Editing Infant baptism (section)

=== Injury and death ===
In October 2020, a [[Greek Orthodox Church|Greek Orthodox]] priest in [[Cyprus]] was accused of harming an infant during a baptism near [[Limassol]]. Video evidence showed the priest forcefully immersing the crying baby into a metal font, causing the child's legs to repeatedly strike the container. The parents filed a complaint, alleging the priest ignored their requests for gentle handling and responded, “I am responsible for the baptism.” The mother, Ntina Shitta, reported the baby was “red and in shock” afterward, describing the event as a “ruined” milestone. The priest issued a public apology on October 19, denying intent to harm and claiming he acted to prevent the baby from slipping, expediting the ritual upon noticing distress. Church authorities launched an investigation, but no immediate charges or disciplinary actions were announced.<ref>{{Cite news |author=Tasos Kokkinidis |date=20 October 2020 |title=Greek Orthodox Priest is Accused of Injuring Baby During Baptism |url=https://greece.greekreporter.com/2020/10/20/greek-orthodox-priest-is-accused-of-injuring-baby-during-baptism/ |access-date=7 February 2021 |work=[[Greek Reporter]]}}</ref>

On February 5, 2021, a six-week-old baby died in [[Suceava|Suceava, Romania]], within a [[Romanian Orthodox Church]], after a baptism involving triple immersion in holy water, led to cardiac arrest and liquid in the lungs. A manslaughter inquiry targeted the priest involved. Archbishop Calinic of Arges called for reviewing baptism practices, favoring alternatives like sprinkling, while the [[Archdiocese of Tomis|Archbishop of Tomis]] defended the traditional ritual, rejecting change. A petition for safer baptisms gained 60,000 signatures.<ref>{{Cite news |author=AFP |date=4 February 2021 |title=Orthodox Church under fire in Romania after baby dies following baptism |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/feb/04/orthodox-church-baptism-under-fire-in-romania-after-babys-death |accessdate=6 February 2021 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name="McGrath2">{{Cite news |author=Stephen McGrath |date=5 February 2021 |title=Romania baptisms: Six-week-old baby's death sparks calls for change |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-55948364 |access-date=6 February 2021 |work=BBC News}}</ref>