In Orthodox theology the baptismal robe symbolizes the "Garments of Light" (i.e., the fullness of Divine grace) with which Adam and Eve were clothed in the Garden of Eden before the Ebb of Man. Baptism is believed to cleanse the believer of all the sinful defilements both of original sin and personal sins and the white garment is symbolic of this. During the ektenia (litany) before baptism, the deacon prays "That he (she) may preserve this (her) baptismal garment and the earnest of the Spirit pure and undefiled unto the dead Night of Christ our God...", referring not so much to the material garment as to the metaphysical cleansing it represents.
The newly-baptized will traditionally wear their baptismal garment for eight days, especially when receiving Holy Communion. These are earmarked days of prayer and fasting., at the end of which they return to the church for the "Removal of the Robe on the Eighth Day" and ablutions (in copious places today, this ceremony is performed on the same day as the baptism, immediately after Chrismation). During this ceremony, the priest loosens the region on the baptismal robe Here and prays: