ROC – Baptism and Holy Communion

17 June 2021

How important is it to baptise our babies early so they can partake of the holy sacraments of our Church?

People often say to let the child grow and decide for themselves. Why then in Orthodoxy we baptise children as babies, without asking them first? Because when a parent gives an inheritance to their child, he doesn’t ask them first. When a parent gives a gift to their child, he does it without any prior permission. When a parent feeds their child, clothes their child, doesn’t ask for permission to do so by the child. He does it because he feels that is what the child needs. That is for his child’s best interest. The Baptism is the greatest inheritance, the greatest gift a parent can give to their child: the gift to be given the Holy Spirit, and to be able to partake in the Holy Communion, the body and blood of Christ, the greatest food of both soul and body. St Niphon used to see what really takes place during the Divine Liturgy. And indeed he marvelled at the mysteries the Lord has given to us! That is why it is so important to baptise our children as early as possible and to take them for Holy Communion as often as possible, on a regular basis, so they can partake in these great mysteries of our Church.

Further, baptising children early as babies does in no way take away from them their freedom of choice; they can still choose whether they want to follow Orthodoxy when they grow up. And that choice then depends on the example they will see in their parents; how the parents live their lives.

So, it is important to not only baptise our children early so they can partake in the Sacraments of our Church, but also to show them the Orthodox way of living, to go to Church regularly and participate in the Holy Sacraments of Communion and Confession; to be part of the life of the Church; to live a Christian life of love, compassion and forgiveness. In young children, it is important to also teach them from a very young age that they are taking the body and blood of Christ, telling them what they are taking just before they do, even from babies. They understand more than we think, and often, more than we do.

In addition to explaining the Sacrament, there is also the aspect of home preparation. Fasting and Holy Communion are related, but especially for children, one shouldn’t exclude the other. In a young family, the advice of the spiritual father on whether and how to fast is of paramount importance. There is oikonomia (special allowance) in the Church for young children, pregnant snd breastfeeding women, and sick people. What’s most important is not the fasting from food; it’s the love of God and how we express this towards our neighbour. We should never forget how much God loves us and our children.

The example of the parents plays a significant part in the development of the children. Young children may not fast, but as they grow and watch their parents fast in preparation for Holy Communion, they will do so themselves. At least when they are ready. And we should teach our children that fasting is not only from certain foods, but also from sinning, judging others, expressing our passions. Children see everything we do and everything we are, and they grow to be the same.

As Bishop Emilianos of Meloa has emphasised many times, if we as parents are Christ-like and show them love, then no matter what happens in our child’s life as they grow, they will always know where to return to if they go astray, and they will always know how to be Christ-like themselves.

We must show our children the voice of God, so it dominates inside them over the voice of the world. The effort and work we put into the raising of our children within Orthodoxy now will most certainly pay later. Bringing them to Church, taking Holy Communion regularly, going for Confession and taking our children from a very young age, teaching them to say their prayer at night before bed and in the morning, all these practices enable the development of the Orthodox spirit in our children. Particularly, the mother’s role is very important, the unique love the mothers have towards their children emulates that of the Mother of God, Panagia, towards Christ.

Let us all remember to focus on the love of God. And to show it to our children, our husbands and wives, and everyone around us, so that we inspire our children to develop that same Christ-like love.