Baptism in Ethiopian Orthodox Church

Baptism is a significant sacrament in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, also known as the Tewahedo Church. In the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition, baptism is seen as the means of spiritual rebirth, forgiveness of sins, and entrance into the community of the faithful.

Here are some key aspects of the baptismal practices in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church:

1. Age: Baptism is usually performed on infants, but it can also be performed on adults who are new converts to the faith.
2. Preparation: Before the baptism, the child or adult being baptized is prepared through a series of prayers and rituals, including anointing with oil and exorcisms.
3. The baptismal font: The Ethiopian Orthodox Church has a unique baptismal font, known as a "tankwa," which is made of stone and shaped like a cross. The tankwa is filled with water, and the baptismal candidate is immersed three times, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
4. Clothing: After the baptism, the candidate is dressed in new white clothes, symbolizing their new life in Christ.
5. Anointing: The newly baptized person is anointed with holy oil, which is believed to confer the gift of the Holy Spirit.
6. Celebration: The baptism is usually followed by a joyful celebration with family and friends.

Overall, the Ethiopian Orthodox Church places a great deal of importance on the sacrament of baptism as a means of spiritual rebirth and entrance into the community of the faithful.

Additional information about how it perform by priests

In the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the sacrament of baptism is typically performed by a priest, who is authorized to administer the sacrament. Here are some additional details about how the baptism is performed:

1. Prayers and blessings: Before the baptismal ceremony begins, the priest will offer prayers and blessings for the child or adult being baptized. These prayers are intended to help prepare the candidate for the sacrament and to invoke God's grace and protection.
2. Exorcisms: The priest may also perform one or more exorcisms, during which he will recite prayers and make the sign of the cross over the candidate, in order to renounce evil spirits and prepare the person for their new life in Christ.
3. The baptismal font: As mentioned before, the baptismal font in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is a large stone basin shaped like a cross. The priest will fill the tankwa with water and add a special oil called "myron," which is believed to confer the gift of the Holy Spirit.
4. Immersion: The priest will then take the child or adult and immerse them in the water three times, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. After each immersion, the priest will recite prayers and blessings.
5. Anointing and clothing: After the baptism, the priest will anoint the candidate with myron, which is applied to the forehead, eyes, nose, ears, mouth, hands, and feet. The newly baptized person is then dressed in new white clothes, symbolizing their new life in Christ.
6. Celebration: Finally, the priest and the newly baptized person's family and friends will celebrate with a feast, during which they will offer thanks and praise to God for the gift of the sacrament.

Overall, the sacrament of baptism in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is a rich and meaningful ritual that involves a variety of prayers, blessings, and symbolic actions. Through this sacrament, the Church welcomes new members into the faith and helps them to begin their journey of spiritual growth and transformation.

Tell me all the procedures

Sure, I can provide a step-by-step guide of the baptismal procedures in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Please note that there may be some variations depending on the specific church or priest performing the sacrament, but the following is a general overview of the procedures:

1.  Preparation: Before the baptism, the priest will prepare the candidate through a series of prayers and rituals, which may include anointing with oil and exorcisms. The candidate may also fast or abstain from certain foods in the days leading up to the baptism.
2. Renunciation of Satan: At the beginning of the baptismal ceremony, the priest will ask the parents or godparents of the child being baptized to renounce Satan and all his works. This is done to symbolize the rejection of evil and the acceptance of the Christian faith.
3. Naming the Child: The priest will ask the parents or godparents to choose a Christian name for the child, which is usually the name of a saint or biblical figure. The name is an important part of the baptismal ritual and is seen as a way of bestowing spiritual protection and guidance on the child.
4. The Tankwa: The baptismal font in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is called a "tankwa," which is a large stone basin shaped like a cross. The tankwa is filled with water and a special oil called "myron."
5. Anointing with Oil: The priest will anoint the child with oil on their forehead, nose, mouth, ears, hands, and feet. This is done to symbolize the gift of the Holy Spirit and the anointing of Jesus at his baptism in the Jordan River.
6. The Baptism: The child is then baptized by immersion in the tankwa three times, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. After each immersion, the priest will recite prayers and blessings.
7. Clothing: After the baptism, the child is dressed in new white clothes, symbolizing their new life in Christ.
8. The Eucharist: After the baptism, the child is presented to the congregation, and the priest will celebrate the Eucharist (Communion), during which the child may receive the sacrament for the first time.
9. Conclusion: The baptismal ceremony concludes with the priest offering prayers and blessings for the newly baptized child and their family. The family and godparents may also light candles and offer thanksgiving offerings.

Overall, the sacrament of baptism in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is a meaningful and spiritual ritual that involves a variety of prayers, blessings, and symbolic actions. Through this sacrament, the Church welcomes new members into the faith and helps them to begin their journey of spiritual growth and transformation.

what is the importance of godparents during Baptism?

In many Christian traditions, including the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, godparents play an important role during the sacrament of baptism. Here are some reasons why godparents are considered to be an essential part of the baptismal ceremony:

1. Spiritual support: Godparents are often chosen because of their strong faith and their commitment to supporting the child or adult being baptized in their spiritual journey. They are expected to provide ongoing guidance, encouragement, and prayerful support, as well as being a role model of Christian faith.
2. Guardianship: Godparents are also considered to be the spiritual guardians of the baptized person. In the event that the parents are unable to care for the child, the godparents are expected to assume responsibility for their spiritual well-being and upbringing.
3. Education: Godparents are expected to provide religious instruction and education to the baptized person. They are encouraged to teach them about the Christian faith, the teachings of the Church, and the importance of prayer and spiritual practice.
4. Representation: Godparents are expected to represent the baptized person in the Church community. They may be asked to participate in certain ceremonies, such as confirmation, and to serve as a witness to the faith of the baptized person.
5. Intercession: Godparents are also expected to intercede on behalf of the baptized person, offering prayers and supplications on their behalf. They are encouraged to pray for their spiritual growth and well-being, and to help them overcome challenges and temptations in their spiritual journey.

Overall, godparents are an important part of the baptismal ceremony in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, providing spiritual support, guardianship, education, representation, and intercession. Their role is to help the baptized person grow in their faith and to guide them on their journey towards a closer relationship with God.

Is there any pray for baptism?

Yes, in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, there are several prayers that are recited during the sacrament of baptism. These prayers are intended to bless and sanctify the water used in the baptism, as well as to ask for God's protection and guidance for the newly baptized person. Here is an example of a prayer for baptism:

"O Lord our God, who are without beginning or end, and who govern all things by your word, and by your wisdom, you created all things visible and invisible, and by your goodness, you led Adam into paradise, and you gave him authority over all things on earth. But when he sinned against you, you expelled him from paradise, and you placed before him a flaming sword, so that he could not enter into it. But, in your mercy, you did not leave us in our sins, but you sent your only-begotten Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, to take flesh from the Virgin Mary, and by his death and resurrection, to restore us to life, and to grant us the forgiveness of sins. And you have commanded us to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, all those who believe in your holy name. Now, therefore, we pray, O Lord, that you bless and sanctify this water, and make it a fountain of life, and a source of sanctification, and grant that all those who are baptized in it may be born again of water and the Spirit, and may become your children, and heirs of your kingdom. For you are the King of glory, and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to you we ascribe all honor and worship, now and always, and unto the ages of ages. Amen."

This prayer is just one example of the many prayers and blessings that may be recited during the sacrament of baptism in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

why the baptism perform for 40 and 80 days of babies?

In the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, the sacrament of baptism is typically performed on infants when they are 40 days old or 80 days old. Here are some reasons why these specific ages are significant:

1. 40 days: The 40th day after birth is an important milestone in many Christian traditions, as it marks the end of a period of ritual purification for the mother. In the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, it is believed that the infant's soul is fully formed after 40 days, and that it is now ready to receive the sacrament of baptism. Additionally, the number 40 is significant in the Bible, as it represents a period of testing, purification, and preparation for a new beginning.
2. 80 days: The sacrament of baptism is also performed on infants when they are 80 days old, which is exactly two 40-day cycles. This is believed to symbolize the completion of a period of spiritual preparation for the infant, and their readiness to receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit. Additionally, in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, it is believed that the infant's guardian angel is present at the baptism, and that they are now able to fully protect and guide the child.

Overall, the baptism of infants at 40 days and 80 days old in the Ethiopian Orthodox Church is steeped in symbolism and tradition, and is believed to be an important step in the child's spiritual journey.