Final answer:
In the Eastern Rite of the Catholic Church, Baptism involves the immersion of the entire body in water three times, symbolizing the burial and resurrection of Christ. The person being baptized is fully submerged in water, signifying their cleansing from sin and new life in Christ.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the Eastern Rite of the Catholic Church, the usual method for Baptism involves the immersion of the entire body in water three times. This represents the burial and resurrection of Christ. The person being baptized is fully submerged in water, symbolizing their cleansing from sin and their new life in Christ. This method is often performed in a baptismal font or a specially designed baptismal pool.
For example, in the Eastern Orthodox Church, the baptismal font typically has steps leading into it, which represent the steps of Jacob's ladder, connecting earth and heaven. The person being baptized descends into the water, and the priest or deacon immerses them three times, saying the Trinitarian formula: "The servant of God (name) is baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen." After each immersion, the person is raised out of the water, signifying their union with Christ's death and resurrection.