Baptism is the second birth from "Water and the Spirit." In our Church, we maintain the biblical practice of full immersion—40 days for boys and 80 days for girls—marking their entry into the family of God.

• Scripture: "Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (John 3:5).

• Theology: St. Cyril of Jerusalem explains that in the water, we are buried with Christ to rise in His light. It is a total renewal of the soul.