Getting ready to enter the Orthodox Church should be joyful, serious, and practical. This guide is meant to help you know what to do before your baptism and/or chrismation, what to bring, what to expect, and what changes afterward.
Do not let the details make you anxious. The goal is simple: prepare calmly, honestly, and reverently so that when the day comes, you can enter the Church with peace.
Before Your Reception into the Church
Send Fr. Stephen the needed information.
As your reception into the Orthodox Church gets close, send Fr. Stephen your date of birth, city of birth, saint or baptismal name, godparent or sponsor, and whether your life confession has been scheduled or completed. These details are needed for parish records and for preparing the service properly.
Choose your saint or baptismal name.
Your saint or baptismal name is the name by which you will be called in the sacraments. Choose a saint whose life you can learn, whose prayers you can ask, and whose example can help you follow Christ. If you are unsure, ask Fr. Stephen or Anthony for guidance.
Choose your godparent at least three to four weeks before your reception.
A godparent is not just someone you like or someone who would look good in pictures. A godparent is a spiritual sponsor who stands with you at your reception into the Church and helps you live as an Orthodox Christian afterward.
Your godparent should be an Orthodox Christian in good standing, active in the life of the Church, faithful in worship, serious about prayer and confession, and steady enough to guide you without making the relationship strange or controlling. They do not need to be perfect or know everything. They should be humble, faithful, and rooted in the Church.
Your godparent should be prepared to provide a cross, candle, and icon. That is normally their responsibility. If that is financially difficult, let Fr. Stephen know and something can be worked out.
If you need help choosing a godparent, listen or re-listen to this class: How to Pick a Godparent. If you still need suggestions, ask Fr. Stephen.
Prepare for your life confession.
Before your baptism or chrismation, you will need to do a life confession. This is not meant to be terrifying. It usually means getting together with Fr. Stephen at the church or over the phone and honestly naming three or four of the main things you struggle with most.
You can go into specific details about your life if needed, but the main purpose is to bring the strongest things into the light before Christ. Confession is healing, not humiliation.
Know what to wear for baptism.
Men and women should wear a white t-shirt and shorts. A bathing suit is fine for men. Women should still try to wear shorts and a t-shirt for modesty. Do not wear jeans or heavy fabrics. No shoes are worn during the service.
Children ages two to eighteen should wear a white t-shirt and shorts unless they are old enough or tall enough for a white robe. If a child is not potty trained, have a clean diaper ready.
Infants and toddlers under two are baptized naked. Have a white outfit ready for them to wear after the baptism.
Be mindful that your hair will get wet. If you are a lady or someone with longer hair, do not spend too much time getting it perfect beforehand. A white robe will be placed on you after baptism and will remain on until the end of the service. You will be able to change into regular clothes at the end of Liturgy, after a few photos. This is one of those no-exceptions rules.
What to Bring on the Day
Bring a change of clothes.
You will be wet after the baptism and will change later, after Liturgy and after a few photos. Bring whatever you need to change comfortably afterward.
Bring a towel if requested.
If Fr. Stephen or the parish asks you to bring a towel, bring one. It is better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.
Make sure the cross, candle, and icon are ready.
Your godparent normally provides these. Check with them ahead of time so there is no confusion on the day of the service.
For children, bring what they need afterward.
If children are being baptized, bring clean clothes, diapers if needed, and anything else necessary for them after the service.
What to Do on the Day
Arrive on time.
Give yourself enough time to arrive, get settled, and ask any last practical questions. This is not a day to rush.
Stay calm and follow directions.
You do not need to memorize every movement. Fr. Stephen will guide you through the service. Your job is to be present, attentive, prayerful, and obedient.
Do not worry about doing everything perfectly.
Baptism and chrismation are holy mysteries, not performances. If you are unsure what to do, simply listen and follow the priest’s direction.
Be ready for your first Communion.
After you are received into the Church, you will receive Holy Communion. When you approach the chalice, cross your arms over your chest, open your mouth wide, and receive reverently. Do not grab the spoon or chalice. If asked, say your baptismal name clearly.
Go to the shorter Communion line if there are two lines.
It does not matter whether you go to Fr. Stephen or Dn. Vassily for Communion. If one line becomes shorter, go to the shorter line. The Holy Gifts are the Holy Gifts.
After You Become Orthodox
Do not disappear after the reception day.
Baptism and chrismation are not the finish line. They are the beginning of life in the Church. Keep coming to the Divine Liturgy, come to Vespers when you can, stay connected to the parish, and keep learning.
Wait at least three to four weeks before your next confession.
After being received into the Church, do not go to confession again for at least three to four weeks unless there is a serious pastoral need. You need time to begin living the Orthodox life, to struggle, to pray, and to see what actually needs attention.
After that, go to confession about every three months.
Confession can happen before or after Vespers, or by scheduling a time with Fr. Stephen. Do not wait until everything is a disaster. Confession is part of steady spiritual health.
Begin receiving Communion as an Orthodox Christian.
Prepare for Communion with prayer, fasting according to guidance, repentance, and reconciliation with others. Come to the chalice with reverence and gratitude.
Keep your godparent involved.
Your godparent should continue to pray for you and help you stay steady in the Orthodox life. Ask them questions. Let them encourage you. Do not treat them as decoration from the day of baptism.
Keep a simple prayer rule.
Begin with a realistic morning and evening prayer rule. Do not try to become a monk overnight. Pray simply and consistently.
Keep fasting with guidance.
After being received into the Church, you begin taking on the fasting life of the Church more fully. Do this with guidance. Fasting is about repentance, self-control, prayer, and mercy.
Stay close to the services.
The services will teach you how to live as an Orthodox Christian. The Divine Liturgy, Vespers, feast days, fasting seasons, Holy Week, and Pascha all shape the heart. Do not reduce Orthodoxy to private study.
Be patient with yourself.
You will not understand everything immediately. You will still struggle. You may still fall. That does not mean something went wrong. Get up, repent, ask for help, and keep going.
