Why do candidates for baptism remove their clothes?

The answer

It is the view of Jean Daniélou that across history, the baptism rite largely began outside the baptistery. Candidates for baptism were considered as strangers to the Church; but they began their entry into the baptistery by removing their clothes and being anointed with holy oil as preparation for their entry into the water of baptism after which, they would be members of the Church and wear white garments, as those who have gained entry to paradise and become children of the Kingdom.¹³³⁷

As long as the candidate is still a catechumen, he is considered a stranger to the body of Christ and has not yet tasted the heavenly life. However, once he becomes a candidate for baptism, preparing for baptism, the gates of heaven are opened before him and he sees the Savior’s life-giving tomb so that he desires to be buried with Him that he may rise as a child of God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. St. Cyril of Jerusalem says, “Here you are now in the hall of the palace and will be instantly led to the King.”¹³³⁸ “Immediately, Paradise will be opened to every one of you.”¹³³⁹

Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty