Baptism was initiated by St. John the Baptist as a baptism of repentance. He said to those who came to be baptized, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matt. 3:11). Then, Christ was baptized by St. John the Baptist, and He sanctified baptism. Finally, after His resurrection, He told His apostles to go and preach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Matt. 28:19).