On this day, 21 Bashans 1742, we reflect on the sacrament of baptism, a pivotal moment in the life of every Coptic Orthodox Christian. Baptism is not merely a ritual or a symbol, but a transformative experience that marks the beginning of our new life in Christ.
As our Lord Jesus Christ says in John 3:5, "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." Baptism is the means by which we are born again, receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit and becoming children of God. In baptism, we die to sin and rise to righteousness, as St. Paul writes in Romans 6:4, "We were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.')
The Coptic Church teaches that baptism is a sacrament that imparts spiritual life to the baptized. Through baptism, we are united with Christ, and His life becomes our life. As St. Augustine says, "Baptism is the sacrament of regeneration, by which we are made new creatures in Christ." In this sense, baptism is not just a one-time event, but a continuous process of growth and transformation, as we strive to live out our new life in Christ.
In the Coptic Orthodox tradition, baptism is administered through triple immersion in water, symbolizing the death and resurrection of Christ. As we are immersed in the water, we are buried with Christ, and as we emerge from the water, we are raised with Him to newness of life. This sacrament is usually performed on infants, as it is believed that baptism is necessary for salvation, and that it should be administered as soon as possible after birth.
As we reflect on the meaning of baptism, we are reminded of the words of Pope Shenouda III, who said, "Baptism is the beginning of our spiritual life, and it is the door to the other sacraments." May we always remember the significance of our baptism, and may we strive to live out our new life in Christ, walking in the Spirit and fulfilling the will of God.
As we close, let us recall the words of St. Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." May we always rejoice in our new life in Christ, and may we glorify God in all that we do.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with us all, now and forever.