Patriarch Daniel: Baptism of the Lord, a renewal of our baptism

The Baptism of the Lord holiday is a renewal of our baptism, Romanian Orthodox Church (BOR) Patriarch Daniel said on Sunday, according to Agerpres.

"The Baptism of the Lord is, as Saint Symeon of Thessalonica tells us, a renewal, a renovation of the Baptism of the Lord, but also a renewal of our baptism. Most of us have been baptised when we were children. Now we remember the Baptism of the Lord and the fact that we were baptised in the name of the Holy Trinity, we received the love and the grace of the Holy Trinity, we turned our back to satan and we were united with Christ. The Christian Baptism based on the belief in Jesus Christ is the foundation of Christian life. Without baptism, we cannot receive the other holy mysteries of the church," Patriarch Daniel said at the Epiphany service officiated at the Patriarchal Cathedral.

He showed that at the moment of baptism Christians begin a new relationship with God.

"The Baptism of the Saviour in the Jordan River is the opening of the path to the Christian baptism in water and in Holy Spirit. This work, manifestation of the Holy Trinity shows us that in the Lord's Baptism there isn't just a manifestation or an Epiphany of Him in front of the crowds, but also a manifestation of the Holy Trinity. (...) This manifestation of the Holy Trinity shows us that the foundation of our baptism is the love of the Holy Trinity. (...) Baptism is a submersion of ours when we get baptised in the grace and in the love of the Holy Trinity. When we are baptised we begin a new relationship with God, namely an eternal relationship because eternal life isn't the life after death, but a life lived in a love communion with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit," Patriarch Daniel said.

He explained the significance of baptism.

"Baptism isn't a mere water sprinkling, it is receiving the love and grace of the Holy Trinity. When we feel the baptism water, we meet the love of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. When our houses are sprinkled, they aren't sprinkled with mere water, but with water full of the grace of the Holy Trinity, so that our entire life may be sanctified, cleansed, illuminated and full of the blessing of the Holy Trinity," the BOR Patriarch said.

The ceremony, also called the Great Hallowing of the water, takes place in front of the patriarchal residence.