Lapsikaste

Lapsikaste is the Christian rite of baptism performed on infants or young children. The Finnish word combines lapsi (child) and kaste (baptism). The ceremony signifies entry into the Christian church, and in many traditions, the child is believed to receive God’s grace and become a member of the faith community. Water is used in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Godparents or sponsors usually participate as witnesses and commit to supporting the child’s Christian upbringing. The rite is commonly conducted within a church service and may include a baptismal name, a baptismal candle, and the issuance of a baptism certificate.

In Finland, lapsikaste is a standard practice in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and is also observed in the Finnish Orthodox Church. Similar infant baptism practices occur in Catholic and other Protestant churches elsewhere. The theological understanding varies: in Lutheran and Catholic traditions, baptism is considered a means of grace and a foundational entry into the Christian life; in some Reformed or Baptist communities, infant baptism is rejected in favor of believer’s baptism.

Debates around lapsikaste often address questions of faith, consent, and responsibility for the child’s religious upbringing. Proponents emphasize communal welcome, grace, and the child’s incorporation into the church, while critics may argue that faith should be confessed personally by the individual at a later age.

Overall, lapsikaste is one of the oldest and most enduring rites of Christian initiation, reflecting a community’s commitment to nurture the next generation in faith.