Photography by Kapa

Today I was at the Greek Orthodox Parish & Community of ‘St. Spyridon’ in Sydney to photograph the christening of Michael.

There are a number of items required for an orthodox christening, one of them is the oil that is used to cover the child before being immersed in the baptismal font. I’ve noticed recently that effort is being put into decorating the bottle that contains the oil, as seen here.

The priest will pour the oil into the godparents cupped hands, as the assistant brings the child to the baptismal font. I’ve photographed a lot of christenings, however it’s rare that there is a candle holder attached to the baptismal font as shown in this photograph.

The godparent starts with the child’s head and covers the entire body from tip to toe with the oil.

I usually only include one photograph of the child inside the baptismal font on my Sydney. As I captured two photographs with a bit of water motion in them, couldn’t decide which I preferred, so I’ve included both with different black & white treatment.

The last thing the priest does before the child is dressed, is place the first Cross on the child’s neck.

Mother & child, taken in front of Mother & Child.

Without a doubt, this would have to be the brightest christening cake I’ve had the pleasure to photograph.

Wishing everyone a healthy & prosperous 2011.

“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us” Walt Emerson

I arrived early at the Greek Orthodox Parish & Community of ‘St. Gerasimos’ and managed to grab a photograph of the priests toolkit for christenings. It contains the oil used for the sacrament of Chrismation as well as the scissors for the tonsuring of the child.

The Christening box contained everything required for the ceremony.

The start of the ceremony held at the entrance of the church.

Father Leslie pouring the Olive Oil into the Water.

Daniel held by his grandmother while Father Leslie applies the oil to him.

Daniel enjoying it when the godfather applied the oil all over his body.

Daniel in the baptismal font looking a bit perplexed.

The baptism cake made with love, Daniel’s godmother made it herself.

Everybody got a place-card for their seating position made from a decorated biscuit – even me !!! (thanks, the boys enjoyed it).

The kids were entertained by a magician.

While the adults were entertained by classical acoustic guitar.

The reception was held at the Waterfront - with views from the Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Sydney Opera house. Sadly, the day was wet, cold & miserable so instead of taking family shots outside against the stunning background we had to resort to indoors. Daniels parents.

It’s been a long time since I’ve been at the Greek Orthodox Parish & Community of ‘St. Spyridon’. From a photographer’s perspective it’s great place to shoot as it’s got a lot of windows and natural light. I still use the flash however it’s just to add a bit of brightness rather than light up the scene.

The Baptism box with a few of the items, the hat, the shoes, and an Icon of Jesus.

At some Baptism’s, a little cross is given to everyone attending. A true candid, the godmother pinning the cross on Sophia’s dad.

Some things are done differently at different churches, I think (but may be wrong) that this is the only church in Sydney that starts the service at the front of the church to denounce Satan. Every other church starts the service at the entrance.

This service had two priests, here the water is being blessed.

The godmother holding the bottle of oil which will be used in the ceremony.

The baby in the baptismal font, classic black & white for this photograph.

Out of the baptismal font, and into the waiting arms of the godmother.

The final prayer.

A pretty Baptism Cake