Baptism In Roman Catholicism And Orthodoxy

Baptism in Roman Catholicism and Orthodoxy

In Roman Catholicism, baptism is viewed as a fundamental part of the Catholic tradition. Baptism is a sacrament that is shared with many branches of the Christian faith, and Roman Catholic church tradition dictates that one must be baptized in order to receive the gift of rebirth and to be adopted into the Kingdom of Heaven. Some groups believe that baptism requires full submersion in water, but the Roman Catholics believe that laving the water on the forehead and sometimes chest is the proper baptismal procedure. The Church find full immersion baptisms to be unnecessary, and for some like the elderly or very ill, it can be impossible. There is not an age limit or requirement to be baptized in the

This symbolizes the mysterious event of being crucified and buried with the Christ and being risen into a new life in Him. Unlike Roman Catholicism, Orthodox Christians believe that full submersion is necessary for the process of baptism, and they practice what is called a three-fold submersion. This simply means that in baptism, one is dipped in the water at the mention of each part of the Trinity, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Their argument behind full submersion baptism is that it is how Jesus was baptized by John the Forerunner, and as followers of Christ, they should be baptized in the same manner. The Orthodox church also does not have an age limit or requirement to be baptized, and they also practice infant and adult baptism. When one is baptized, it is usually followed by the practice of Chrismation, which is the anointing with oil symbolizing the gift of the Holy Spirit’s presence on earth. Baptism is also seen as a way of entrance into the Orthodox church, unless one has been baptized previously and the form of baptism is viewed as legitimate in the church’s eyes. The Orthodox church finds baptism to be a root of the Christian faith, showing one’s dedication and love for God. (Orthodox