Baptism is one of the most significant obligatory sacraments in the Christian religion. According to the Church, the baptized person receives the grace of God and is reborn, i.e. starts a new life absolved of any previous sins and of original sin. Christ himself was baptized by John the Baptist in the River Jordan.

In the early years of Christianity people were baptised in adulthood, once they had spent a trial period of catechism. Not long afterwards, the high infant mortality rate led to the age of three being established as the most suitable for baptism. A law passed later by Emperor Leo the Wise ordered that infants should be baptized forty days after their birth, so that their mother could also attend the sacrament. If a baby was in danger of dying then it could be baptized sooner, by a deacon, a monk or even a layperson. This kind of “air baptism” without the use of water was carried out by raising the infant up into the air three times. There were also cases of individuals who chose to be baptized at an advanced age, or before critical situations that would put their lives at risk (e.g. war), in the belief that baptism would absolve them of their sins.

Baptism initially took place out in the open country, at natural water sources such as lakes, rivers or the sea. From the 3^rd century onwards, the sacrament was performed in a purpose-built area of the church known as the baptistry . Later, from the mid-Byzantine period onwards, baptistries were replaced by marble or metal fonts inside the church.

Initially, baptism could be celebrated in churches and private homes or chapels, but the fear of sects led to the largest churches in each town being designated “Catholic” or baptismal, i.e. the only suitable places for the sacrament in question. Baptisms were performed by priests the bishop had appointed, except in emergencies where someone was in danger of dying unbaptised.

Sunday was regarded as the most suitable day for christening. Those receiving catechism were led to receive divine enlightenment in an area with a permanent font, known as the photistirion (“Light Room”). There they removed their old clothes and were immersed three times in the baptistry water. Then they put on new white garments and held a lighted candle in their hand. The whole process was rich in symbolism: immersion of the body in water symbolizes the descent of Christ into Hades; the emergence symbolizes the Resurrection of Christ. The tall candles represent the “light of the Spirit”, and the white garment symbolizes the innocence and purity of the soul. Baptism was accompanied by the sacrament of chrismation or confirmation, during which the body of the baptized was anointed with holy chrism. The newly baptized then entered the church together and received communion for the first time.

The institution of sponsorship by a godfather or godmother appears in the Orthodox East as early as the second century. The godfather was required to be orthodox and pious, though under Ottoman rule Muslims could become godparents as well. Sponsors were mostly men, though godmothers were not unheard of. The sponsor became the spiritual parent of the child, and was granted full rights and obligations towards the child under law, just like the natural parent. On christening day it was customary for the godparent to offer the baby gifts that reflected his or her socio-economic status. These gifts could even include land, but were usually limited to dresses and money.

It was during the sacrament of baptism that the sponsor gave the child its name. Initially, parents preferred to name their children after their grandparents, great-grandparents or deceased relatives (as is still the case), using distinctly Greek names derived from antiquity. Yet this did not meet with the approval of John Chrysostom and other prelates, who urged Christians to choose the names of saints, apostles or martyrs, or even names related to celebrations (Epiphanius, Paschalios) or virtues. This practice was firmly established from the 4th century onwards.

Similar traditions were observed at royal christenings. No fixed day was set aside for such occasions, but the baptism was usually performed by the Patriarch in the Church of Agia Sophia (Church of the Holy Wisdom). The ceremony was followed by a procession from the church to the royal apartments, when money was given to those thronging the decorated streets to celebrate the event.