The role of the parents and Godparents
The parents and Godparents are responsible for the child's Christian upbringing. They should educate the child so that he or she comes to know God, Jesus, His Son, and the power and graces of the Holy Spirit. They should set an example by constantly worshipping and speaking about their faith as Christians. Parents and Godparents promise to bring the child to God in accordance with the Orthodox faith of the Armenian church. At one point during the service, the Godparents, on behalf of the child who cannot yet speak, will declare their Orthodox faith. The child of God-whether an adult or infant-is taken into the fellowship of the Church where he or she will grow in Christ. It is expected that the parents and Godparents will strive to develop the spiritual growth of the child, and will do so by setting an example of full participation in the life of the church and parish community. Because the Godparents bring the child into the fellowship of the church, it is essential that either the Godfather or Godmother (or both), be communicant members of the same faith into which the child is being baptized; preferably, members of the Armenian Apostolic Church. If only one of the Godparents is a baptized member of the Armenian Apostolic Church, the other Godparent must have been baptized in the Christian faith.

The duties of the Godparents during the service
It is customary that the Godparents gift the child a small cross that will be blessed during the service and worn by the child. During the service, the Godparents will renounce Satan, profess the Baptismal Creed, and state the requests of the child. They will recite the following:

• Renunciation-We renounce Satan and his every deceit, his wiles, his deliberations, his course, his evil angels, his evil ministers, his evil agents, and his every power renouncing, we renounce.
• Confession of faith-We believe in the All-Holy Trinity, in the Father, in the Son, and in the Holy Spirit. We believe in the Annunciation of Gabriel, in the nativity of Christ, in His Baptism, in His Passion, in His Crucifixion, in His three-day entombment, in His Resurrection, in His Ascension, in His sitting at the right hand of the Father, and His awesome and glorious second coming. We confess and we believe.
• Request of the child-The Godparents will be asked, "What is the request of this child?" They will respond: Faith, hope, love, and baptism (in Armenian, havadk, hooys, ser, yev mugurdootyune). To be baptized and justified, to be cleansed of sins, to be freed from demons, and to serve God.

Post-baptismal bath
The full washing of the child should be done at home on the third day after the baptism. The water used for the bath should not be emptied down the drain, but should be poured into the soil of a garden or lawn. Similarly, when the undergarments of the child are washed for the very first time after the baptism, the water should be dispensed of in the same manner. The reason for this is that there may still be some Holy muron (oil) left on the child's body, which has now been transferred into the water, and this muron should not be poured down the drain.

How to schedule the baptism
Call the church office at least six weeks prior to the desired baptism date. According to the canon, practice and tradition of the Armenian Church, the sacrament should be administered between the fortieth day and the sixth month after the birth of the child. Baptisms can take place on any day of the week. Once you contact the church, the office will mail you a baptismal form (it is also available online). You should enter the information exactly how you want the baptismal certificate to read (first name, middle name, Armenian name, etc.). Baptismal records are legal documents, so all information must be correct and complete. Prior to the baptism, the pastor will meet with the parents and Godparents to discuss the sacrament and their responsibilities.

What to bring to the baptism

• A large white towel to cover the child after undressing and to dry the child after the Baptism part of the service.
• A white baptismal gown to be worn after the Baptism and Chrismation.
• A cross to be blessed and worn by the child.
• Candles to light during the Confirmation (optional).

Fees
Fees must be paid to the Church office one week prior to the baptism date.

*Both parents of the child must be dues-paying members in good standing of St. Sarkis Armenian Apostolic Church. It is an Armenian custom that an honorarium for the Pastor is made after the baptismal service. This honorarium can be given directly to the Pastor after the service is completed.