krestiti

Krestiti is a verb found in several Slavic languages that means to christen or to baptize a person. It designates the ritual act by which an individual is initiated into the Christian church, typically through baptism performed by an ordained minister. In practice, krestiti is used to describe ceremonies for infants as well as adult converts, depending on the tradition.

Etymology and linguistic notes: The term is linked to the noun krst, meaning cross or baptism in many Slavic languages. Linguists trace the verb to Proto-Slavic roots associated with the rite of christening and the church’s baptismal rite. The exact spelling and pronunciation vary by language and script, with some forms rendered as krstiti, krestiti, or related variants in transliteration.

Usage and context: Krestiti appears primarily in religious texts, liturgy, and everyday speech about church rites. In most traditions, the baptism confers entry into the church, symbolized by water, profession of faith, and naming. The exact rites—such as sprinkling versus immersion, infant versus adult baptism, and godparent roles—vary by denomination and region.

Orthography and variants: Spelling differences reflect orthographic standards and transliteration from Cyrillic or other scripts. Some languages preserve krst- as the stem, while others adapt the consonant cluster to local phonology. The term is sometimes capitalized when used as a nominalized form in certain contexts or languages.

See also: baptism; christening.