Here in the first part, the Godparent holds the child in their arms, while the priest breathes on the child's face in the pattern of a cross, then he puts his hand on the child's head, as he reads the prayers of Exorcism: Expel from him every evil and unclean spirit hidden and lurking in his heart.

The Godparent now, on behalf of the child, faces west and renounces the devil and all his works. Then the Godparent turns eastward, altarward, and declares the acceptance of Christ as his Lord and Savior. The climax of this very impressive ceremony is the confession of faith by the candidate through his God-parent, who recites the Creed of our Church. A short prayer follows, during which the name is given to the child.

The second part of the Baptismal service takes place at the Baptismal Font, which is positioned in front of the altar. Here, the blessing of the water takes place followed by the blessing of the oil. The priest pours oil in the cupped palmsof the Godparent, dips his finger into the oil,and anoints the different parts of the child's body in the sign of a cross, praying:

The forehead:
The servant of God -- is anointed with the oil of gladness in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The chest:
For the healing of body and soul.

The ears:
For the hearing of faith.

The hands:
For thy hands have made me and fashioned me.

The feet:
For the going in the way of God's Commmandments

On the back:
If anyone wishes to follow me let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

The Godparent now anoints the child as a strengthening act. In ancient times, before warriors would wrestle, they would anoint their bodies with oil in order to escape from the hands of their opponents. In like manner the new Christian is anointed, as a soldier of Christ, in order to escape from the hands and temptations of the Devil.

The triple immersion into water symbolizes the three-day burial and resurrection of our Lord. The child, dies as regards sin, and arises free of sin as Christ. The first man dies and a new man is born in Christ.

Chrismation: The Second Sacrament

After the child is cleansed and reborn, in Baptism, the strengthening grace of the Holy Spirit is immediately received through the Sacrament of Holy Chrismation. The priest, as he anoints the different parts of, the body with Holy Myron says: This is the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The cutting of the hair stands as an act of submittion and thanksgiving, as the new Christian now dedicates himself to Christ. After their baptism, the early Christians offered a thanksgiving sacrifice to God. Now, the child offers to God, as a sacrifice, something which belongs to him, his hair.

The newly baptized clid is then clothed, in clean white garments, symbolizing the robe of spiritual purity.

Now begins the symbolic procession of joy around the Baptismal Font . The priest censes the child, who is held by the Godparent, as they go around the Baptismal Font three times. This is the sacred dance in which the Holy Church itself rejoices for the Baptism. The white candle held by the Godparent symbolizes the spiritiual light which is received in baptism.

Holy Communion: The Third Sacrament

Finally, the priest administers the third Sacrament, Holy Communion to the newly Christianed child.

At the conclusion of the service as the Godparent gives the child to the parents, he says:

Your child has been baptized, illuminated, chrismated, and sanctified in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Receive him and rear him in a Christian way. Teach him the truths of God until he is old enough to appreciate them. Your church will always be at your side, ever willing to help you.