Baptismal clothing is apparel worn by Christian proselytes (and in some cases, by clergy members also) during the ceremony of baptism. A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given Religion. In Christianity, baptism ( Greek, "immersing" "performing Ablutions " is the ritual act with the use of water by which one is admitted

Eastern Orthodoxy

Russian Orthodox priest, parents, godparents and a newly-baptized baby. See also Eastern Orthodox Church Structure and organization The Slavic Orthodox Church is organized in a hierarchical structure

In the Eastern Orthodox Church and the Eastern Catholic Churches of the Byzantine Rite, the baptismal garment is worn by the newly baptized for eight days, after which there is a special ceremony on the eighth day for the removal of the baptismal robe. The Eastern Orthodox Church is the second largest single Christian Communion in the world This article refers to Eastern Churches in full communion with the Holy See The Byzantine Rite, sometimes called the Rite of Constantinople or Constantinopolitan Rite, is the liturgical rite used currently (in various languages For adults, the robe is a long, sleeved garment, similar to the Western alb, tied at the waist usually with a white cloth belt or rope. The alb, one of the liturgical Vestments of the Roman Catholic, Anglican and many Protestant churches is an ample garment of white A woman may also cover her head with a white veil (usually a simple kerchif). A veil is an article of clothing worn almost exclusively by women that is intended to cover some part of the head or Face. For infant baptisms, the robe may be a white gown and bonnet, and a white blanket. Infant baptism is the Christian religious practice of baptizing infants or young children

These garments are placed on the newly-baptized immediately after coming up out of he waters of baptism (the Orthodox baptize by immersion, even in the case of infant baptism). In Christianity, baptism ( Greek, "immersing" "performing Ablutions " is the ritual act with the use of water by which one is admitted As the robe is being placed on the new Christian, the priest says the prayer: "The servant of God, N. , is clothed with the robe of righteousness; in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. " and the choir sings: "Vouchsafe unto me the robe of light, O Thou who clothest Thyself with light as with a garment, Christ our God, plenteous in mercy. "

The Baptism of Saint Vladimir by Viktor Vasnetsov. Saint Vladimir Svyatoslavich the Great ( Old Russian: Володимеръ Святославичь, c Viktor Mikhailovich Vasnetsov (Виктор Михайлович Васнецов ( Lop'jal, May 15 ( N To the left attendants are holding Vladimir's golen royal robes, which he has taken off, and the simple white baptismal robe, which he will put on (1890, sketch for St. Vladimir's Cathedral, Kiev). St Volodymyr's Cathedral (Патріарший кафедральний собор св Kiev, also known as Kyiv ( Ukrainian:, Kyiv, ˈkɪjiw Russian:, Kiyev; see also Cities' alternative names) is the

In Orthodox theology the baptismal robe symbolizes the "Garments of Light" (i. Theology is the study of a god or the gods from a religious perspective e. , the fullness of Divine grace) with which Adam and Eve were clothed in the Garden of Eden before the Fall of Man. In Christianity, divine Grace refers to the sovereign favour of God for humankind — especially in regard to Salvation — irrespective of actions Adam (אָדָם ʼĀḏām, "dust man mankind" آدم; Ge'ez: አዳ and Eve (חַוָּה Ḥawwā, "living Not to be confused with Eden Gardens.The Garden of Eden ( Hebrew "pleasure" גַּן עֵדֶן Arabic: جنات عدن, The Fall of Man, or simply the Fall, in Christian doctrine refers to the transition of the first humans from a state of innocent obedience to God, Baptism is believed to cleanse the believer of all the sinful defilements both of original sin and personal sins^[1] and the white garment is symbolic of this. Original sin is according to a doctrine in Catholic theology, humanity's state of Sin resulting from the Fall of Man. Sin is a term used mainly in a religious context to describe an act that violates a moral Rule, or the state of having committed such a violation During the ektenia (litany) before baptism, the deacon prays "That he (she) may preserve this (her) baptismal garment and the earnest of the Spirit pure and undefiled unto the dead Day of Christ our God. Ektenia (from ἐκτένεια ekténeia; literally "diligence" often called simply Litany, is a prayerful petition in the Eastern Orthodox In Christianity, the Second Coming is the anticipated return of Jesus Christ from Heaven to earth an event that will fulfill aspects of Messianic . . ", refering not so much to the material garment as to the spiritual cleansing it represents.

The newly-baptized will traditionally wear their baptismal garment for eight days, especially when receiving Holy Communion. The Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or Lord's Supper and other names is a Christian Sacrament by which in a common interpretation those These are special days of prayer and fasting. ^[2], at the end of which they return to the church for the "Removal of the Robe on the Eighth Day" and ablutions (in many places today, this ceremony is performed on the same day as the baptism, immediately after Chrismation). The specific practices of Ablution in Christianity are generally concerned with either Ritual purification, or Symbolism of Humility. Chrismation is the name given in Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches as well as in the Assyrian Church of the East During this ceremony, the priest loosens the belt on the baptismal robe and prays:

"O Thou who, through holy Baptism, hast given unto Thy servant remission of sins, and hast bestowed upon him (her) a life of regeneration: Do Thou, the same Lord and Master, ever tgraciously illumine his (her) heart with the light of Thy countenance. Maintain the shield of his (her) faith unassailed by the enemy [i. e. , Satan]. Preserve pure and unpolluted the garment of incorruption wherewith Thou hast endued him (her), upholding inviolate in him (her), by Thy grace, the seal of the Spirit, and showing mercy unto him (her) and unto us, through the multitude of Thy mercies. . . "

He then sprinkles the newly-baptized with water and washes all of the places the chrism was applied, and performs the tonsure. Chrism (Greek word literally meaning "an anointing" also called "Myrrh" ( Myron) "Holy Oil" or "Consecrated Oil" is a Consecrated Tonsure is the practice of some Christian churches mystics Buddhist novices and Monks and some Hindu temples of cutting the Hair from the

Someone who has been baptized as an adult will often be buried in their baptismal robe, if they have not advanced to some higher ministry within the church.

Roman Catholic tradition

Girl in christening gown being baptized in a Roman Catholic church.

A river baptism in North Carolina at the turn of the 20th century. North Carolina ( is a state located on the Atlantic Seaboard in the southeastern United States Both those being baptized and the minister are dressed in white.

In the Roman Catholic Church, most of those born into the faith are baptized as infants. The traditional clothing for a child being baptised into the Roman Catholic faith is a christening gown, a long white dress, often with intricate handwork (embroidery, beadwork, lace trim, etc. ). These christening gowns are maintained in many families as heirlooms. For the reception of adult converts, the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults is performed, at which the clothing with the baptismal garment is optional. The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (often abbreviated RCIA) is the process through which interested adults are gradually introduced to the Roman Catholic

Protestant tradition

Anglican tradition

The Anglican church grew from its mother the Church of England and includes the Episcopal Church in the United States. Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs The Church of England is the officially established Christian church in England, the Mother Church of the worldwide Anglican The Episcopal Church is the official name of the Province of the Anglican Communion in the United States. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the It views itself as the 'unbroken continuation of the early apostolic and later medieval' "universal church", rather than as a 'new formation'. Many of the early traditions are therefore the same as the Roman Catholic and the family heirloom long white gown is still used by many families. The modern church allows for much diversity, but usually the clothing is still white for the infant or young child.

Other Protestant churches

A wide variety of practices are found in the spectrum of Protestantism. Some main-stream Protestant churches practice infant baptism, and thus make use of the christening gown; while others encourage or practice exclusive adult baptism. Believer's baptism (occasionally called credobaptism, from the Latin word credo) is the Christian practice of Baptism as this is understood by In some of the latter churches, special white clothing may be worn by both the person being baptized and the person performing the baptism.

Latter-day Saint tradition

Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints dress in white clothing to perform and to undertake baptism. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the fourth largest Christian denomination in the United States and the largest and most well-known Traditionally, the proselyte wears a white jumpsuit, white socks and white underclothing. The person performing the ordinance wears either a white jumpsuit or white slacks and white shirt. Historically, women and girls wore white dresses with weights sewn in at the hems to prevent the clothing from floating during the ceremony.

References

See also

• Chrism
• Chrismation