Becoming a Member

To become a member of the Orthodox Church means that one enjoys the same sacraments and way of life that the ancient church established. The process of joining the church varies according to each person's situation and circumstances. The decision on how one is received is given by the Ecumenical Patriarch, Bartholomew who forbids the re-baptism of Christians. Churches of the Ecumenical Patriarch are under obedience not to re-baptize (including its monasteries) in America. Permission is required from Metropolitan Gerasimos of San Francisco if one is being baptized at St. Anthony’s monastery in Florence, AZ.

The Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops in the United States established in 2021 a task force on the reception of converts. Unfortunately, there are still variations amongst the various jurisdictions in the United States and so this task force has been charged with forming a consensus.

Christians already baptized in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit are received through the sacrament of Chrismation. The holy Myron of Chrismation is sanctified by the Ecumenical Patriarch and distributed to all his churches. Chrismation is the reception of the gift of the Holy Spirit, a personal Pentecost.

  • The Orthodox Church does not re-baptize a Christian who has received baptism in a mainline Protestant or the Roman Catholic Church. The Nicene Creed is clear, “I believe in one baptism for the remission of sins.”

  • The boundaries of the Church and action of God are in the words of Kallistos Ware in his book, The Orthodox Church “We can say where the Church is; we cannot say where it is not. While it is wrong to say that the Orthodox Church is just one branch among many, it is also wrong to say that outside the Orthodox Church there is simply a void, devoid of God’s grace. The Spirit blows where it wills.” And also, Saint Irenaeus, from his work Against Heresies (Book III, Chapter 24, Section 1): “Where the Church is, there is the Spirit of God; and where the Spirit of God is, there is the Church and all grace; but the Spirit is truth.”

  • We know the Orthodox is the true Church but we also know that our Lord works through many means to bring people to Him regardless of who they are or how they might perform or even understand a sacrament. It is the Spirit of God who does the baptizing.

  • In Mark 9:38 & Luke 9:49, the disciples told someone to stop driving out demons because he was not one of them. Jesus told them not to stop him for whoever is not against you is for you. Jesus is saying there are no limitations to the action of God. He can use anyone and anything He wants to accomplish His will. He certainly is not limited by Christian divisions and has given exclusivity to save to any one entity. Throughout church history, the word “church“ has had a varied interpretation, but the very earliest form and understanding was the church as our mother. Father John Behr has done some great work on making this point clear. And the “Mother church” is from above, the new Jerusalem, the heavenly Jerusalem, that is now present in his church.

  • The criterion is that the baptism was done in the name of the Trinity along with proof, i.e. a certificate or parental verification. The Orthodox Church does not accept the baptisms of Mormons. An initial consultation is done with the priest by appointment and then, a method of preparation for the chrismation is discussed.

Recommended Books on the Orthodox Church

Metropolitan Kallistos Ware, The Orthodox Church provides a historical overview of the Great Schism and history of the Orthodox Church.

Items Needed for a Chrismation:

  • Godparent/Sponsor who is a member of the Orthodox Church

  • Candle (usually, decorated)

  • Cross necklace

Never Been Baptized

A person who has never been baptized is received through Baptism, Chrismation and Holy Communion. In order to marry an Orthodox Christian one must be a baptized Christian. Assumption has an outdoor adult baptismal font that is used for this purpose.

Items Needed for an Adult Baptism:

  • Godparent/Sponsor who is a member of the Orthodox Church (cannot be the parent of a fiancé)

  • White bathrobe, a large white bath towel and a white hand towel

  • Sandals and white clothes to change into afterwards

  • Small bottle of olive oil and white bar of soap

  • Candle (usually, ornately decorated)

  • Cross necklace

  • Modest one piece bathing suit

Fees

There are no fees associated with joining the Orthodox Church. Once received, each new member enrolls as a Steward of the Church, and actively participates in the sacramental life of the Church.

Please contact Fr. Andrew and schedule an appoint to begin the process.