Baptism of Our Lord

This is the Arian Baptistry in Ravenna, Italy that was erected by King Theodoric the Great between the end of the 5th century and the beginning of the sixth century. The architectural splendor of the baptistry reflected the sacramental importance of baptism to the church of the 5th century. How do we give this sacrament importance today?

The Baptistry is octagonal in shape. Inside are four niches and a dome with magificent mosaics, depicting the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. Jesus is shown beardless and naked, half-submerged in the Jordan. John the Baptist is wearing a leopard skin. On the left stands a pagan god in the guise of a white-haired, old man in a green cloak, holding a leather bag. He is the personalisation of the river Jordan. The Holy Spirit in the form of a dove (as we still often symbolize it today) sprays water from its beak. Below, a procession of the Apostles, led in separate directions by Peter and Paul circle the dome.