www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Was the Theotokos baptized?

Dear friends,

Was the Blessed Virgin baptized? Is there any tradition on this subject? Also, was she chrismated? Did she receive the Holy Eucharist? It's weird to think of Mary eating her Son.

While we're at it, were the Apostles baptized again in the Trinitarian formula after the resurrection? The book of Acts seems to indicate that St John the Baptist's baptism was not sufficient for initiation into the Church (how could it be?) and that the Trinitarian baptism was conferred regardless of whether they had received St John the Baptist's baptism.

in Christ,
Marshall

Dear Marshall,

The Mother of God had no need of baptism, as she actually and personally experienced Christ's death on the Cross and Resurrection as we do at Baptism. And she certainly did experience the Pentecostal event with the Apostles - which is what Chrismation is, our experience of Pentecost in our lives.

She was with the Apostles at Pentecost at which time St Peter and the Apostles served the Divine Liturgy for the first time.

Tradition relates that the Mother of God attended Communion daily until her Dormition, spending time in intense prayer and union with Her Son.

This is all about communion with Christ in His Life, a communion that is also physical as well as spiritual.

The Mother of God became a great miracle-workers even while still on earth, and people flocked to her for her advice and miraculous intercessory prayer.

Before she reposed and was taken up to heaven, she obtained from her Son the privilege of obtaining what she asked on behalf of humanity . . .

Alex

Dear Alex,

But Mary also didn't need the rite of purification (as we celebrate on Feb 2), yet she did it in order to fulfill the law. Also, Christ didn't need to be baptized, but he was anyway.

I like what you're saying about our Lady being present at the cross and Pentecost as replacing Baptism and Chrismation, but does that also follow for the other women who were with Mary?

And what about the Apostles' baptism?

in Christ,
Marshall

Dear Marshall,

Liturgically, we celebrate the Meeting of the Lord and His Circumcision to mean something different from the normal course of events in the life of any other Jew in the time of Christ, as you know.

Christ and the Mother of God submitted to the Law of Moses to indicate that it is being completed by the New Covenant of the Messiah.

The Apostles also did not need to be baptized or chrismated as they were consecrated by Christ Himself Who told them to receive the Spirit, and that the words He spoke to them purified them. They (and the women at the foot of the Cross)were anointed with Power from On High at Pentecost and were baptized with the Spirit.

Only he who is dirty needs to be washed . . .

Alex

Dear Alex,

I wish I had composed such a fine, orthodox, and theological answer to Marshall's question.

Thank you!

Bless me a sinner, Venerable Father Elias!

It is not that you could not - you were just slow at the switch!

I am unworthy of your compliment, Holy Father in Mount Carmel.

Kissing your right hand, I again implore your blessing,

Your beadsman,

Alex