What non-liturgical and non-canonical practices are encountered in the realization of the Holy Baptism? Cover Image

Ce practici neliturgice și necanonice se întâlnesc la săvârșirea Tainei Sfântului Botez?
What non-liturgical and non-canonical practices are encountered in the realization of the Holy Baptism?

Author(s): Nicolae D. Necula
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, Theology and Religion
Published by: EDITURA ARHIEPISCOPIEI DUNĂRII DE JOS
Keywords: Baptism; ritual; aberrances; liturgical uniformity; validity;

Summary/Abstract: For committing the Sacrament of Baptism, the Church has formed a well-defined ritual and completed it earlier. Already, in the fifth century, when the mystagogical literature flourishes of explanation, especially of the Sacraments of christian initiation, the ordinance of Baptism was completed and rigorously followed in its essential points. Evidence of this are the structure and the ritual of Baptism itself, designed for mature people, who were baptized during the catechetical period (IV-VII century) and that remained the same even after this time, when in the Church was established the pedobaptism, meaning the Baptism of infant or children, as it is practiced until today. Ordinance of the Sacrament of Baptism was strictly respected in Church life, for the way in which mystery is accomplished, it depends on its validity, especially when referring to moments, formulas or ordinances pertaining to its essence. The ordinance was carefully preserved by servants desire to preserve the unity and uniformity in committing divine service, which draws on it, the unity of faith. Therefore, aberrances from the ordinance of Baptism or ritual failure, recorded in the books of worship – Euchologion and the Gospel – have always been disciplinary sanctioned by Church authority. Maintaining the uniformity and the unity in committing the sacrament of Baptism is necessary today and anytime, because, through it, it’s ensured the validity of the sacrament of our faith and the unity in the same Orthodox Church. However, still there are some aberrances from the ordinance of the Sacrament of Baptism, which raises questions for believers or even an opportunity to lead astray for the priest’s servant and throw a shadow of suspicion, breaking it his authority and prestige or even attract on them the invalidity of the Sacrament.

  • Issue Year: X/2011
  • Issue No: 10
  • Page Range: 11-19
  • Page Count: 9
  • Language: Romanian
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