Features, rules and requirements for the implementation of the sacrament of baptism of a child.
With the birth of the baby, the world rejoices - the birds sing louder and more cheerfully, the sun shines brighter and lighter, the young parents are filled with joy and gratitude to God for him.
They still have a lot to learn and solve a lot of issues related to the child’s entry into a new environment for him.
One of these issues is church Baptism. When, how and where to conduct it? Why and who to take as godparents?
Let's continue talking about this in this article. Read the beginning here
Why are children baptized?
baby in the baptismal font
In the Holy Scriptures and the works of the Holy Fathers you will find information that children must be baptized.
This process is equivalent to grafting a branch onto the Tree of Life, or Christ. This is how a person dies to live in sin and is reborn for spiritual development and coming to God.
In addition, the opinion remains that the rite of baptism washes away the sins of Adam from the child, since we are all one and have continuity from our ancestors.
Also, the reasons for the behavior of the rite of Baptism of a child are:
- his serious illness
- prolonged constant crying and restlessness
- death threat
It would be a misconception to think that baptism is necessary for a child to atone for sins. He has not yet committed them; on the contrary, he is at a sinless age.
Many modern parents decide to baptize their children just because everyone else is doing it. That is, they do not believe in God themselves, but adhere to fashionable trends. This is not entirely true, although there is no categorical requirement on the part of the Church for the faith of parents. It is never too late for you to turn your gaze to God, to come to confession and spiritual conversation with the priest. Because your child will copy you and ask different questions, including about the structure and origin of the world. What will you tell him if you don’t believe yourself?
What is kryzhma?
This is a piece of white cloth that is needed to wrap the baby in it after the bath. In the future, the kryzhma will become a talisman for this person. It must be kept for life. Can't be washed or used in everyday life. It is believed that after the ritual, kryzhma acquires healing properties. For example, people believe that if you cover a sick child with this white cloth, he will soon recover.
Orthodox people believe that the one who preserved the Kryzhma saved his happiness.
Previously, only white fabric was used. Now the range of this category of goods has become larger, factories have begun to produce very beautiful colored kryzhmas.
Sometimes, instead of this attribute, high-quality towels that are decorated with embroidery are used. Some have images of angels. You can also embroider the date of baptism on such products. This kind of kryzhma can never be confused with a sheet, and storing it is much more pleasant. The terry product will keep your baby dry and warm. And if the future godmother is a needlewoman, you can decorate the kryzhma with braid, lace, and satin bows.
For convenience, church kryzhmas are sold in cute bags. In such a product you can store packaged children's hair from tonsure (if they give it to you), as well as baptismal candles.
When is the best time to baptize a newborn?
the baby is covered with kryzhma after the bath
If you consult the scriptures, you will find different recommendations regarding the day of baptism of a child after his birth. The range is impressive - from 8 days to 10 years.
Modern church fathers still say that the best time to perform the rite of Baptism is the first year of a baby’s life. Many parents try to bring their children 40 days after birth.
Preparing for a child's baptism for godparents and parents
The sacrament of Baptism is based on the faith of the parents and those around them, since the baby does not yet have one. Therefore, if you are churchgoers, fast, regularly come to church for services, confession, and communion, then no further special preparatory actions need to be taken.
In cases where faith is more shaky or is not demonstrated at all, you should come to confession and receive communion.
Perhaps the only thing that young parents should do is to choose a temple to perform the sacrament, familiarize themselves with its regulations and agree with the priest on the date and time of baptism. For godparents, faith in God is mandatory, since they take responsibility for the godson before the Lord about his spiritual development.
Godparents should prepare for the ceremony as follows:
- visit the temple for confession and communion
- observe a three-day fast without eating meat, swearing
- learn the Creed prayer
- buy the necessary attributes for baptism
- do not eat on the day of the sacrament
Young parents should take the choice of godparents seriously, since the latter will be responsible for the godson and his formation as a Christian before God.
Make spiritual connections with believers rather than with colleagues/friends who are advantageous from a worldly point of view.
Have you been offered to become a godmother? Instructions for you. What should a godmother do?
Author of the article Ekaterina Morozova Reading time: 14 minutes AA Have you been chosen as a godmother? This is a great honor and a great responsibility. The responsibilities of the godmother are not limited only to the sacrament of baptism and congratulating the godson on the holidays - they will continue throughout life. What are these responsibilities? What do you need to know about the sacrament of baptism? What to buy? How to prepare? Contents of the article: Baptism. The essence of the rite Preparing godparents for the baptismal rite Responsibilities of the godmother Features of the baptismal rite How does the sacrament of baptism take place? Requirements for a godmother at a christening. Appearance of a godmother at a christening. What do you buy for a christening? After the baptism ceremony
Baptism - the essence and meaning of the rite of baptism
The rite of baptism is a Sacrament in which the believer dies to a sinful carnal life in order to be reborn by the Holy Spirit into spiritual life. Baptism is the cleansing of a person from original sin , which is communicated to him through his birth. Just as a person is born only once, and the Sacrament is performed only once in a person’s life.
How godparents prepare for the baptism ceremony
You should prepare for the Sacrament of Baptism in advance. Two or three days before the ceremony, future godparents must repent of their earthly sins and receive communion. Directly on the day of baptism, it is forbidden to have sex and eat food . When a girl is baptized, the godmother will have to read the “Creed” prayer ; when a boy is baptized, it will be read by the godfather .
Responsibilities of a godmother. What should a godmother do?
A child cannot choose his godmother himself; his parents make this choice for him. The exception is the older age of the child. The choice is usually determined by the closeness of the future godmother to the family , a warm attitude towards the child, and the principles of morality that the godmother adheres to. What are the responsibilities of a godmother ? The godmother guarantees for the newly baptized child before the Lord. Responsible for the spiritual education of the child. Takes part in the life and upbringing of the child on an equal basis with biological parents. Takes care of the child in a situation where something happens to the biological parents (the godmother can become the guardian in the event of the death of the parents). The godmother is a spiritual mentor for her godson and an example of the Christian lifestyle. A godmother should: Pray for her godson and be a loving and caring godmother. Attend church with a child if his parents do not have such an opportunity due to illness or absence. Remember your responsibilities on religious holidays, ordinary holidays and weekdays. Take problems in your godson's life seriously and support him through difficult stages of life . Be interested in and promote the spiritual growth of the child . Serve as an example of godly life for the godson.
Features of the baptism ritual
The child's biological mother is prohibited from attending the baptism. A young mother is considered “unclean” after giving birth, and cannot be in the temple until the cleansing prayer, which is read by the priest on the fortieth day after birth. Therefore, it is the godmother who holds the baby in her arms . Including undressing and dressing, calming down, etc. In many churches it is customary to collect a donation . But even in the absence of funds, they cannot refuse to perform the baptismal ceremony. Baptism in the temple is not a mandatory rule. You can invite a priest home if the baby is sick. After recovery, he should be brought to church for churching. If the baby’s name is present in the Saints, then it remains unchanged at Baptism. In other cases, the child is given the name of the Saint on whose day the ceremony is performed. Read: How to choose the right name for a newborn baby? Spouses, as well as the biological parents of the child, cannot become godparents, because the Sacrament of Baptism presupposes the emergence of spiritual relationships between godparents. Considering that carnal relationships between spiritual relatives are not allowed, marriages between, for example, a godfather and the godson’s mother are also prohibited.
How is the sacrament of child baptism performed?
The Baptism ceremony lasts about an hour . It consists of the Annunciation (reading special prayers over the child), his renunciation of Satan and union with Christ, as well as the confession of the Orthodox faith. The godparents say the appropriate words for the baby. At the end of the announcement, the sequence of Baptism begins - immersing the child in the font (three times) and pronouncing traditional words. The godmother (if the newly baptized person is a girl) takes a towel and receives the godson from the font . The baby is dressed in white clothes and a cross is placed on him . Next, Confirmation is performed , after which the godparents and the priest walk around the font with the baby (three times) - as a sign of spiritual joy from uniting with Christ for eternal life. The myrrh is washed from the baby's body by the priest using a special sponge moistened with holy water. Then the baby's hair is cut on four sides , which is folded onto a wax cake and lowered onto it into the font (a symbol of submission to God and sacrifice in gratitude for the beginning of spiritual life). Prayers are said for the newly baptized person and his godparents, followed by churching . The priest carries the baby around the temple ; if it is a boy, he is brought into the altar and then given to his parents. After baptism - communion .
Requirements for a godmother at a christening
The most important requirement for godparents is to be baptized Orthodox , who live according to Christian laws. After the ceremony, godparents must promote the spiritual growth of the child and pray for him. If the future godmother has not yet been baptized, then she should be baptized first , and only then the baby. Biological parents may be completely unbaptized or profess a different faith. The godmother must be aware of her responsibility for raising the child. Therefore, it is welcomed when relatives are chosen as godparents - family ties are broken less often than friendly ones. The godfather can attend the girl’s baptism in absentia, the godmother - only in person . Her duties include receiving the girl from the font. Godparents should not forget about the day of baptism . On the day of the Godson's Guardian Angel, you should go to church every year, light a candle and thank God for everything.
What should a godmother wear? Appearance of the godmother at the christening.
The modern church is more loyal to many things, but taking into account its traditions is certainly recommended. Basic requirements for a godmother during baptism: Godparents must have crosses (consecrated in the church) on their bodies. It is unacceptable to come to baptism in trousers. You should wear a dress that will hide your shoulders and legs below the knee. The godmother must have a scarf . High heels are unnecessary. The baby will have to be held in your arms for a long time. Flashy makeup and provocative clothing are prohibited.
What do godparents buy for baptism?
White christening shirt (dress). It can be simple or with embroidery - it all depends on the choice of the godparents. The shirt (and everything else) can be purchased directly from the church. At baptism, the baby’s old clothes are removed as a sign that he appears clean before the Lord, and the baptismal shirt is put on after the ceremony. Traditionally, this shirt should be worn for eight days, after which it is removed and stored for life. Of course, you cannot baptize another baby in it. Pectoral cross with the image of a crucifixion. They buy it directly from the church, already consecrated. It doesn’t matter - gold, silver or simple, on a string. After baptism, many people remove the crosses from their children so that they do not accidentally harm themselves. According to church canons, the cross should not be removed. Therefore, it is better to choose a light cross and a rope (ribbon) so that the baby is comfortable. A towel in which the baby is wrapped after the Sacrament of Baptism. It is not washed after the ceremony and is stored as carefully as a shirt. Cap (kerchief). The best gift from godparents would be a cross, icon or silver spoon . Also for the baptism ceremony you will need: Baby blanket . For comfortable swaddling of the baby in the baptismal room and warming the baby after the baptismal bath. A small bag in which you can put a lock of the baby’s hair, cut by a priest. You can keep it with your shirt and towel. It is advisable to make sure in advance that the items are suitable for the baby.
After the baptism ceremony
So, the baby was baptized. You have become a godmother. Of course, according to tradition, this day is a holiday . It can be celebrated in a warm family circle or crowded. But it is worth remembering that christening is, first of all, a celebration of the spiritual birth of a baby. You should prepare for it in advance and thoroughly, thinking through every detail. After all, the day of your spiritual birth , which you will now celebrate every year, is much more important than the day of your physical birth. Author of the article Ekaterina Morozova Mother of many children, editor of the “Children” section in Colady magazine Share with friends and rate the article: ( 10 ratings, average: 4.80 out of 5) Loading... Join us on the Yandex.Zen channel.
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How to dress for a christening in church for the godfather and godfather, parents?
godmother with her head covered and hands covered with a jacket holds her goddaughter
During the rite of Baptism, both the godparents and parents of the baby should be dressed festively, but not provocatively.
So women should:
- cover your head with a scarf
- wear a dress or skirt with covered knees
- wear an outfit or jacket that covers the neckline, back, elbows, shoulders
- remove shiny jewelry
- choose outfits in calm tones
Men come to the temple:
- without headdress
- in trousers and shirt
Baptism of a child, rules for godparents
the godfather prepared for baptism according to all the rules
When you agree to become a godmother/godmother, you take responsibility for your godson and his spiritual development.
In addition to gifts for birthdays and angels, New Year, godparents:
- They pray daily for the godson - his health, happiness, God’s guidance throughout his life
- visit temple with godson
- have conversations on spiritual topics with him
- give spiritual books, Bibles for children
- give instructions and suggest the child a possible solution in a difficult situation
- help young parents in raising their godson
- work with him and/or help him do his homework if his parents can’t keep up for good reasons
Images of saints
Icons are what godparents give at christenings. But they are certainly different. Which one is better to choose? Parents and relatives, undoubtedly, wish the baby health, happiness and prosperity; they are worried about the child’s life. Giving an icon as a gift is not just about decorating the interior with a new element. The one who makes such a gift becomes a direct participant in the sacred rite. It is best to hang the icon in the nursery at eye level so that the image is visible to the child. It is designed to protect the baby from bad influences and the evil eye. Contemplation of the image of a saint from an early age should instill in the child a spiritual perception of the world.
What do they give for christenings? We found out that they are icons, but which one is better to choose? You can take an image of the Virgin Mary. Her image will inspire the baby with good, pure thoughts. Another option is an icon depicting a guardian angel, that is, a saint whose name was given to the baby at baptism. The icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker may also be suitable for this occasion.
Who should buy a cross for a child’s baptism and which one?
cross and kryzhma for child baptism
There is an unspoken rule that the godfather buys the cross for the child for the Baptism ceremony. Some also buy a chain for it, others put it on a simple rope.
There is no consensus on what the cross for baptism should be.
That’s why godfathers buy crosses:
- gold
- silver
In the vastness of the Runet you will find information that crosses for church sacraments are also bought:
- parents
- grandmother and/or grandfather
- aunts, uncles
- godmothers
This is not a mistake, since there are no strict instructions in church documents about who should bear the financial costs of baptizing a child. Just as there are no requirements regarding the metal for his pectoral cross.
Baptism rules for girls
The godmother is ready to receive her goddaughter after baptism and dress her in a shirt
With the girl's luck, the rules are exactly the opposite of the previous point:
- carried into the temple by her godfather
- the godmother accepts after immersion in water and she is more responsible before God for the spiritual development of her goddaughter
During the sacrament, the priest leads the girl to the icon of the Mother of God to bless the life of the first.
How should a woman dress in church?
There are many prescriptions for women. But this does not happen because the Church places her below men. Not at all! For God, everyone is equal, regardless of gender, age, social status. But female beauty captivated more than one man’s heart, and the temple is a place to express love for the Lord, and no earthly temptations should distract parishioners from this action. Therefore, following the basic church instructions in attire is the best way to show respect for the temple, humility, and modesty. These are the qualities that all Orthodox parishioners should possess. You need to understand that true beauty is not in the length of your hair or the slenderness of your figure, but in what is inside, in what your soul is like.
By following the basic instructions in clothing, a woman, coming to church, can pray calmly, without attracting unnecessary attention, without distracting anyone from the same activity. A worthy woman must adhere to the following rules:
No overly bright, flashy colors. Agree, in clothes of neon shades or colorful ones like a parrot, a woman will look inappropriate and even stupid in a temple.
No one requires a parishioner to dress in black and gray - such requirements do not exist. You can choose any calm shades and pastel colors. Doesn't black suit you? Then consider burgundy, brown, purple, or, in fact, any color you like. The main thing is that (we repeat) the colors do not shimmer with a rainbow and do not look like a clown costume.
A woman chooses the style of clothing to suit herself - there are hundreds of options - dresses, sweaters, skirts, sundresses. You just have to take into account that the more of the body is covered, the better.
Clothes should be comfortable, not restrict movement, and not interfere. It is better to choose a loose fit.
Nobody forbids a woman to be stylish and fashionable. Now, fortunately, there is such a diversified development of fashion that everyone can choose an outfit to their taste. If you don’t have a suitable item in your wardrobe, you can buy it or have it sewn to order. You can then easily combine it with your usual things in everyday life.
Now we will take a closer look at the main prohibitions and the best options.
Selecting clothes for the upper body
Women often try to emphasize their femininity with revealing necklines, provocatively tight tops, and transparent blouses. Of course, this is not very good, because she forgets that the main adornment of a woman is modesty, humility, loyalty and love for the Almighty. But if in everyday life the Church cannot influence every woman, trying to convey to her the common truths, then within the temple the parishioner must still follow time-honored traditions.
So, what should not be worn on the upper body:
T-shirts, tops, flaunting bare shoulders, arms, belly;
sweaters and T-shirts with a deep neckline;
any items made of transparent or translucent fabric;
clothes with inscriptions and drawings;
As you can see, the list is not that long. Almost any “decent” item in the wardrobe fits into these canons. What is considered the ideal option for going to church? First of all, these are shirts with long sleeves and a collar, opaque and not tight. These shirts look very nice and fit almost any figure. They can be decorated with modest and delicate embroidery. You can also wear closed blouses, sweaters, jackets, tunics - all loose-fitting, not flashy colors.
If the time is hot, then clothes with short sleeves are allowed, for example, a modest-looking T-shirt or blouse. However, exposing your shoulders is unacceptable, no matter how hot the weather gets. To survive it, you should choose natural fabrics, because they are more pleasant to the body, have excellent breathability, that is, breathable. The top of the dress must comply with the rules listed above.
What to wear on your lower body?
If everything is more or less clear with the top of the outfit for church, then choosing the bottom clothes is more difficult. This is due to the inverted consciousness of the modern era. Nowadays, exposing your legs to the most indecent level is commonplace. Women wear trousers, short skirts, and shorts. However, is it possible to come to the temple of God in such a form? Of course not!
Let us repeat, modesty is valued in a woman, not an external vulgar image. Unnecessary attention and sinful thoughts are unacceptable in the church, and everyone should understand this.
Therefore the following is prohibited:
pants, jeans, trousers (if you have a question about the latter - read below);
shorts, capris, breeches, leggings;
miniskirts, skirts above and to the knees;
tight, even long, skirts;
skirts made of transparent fabrics.
Comparing with the top, we see that there are many more prohibitions here. The correct option for going to the temple would be a loose-fitting skirt that is below the knees. And if it seems to you that this requirement leaves no room for imagination, then you are mistaken. You can look at the PravLife online store and make sure that there are more than enough options.
A young girl can choose a full-length skirt, which is now again at the peak of popularity. Moreover, any color is acceptable (except excessively colorful or flashy). A married woman can wear a skirt just below the knees with a strict geometric pattern or a simple solid color. Elderly, respectable matrons usually choose dark long skirts.
The length of the dress, its cut and texture must match what was listed above - closed arms, neckline, length below the knee, not variegated color, loose silhouette. Loose-cut dresses, tied at the waist with a thin rope, are very popular - such an outfit looks very beautiful not only in church, but also at any secular ceremony.
If it happens that for some reason you cannot change out of your outfit that is inappropriate for church, then you can purchase a skirt with ties, a flowing scarf and thus fulfill the norm of vestments.
Please note: On rare occasions, some churches may allow women to enter in slacks and culottes. However, you should know about this in advance.
Why you should cover your head when going to church
Everyone knows that a woman must cover her head in church. But why? This question worries many. The answer to this is not clear - there are at least two theories about the origin of this Orthodox canon.
The first is due to the fact that women who covered their hair were always sedate and wise wives, and in ancient times women of easy virtue wore bare hair. And so it happened: in order to disown the latter, even young girls in church covered their heads with a scarf.
The second theory is related to paganism and rituals performed by idolaters and female fans. In these rituals, while worshiping their false deity, pagan women often let their hair down. Therefore, the first ministers of the church asked their parishioners to cover their hair in the face of the true God.
There is also a third option - women’s hair is too strong a symbol of femininity, which distracted men from prayer. Therefore, a ban on simple hairstyles was introduced - this way men did what they came to the temple for, and women got the opportunity to show their modesty and submission to the will of the Lord, as well as get rid of annoying attention.
Fortunately, scarves for covering the head are very beautiful and varied. They can be attached in different ways, choose different fabrics, decorate with delicate embroidery - in general, every woman will find the best option for herself.
Did you know? Some churches also allow you to wear a hat, shawl or beret. But, as in the case of trousers, it is better to find out about this in advance.
Which shoes to choose
The shoes a woman can wear to work should be comfortable. Everyone knows that church ceremonies and services last a long time, so it would be inappropriate if your feet are swollen due to uncomfortable shoes. A woman should feel comfortable wearing shoes: standing, walking, kneeling - the slightest discomfort brings a lot of inconvenience.
There are only a few prohibitions regarding shoes for women:
high and “clattering” heels (the silence of the church cannot be disturbed, the clattering sound is defiant and unpleasantly harsh, and prevents worshipers from concentrating);
open sandals and sandals (although this rule is violated most often, especially if a woman does not have many pairs of shoes);
dirt on shoes (this is simply untidy and shows disrespect for the Lord).
Most often, priests recommend that their parishioners wear shoes with flat soles or small heels, on which a soft rubber heel should be installed so that there is no knocking noise when walking. Boots, shoes, shoes, ballet flats - this is a woman's choice.
A little more about the general image
Many parishioners are interested in questions related to the general image of the believer. For example, can I wear makeup or what jewelry can I wear? Below are tips from prominent figures in the Orthodox Church.
A woman must remember that she is beautiful in herself and God created her the way she is, so spoiling herself with provocative makeup is not recommended. If possible, it is better to do without makeup altogether. But if the occasion does not allow or the woman feels insecure without makeup, then light application of cosmetics is allowed. Just light, no brightly highlighted eyes, no layer of foundation and who knows what else. The ideal makeup is what is called daytime or natural: light use of toner, a little mascara and natural colors around the eyes. Lipstick is prohibited! Kissing an icon with painted lips is obscene! Alternatively, you can wipe off the lip paint before entering the church, and apply it only after the end of the service upon leaving the church.
Using perfume is not the wisest decision. The service is held in a room where there are many people. Now imagine, if everyone has the strength to put on perfume, then all these smells will mix into a terrible cacophony. This may be hazardous to your health. The church should smell like incense, as it should, and not like at a fashion show in Paris.
The best smell for a woman (and for a man) is the smell of cleanliness, freshness and regular soap.
As for jewelry, the church is tolerant in this matter; you can wear earrings, rings, brooches. However, everything should not violate the main rule - lack of pretentiousness. If the earrings hang down half a meter or the ring contains a ruby the size of a bean, it is unlikely that this would be appropriate to wear to a temple. Remember, the main thing is not to attract attention, to be modest.
The best jewelry that you can wear to a service are rings with prayers, modest earrings, an amulet, and an icon on a chain. We will not talk about the pectoral cross - it is not an adornment, it is an integral part of a Christian.
Is it possible for a pregnant woman to baptize her child?
The unequivocal answer is yes, you can.
However, there are nuances:
- if the godmother is feeling well and was not in custody before the christening date
- if the child’s parents themselves strive for God and keeping his commandments, they come to church for services, confession, and communion
- if you, as a godmother, want to be responsible specifically for this baby and bear your responsibilities towards him to the fullest
Having answered yes to all or at least the first and last points, feel free to play the offer to become a godmother, even if you yourself are expecting a child.
Is it possible to baptize a child with a different name?
cross, kryzhma and brochure with prayers for the child according to his church name
The clear answer is yes.
It often happens that young parents deliberately choose a name for the baptism of their baby that is different from that indicated on the birth certificate. They do this to protect the baby from the unkind words of people who will surround him in the future.
On the other hand, if the child’s name is not of Slavic origin, then the second one will have to be chosen. It can be in tune with the worldly or selected from the lists of saints. So the baby has one more holiday in the year - the day of the Angel, whose name was chosen for baptism.
Child christening. Traditions
A couple of centuries ago, the celebration of christenings took place according to some traditions. According to the traditions of the christening of a child, special respect during this celebration was expressed to the midwife - she was called “grandmother”. The health of mother and baby depended on how she delivered the baby. Not every woman could be a midwife; she had to have a special gift given by God, and she had to be able to use her hands well. People have composed many sayings dedicated to midwives. For example: “God is with mercy, and the grandmother is with her hands,” “They drag around like a midwife.” The second saying says that this profession was especially popular and was in great demand. Previously, childbirth took place much more naturally, but now: women gave birth at home in the conditions familiar to them. This prevented the negative psychological aspects that are now often found in hospitals. The baby was immediately put to the breast. From this, the mother’s body began to naturally produce the hormone axitacin. In modern maternity hospitals, the child is immediately taken away from the mother and they want to give her the opportunity to rest. At the same time, the artificial hormone axitacin is infused into the woman’s blood through a dropper. The midwife's job was to help the woman during childbirth. To improve the physical condition of the mother, various herbal preparations were used. Modern medical institutions and maternity hospitals have their advantages and disadvantages compared to how they used to be. To be on the safe side, doctors often artificially induce labor. This complicates the labor process and serves as an additional psychological and physiological burden on mother and child. During labor and labor, artificial medications are used, which have a number of side effects. After giving birth, a child may be separated from his mother for some time - this is very difficult for him. For five or more days, a woman can stay in a room with other women in labor and their children. Different children have different sleep and wake times. The female body, weakened after childbirth, needs peace and rest, and this is very difficult to achieve in such conditions. The advantages of maternity hospitals include the fact that if a child is born very weak and needs strong therapy, then this help can be provided as soon as possible and thus save the baby’s life. The same can be applied to a woman in labor.
During the christening celebration, the birth of a child is also celebrated. This is usually the first meeting of many of his relatives and family friends with the baby. For christenings, traditional dishes for this holiday were prepared. They were called “grandma’s porridge”, “grandma’s pies”. Thus, according to the traditions of the child's christening, gratitude was expressed to the midwife.
Child christening. Rules
According to ancient customs, it was customary to bring money to christenings. According to the rules for the christening of a child, they were given to the mother of the born and baptized child. Some of the money could be given to the midwife. Grandma's porridge played the most important role at the festive feast. This porridge was prepared by the midwife, and she brought it with her to the christening. Different localities could have their own special local customs for celebrating christenings. According to the rules for the christening of a child at that time, at first, under the guise of grandma’s porridge in a pot, they could bring anything. It could be boiled potatoes, pumpkin. In some cases, a live cat was hidden in the pot. Then there was a auction for the porridge. Whoever gave more money to the young housewife had the right to break the treasured pot of porridge. Most often, this role fell to the baby’s godfather. Grandma's porridge was a symbol of procreation. If childless women were present at the feast, they tried to break the pot of porridge in such a way that a large number of fragments would fly in their direction. Nowadays, very often, instead of babka’s porridge, various sweets are placed in a clay pot. At the end of the feast, children and all guests are treated to these sweets.
Is it possible to baptize a child without godparents?
Unfortunately, the sacrament of baptism is impossible without the presence of at least one godparent. Many churches have a requirement that they must be an adult of the same sex as the child, that is:
- for girl-woman
- for a boy - a man
However, there are no strict instructions in this regard in church documents. Therefore, only a godmother can be present for a boy, and only a godfather for a girl.
It is important to observe the main point in baptism - to transfer the spiritual education of the baby to another person, and not to the parents.
Child christening. Scenario
During the celebration of christening, our ancestors performed this ritual according to a special scenario . Now some fragments of it have been preserved. Previously, only the closest relatives and friends of the family were invited to christenings, and among those who came to visit the baby there could be women who had a husband and children of their own. Nowadays, not only all relatives are invited to the christening celebration, but also close and distant friends and colleagues. According to the scenario of the Christening of a child, guests give various gifts, sweets, and bring ready-made dishes with them, since it is difficult for the hostess, who has suffered the rigors of childbirth, to do everything herself.
Is it possible to baptize a child if the mother is unbaptized?
mother holds the child's hand with a cross in it
Before performing the sacrament of baptism of a child, be sure to come to the priest for a consultation and ask all the questions that concern you. Including about an unbaptized mother.
In principle, there are no obstacles to refusing the ritual in this case. Especially if the child’s father is a believer and/or godparents.
Still, be prepared that the priest will ask you a question regarding your plans to accept Christ and be baptized.
Are children baptized during Lent and Easter?
baptized baby against the backdrop of the temple domes and sky
Since there are no strict restrictions, the sacrament of baptism of a baby is permissible during Lent and before Easter.
Be sure to come to the temple and talk to the priest about this in advance.
Be prepared for rejection too. It is explained:
- for technical reasons, when services are longer, and in the short period of time between them the priest is busy visiting sick people. That is, he simply will not have time to perform the baptism ceremony
- the fast itself is a time for repentance, rethinking one’s life, limiting physical pleasures, including giving up alcohol. And in our time, few parents refuse it during the feast after the child’s baptism
Music for baby christening
The biggest events in our lives are usually accompanied musically. During the celebration of Epiphany, you can choose light, pleasant music for the child’s christening and play it as a background during the feast. There are parents who try to find special songs dedicated to christenings or just the baby and include them in some moments of the celebration. The day of a child's christening should remain in the memory of parents, godparents and all guests as a unique event in their lives. Congratulations on the Baptism of a child should be heard throughout the celebration.
How is the baptism of a child performed?
the priest reads prayers before the sacrament of baptism begins
- All actors and spectators arrive in advance for baptism in a church/temple. It is advisable to undress the baby and wrap him in a diaper/towel/sheet
- He is brought into the temple by the godparent of the child of the opposite gender
- Prayers and renunciations from Satan are read, when godparents answer the three-time question about refusal instead of the child.
- Then the priest dips the child into the font three times. If you brought your own cross, the priest will lower it into the water before bathing the baby and then put it on the baby’s neck himself.
- The baby is picked up by a godfather of the same sex
- The ritual of anointing the child’s body continues. The priest lubricates his arms, legs, stomach, back, forehead in a cross pattern
- Then the priest and godparents walk around the font three times with the godson in their arms
- Prayers and messages of the Holy Apostles are read
- The priest cuts the child's hair in the form of a cross on the top of the head. They remain in the church as an offering to the Lord and a symbol of the child’s spiritual unity with the Higher powers
- The priest takes the baby in his arms and either carries him to the altar, if the boy is being baptized, or leads him to the icon of the Mother of God, if it is a girl. This means that the child has been churched
- In order for the baptismal ceremony to be completed, be sure to give the baby communion on the day of the sacrament.
How much does it cost to baptize a child in a church?
Jesus commanded that baptism be carried out without payment. However, in those early days, people gave a lot to the church, paid tithes and the like.
Nowadays, monetary contributions have become significantly smaller, so churches are forced to draw up an indicative price list in order to be able to pay for:
- communal payments
- renovation work
- the work of a priest
Although in many churches the priest still answers - how much you can donate.
The estimated cost of the ceremony can cost you from 5 to 100 dollars.
So, we have examined in detail the purpose, rules and requirements for the conduct of child baptism. We became familiar with the content of the ritual, the need to choose a name and godparents.
May God bless you!
