Topic: First question... about baptism

[zhivago]

What "requirements" if any, are there, or should be there for someone wanting to be baptized into the Orthodox Church? I would like to add to that question... "Did John the Baptist have any requirements other than desire before he would baptize anyone?" and (since I don't know if it is in scripture) " Did Christ have any preliminary requirements for the person before baptism? Thanks in advance.

[mike]

The most basic one is the believing in what is written in the Creed and what the Church teaches. People are being taught the Church teachings in the period of catechumenate before baptism.

St. John required repentance as his baptism symbolised the repentance from sins.

[zhivago]

Ok, those things have been completed and the leaders are more than satisfied in that respect. But the priest spoke before baptism about "stability" and a 3-5 year committment to the church.

[orthonorm]

Ok, those things have been completed and the leaders are more than satisfied in that respect. But the priest spoke before baptism about "stability" and a 3-5 year committment to the church.

Baptism is a matter of a pastoral nature of your Priest and Bishop. In practice you see various folks reception into the Church via Baptism handled quite differently.

[sainthieu]

"But the priest spoke before baptism about "stability" and a 3-5 year committment to the church."

If I understand you correctly--and I'm not certain I do--he may have been suggesting that baptism into the Orthodox Church is a serious commitment. That is to say, an Orthodox priest won't baptize anyone unless he believes they are going to lead a life shaped by Orthodox values. Part of Orthodox values is regular attendance at church and continuous involvement in the life of the church. You can't just bop down to and Orthodox church on an impulse and get baptized, and then go on and lead an unchanged life. 'Casual Orthodox' is an oxymoron.

[orthonorm]

'Casual Orthodox' is an oxymoron.

And I thought it was another term for Cradle Orthodox. 

[AWR]

Ok, those things have been completed and the leaders are more than satisfied in that respect. But the priest spoke before baptism about "stability" and a 3-5 year commitment to the church.

I would think that a lifetime commitment would be expected.   The symbolism is dieing to oneself and living in Christ.

[HandmaidenofGod]

'Casual Orthodox' is an oxymoron.

And I thought it was another term for Cradle Orthodox. 

I resent that implication.