Orthodox Baptism Ceremony: Triple Immersion, Chrismation and First Communion
Table of contents
- 1.The Orthodox baptismal rite at a glance
- 2.The eighth-day naming and the fortieth-day baptism
- 3.The catechumen prayers and exorcisms
- 4.Blessing of the baptismal water
- 5.The triple immersion
- 6.Chrismation — the seal of the Holy Spirit
- 7.Procession and tonsure
- 8.First communion
- 9.The Orthodox godparent (nonos / nona)
- 10.Practical advice for guests
- 11.Related guides
1. The Orthodox baptismal rite at a glance
The Orthodox baptismal rite, set out in the Trebnik (the Book of Needs), is one of the longest and most symbolically dense liturgies in Christianity. It runs 60 to 90 minutes and combines three sacraments in a single ceremony: baptism by triple immersion, chrismation, and first communion. It is celebrated by a priest, not a deacon.
The rite is identical across the major jurisdictions of the Orthodox Church in America (OCA), the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese, the Antiochian Archdiocese, the Serbian, Romanian and Russian Orthodox churches. Liturgical language varies (English, Greek, Slavonic, Arabic) but the structure is the same.
2. The eighth-day naming and the fortieth-day baptism
Orthodox tradition surrounds the baptism with two earlier ceremonies. On the eighth day after birth, the parents bring the baby to church and the priest blesses the child and proclaims the name. This echoes the circumcision and naming of Jesus on the eighth day (Luke 2:21).
On the fortieth day after birth the mother is "churched" — she returns to the church after the post-partum period — and the baby is presented at the altar. The actual baptism is then scheduled, traditionally close to the fortieth day. In current practice it may be celebrated weeks or months later.
3. The catechumen prayers and exorcisms
The ceremony begins at the narthex (the back of the church). The priest prays four prayers of exorcism over the baby, asking God to drive away every unclean spirit. The catechumen — the one preparing for baptism — is turned to face west (the direction of darkness) and asked to renounce Satan three times. The godparent does this on behalf of the baby and spits to symbolize rejection of evil.
The catechumen then turns to the east (the direction of light) and accepts Christ three times. The godparent recites the Nicene Creed on the baby's behalf — the full creed, not the simplified interrogatory form used in the Roman rite.
4. Blessing of the baptismal water
The procession moves to the font in the center of the nave. The priest pours warm water into a large baptismal font deep enough to immerse the baby fully. He adds a few drops of olive oil to the water and prays a long blessing recalling the Spirit moving over the waters at creation, the flood, the Red Sea, the Jordan, and Christ's baptism.
He then takes the oil and anoints the baby's forehead, chest, back, ears, hands and feet with the words: "The servant of God [Name] is anointed with the oil of gladness, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen."
5. The triple immersion
This is the central act. The priest takes the naked baby and immerses the child fully — head and all — under the water three times, saying:
"The servant of God [Name] is baptized in the name of the Father, Amen. And of the Son, Amen. And of the Holy Spirit, Amen."
Each immersion is complete: the entire body goes under, including the head. The godparent stands ready with a white towel to receive the baby, dry the child quickly, and dress the baby in a new white garment.
Read more: baptism by immersion: the full method →
6. Chrismation — the seal of the Holy Spirit
Immediately after the immersion, the priest anoints the newly baptized with holy chrism (myrrh), a fragrant oil consecrated by the patriarch or ruling bishop. The priest anoints eight specific places on the body:
- the forehead (mind)
- the eyes (sight)
- the nostrils (smell)
- the mouth (taste and speech)
- the ears (hearing)
- the chest (heart)
- the hands (action)
- the feet (walking in the way of God)
At each anointing he says: "The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit, Amen." This is the Orthodox equivalent of confirmation, administered immediately and to all ages.
7. Procession and tonsure
The priest, godparent and baby walk around the font three times while the choir chants "As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ" (Galatians 3:27). The newly baptized is then carried into the sanctuary.
The priest performs a small tonsure — he cuts four tiny snippets of hair from the baby's head in the form of a cross. This symbolic offering of the first hair represents the offering of the whole self to God, echoing the consecration of the prophet Samuel.
8. First communion
The baptism concludes with the newly baptized receiving the eucharist. In Orthodox practice, communion is given to every baptized member, including infants, from a small golden spoon. The priest places a drop of the precious blood — mixed with the consecrated bread — on the baby's lips.
From this moment on the child receives communion at every Sunday Divine Liturgy.
9. The Orthodox godparent (nonos / nona)
The godparent — nonos for a boy, nona for a girl in Greek tradition — plays a central physical role. The godparent renounces Satan on the baby's behalf, holds the baby through the procession, receives the newly baptized from the priest after each immersion, dresses the baby in white, and carries the candle.
Canonical requirements: the godparent must be a baptized Orthodox Christian in good standing who attends services and receives communion. Non-Orthodox sponsors are not permitted. Most parishes accept one godfather and one godmother today, though the strict tradition is one godparent of the same sex as the child.
See also: full godparents guide →
10. Practical advice for guests
Orthodox churches lean traditional. Women are expected to dress modestly: knees and shoulders covered, midi or maxi dresses, no plunging necklines. Many Greek and Russian churches expect women to cover their heads with a light scarf — a polite gesture even if not strictly required.
Men: trousers and a button-down shirt, jacket optional. Avoid shorts.
The font is typically in the center of the church and guests gather around it. There is no fixed seating during the rite; expect to stand for most of the 60 to 90 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
The three immersions correspond to the three Persons of the Holy Trinity — Father, Son and Holy Spirit. They also mirror the three days Christ spent in the tomb. The Orthodox Church considers triple full immersion the most ancient and complete form of baptism, attested by the Didache (c. AD 70-100) and the Apostolic Constitutions.
Chrismation is the Orthodox equivalent of confirmation. Immediately after the immersion, the priest anoints the newly baptized with holy chrism (myrrh) on the forehead, eyes, nostrils, mouth, ears, chest, hands and feet, saying "The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit" at each anointing. It is administered to all ages, including infants.
Yes. In the Orthodox Church, baptism, chrismation and first communion are conferred together at the same ceremony, regardless of age. The newly baptized receives a tiny drop of the precious blood on a spoon. The baby continues to receive communion at every Divine Liturgy thereafter.
In the Greek and Russian Orthodox traditions, the formal naming of the child takes place on the eighth day after birth and the baptism on the fortieth day. The fortieth-day baptism is rooted in Mary's presentation of Jesus at the Temple. Modern parishes are flexible, but a baptism before 40 days is unusual outside of medical emergencies.
Traditionally one godparent of the same sex as the child (nonos for a boy, nona for a girl) — though both Greek and Russian parishes today accept one godfather and one godmother. The godparent must be a baptized, communing member of an Orthodox church; non-Orthodox sponsors are not permitted by canon law.
Before the immersion the baby is undressed entirely (the rite is for the whole body). After the triple immersion the godparent wraps the baby in a fresh white towel and dresses the child in a new white outfit — usually a simple cotton gown for infants. Older children wear a white shirt and shorts or a dress, often kept as a lifetime keepsake.
A full Orthodox baptism with chrismation and first communion lasts 60 to 90 minutes. The catechumen prayers and exorcisms account for about 25 minutes, the blessing of water 15 minutes, the immersions and chrismation 20 minutes, and the procession around the font with communion the remainder.
No, the parents do not need to be married in the Orthodox Church for the child to be baptized, although the parish priest will normally encourage it. What is required is at least one godparent who is a baptized Orthodox Christian in good standing — receiving communion regularly.