Baptism and Chrismation in Orthodoxy: Steps into the Life of Faith

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” – Galatians 3:27

Orthodox Christianity is not merely a circumcision; baptism is the initiation into the Orthodox Christian faith. It is the time when one does not only watch the ongoings but is accepted as a member of this family of God. However, baptism is not the end of it all. After that comes Chrismation, the “sacrament of sealing of the gift of the Holy Spirit,” which strengthens the newly made neophyte for his Christian mission. These sacraments of initiation are ancient, strong, and effective in producing a positive change.

Orthodox Baptism and Chrismation involves the following: What are they to the believer and how do they define the path of faith? Here are these steps, let us go through them because they form an integral part of the Eastern Orthodox Christianity that one has to grasp:

The Threefold Immersion: Dying and Rising with Christ

Baptism in the orthodox church is no mere rite of water sprinkling. It is a submersion to the water and not just once, but thrice. Why? This is because the Lord was in the tomb for three days and through this sacrament, we are made to partake in his death and burial as well as his resurrection.

The priest immerses the catechumen (the one being baptized) into the baptismal water, saying:

[The Baptized's name] the servant of God is baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

This is not a re-staging. It is a sacramental involvement in the victory over sin and death. The old man passes away and a new one is created. The newly baptized is given white garments, as at that moment the soul has no blemish, as it was liberated from the sins.

Who Can Be Baptized?

As for the baptism in the Orthodox Christian Church, both children and adults are baptized. In the case of infants, the godparents stand for them and reject Satan while affirming faith in Christ. In the case of the adults, there is a period of learning known as catechism before they are baptized.

Chrismation: The Seal of the Holy Spirit

Baptism cleanses. But Chrismation empowers.

After the baptism, the priest uses holy chrism to make the cross on the head, eyes, ears, heart, hands, and feet of the baptized person. Every anointing is followed by the words:

"The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit."

This is similar to the confirmation in other Christian churches but in Orthodoxy it is done in conjunction with the baptism. The reason? In Christian theology, Baptism and Chrismation are always seen as two acts that cannot be separated. Likewise, as the Apostles received the Holy Spirit during the feast of Pentecost, every Orthodox Christian receives the same through the Sacrament of Chrismation.

What is Holy Chrism?

It is not just any oil that you would find in the market today; it has a special significance within the annals of Christianity. It is a sweet-smelling oil, the production of which involves the blending of olive oil and fifty-seven different spices, which can be prepared only by the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and is supplied to all Orthodox Church all over the world. Preparing the Holy Chrism takes time and care, in some cases it may take several days in order to complete the process.

The anointing of Chrism is the time when Holy Spirit enters the soul and becomes a part of it. This is why Chrismation is sometimes called the “Orthodox Confirmation— but in fact it is much more. It is a personal Pentecost for every Orthodox Christian.

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First Communion: The Immediate Union with Christ

In most of the Christian denominations, there is a chasm between baptism and the Holy Communion. Not so in Orthodox faith. As soon as a person is Chrismated, he receives the Holy Eucharist; the infant even does so.

Why? Because baptism and Chrismation give the person a chance to be an active member of the Orthodox Church. The Eucharist is not a reward for “understanding” but the food for the soul. For this reason the Orthodox Church, as was said above, enforces the reception of all three initiation sacraments at one time:

Baptism – Spiritual rebirth

Chrismation – Receiving the Holy Spirit

Holy Communion – Full participation in Christ

What Happens After? Living the Orthodox Christian Life

Baptism and Chrismation are not the end—they are the beginning. The person is now a baptized member of the Orthodox Church, but faith is a way of life which needs to be practiced every day.

Here are three aspects by which one can grow after Baptism and Chrismation:

Prayer & Worship – It is required to attend Divine Liturgy and to pray daily. For instance, one can use a prayer rope to repeat the Jesus Prayer which is “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

Scripture & Saints – The Orthodox faith is full of knowledge. Referring to the Lives of the Saints (for instance the 2025 Lives of the Saints Calendar) keeps faith alive by following the examples of the role models.

Fasting and Confession – Eating is one of the necessities of life and therefore fasting is one form of self denial that is essential in spiritual life. Fasting seasons and going to Confession assist in making the soul suitable for the journey of a Christian.

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Final Thoughts: More Than a Ceremony

Baptism and Chrismation are not just rituals. They are profound, life-altering moments in Orthodox Christian rites that place a person on the road to salvation. They are entrances into the Kingdom of God, where sin is washed away, the Holy Spirit is received, and a new life begins.

Whether you are preparing for Orthodox Baptism, attending a baptism, or simply deepening your understanding of Eastern Orthodox Christianity, these sacraments stand as a powerful reminder that faith is not merely believed—it is lived.

If you are on this journey, consider deepening your faith with the Wisdom of the Divine Philosophers series or our Orthodox Calendar - daily companions in walking the path of the saints.

Your journey has begun. Now walk it with faith.