keresztelést

Keresztelés is the Hungarian word for baptism. It is a significant sacrament in Christianity, marking an individual's entry into the Christian faith. The ceremony typically involves the pouring or immersion of water on the candidate's head, often accompanied by the recitation of a formula, such as "I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."

In Hungary, keresztelés is a widely practiced tradition across various Christian denominations, including Roman Catholicism, Calvinism, and Lutheranism. While the core ritual remains consistent, specific customs and theological interpretations can vary between churches. For instance, infant baptism is common in many Hungarian churches, where parents and godparents make promises on behalf of the child to raise them in the Christian faith. Believer's baptism, where individuals choose to be baptized upon reaching an age of understanding and personal conviction, is also practiced by some Protestant denominations.

The ceremony is usually performed by a priest or pastor and is often a joyous occasion involving family and friends. The baptismal font, a vessel containing holy water, is a central element of the ritual. After the baptism, the individual is considered a member of the Christian community. The date of baptism is often recorded in church registers. While primarily a religious rite, in Hungarian culture, it can also be viewed as an important family event and a social marker.