Why do the newly baptized wear white clothes?

St. Cyril of Jerusalem calls the baptismal font, “the inner chamber of the Bridegroom,” through which Christ calls the human soul. He takes her to Himself as a bride, after cleaning, dressing, and beautifying her by His beauty, and then she becomes a queen, carrying the King’s glory within her. As she emerges from the water, she is dressed in a splendid white garment, which is the best robe the Father gave to the prodigal son who returned to Him (Luke 15:22). This does not mean that there is a second or third best robe, but it was called the best robe because of its beauty, status, and value. It is the robe of the eternal wedding, without which the guests are cast out so that they may not partake in the wedding of the King’s son (Luke 22:11).

The white garment declares the fact that the person reflects the divine glory. In the Lord’s transfiguration, “His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow” (Mark 9:3). In heaven, the twenty-four incorporeal presbyters are clothed in white robes (Rev. 4:4); all the triumphant are arrayed in white robes (Rev. 6:13); and the martyrs were given white robes (Rev. 6:11). The Lord told the angel of Laodicean Church to repent and to buy for himself white garments (Rev. 3:18). The color white is the color of truth, according to St. Clement who talks about the truth, purity, and victory.¹³⁷⁵ St. Cyril of Jerusalem says, “Angels shall dance around you, and say, ‘Who is this that comes up in white array, leaning upon her beloved?’ (Song. 8:5).”¹³⁷⁶ In the Coptic Rite, while the priest is clothing the baptized, he says, “A garment of the eternal and incorruptible life. Amen.”