Which icon to give to a girl or boy for christening - a list of the best images

The baptism of a child is an important event not only in the life of the baby himself, but also of his parents, godparents, and grandparents. Christening day is considered a person's second birthday.

After the ceremony in the temple, adults gather together to celebrate the baptism of the child. It is at this moment that it is customary to give gifts to the birthday person. These can be toys, clothes, books and any other things - it all depends on the imagination and financial capabilities of the donor.

Since christening is a spiritual holiday, an icon for a baby would be a particularly appropriate gift. Such a gift will always be relevant and necessary.

Girl's christening: rules and signs, responsibilities

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Baptism is one of the main sacraments in human life. There are cases when this ritual occurs not only in infancy, but also at a more conscious age. At what age baptism is carried out is only the decision of the parents.

It is customary to perform this ritual on the 40th day after the birth of a child. This is due to the postpartum period and the fact that during this time a woman’s energies should be entirely directed towards the baby. A woman cannot visit a temple without a certain prayer, which the priest must read over her. Only after this can she come to the temple.

It is believed that young children behave more calmly at baptism. Older children may be scared. The main thing in this process is the correctness and awareness in the choice of godparents. This process must be approached with all seriousness and responsibility.

Gifts for godparents and parents

Christening is a solemn event not only for the baby, but also for his godparents. Therefore, they also need to prepare presents.

List of gifts for godparents:

• souvenirs with Orthodox themes;
• framed photograph from the christening;
• a cast of the baby’s foot in a beautiful design;
• Orthodox icons.

The parents of the baby also need to be honored with attention. A bouquet of flowers for mom and an original fruit basket would be a good gift.

Girl's christening: rules and signs

Who can be the baby's godparents?

• They must be Orthodox Christians
• Pregnant and unmarried women are allowed to be godparents
• Must be churchgoers and take their godson or goddaughter to church

Who can't be godparents?

• Spouses or bride and groom, since marital relations are prohibited between people who are spiritually related
• Minors under 14 years of age
• Unbaptized
• Mother and father of child
• People with psychological problems
• Monks and nuns
• People of other faiths
• Immoral people

Having decided on godparents, it is necessary to remind them of their main tasks after baptism:

So, when the issue with the date has been resolved, the place where the ceremony will take place has been chosen and godparents have been selected, many pay attention to the signs at christenings. The rite of christening a girl is generally not very different from the christening of a boy, but still has some differences.

It is generally accepted that the ritual itself carries a certain energetic force and is capable of influencing the child’s condition. Here are some rules and signs:

1. There is no need to wipe the baptismal water off your face.
2. It is a good sign when a child cries during a christening.
3. After the ceremony, the baby will become calmer.
4. The baptismal attire must be white. It should not be red.
5. The godmother should give a kryzhma, and the father should give a cross.
6. The baby needs to be baptized in a cap and then wear it for another 12 weeks.
7. If a child screams during baptism, evil spirits come out of him.
8. To make the godson’s life easier, it is customary to place a cup of water on the window during the ceremony.
9. It is considered a good omen if the christening takes place immediately after the wedding.
10. If bells ring before a christening, it will bring happiness.

Also, during the baptism of a child, a name is chosen that is consonant with the one given by the parents. It is believed that it should not be told to anyone, as it protects the child from damage and the evil eye. In the temple, the priest can offer you a choice of names for the girl’s baptism.

According to Orthodox traditions, a newborn is named after the saint, whose memory is celebrated on the day the child is born or on the day of naming. Often it was the eighth day. Basically, the days of remembrance of saints are written according to the old style, and in order to understand which saint, you need to add 13 to the date. It is with this name that you need to address your saint for intercession before the Lord.

Baby boy christening set

This set is also a very important component of the sacrament. Therefore, adults need to approach their choice with all seriousness and responsibility. It includes:

• the most important element is the kryzhma (a white diaper, often openwork with embroidered initials of the baby or an Orthodox cross);
• baptismal shirt (simple or elegant with trim);
• white blanket.

It is not necessary to purchase a cap and socks for a boy. The set itself is a relic that should be kept in the house for many years; it cannot be used in everyday life. But it is worth remembering that kryzhma is endowed with healing properties, so if a child suddenly gets sick, then this baptismal cloth can help him recover.

Rules for girls' christening

According to the rules, the rite of baptism must be approached responsibly.

• For a girl, the godmother is considered the main godmother.
• You need to arrive earlier. As soon as the priest says about the beginning of the ceremony, the godfather must bring the girl into the church.
• Next, the child is anointed with oil, then immersed in the font.
• After this, they put on baptismal clothes and apply a cross.
• Then the girl is brought to lean against the icon of the Mother of God.
• The duties of the godmother when baptizing a girl are to read the prayers: “Our Father”, “Creed”.
• Also, the clergyman will hand the baby into the hands of the godmother after the font.
• The godmother should have experience communicating with the baby, know how to change her clothes and calm her down if she cries.

It would not be a bad idea to come for an interview with the priest before the christening. She should also help the child’s parents in preparing and conducting the christening.

Girl's christening: rules for the godfather

The basic rule for a godfather is to buy a cross for the ceremony. Also financial assistance in paying for the ceremony. It is generally customary to buy a silver cross, as gold is considered a sinful metal. You don’t have to buy the chain right away, but limit yourself to a ribbon. And then choose and buy it later.

Girl's christening: rules for the godmother

For the godmother, the main thing is to buy a kryzhma, a baptismal set. You can also buy an icon with the name of the saint that the goddaughter bears as a gift to your goddaughter. Also, the main rule is knowledge of the prayers necessary for the ritual. If you do not know the text of the “Creed” prayer by heart, then prepare a piece of paper with the text and take it with you to the temple.

Boy baptism names

Choosing a name for christenings is a very important issue when preparing for them and quite a big problem, since sometimes there are different opinions, which are not always possible to reconcile. But most often parents turn to the priest.

If the boy’s name is Orthodox, then you don’t have to change it, but still many try to do this, because in this way they want to protect the baby from everything bad. The name is selected mainly according to the calendar, taking into account the day (or period) in which the child was born, and the name can be either in tune with the worldly or completely different from it.

What is needed for the baptism of a child: girls?

Traditionally, to carry out the baptism ceremony, you must have: a cross, a kryzhma, and a baptismal gown. All these attributes must be purchased by godparents.

What does the godfather buy for a girl’s christening? The godfather must buy a cross and pay the costs of the ceremony in the temple. When choosing a cross, you need to ensure that the edges are rounded. Sharp corners can injure your baby. The metal from which the cross will be made is not important. It can be silver, gold or regular metal.

You can buy it both in the church and in the store. It must be remembered that church crosses have already been consecrated, but store-bought ones must be consecrated before the start of the ceremony. Godparents can also offer financial assistance in organizing a feast after the sacrament.

What does the godmother buy for a girl's christening? The godmother buys kryzhma. This is a piece of white cloth into which the child is received after the bath. Nowadays it could be a white towel with a cross. Often the date and name of the child are embroidered on the kryzhma. The godmother also buys a baptismal set. It is advisable to consult with the baby’s mother when choosing a dress and other items of clothing for your goddaughter.

Baptism set for girls

Basically, this set consists of a beautiful baptismal dress or shirt, a lace cap, and booties. There may also be a bib, tights or other accessories. The material from which the set is made should depend on the time of year when the christening ceremony takes place and the age of the child.

It is also considered a good omen if these things are white or light in color and made by the godmother’s hands. It must be remembered that the kryzhma and baptismal set must remain in the house and not be passed on to anyone. The kryzhma is not erased for a year after baptism. Also, if a child is sick, they wrap him in it and he recovers faster.

Baptism gifts for a little boy from grandparents

At the christening of grandparents, a grandson is often given a silver tea spoon for his teeth. Preference is given to this metal because of its beneficial properties for the body: silver ions bind and remove toxins, improve metabolic processes. In addition, water and food in silver dishes are disinfected from bacteria and viruses.

What do godparents give a girl at her christening?

The choice of a gift should not be hasty. It will be good if it combines practicality and feature. After all, the sacrament of baptism is a special holiday and therefore the gift should also be special. You can buy a chain for a cross, books for the baby, a personalized photo album, a set of bed linen.

If your financial situation allows, you can order a photo or video. The parents of the goddaughter will be pleased and the memory will remain for a long time. A cake can be a good gift. It will be a delicious conclusion to the celebration. In addition, you can choose hygiene products for your baby.

Who pays for the baptism ceremony?

Who pays for the christening? Answer: Anyone present at the Sacrament of Baptism of your child can make a donation. There are no restrictions or rules here. These could be the baby’s parents themselves, godparents, grandparents, and also invited friends.

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What icon should I give for Christening?

At Baptism, it is customary to give an icon to a child or adult. And although it will not be needed during the ceremony itself, unlike the sacrament of wedding, it is usually the first and most treasured icon in the life of a newly-made Christian. Most often, for Christenings they give an icon with the face of a Saint named after the child, an image of one of the revered Orthodox saints, or an icon of the Guardian Angel. Sometimes they order a measured icon from icon painting workshops. You can also give the godson the face of the Savior, and the goddaughter an image of the Mother of God.

Icons of Jesus Christ

The icon of the Savior - the son of God Jesus Christ, should be present in the home of every Christian. It can be given for Epiphany, Wedding and other Orthodox holidays. As a rule, this is a belt icon, where the Savior is depicted with his right hand raised in a blessing gesture, and in his left he holds an open Gospel. This icon is always present in the wedding couple.

The second of the most famous icons of Jesus Christ is the image of the Savior Not Made by Hands. The icon depicts only the Face of Christ, framed by hair. The origin of the icon of the Savior Not Made by Hands can be guessed by its name - according to legend, this image was not painted by an icon painter, but appeared thanks to a miracle. The image of Christ was imprinted on the cloth with which the Savior wiped his face. The day of veneration of the icon in the Orthodox Church is August 29.

Icons of the Mother of God

It is customary to give girls and women an icon of the Mother of God. It is usually purchased as a pair to the face of the Savior for a wedding. Before the face of the Mother of God they pray for peace and mutual understanding in the family.

Well-known icons where the Virgin Mary is depicted with a baby:

• The Kazan Mother of God is an icon to which people turn for physical and spiritual healing. It is believed that it can cure many diseases associated with vision and even blindness, and also helps to overcome deep despondency in days of sorrow.
• The Vladimir Mother of God, a miraculous icon painted by the Evangelist Luke, is the intercessor and protector of every believer who turns to her, protects the house and helps with everyday needs.

For a gift to your goddaughter, you can also choose the icon of the Mother of God of the Seven Arrows, where the Mother of God is depicted without the Infant God. Her hands are folded on her chest in a gesture of prayer, covering the seven arrows piercing her heart. They pray to the icon for the forgiveness of sins, for the reconciliation of spouses, relatives, friends, for the softening of the hearts of enemies and ill-wishers.

Guardian Angel Icon

They try to baptize a newborn baby as soon as possible so that he has a Guardian Angel who protects him from all dangers. On the icon, the Intercessor is usually depicted waist-high or at full height with a cross in his right hand and a sword in his left, in order to bless and protect his “ward.” The image of a Guardian Angel can be given to both a boy and a girl.

Recommendations when choosing

It is customary to carry out baptism while the baby is under one year of age. It is believed that after christening, a guardian angel will be assigned to the child. He will accompany him all his life and protect him from troubles. The little one will have godparents who will be chosen from among the child’s close circle. The date of baptism is considered the second birthday.

When deciding what to give a child, you need to take into account that the gifts should be of high quality and, if possible, practical. A prerequisite is Christian symbolism and the presence of blue and white tones.

When you think about what you can give a boy for christening, you should consider the following rules:

1. Any paraphernalia of Orthodox Christianity can act as a gift. Godparents give special gifts.
2. If you are packing a gift for a boy, it is important that white or blue tones are present.
3. If you decide to give a toy, make sure that it meets the age characteristics of the child.
4. If you couldn’t decide on a gift and decided to give money, you need to present it in a decorated envelope or box, designed for the occasion.

Choosing an icon by name for a boy

It is believed that the namesake patron sets a person up for sincere prayer, bringing the believer closer to God, saves him from troubles and failures, and helps him determine his life path. The most famous personalized icons for boys include:

• Nicholas the Wonderworker (Nikolai Ugodnik) - is considered the patron saint of sailors and travelers, slandered and innocently convicted, known as a pacifier of warring parties and a fighter for justice.
• Sergius of Radonezh - they pray to the saint for the protection of children from bad influences, for help in their studies, for taming pride and justice in legal cases.
• Alexander Nevsky is a defender of the Fatherland and the Orthodox faith, appeals to him are associated with requests to grant courage and wisdom to soldiers, diplomats solving important state issues, to protect marriage from family conflicts, and to heal illnesses.
• Alexander Svirsky - guides you on the true path, removes sinful thoughts, helps you find inner peace, heals spiritual wounds.
• Seraphim of Sarov - prayers to the saint are associated with requests for an end to mental suffering and peace, for direction to the true path and the taming of pride.
• Healer Panteleimon - protects from diseases and troubles, helps in healing from mental and physical illnesses, supports in moments of despair.
• John the Baptist helps a person cope with the task assigned to him and fulfill his duty with dignity.
• Archangel Michael - protects from enemies and helps in military affairs, heals mental and physical illnesses, and facilitates the search for one’s destiny.
• Andrew the First-Called - they pray to the saint for strengthening faith, for recovery from illnesses.

Orthodox gifts

Since christening is a sacred sacrament, it is not surprising that first of all all invited guests think about giving Orthodox gifts. Indeed, this fits the event perfectly. What exactly can they give:

1. Pectoral cross. The alloy from which it is made does not matter. Here it is at the request of the donor or according to his financial capabilities. The cross can be given on a ribbon or directly on a chain. As a rule, such a gift is given by the child’s godfather.
2. A piece of new fabric or a towel that has not been used before. It will be needed to wipe the boy after he is washed with holy water. As a rule, this is a fabric or towel decorated with lace or characteristic embroidery.
3. Baptism set, which includes: booties, cap and shirt. If christenings are held for the hot season, then a thin vest is given; if for the cold season, a blouse made of insulated knitwear is given.
4. A children's Bible, personalized icons, a church image made of wood or other materials, sacred books - all this will be a good gift.

Icons for a boy's baptism

The holy face is allowed to be given to a boy for his baptism. There is a belief that the icon will protect the child, help him choose the true path in life, protect him from worries and doubts, and become a ray of light in the darkness.

It is so customary that a personalized icon is given at christenings. As the name suggests, this icon depicts the saint after whom the boy was named. It is he who will patronize the growing child. It is important to place such an icon close to the baby’s crib. It is believed that after waking up, the first thing a child should see is the holy face. The icon will instill in the boy a love for God from early childhood. It is believed that the holy face will protect the child from the evil eye and the bad influence of people around him.

Choosing an icon by name for a girl

The list of female personalized icons is shorter, but, as a rule, for each Orthodox name you can choose an image of the heavenly patroness:

• Barbara the Great Martyr is the intercessor of the innocent and unjustly convicted; people turn to her for help in difficult life situations and pray for protection from all kinds of adversity.
• Martyr Tatiana is the patroness of students and everyone who is on the threshold of an important choice; they rely on her help in the fight against illnesses and difficult life circumstances.
• Anastasia the Pattern Maker - removes sinful bonds, heals mental wounds and physical illnesses, relieves fear, melancholy and sorrow.
• Holy Righteous Anna - the mother of the Virgin Mary, expectant mothers pray for a successful pregnancy, and they ask both holy parents of the Mother of God for deliverance from infertility.
• Vasilisa (Vasilisa) of Nicomedia - helps in gaining and strengthening faith, provides serious prayer support in any difficult situation.
• Martyr Elizabeth - an icon helps in difficult childbirth, in the birth and further survival of a premature baby, in healing serious illnesses, in getting rid of mental anguish.
• Saint Helena - symbolizes the inviolability of family values ​​and the love of sons for their mother, heals from illnesses, and patronizes people in high positions.
• Ksenia of Petersburg - teaches humility, softens hearts, reconciles, helps in strengthening family ties and raising children.
• Matrona of Moscow - the icon is prayed for family well-being, speedy resolution of conflicts, healing, alleviation of suffering during illness and life difficulties.

It is important to know that there are many personalized icons, and several patron saints can be named by one name, so before purchasing, you need to check in advance with the child’s parents in honor of which saint the baby will be or has already been named.

Source of the article: https://www.krestilnoe.ru/poleznoe/samye-pochitaemye-pravoslavnye-ikony/

Gifts from relatives

The baptism ceremony is a family holiday, so it is not surprising that there will be many relatives among the guests. What can they give:

1. Products for growing children. This could be a stroller, car seat, crib, piece of clothing, and even household appliances that the child needs, such as a bottle sterilizer or blender.
2. Clothes or shoes for growth.
3. A silver spoon with an engraving, which may be the first time a boy begins to eat on his own.
4. Precious investment coins.
5. Money. It’s better not to just hand them over to the parents, but to arrange them somehow, for example, pack them in a decorated envelope.