Christening is the first important sacrament in the life of any Christian. Most Orthodox Christians rush to perform this ritual at a young age in order to give the baby Divine protection almost from birth. However, there are no rules regarding the age at which a person is baptized.
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A child can be accepted into the fold of the church in infancy, or he can come to this important decision on his own already at a conscious age. This sacrament has roots that go deep into the history of religion. And although many rules have undergone changes, the main canons of the ritual have still been preserved. The christening of a boy has its own characteristics, which are important for parents to take into account when preparing.
Baby boy christening set
Selecting the necessary items for carrying out the sacrament is an important preparatory stage. Not a single baptismal ceremony is complete without these attributes, regardless of which church it takes place in. It is important to understand that there are certain rules for the christening of a boy.
Christenings cannot take place without:
- kryzhma - the main element of the ritual, which is a white diaper with an embroidered cross, often openwork, sometimes you can find variations with the initials of the baby;
- christening shirt - if the parents wish, it can be openwork, but even the simplest one will do;
- blankets or large white towels.
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Sometimes the set is also complemented by a cap and socks. However, this is not mandatory. All these attributes are family heirlooms and are kept in the family for many years. Therefore, they are strictly not recommended for use in everyday life. Many mothers noted the healing properties of kryzhma. If you cover your baby with a baptismal cloth during illness, the healing process will go much faster.
Some parents believe in the belief that in order for sons born in the same family to be friendly with each other, the younger child must be baptized in the shirt of the older one. Whether this method actually works or is simply self-hypnosis, each believer must decide for himself. However, there will definitely be no harm from this.
Original homemade gifts
Handmade gifts are very pleasant for those for whom they are intended. The soul of the master is put into them, and therefore it is twice as pleasant and useful. If among the invitees there are those who know how to sew, embroider or knit, they can make a present themselves.
A thematic photo album will always come in handy, in which photos from the sacrament will be saved
Beautiful thematic embroidery will be received with special gratitude. Their patterns are sold in handicraft stores. There are also many of them on the Internet.
For example, you can make a cute angel. This gift will remind you of the guardian angel of the baptized person.
Boy's christening, rules for a godmother
Contrary to popular belief, not all Orthodox believers can become godparents. There are a number of laws, the honest implementation of which determines the entire future fate of the baby.
Godmother:
- cannot be pregnant;
- must be completely psychologically healthy;
- confess immediately before the ceremony;
- cannot be married to the godfather, and also not be closely related to him;
- must not be a novice in the church, nor a nun;
- can only be an adult.
At the same time, the godmother buys a kryzhma, a christening set, and also a scarf for the priest made of silk fabric for the christening.
Church life of new Christians
You should know that after baptism, a person’s spiritual life just begins. The first acquaintance with church rules begins with the prayer of one’s own mother and godmother. This is how, invisibly, the word of God is instilled in the baby. And in the future, when he sees everything for himself, you can slowly introduce him to family prayer, explaining its value.
Special mention should be made about baptismal accessories. Kryzhma and special clothing (if you purchased it) should be stored separately and not used in everyday life. A christening shirt (dress) can be worn when a child is ill (or simply wrapped in it). The icon that was used during the sacrament should be placed near the baby’s crib or on the home iconostasis (if there is one). The candle is used on special occasions and is also kept for life.
The responsibilities of a godfather at baptism are just beginning. In the future, when the child grows up, he will need to go to church with him, take communion and attend services. Of course, this can be done with parents, but it is better if it is a godfather. By the way, you need to take your child to church from an early age. It is there, in the bosom of the church, that he will be able to realize all the greatness of God. If he doesn’t understand something, you need to patiently explain the difficult moments.
This is how addiction occurs and has a beneficial effect on the human soul. Church chants and prayers calm and strengthen. As you grow older, difficult questions can arise. If godparents or parents cannot answer them, then it is better to turn to the priest.
Boy's christening, rules for the godfather
Typically, the church is more loyal to male representatives, however, in the case of christenings, certain limits are present in this case.
The godfather must:
- go through the confession procedure on the eve of the sacrament;
- not be a close relative of the godmother and not be her husband;
- be criminally clear and mentally healthy;
- have no relation to clergy and do not undergo obedience in the church;
- be of age.
The godfather undertakes to purchase a cross for the baby, bear all the financial costs of the ceremony, and also buy a gift for the baby.
A sign of attention to parents
Christening gifts should not only be given to the baby. After the baptism of their child, his father and mother should also be given a gift. For example, a bouquet or a basket of confectionery.
Parents can also help prepare for the holiday table. The godmother can prepare a festive table with the mother of the baptized person or buy sweets. For example, cake. It will always be appropriate.
The baby's parents will be happy to accept such a sweet gift.
Excellent gifts would be a Cahors horse, a fruit basket and a gift certificate to a store for children. Books that tell how parents can raise their son to become a righteous Christian will be received with gratitude.
You can give parents a miniature candlestick, spiritual films or a themed card.
Responsibilities of godparents at the baptism of a boy
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The issue of baptism must be treated very responsibly, since godparents are not just formal persons, but must perform a number of duties after the ceremony itself.
First of all, it is important to understand that the godmother and godfather should act as a good example for inheritance. Therefore, people leading an unhealthy and destructive lifestyle cannot teach their godson good habits. Parents representing the child in the face of God should pray regularly for their godson. The father must teach the boy God's commandments and guide him on the true path. Both godparents must be present at the baby's first communion.
Even if, by the will of fate, godparents are forced to live away from the baby, they should not lose touch with him. If the child’s biological parents die or become seriously ill, then all responsibility falls on the shoulders of the godparents.
First of all, the godmother and godfather are responsible for the spiritual education of the baby. A child should always know that there are people next to him who will support him in any situation, advise and support him.
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The extent to which a person can fulfill the responsibilities of a parent in the face of God largely depends on the spiritual development of the individual himself. This process must be approached with the utmost responsibility. After all, only a person who is well versed in spiritual matters can teach a child the correct principles of life.
It is godparents who can instill in a child the love of God, give him confidence in the future and help him acquire the Lord's grace.
What should a godmother give: features of choice
There are irreplaceable gifts that she must prepare for the boy’s christening. In addition to gifts that have been accepted for centuries, they also give necessary things to a small child.
Without fail, the baby must receive baptismal accessories as a gift; you can sew them yourself, order them from a craftswoman, or buy them in a special department of the store. The items are embroidered with silver, blue, and golden tones in the form of a cross, leaves of plants and flowers, angels, curls, and doves. The following gifts are suitable:
- light cotton baptismal shirt , you may prefer a vest - it is given to a newborn baby up to 3 months old, such a thing is easy to put on, no need to pull it through the head;
- cap - although the boy does not wear a headdress during baptism, it will be useful to the baby after the ceremony;
- kryzhma - a piece of snow-white natural fabric with embroidery. For a long time, such a diaper has been used as protection from all negativity. The baby is wrapped in cloth after the bath. Terry kryzhma is most often used; it is warm, cozy, and gentle on the body;
- as an alternative - a baptism set , there are ready-made sets on sale, which include a diaper, cap, socks, shirt, they match in style and color;
- a bag for folding baptismal items - clothes, a cross, icons, and a certificate of baptism are placed in it. There are large and small bags, choose what you like best;
- birch bark, wooden, metal box - you can store the most valuable things in it: the first hairs, a pectoral cross, a lost baby tooth;
- an icon - you will buy it in the church, choose a picture with the image of the saint whose name the baby is named - this is an additional gift for the godson;
- a candlestick made in the shape of an angel will complement the decor of the nursery, help create coziness in the room, it will be used for a church candle;
- warm cute booties , hand-knitted socks, shoes for the little ones;
- bib - there are different versions of bibs, they can be hand-knitted, sewn from natural fabric, there are options specifically for communion;
- toys – there are many different toys suitable for a boy’s age. You can pick up a toy about the godmother “for growth.”
Boy baptism names
The choice of name plays a huge role in the baptism process. Often quite serious disagreements arise on this issue, which are quite difficult to bring to a common denominator. Therefore, it is better to turn to a clergyman, who will always advise what to do in a given situation.
Most often you have to choose a name for christening when the secular name is not Orthodox. If it is present in the church canon, then it is not at all necessary to change it. There is still a practice of giving different church and secular names. According to many parishioners, this protects the baby from the evil eye or other energetic influences. However, the church does not recognize the possibility of such outside influences. Therefore, the choice of name largely depends on the personal wishes of the parents. Often a name is chosen according to Christmastide, naming the child after a saint revered on the day or period of birth.
- Is it possible to be a godmother several times?
- Responsibilities of a godmother;
- On what days is it better to baptize a child?
Should I baptize in winter?
Christenings in winter are carried out in the same order as in summer. The only thing that parents may care about is the temperature of the water in the font . However, church ministers strictly ensure that the temperature is comfortable for the baby. Some churches even have special heating systems for such events.
The only important note is that you should prefer small temples, since heating them is much easier. And in order to avoid unexpected drafts, you can place one of your relatives on the church doors, who will warn random parishioners that a baby is being baptized in the room and it may be necessary to wait a little. Most Christians will understand such a statement and will not open the temple door immediately.
Festive table
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The festive feast is an integral part of the celebration. However, you should always remember that the presence of alcohol on the table is inappropriate, because the holiday itself brings quiet joy, and alcohol is incompatible with a quiet and modest table.
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Pay attention to light dishes that will be an excellent addition to tea drinking. Pancakes, delicious homemade pastries (sweet and savory), light portioned salads and much more will be an excellent solution for this modest spiritual holiday.
How much to pay? And why pay?
There is no official fee for performing sacraments and services in the temple, since commodity-money relations are not applicable to Divine laws. However, in modern realities, a donation to the temple for baptism is one of the important sources of income for a charitable institution. Temple servants need to pay for utilities and repair breakdowns, as well as pay the priest, who may have a large number of children.
Prices for temple services are quite arbitrary and are only voluntary donations. In a difficult financial situation, when the family has no money at all, the clergyman is obliged to perform the ceremony for free. The priest’s categorical refusal to help those in need is a direct reason for filing a complaint with the dean.
