SAINT MARKELLA
Greek Orthodox Church
Rev. Fr. Sarantis P. Loulakis, Presbyter
_______________________________________________________________________________
1960 Jones Avenue North ● Wantagh, NY 11793
Tel: (516) 783-5760 ● Fax: (516) 783-5763 ● Web: www.agia-markella.org
Dear ….,
It was a great pleasure talking with you on the phone earlier today to schedule the baptism of your child for ….
??.
Thank you so much for cordial wishes to baptize your child at our church of St. Markella. May St. Markella
always intercede for your child and your entire family.
Please note that we will hold the date for you through the end of the week (or until someone else requests that
date). The date of the sacrament will be automatically confirmed once we receive the application, which you may
send via email, fax, and mail or deliver in person.
I am enclosing all the info and forms for the baptism sacrament of your child.
You may filled out the forms and send them to the church at your earliest convenience.
Remember the most important document / info is:
a) A copy of Birth Certificate (must be state issued) and
b) The name(s), phone number(s), and Membership(s) of the Nono, (a, s) (sponsor) who has to be an
Orthodox Christian and a member of a Greek Orthodox Church.
For any questions, please call the office at (516) 783-5760 or you may email me at your convenience.
With the Lord’s blessings,
+frsarantis
PETITION FOR BAPTISM
DATE of Baptism:_____________________
TIME:______________________
PARENTS
LAST NAME: ………………………………………………………
FIRST NAMES: FATHER: ………………MOTHER: …………
CURRENT ADDRESS: ………………………………………..……
CITY:…………………………….STATE:……………..ZIP:………
TELEPHONE #: …………………………..EMAIL ADDRESS:…………………………
CHILD
MALE ………………..
FEMALE ………………..
BAPTISMAL NAME: ………………………CHILD’S BIRTH DATE:…………………
CHILD’S PLACE OF BIRTH:……………………………………………………….
PARENTS:
FATHER
PLACE OF BIRTH: ……………………DATE OF BIRTH …………..……FAITH: …………
MOTHER
MAIDEN NAME: …………………………PLACE OF BIRTH: ……………………………
DATE OF BIRTH:……….. ……………………FAITH: ……………………………
We WERE……………….
WERE NOT……….Married in the Eastern Orthodox Church
DATE OF WEDDING: ……………………….NAME OF CHURCH: ……………………….
CITY: ……………………………STATE: ……………………
NAME OF PRIEST WHO MARRIED YOU: ……………………………………………………
WE ARE CURRENTLY MEMBERS OF SAINT MARKELLA CHURCH…………………….
MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS: #…… ……………… Year____
Page 1
PARENTS:PLEASE PROVIDE US WITH COPIES OF THE FOLLOWING
DOCUMENTS
1.
2.
3.
Birth Certificate of the Baby to be baptized – Please note: Certificate has to
be a document from the state or county and not from the hospital.
Baptismal Certificate of Godparent (If not married).
Marriage Certificate of Godparent(s). (If Married)
*Must be from the Greek Orthodox Church only.
PLEASE NOTE: NO DATE & TIME OF THE BAPTISM WILL BE
CONFIRMED BY OUR OFFICE UNLESS ALL
INFORMATION IS COMPLETED AND ALL REQUIRED
PAPERS ARE PRESENTED.
Thank you for your cooperation.
Time is important to others, as is for you.
Please arrive early so that we may start the Baptism on time.
We allocate an hour for each Sacrament.
Your delay may upset the entire schedule for the day. Please be on time!
FINANCIAL OBLIGATION
MEMBERSHIP for Parents: Please note: Membership term is from January to
December in the same year, not the date of fulfilling the
obligation.
Parents of the child must be active members of Greek
Orthodox parish communicant with the Greek Orthodox
Archdiocese of America for the year the Baptism takes place.
If you are not members, you must become members and pay the
Stewardship minimum in full prior to the baptism. Presently the
Stewardship minimums are as follows:
…………………………………..$400 +
*
Family
*
Individual (18-25 yr. old)………………..….$250 +
(Note: When living with parents only)
Otherwise ….………………………….$300 +
*
Senior Citizen couple……………………….$250 +
Page 2
GODPARENT FORM **** Must be fill out ONLY by Both the Parents AND
Godparent(s)
LAST NAME:……………………………………FIRST NAME…..……………………………
ADDRESS:……..…………………………………………………………………………………
CITY: …………………………………………………. STATE: ………….. ZIP: …………….
TELEPHONE #: ……………………………………….…………………………………………
DATE OF BIRTH: ……………………………………
FAITH: MUST BE ORTHODOX (Eastern Byzantine Rite)………………………………..
CHURCH IN YOU WERE BAPTIZED:…………………………………………………..…….
SINGLE:……………. MARRIED: ……………………
DIVORCED: ……………...
CHURCH IN WHICH YOU WERE MARRIED: ……………………………………………….
MEMBER OF WHICH ORTHODOX CHURCH:……………………………………..
CITY & STATE OF CHURCH ………………………………………………………….
STEWARDSHIP/MEMBERSHIP NUMBER: # ……………………………
NOTE:
CANNOT SERVE AS GODPARENT IF YOU:
Are not of Eastern Orthodox Faith
Were not baptized in a Eastern Orthodox Church
Were not MARRIED in a Eastern Orthodox Church
Were not Ecclesiastically Divorced
Are not an Active Member of the Eastern Orthodox Church
(Must be regularly receiving Holy Communion)
MEMBERSHIP for Godparents:
If the Godparent is a member at another Orthodox Church he/she must bring
proof of current membership. A LETTER from the Priest of the Parish
indicating good standing with the church is sufficient. Please note a
stewardship card IS NOT acceptable. OTHERWISE, must become
member(s) at St. Markella Church. (See financial obligations on page 2)
If there is more than one Godparent, (different families-all must become members of the church.
Page 3
DIRECTIONS FOR BAPTISMS
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GODPARENT(S)
a)
b)
c)
d)
To be of the Orthodox Faith
To be a member in good standing in the Orthodox Church. If he or she is a member in
another community, a “Letter of Good Standing” from the Pastor of that community must be
sent (faxed) to our Church, at least 2 weeks prior to the Baptism.
He or she should know the “Creed”, ITS MEANING, in English or Greek. May read it.
Meet with Fr. Sarantis at least one once PRIOR to the sacrament (at least two weeks)
WHAT GODPARENTS NEED TO BRING FOR THE BAPTISM
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Very large white bath towel and a white hand towel
One bar of soap
One small bottle pure Olive Oil
A gold cross with chain (not too small)
One white sheet
White underwear w/hat (to absorb oil)
A gown/suit of clothes all white
Two small white Easter Candles and One large white Easter Candl
DIRECTIONS FOR BAPTISM
PARENTS NOTE:
In order to baptize your child in a Greek Orthodox Church, you need to have had your
marriage ordained in an Eastern Orthodox Church.
At least one of the parents needs to be of the Eastern Orthodox Faith, and Baptized in an
Eastern Orthodox Church.
The parents SHOULD NOT bath the child for three days from the day of the Baptism, as
the newly illuminated has the Holy Chrismation on him/her, which is the “Seal of the Holy
Spirit”. If at all possible, the baby must wear the baptismal underwear for the three days. If
there is no vigil light burning at the homes’ icon shrine (Iconostasion), it is custom to have a
vigil light with oil lit at the house for these three days. After 3 days: give the baby his/her
bath and wash (Hand wash only) the baptismal sheet, towel and underwear (everything that
touched the oil). Because the wash water (including bath water) will contain holy oil, it
should be poured some place outside where it will not be stepped on, such as the foot of a
tree or a corner of the house.
Following the Baptism, for the next three consecutive Sundays, parents should bring
the child to church to receive Holy Communion. It is custom to have the Godparent
bring the child up to the altar for the child to receive, along with the lit Baptismal
candle.
Page 4
FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS of the SACRAMENT
Four weeks prior to the Baptism – or sooner:
Parents' membership should be paid in full
Godparent's membership should be paid in full – or “Letter of Good Standing” needs to
be received by our office. In the event there are more then one sponsor ALL sponsors must
be members of the Greek Orthodox Church and ALL must pay the membership or have
“Letter of Good Standing” from their respective Parish Church.
IMPORTANT NOTE
Other Baptismal Personal Offerings.
Although, there ARE NOT any fees for the sacrament, a generous donation to
the church to cover the daily operating expenses i.e. electric, heating and aircondition, insurance, along with any Personnel offerings (i.e., the church cantor and
custodian are not full time employees of the church) associated with the sacrament
must be met prior to the sacrament. For inquiry of those offerings kindly contact
the Church Office Manager at (516) 783-5760 during church office hours or you
may email at [email protected]
*** Traditionally, the above are the responsibility of the sponsor, but if the
sponsor does not fulfilled this obligation then becomes the parents’
responsibility.
We are kindly requesting that a communication between the parents and
godparent(s) in reference to this matter takes place prior to the sacrament.
DIRECTIONS TO ST MARKELLA
GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH
1960 JONES AVENUE NORTH
WANTAGH, NY 11793
CORNER of JONES AVENUE AND BROOKLYN AVENUE
TEL: (516) 783-5760
Coming from NYC, Astoria, and Queens & Western Nassau.
Take the Long Island Expressway East or Grand Central Parkway to the Northern State Parkway or
the Southern State Parkway to the Wantagh Parkway South.
Take exit W5E to Sunrise Highway. Make a right on Sunrise Highway going East and make left to
the first traffic light, which Wantagh Avenue. Make another left immediately after the train
underpass (Wantagh RR Station) unto Brooklyn Avenue. McDonald’s restaurant is on the corner.
The Church is on the right hand side, approximately 200 yards behind McDonalds Rest.
Coming from Eastern Nassau and Suffolk
Take LIE, Northern or Southern State Parkway West to Wantagh Parkway South. Wantagh
Parkway South to exit W5E to Sunrise Highway. Make a right on Sunrise Highway going east and
make left to the first traffic light, which Wantagh Avenue. Make another left immediately after the
train underpass (Wantagh RR Station) unto Brooklyn Avenue. McDonald’s restaurant is on the
corner. The Church is on the right hand side, approximately 200 yards behind McDonalds Rest.
Thank you for your cooperation.
God Bless!
Your Notes
Page 6
INFO to be fill-out by GODPARENTS ONLY
GODPARENT **** Must be fill out ONLY by the Godparent(s)
LAST NAME:……………………………………FIRST NAME…..……………………………
ADDRESS:……..…………………………………………………………………………………
CITY: …………………………………………………. STATE: ………….. ZIP: …………….
TELEPHONE #: ……………………………………….…………………………………………
DATE OF BIRTH: ……………………………………
FAITH: MUST BE ORTHODOX (Eastern Byzantine Rite)………………………………..
CHURCH IN YOU WERE BAPTIZED:…………………………………………………..…….
SINGLE:……………. MARRIED: ……………………
DIVORCED: ……………...
CHURCH IN WHICH YOU WERE MARRIED: ……………………………………………….
MEMBER OF WHICH ORTHODOX CHURCH:……………………………………..
CITY & STATE OF CHURCH ………………………………………………………….
STEWARDSHIP/MEMBERSHIP NUMBER: # ……………………………
NOTE:
CANNOT SERVE AS GODPARENT IF YOU:
Are not of Eastern Orthodox Faith
Were not baptized in a Eastern Orthodox Church
Were not MARRIED in a Eastern Orthodox Church
Were not Ecclesiastically Divorced
Are not an Active Member of the Eastern Orthodox Church
(Must be regularly receiving Holy Communion)
******Please know that once a sponsor baptizes male must only baptizes male babies, if
female then only female babies.
MEMBERSHIP for Godparents:
If the Godparent is a member at another Orthodox Church he/she must bring
proof of current membership. A letter from the Priest of the Parish
indicating good standing with the church is sufficient. OTHERWISE, must
become members at St. Markella Church.
If there is more than one Godparent, (different families-all must become members of the church.
Page 7
RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GODPARENT(S)
e)
f)
g)
h)
To be of the Orthodox Faith
To be a member in good standing in the Orthodox Church. If he or she is a member in
another community, a “Letter of Good Standing” from the Pastor of that community must be
sent (faxed) to our Church, at least 2 weeks prior to the Baptism.
He or she should know the “Creed”, ITS MEANING, in English or Greek. May read it.
Meet with Fr. Sarantis at least one once PRIOR to the sacrament (at least two weeks)
WHAT GODPARENTS NEED TO BRING FOR THE BAPTISM
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
Very large white bath towel and a white hand towel
One bar of soap
One small bottle pure Olive Oil
A gold cross with chain (not too small)
One white sheet
White underwear w/hat (to absorb oil)
A gown/suit of clothes all white
Two small white Easter Candles and One large white Easter Candle
FINANCIAL OBLIGATION
MEMBERSHIP: Please note: Membership term is from January to December in the same
year, not the date of fulfilling the obligation.
Parents of the child must be active members of Greek Orthodox parish
communicant with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America for the
year the Baptism takes place.
If you are not members, you must become members and pay the Stewardship
minimum in full prior to the baptism. Presently the Stewardship minimums
are as follows:
*
Family…………………………………..$400 +
*
Individual (25 yr. old and under)…….$250 +
(Note: When living with parents only)
Otherwise ……………………………$300 +
*
Senior Citizen couple……………...…$200 +
MEMBERSHIP for Godparents ONLY:
If the Godparent is a member at another Orthodox Church he/she must bring proof of current
membership. A letter from the Priest of the Parish indicating good standing with the church is
sufficient. That is all that is needed. OTHERWISE, must become members at St. Markella
Church at least two weeks prior of the sacrament.
Page 8
FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS of the sacrament
Four weeks prior to the Baptism – or sooner:
Parents' membership should be paid in full
Godparent's membership should be paid in full – or “Letter of Good Standing” needs to
be received by our office. In the event there are more then one sponsor all sponsors must be
members of the Greek Orthodox Church.
Other Baptismal Personal Offerings:
(Traditionally this is usually the responsibility of the Godparent, but it may be offered by the
parents)
1. For the CHURCH ……A Donation from your heart.
For the daily operating expenses i.e. electric, heating and air-condition, insurance,
Maintenance, etc……………………..$__________
2. For the Psalti (Cantor) ……………..$ 75.00
3. For the Sexton/Neokoros…………….$ 75.00
4. Anyone else whose service you may have appreciated
*** (FYI: please keep in mind that the cantor and the sexton are NOT Full Time church
employees. Please consider that they will be away from their families and work related for at
least 3 hours of their day) ***
*** It is the tradition that the above is the responsibility of the sponsor(s), but if the sponsor(s)
does not fulfilled this obligation then becomes the parents’ responsibility.
WE KINDLY REQUESTING THAT A COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE PARENTS
AND GODPARENT(S) IN REFERENCE TO THIS MATTER TAKES PLACE PRIOR TO
THE SACRAMENT.
Thank you for your cooperation.
God Bless!