So my brother is intent on entering a Eastern Orthodox church and he explained some things about the priests view on Baptism. I'm hoping some Eastern Catholics can clarify if they practice the same thing.


My brother, who has never been baptized, must make a general confession of all his sins BEFORE receiving water baptism so that he is "deemed worthy of baptism". I asked him what is water baptism for then? His answer, because a Catechumen is considered to be already in the Church and must clean before entering the community and receive the Eucharist. Again, THEN WHAT IS BAPTISM FOR THEN! He said...they believe in Baptism of Desire! How can someone sacramentally confess to a priest who has NOT been sacrmentally admitted into the "Church". His answer is that the Church fathers believed the same thing as the priest. 


And then its struck me: could St Thomas Aquinas have read some of the Greek Fathers accounts of the ritual of baptism and THIS is what influenced his theological speculation on BOD? 


Is this attitude the same in ALL of the East? I must say, if he is explaining this correctly, this seems crazy. Maybe I'm wrong, but it makes no sense.

My brother, who has never been baptized, must make a general confession of all his sins BEFORE receiving water baptism so that he is "deemed worthy of baptism".

Is this confession the sacrament of penance, or a profession of faith and renunciation of sin?

Before baptism properly speaking, both East and West churches have ceremonies that include exorcisms, renunciation of sin, and professions of faith. The Orthodox sometimes include renunciations of specific heresies.

Adult Eastern baptism are rare. Most converts to Eastern Catholicism were previously baptized (Orthodox or Protestant) and are received by a profession of faith, and chrismation (confirmation) if needed. A couple of the early Councils issued rules (canons) on the reception of heretics; I would expect Orthodox churches follow these rules.