Baptismal Font
The font holds the water of Baptism, through which a person enters life in Christ and His Church. Its location and size vary; the narthex position shown here is a study choice.
Key points
- Baptism joins the believer to Christ's death and Resurrection: the water is both burial and new birth.
- Look for: A basin deep enough for baptismal immersion.
- Illustrated location: Narthex and entrance
- Water, cleansing, and new life (Christian typology): The tabernacle laver served priestly washing, and the Temple had a great bronze basin. Christian baptism has its own meaning: Romans 6 joins the baptized to Christ’s death and Resurrection, and Paul associates the Exodus with baptism in 1 Corinthians 10.
- Priestly washing is not Christian baptism. Clergy also wash hands in liturgical preparation, but that action is distinct from the sacrament of baptism.
- The font as burial and new birth (Historical connection): The lecture addresses people after their initiation. It recalls entering the baptismal chamber, anointing, confessing Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and descending three times into the water. It interprets baptism through Christ's burial and Resurrection in Romans 6.
- The traditional attribution identifies the transmitted collection; it should not be used to assign an exact date to every ritual detail. Christians differ about baptismal subjects and modes. This witness does not establish a universal location, size, or architectural form for the font.
Scripture
- Exodus 30:1–10, 17–21 — Water, cleansing, and new life: The tabernacle laver served priestly washing, and the Temple had a great bronze basin. Christian baptism has its own meaning: Romans 6 joins the baptized to Christ’s death and Resurrection, and Paul associates the Exodus with baptism in 1 Corinthians 10.
- 1 Kings 7:23–26, 48–50 — Water, cleansing, and new life: The tabernacle laver served priestly washing, and the Temple had a great bronze basin. Christian baptism has its own meaning: Romans 6 joins the baptized to Christ’s death and Resurrection, and Paul associates the Exodus with baptism in 1 Corinthians 10.
- Romans 6:3–5 — Water, cleansing, and new life: The tabernacle laver served priestly washing, and the Temple had a great bronze basin. Christian baptism has its own meaning: Romans 6 joins the baptized to Christ’s death and Resurrection, and Paul associates the Exodus with baptism in 1 Corinthians 10.
- 1 Corinthians 10:1–4, 16–21 — Water, cleansing, and new life: The tabernacle laver served priestly washing, and the Temple had a great bronze basin. Christian baptism has its own meaning: Romans 6 joins the baptized to Christ’s death and Resurrection, and Paul associates the Exodus with baptism in 1 Corinthians 10.
Sources and further reading
- 1 Corinthians 10:1–4, 16–21 — World English Bible
- 1 Kings 7:23–26, 48–50 — World English Bible
- Exodus 30:1–10, 17–21 — World English Bible
- Romans 6:3–5 — World English Bible
- Jerusalem Mystagogical Catechesis II.1-6 (Catechetical Lecture 20)
- Assumption Greek Orthodox Church — Orthodoxy 101
- OCA — Baptism
- OCA — Church Architecture & Orthodox Theology