You’ll be received into the Church during a Divine Liturgy, and you’ll receive Holy Communion for the first time that same day. It’s a full initiation, start to finish.
The specifics depend on your situation. If you’ve never been baptized, you’ll receive both Baptism and Chrismation. If you were baptized in another Christian tradition with a Trinitarian baptism (in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit), you’ll likely be received through Chrismation alone. Your priest has already discussed this with you during your catechumenate, so you’ll know which applies to you.
The Service Itself
The service starts in the narthex, that entry area before you walk into the nave. This isn’t random. You’re standing at the threshold between your old life and your new one.
Your priest will perform the exorcisms first. Don’t let the word spook you. These are ancient prayers renouncing the power of evil and affirming Christ’s authority over your life. You’ll face west (the direction of darkness in Christian symbolism) and the priest will ask you three times: “Do you renounce Satan? And all his works? And all his worship?” You answer, “I do.” Then you’ll physically turn to face east, toward the altar, toward the Light. The priest asks if you unite yourself to Christ. You say, “I do.”
If you’re being baptized, you’ll be immersed three times in the baptismal font while the priest says, “The servant of God (your name) is baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” Some parishes have large fonts for full immersion. Others use a smaller font and pour water over you three times. Either way, it’s a real drowning and rising. You go under with your old self and come up belonging to Christ.
Then comes Chrismation, whether you were just baptized or not. The priest anoints your forehead, eyes, nostrils, mouth, ears, chest, hands, and feet with Holy Chrism, saying each time, “The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit.” This is your personal Pentecost. The Holy Spirit marked the Apostles with tongues of fire. He marks you with this oil, consecrated by a bishop and containing dozens of spices and perfumes. You’ll smell like it for days. Some people say it smells like roses or incense. Others say it’s indescribable.
After the anointing, you’ll be clothed in a white garment if you were baptized (symbolizing the new life you’ve put on), and the priest will lead you and your sponsor in a procession around the baptismal font three times while everyone sings, “As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluia.” Then you process into the nave, holding a lit candle, and take your place among the faithful.
The Liturgy continues. When it’s time for Communion, you’ll go forward first, right after the clergy. Your sponsor walks with you. You’ll receive the Body and Blood of Christ from a spoon, just like everyone else, but this time it’s your first time. You’re home.
Your Sponsor
Your sponsor (or godparent) isn’t just standing there looking official. They present you to the Church. They walk with you through the renunciations, stand beside you during the anointing, hold your hand during the procession, and accompany you to the chalice. In the weeks and months and years after, they’re supposed to check in on you, pray for you, and be someone you can call when you’re struggling or confused or just need to talk to another Orthodox Christian who knows you.
Choose someone who takes this seriously. It can’t be your spouse. It should be someone Orthodox in good standing, someone who actually shows up to Liturgy and confession, someone whose faith you respect.
What to Wear and Bring
Wear something modest and comfortable. Women, bring a headscarf if you don’t usually wear one. The church may provide a white garment if you’re being baptized, but ask your priest ahead of time. Bring a towel and a change of clothes if you’re being immersed. Your sponsor often brings your baptismal candle, but again, check with your priest about what’s provided and what you need to supply.
Some people bring their whole extended family. Others keep it small. There’s no rule. This happens during a regular Liturgy, so the whole parish will be there anyway, witnessing your reception and welcoming you.
How It Feels
People describe this day differently. Some are overwhelmed and cry through the whole thing. Others feel a strange calm, like they’ve finally arrived somewhere they were always meant to be. A few feel oddly normal, almost anticlimactic, and then the weight of it hits them later that week.
All of that is fine. You’re not being graded on your emotional response. What’s happening is real whether you feel fireworks or not. You’re being united to Christ, sealed with the Holy Spirit, and grafted into His Body. The feelings will come and go over the years. The reality of what happened stays.
One thing most people do feel: relief. The long preparation is over. You’re not a catechumen anymore, not an inquirer, not someone standing in the back wondering if you’ll ever really belong. You’re Orthodox. You can receive Communion. You’re in.
And then the real work begins, but that’s a different article. For now, on this day, you’ll stand in that narthex and renounce the old life, turn toward the Light, and walk through the door into the Church Christ founded. Your priest will be there. Your sponsor will be there. The whole communion of saints, living and departed, will be there.
It’s going to be a good day.
