operate invisibly in such little ones, and strengthen them so that when
they acquire reasoning powers, they will choose the Christian way of
life.
the Christians can pray for the ones to be illumined, and may listen
again to the vows that are made, remembering their own vows. It is
good for every Christian to examine himself during this time, to see
whether he be Á-°in ChristÁ-? or not, that is, whether he has kept the vows
of his baptism.
he recites the Symbol of Faith (the Creed). Since there is only one
church, there is only one baptism. Nothing outside the church, even if
it resembles Christian baptism, is true baptism. This is why those
desiring to become Orthodox Christians who come from another
belief, even one that has a baptismal rite, should be baptized. Certain
innovators have begun to accept people into Orthodoxy by
chrismation only, and espouse an ecumenical rhetoric which accepts
their baptismal rite outside the church as fully Christian in every way.
They have made up a service for this, as there is no separate service
for chrismation - it is part of the baptismal rite. Any chrismation
service written in our modern days and intended for those who desire
to enter Holy Orthodoxy is an innovation, and was unknown by the
Holy Fathers of the Church.
may be repeated under extreme conditions. We believe that the Holy
Spirit flees from an Orthodox Christian when he falls into apostasy,