The Baptism.

I don’t consider myself a religious person, but I do believe in God very much and I frequent the church at my own time. By my own time I mean I don’t really go to church on Sunday mornings when everyone does. I like having my intimate time with God in a quiet church, where I can go in say my prayer, light a candle and leave. Growing up, I attended church every Sunday, did communion and everything. I don’t know how much I want to reinforce religion on my children, but I know for sure that I do in fact want them to have a relationship with God. That’s why getting Adam baptized was important to me.

I follow the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo church, which is the largest of the Oriental Orthodox Christian churches and is also the largest religion observed at home in Ethiopia. I love my religion, but it can be a bit complex. I am lucky to have my mother, my uncles and aunts to ask when I am not sure about something.

As dictated in the bible, which the bible used by the Ethiopian orthodox church contains 81 books as opposed to the 66 adopted by other churches, a boy must be baptized 40 days after birth and a girl 80 days after birth.

Baptism is so important that in the case where a newborn may not make it to 40 days due to illness, he or she must still be baptized.

The baptism and the communion ceremony lasted about 6 plus hours, which is expected in my church. Soon after the baptism, you’re escorted to the ceremony, where communion will take place. Holy communion is given high importance. Anybody older than 7 years of age will have to fast and can only eat after communion is over.

Just to give you a general idea, the approach to the holy communion for adults in the church, however, is strict. One needs to go through a full confession, fast the number of days indicated by what we call a spiritual father, and only then can present themselves to holy communion. If the person is married both couples must go through the same process together. And, after holy communion couples cannot divorce and if one of them dies the other cannot remarry.

I put together a short video from Adam’s baptism just to recap his big day. He also got his baptism name “Wolde Mariam.” I always, to this day, have a hard time remembering mine. I always call my mom to ask.

What was your baptism experience for your little one like whether you’re Orthodox Christian or not?

As always, I’d love to hear from you. Feel free to share your thoughts or questions below.

Yours,