How and when to baptize a child, on what days? Rules for the baptism of a boy and a girl for godparents and parents: how to dress, what to buy

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?

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.

What is kryzhma

Kryzhma refers to the main attributes of the baptism of a boy and a girl. Kryzhma is a white openwork diaper in which the baby is wrapped after the bath. Often the child's name and the date of baptism are embroidered in the corner. It must be white. For the church, this color means the purity of the soul and its sinlessness.

Instead of kryzhma, you can just take a white cloth or towel. After the miraculous ritual, it is kept for life and is not passed on from one person to another. This is a memory that will remind the baptized person of the mysterious rite.

The kryzhma measures 90 by 90 cm. It has lace that gives a simple white diaper solemnity and elegance. You can buy terry kryzhma, it is useful for the cool season. Pay attention to the combination of the diaper and the christening outfit. It looks elegant and beautiful if the kryzhma and the outfit are the same color.

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.

Memo: pectoral crosses for godparents and babies

Godparents themselves must be baptized according to Christian laws . If they have not gone through this ritual in advance, then they are required to do this before the baby’s baptism, whereas this is not necessary for the child’s mother and father.
A cross with a crucifix is an integral attribute of every baptized person who attends church . And the godfather and mother must wear it. And not as a simple decoration for show, but directly on the body.
This body symbol of faith for a baby can be selected in advance or purchased on the day of the sacrament of baptism. The main thing is that it be sanctified.
Priests do not recommend removing the cross after being baptized.
A small cross is suitable for a child . The optimal length of the lace is slightly less than the circumference of the head, so that the baby cannot remove it himself.

The baptism ceremony of a baby is a bright holiday for the whole family. Dress modestly but tastefully to look stylish and beautiful. Then nothing can ruin your mood, and you and your loved ones will remember this joyful day for the rest of your life.

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

What should a godmother wear?

Christening is an important holiday, so parents and godparents try to think through all the nuances so that this day leaves only the brightest memories. The godmother bears a serious responsibility, because throughout the baptism process she will replace the baby’s mother. The church has a number of rules regarding the appearance of parishioners, so the godmother should think in advance about what clothes she will wear to the christening.

Since christening is a big holiday, it is advisable to give preference to clothes in light colors. The color of a dress or skirt with a blouse can be like this:

white;
lactic;
sand;
baby blue;
mint;
pearl;
pale pink.

Requirements for godmother's clothing:

Short sleeves are not allowed as the arms must be covered. If the christening takes place in the hot summer, you can wear a light blouse made of natural fabric or, in extreme cases, throw a scarf or stole over your bare arms.
The dress should not have a neckline or deep cutouts on the back.
The length of the dress or skirt should reach the ankle or be floor-length.
Miniskirts, provocative items of clothing that reveal parts of the body, jeans, and shorts are unacceptable.
A headscarf or scarf should be tied on your head, and to complete the look, you can choose fabric to match the dress.
You can’t wear bright makeup, you need to give up red lipstick. It is advisable not to wear makeup at all, or to use natural shades of cosmetics.

Since the godmother will have to hold the baby in her arms throughout the sacrament, clothes and shoes should be comfortable, not restrict movement, and not cause discomfort. For this reason, you should avoid high heels and instead choose flat shoes.

It is not necessary to sew or buy a new outfit, but you still need to choose clothes for baptism that will comply with church rules and the solemnity of the event.

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

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.

How to dress a child for baptism?

It must be remembered that the sacrament takes a long time, so it is necessary to prepare clothes for the baby in advance. Traditionally, the godmother buys the christening outfit, but sometimes parents themselves choose what their baby will wear. Increasingly, young people are purchasing ready-made baptismal sets, which contain everything they need: a dress for a girl, a lace cap, a shirt for a boy, a towel. Orthodox believers usually dress babies in long white or cream-colored shirts, which, if desired, are decorated with embroidery, ruffles, lace or ribbons.

It is important that children’s clothing meets the basic requirements: it is made from natural fabric, does not rub the baby’s delicate skin, and is easy to put on and take off.

After the anointing ceremony, the child is lowered into the font, symbolizing the cleansing of the baby. It is necessary to prepare a towel and a clean shirt in advance, in which the baby is immediately dressed. The baptismal towel and shirt are not washed after the ceremony and are stored as an important family heirloom. There is a belief that a sick child can be cured by using a baptismal towel to wipe the baby.

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.

Examples of christening sets for girls

Here are seven of the most popular sets from online retailers for comparison. They will help you make your choice:

Baptismal - “Zvezdochka” from a Russian manufacturer. Consists of 100% cotton. The material is pique, a tightly woven fabric, lightly brushed. White in color, the clothes are decorated with lace and satin ribbons. Recommended for ages 12 months, height 80 cm. Main plus: outfit for any time of year. The set includes a christening dress for a girl, a bag and a headband. Price 889 rubles.

Baptism set for girls. The composition is 100% cotton, this is the main advantage of the outfit. Suitable for little girls up to one year old. Includes dress , shorts, headband and socks. The clothes are decorated with embroidery and frills; white. There is a pink ribbon on the dress, pink socks. Price 1900 rubles.

Universal, for both boys and girls, Russian manufacturer. Made from cotton with a satin weave. Includes shirt, diaper with corner hood and cap. Color white, gold embroidery around the edges. An Orthodox cross is embroidered on the shirt. A positive quality can be considered the presence of two sizes: 62-68 and 74-80. Price 1360 rubles.

Baptismal set "Papitto" made in Russia. Made from cotton and polyester in equal proportions. Three sizes from 62 to 86. Includes dress, diaper and scarf. The clothes are decorated with lace, the diaper and dress are embroidered with a cross in golden or silver color. Diaper size 85x85. Suitable for any time of year. Positive quality - the dress has a wrap, puts on easily and quickly, negative - there is too much polyester in the composition. Price 1010 rubles.

Baptism set "Antonina". Made entirely of cotton with a satin weave. Suitable for girls from birth to one and a half years old, as there are several sizes: from 45 to 65. The set includes a dress, a diaper and a cap. Everything is trimmed with lace, the dress has cross and rhinestone embroidery. These christening sets for girls (photo below) are completely snow-white. The main disadvantage is the cost. A plus is the completely natural composition and modest appearance. Price 3360 rubles.

For girls - Makkaroni Kids. Christening clothes are suitable for ages from six months to 1 year. Made from 100% cotton. Sizes 72-80. Color white, trim – golden ribbon, cross made of rhinestones. The set includes a dress, a cap, a diaper with a corner and a storage bag. The size of the diaper is 90x90, the bag is 20x30, the cap is 50 cm. The dress has a small slit in the front at the top and ties to make it easier to put on. Price 1900 rubles.

The universal set for newborns consists entirely of cotton. The robe is white with gold embroidery. A cross is embroidered on the cap and shirt. The set includes a diaper with a hood, a shirt and a cap. There are ties at the back of the shirt; you put it on over your head. Suitable for warm weather only. Price 2000 rubles.

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.

A short summary - what to wear for a christening

Focus on delicacy, softness and simplicity, both in the choice of shape and color. Baptism is a joyful celebration, so light colors - powder pink, blue, green, beige and even white - will look great. Both solid-color models and products with small patterns on the fabric look equally good. Choose classic, pastel colors and a cut that is not only suitable for the occasion, but also comfortable. Regardless of whether you will be the godmother or you will be invited only as a guest, the baptism ceremony requires an appropriate appearance that is characterized by restraint. This applies not only to clothes, but to the entire image, that is, jewelry, makeup and hairstyle.

Therefore, we bring to your attention photos from christenings, where you can see how beautifully and elegantly godmothers, mothers of children and guests are dressed at christenings.

gift for godmother to godson for christening Kryzhma buy Moscow gift for godson for christening baptism buy towel baptismal set Voronezh

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.

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.

A few words about baptismal sets

General tips and tricks:

If there are difficulties with finances, you can baptize the child in the outfit left over from the older sister. There is no ban on this. But if possible, it is better to purchase a new, most inexpensive option.
The christening outfit is not worn afterwards. It is not washed, but carefully folded and put into a bag prepared for this purpose. It should be kept for life, because it is considered a talisman against any misfortune. A shirt or dress is applied to the child if he is sick. If a very small child is sick, he is wrapped in kryzhma. You can only wash the towel, but separately from any other items.
The cross that the godfather buys and gives must be made of precious metal or stone; sometimes wooden ones are also purchased. The cross purchased in the church shop has already been consecrated. If you chose it in a store, you need to bless it in the church before the christening. Little children don't wear crosses 24/7. If you're at home, just hang it at the head of your daughter's bed.

Baptismal attire is an important attribute of the ceremony. On this day, the child should feel light and calm. no need choose a very long shirt or tight dress for a girl’s baptism A simple outfit with a few embellishments is perfect for everyone.

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

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!