Canon XLVII.
They
who are baptized in
sickness and afterwards recover, must learn the Creed by heart and know
that the Divine gifts have been vouchsafed them.
Notes.
Ancient Epitome of Canons XLVI. and
XLVII.
Whoso is baptised by a bishop or presbyter let him
recite the faith on the fifth feria of the week. Also anyone
baptized clinically a short while afterwards.
Balsamon.
Some unbelievers were baptized before they had been
catechized, by reason of the urgency of the illness. Now some
thought that as their baptism did not follow their being catechumens,
they ought to be catechized and baptized over again. And in
support of this opinion they urged Canon XII. of Neocæsarea, which
does not permit one clinically baptized to become a priest
rashly. For this reason it is that the Fathers decree that such
an one shall not be baptized a second time, but as soon as he gets well
he shall learn the faith and the mystery of baptism, and to appreciate
the divine gifts he has received, viz., the confession of the one true
God and the remission of sins which comes to us in holy
baptism.