History
Which river was Jesus Baptized in, and who baptized Jesus?
The Jordan river, John the Baptist
How many days after birth can a male/female infant be baptized?
40 days for male, 80 days for female (Book of Leviticus, Chapter Twelve)
If both male, and female are present. Who gets baptized first?
When both male and female children are presented for baptism, the male child is baptized first, to symbolize man being the head of the woman.
What happened as Jesus was being baptized?
After his immersion in the water; as Jesus stood up, suddenly the sky cracked open above his head and the Holy Spirit descended in the shape of a dove and rested on him. God the father said: “This is my Son, the Beloved, my favor rests on him.”
Can a child be baptized early?
Yes, if the new-born is sick and his parents are afraid the baby will die, they must request the priest to baptize and anoint the baby with the Myron, even if the child is one day old, and under any circumstance (as the priest may not be fasting or unable to baptize him by immersion)
What are the four part of the ritual in the correct order?
Absolution of the Woman, Renouncing Satan, Liturgy of Baptism, Rite of Baptism
What does Epiphany mean, and which language is it derived from?
Greek, it means "showing forth‟ or "manifestation‟
Which three oils are used in baptism?
Simple oil, the Ghaliloun oil, and the Myron oil.
At the end of the liturgy of Baptism, the priest says the following verses from the Psalms (28: 2,3; 31: 5; 65:11; 50:7,9,10; 132:13), while moving the water with the Cross. Why?
The priest stirs the water with the Cross while reciting the Psalms, resembling the angel who was stirring the water of the pool of Bethesda to gain power of healing.
How many year was between John the Baptist and the last prophet before him?
More than 300 years
What implications doe raising the right hand have while reciting the Holy Creed?
When the person requiring Baptism raises the right hand while looking towards the West and renouncing Satan, they must open the palm of their hand as if avoiding Satan as an enemy and destroyer.
When the person requiring Baptism raises their right hand while looking towards the East and reciting the Orthodox Creed, they undertakes before God to keep what is said, and hence the raising of the hand signifies the undertaking of an oath, just as in court and oath is taken to indicate the seriousness of what the speaker says and the necessity of commitment to this undertaking.
Why does the mother undress her child and hold them with her left arm, looking towards the West during the prayer of renouncing satan?
Undressing the child reminds us of the nakedness of Adam and Eve when they obeyed Satan and disobeyed the commandment of God, so they were put to shame before Him and hid from Him (Genesis 3:7-10)
Facing the West symbolizes exile and separation from God, and submission to the dominion of Satan, who was the first to be exiled and separated from God; falling from his angelic rank due to pride.