and is baptized will be saved (Mark 16:16).

The Epistles of the Apostles tell us that through Baptism we are sanctified, cleansed, justified, die to sin, are buried with Christ to arise with Him.

You were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. (1 Cor 6:11)

We are buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Rom 6:4)

The Greek word is “baptizo” which literally means “to immerse.” After anointing with oil the priest takes the child facing East, while the sponsor anoints the entire body, and then immerses the body three times saying, The servant of God (name) is baptized in the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen.

This is done in accordance with the command of Christ Himself.
Make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you. (Matt 28:19)

In Baptism all sins are forgiven. As the priest is finishing the blessing of the water he recites a prayer which says; “Will You the Sovereign of all, show this water to be the water of redemption, the water of sanctification, the cleansing of flesh and spirit, the loosing of bonds, the remission of sins, the illumination of the soul, the bath of rebirth, the renewal of spirit, the gift of adoption to sonship, the garment of incorruption, the fountain of life…. “

Baptism is like a resurrection, a new birth. The prayer continues;
“Being buried in the likeness of Your death through baptism, he (she) may likewise become a partaker in Your resurrection; and having guarded the gift of the Holy Spirit, and increased the measure of grace entrusted to him (her), he (she) may receive the prize of the heavenly calling and so be numbered among the first-born, whose names are written in heaven, in You our God and our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Through baptism the door is opened to a new way of life. One now is united with the body of Christ in the Church and has the opportunity to receive the gifts of God though the Mysteries of the Church. Our spiritual growth still depends on our God given free will. We must be willing to follow God’s will. Through the mystical life of the church we will be supported in our spiritual growth. Baptism is the starting point of our salvation. Afterwaards we must cooperate with divine grace and partake of the support given to us through the Mysteries of the Church.