The sacraments in the Orthodox Church are officially called the “holy mysteries.” Usually seven sacraments are counted: baptism, chrismation (or confirmation), holy eucharist, penance, matrimony, holy orders and the unction of the sick. It may appear that there are just seven specific rites which are “sacraments” and that all other aspects of the life of the Church are essentially different from these particular actions. The more ancient and traditional practice of the Orthodox Church is to consider everything which is in and of the Church as sacramental or mystical.

The proper belief concerning baptism is that it is the entry of the believer into the only, one, true, Holy and Apostolic church, and it is also a promise on the part of the believer that he will be obedient to the teaching of the church, and try to live as a Christian. Only after baptism and chrismation may a person be truly called a Christian, since Christianity is not only belief, but also is the organic joining of the believer to the body of Christ, and baptism effects this joining.

For this reason we baptize even infants, though they are not defiled by [personal] sins, so that there may be given to them holiness, righteousness, adoption, inheritance, brotherhood with Christ, and that they may be His [Christ’s] members.”   In Orthodoxy the baptism of adults and infants is by immersion in water three times in the name of the Trinity and ushers a person into the body of Christ, the Church.

By the practice of baptizing infants, Orthodox Christians believe they are providing children with immediate entrance into the life-saving grace of God. Orthodox theology emphasizes that the sacraments function independently of one’s intellectual comprehension. Hence, the age of the baptized is not pivotal — the mystery of God’s grace can work even in an infant’s life. Children, just as adults, are seen to be capable of receiving God’s grace. Additionally, throughout history, the Church has witnessed the holiness of infants and children — a testament to the belief that God’s work is not confined to age or mental capacity. The tradition of receiving a Christian name during baptism is another important facet. It connects the child not only to a community of believers but also to the saints whose names they bear. This link transcends time, creating a continuum of faith from the saints of the past to the present-day believers.

Pictures of  Baptisms held in St. John's in the past are in the Gallery.   "Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house, and the place where Your Glory dwells".  Psalm 26:8.