Baptism Ceremony - Procedure Guidelines

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1. Baptism of a Minor Child

A. When the Parents are Married (Either Religiously or Civilly)

To perform the Sacrament of Baptism, the following are required:

• Official Birth Certificate of the child (not a Birth Confirmation Certificate).

• Coordination with the Church where the baptism will take place, in order to schedule and carry out the necessary procedures.

B. Godparent (Sponsor) Requirements

The godparent must meet the following criteria:

• Be an Orthodox Christian, with an official document verifying their baptism.

• Be of an appropriate age to provide spiritual guidance (catechism) to the child.

• Must not have only a civil marriage or a cohabitation agreement, unless preceded by a valid Orthodox church wedding, in accordance with the directive of the Holy Synod (Ref. No. 1009/Prot. 871/08.04.2016).

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2. When the Parents Are Separated or Not Married to Each Other

If the child has been legally recognized by both parents, written consent from both is required:

• Either by signing the baptism declaration on the day of the ceremony,

• Or through a Notarized Statement with certified signature.

If one parent has sole custody, then only that parent's consent is needed, along with supporting documentation proving custody.

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3. Baptism of an Adult

Adults who wish to join the Orthodox Church through the Sacrament of Baptism must first undergo catechism, a preparation process involving an introduction to the Orthodox faith and spiritual guidance.

Procedure:

• Submit a Catechism and Baptism Application to the local Church.

• Approval of the application by the relevant Holy Metropolis.

• Assignment of a Catechist Priest and commencement of catechism.

• The baptism date will be determined based on the individual's progress and the recommendation of the catechist.