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Saint Nicholas
Greek Orthodox
Church

San Jose, California

© 1999-2006 St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church of
San Jose, CA

Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

PRAYERS FOR THE NEW BORN

Upon the birth of a child, the parish priest should be invited to the home or hospital to offer prayers for the mother and child. It is the responsibility of the father or the grandparents to notify the priest at the time of birth. Your parish priest depends upon your courtesy so that he may make the proper visitation. On the fortieth day after birth, the mother brings the child to church where the priest conducts the service of "40-Day Blessing" or "Sarantismos" for the mother and child.

"The ritual of the 'churching of women after childbirth has its origin in the Middle Ages. This was the time when the liturgical life of the Church was beginning to expand and develop in imitation of the Biblical patterns. The "Church" must not be understood in an antiquated way (from the Old Testament) in the sense of a legalistic practice. (For further Old Testament knowledge, read the Book of Leviticus, Chapter 12). Rather, the ceremony of churching marks the time when the mother, having recovered physically and emotionally from the birth of her child, and having re-ordered her life around the child's care, will resume her life in the community of the Church again. She comes to the church with her child (and accompanied by her husband) to offer her thanksgiving for her child, and coming to contact with the life-giving glory of God, she asks for the forgiveness of her sins, despite her human weakness, so that she may be 'worthy to partake, uncondemned, of the Holy Mysteries," (that is Holy Communion) once again.

This ceremony, in imitation of the Old Testament ceremony to which the Mother of God submitted, was done on the fortieth day after the child's birth, but may also take place as close to the fortieth day as possible. Some request that this take place prematurely to facilitate their personal needs and desire to attend social engagements. God in His wisdom ordained that a period of six weeks lapse following childbirth before the mother resumes her life. Good advice is not to hasten this process.

During the churching, the priest, in imitation of the elder Simeon (Luke, Chapter 2), takes the child up to the sanctuary, making the sign of the Cross with it and reciting the prayer of St. Simeon (Luke 2:28-32). Again, inspired by the example of Simeon's encounter with the infant Messiah, for each child has the potential to be great in the sight of the Lord, the act of churching recognizes this and also serves, as with the mother, to introduce the child to the community of faith."

On the day of churching, the parents and the child are invited to wait in the narthex of the church where they will be greeted by the priest. This takes place after the antidoron has been distributed following the Divine Liturgy. A call to the church office will help things run smoothly.

BAPTISMS

In the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, a person is incorporated into the crucified, resurrected, and glorified Christ and is reborn to participate in the divine life. Baptism is necessary for salvation (Mark 16:15-16) and in accordance with Holy Tradition must be performed by triple immersion in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:18-20), according to the rubrics in the Prayer Book. It is conferred only once.

1 . Both parents, if Orthodox, must be members in good standing. This means that both parents, if Orthodox, must be current in their Stewardship Commitment to the parish (Exceptions made only by the parish priest).

2. A person who wishes to sponsor a candidate for Baptism and/or Chrismation in the Church must be an Orthodox Christian who is in good ecclesiastical standing with the Orthodox Church. A person who has been excommunicated or anathematized by the Church or who, if married, has married outside the Orthodox Church may not become a godparent.

3. If the sponsor is from another Orthodox parish, a Certificate of Good Standing is required from the priest. This certificate must be presented to the priest prior to the Baptism.

4. The role of sponsor is directly related to infant baptism. Since the infant is unable to make the necessary confession of Faith, the Sponsor stands and accepts the responsibility.

5. The Sponsor should be ready to recite the Nicene Creed either in Greek or English. For three consecutive Sundays after the baptism, the Sponsor should carry the neophyte to the Holy Altar to receive Holy Communion.

6. According to the Holy Tradition of the Orthodox Church ONE name of Orthodox Christian origin should be given to the child at the time of baptism.

7. The day, time, and other arrangements must be made with the parish priest by calling the Church Office at least one month before the baptism.

8. To insure the proper dignity and solemnity of your child's baptism, anyone desiring to take pictures must consult the parish priest at least one half hour before the sacrament.

9. The sponsor should provide:

1. Complete change of clothes (white) for the child (including a new undershirt);
2. Bottle of Pure Olive Oil;
3. Gold Cross for child;
4. Three white candles;
5. One bar of soap;
6. One white bath towel;
7. One white hand towel;
8. One white twin sheet (unfitted);
9. Martyrika (optional - these are small decorative icons or crosses given to the guests).

NOTE: In case of adult baptism, the priest should be consulted for items needed. In case of adult baptism, the priest should be consulted for items needed.

10. Clinical Baptisms

1. In the event of an unbaptized near death an Orthodox priest must be called for a clinical baptism.
2. In the absence of an Orthodox clergyman, an Orthodox Christian layman, or any other Christian, may baptize the infant by the sprinkling of water, repeating the baptismal formula, "The servant of God (name), is baptized in the Name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Spirit".

11. Converts - When receiving into the Orthodox faith a person who comes voluntarily from another confession, the Orthodox priest will accept the candidate by means of whichever of the three mode prescribed by the Sixth Ecumenical Synod (Canon 95) is appropriate:

1. Baptism in the Name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by triple immersion;
2. Chrismation;
3. Confession of Faith.

Proof of the baptism must be established by an authentic document. The priest must undertake to instruct the applicant in matters of the Faith and practices that govern the inner life and outward behavior of the Orthodox Christian. If the applicant has not been baptized in the Name of the Holy Trinity in a Christian Church by the principle of "oikonomia", he or she mustbebaptized as prescribed in the Prayer Book.

12. If the parish priest is expected to attend the reception, a formal invitation must be sent as is done in the case of other guests.

Baptisms may not be performed on the following days unless it is absolutely necessary and permission is obtained from the Bishop of the Diocese of San Francisco:

1. December 25 - January 6;
2. Holy Week;
3. Major Feast Days.

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