Christening is an important stage in the life of a baby, because from this day he renounces a sinful life, and is subsequently reborn in spiritual life. Baptism involves the cleansing of the baby from original sin, which is caused by his birth. The sacrament of baptism is performed only once in a person’s life. Surely the baby's parents and his godparents are worried about the question of how to dress for christening . This is what we will talk about.
How should women dress for christenings?
The church dress code is very different from the styles we use in everyday life . If you have never attended a christening before or rarely enter a church, the following recommendations and rules will help you dress appropriately.
Despite the fact that christening is a holiday celebrated in the Orthodox and Christian churches, clothing at this event becomes of great importance, since it should correspond to that very bright day when the baby joins the spiritual life. You can’t stand out with your appearance, but your attitude should be positive. You should avoid blouses with short sleeves, short skirts, tops and jeans. Such clothes do not in any way correspond to church canons. Trousers of any kind are not acceptable.
- A discreet dress. The godmother and natural mother of the child should not differ in their appearance. Simple fabrics and neutral colors are welcome. Since we are talking about the festive atmosphere that will fill the christening, you need to wear a dress in light colors - white, blue, soft pink, peach, cream, apricot shades. The dress may have patterns, but they should be simple and discreet. The length of the dress should be below the knee. Floor length is welcome.
- Sleeves of a dress or blouse . As an alternative to a dress, you can wear a blouse and a skirt. The sleeves of a blouse or dress should be long. The blouse should have a simple cut. Necklines and deep cutouts, tight-fitting styles that fit tightly to the figure are not acceptable. The blouse matches the color of the skirt or can be a couple of shades lighter. When choosing a blouse, it should not hinder movements, especially for the godmother’s blouse - after all, the difficult task of calming the baby during the ceremony and holding him in her arms falls on her shoulders.
- Shoes. Must be closed, at low speed. It can be dark or matched to the main color scheme of the outfit. No heels or platforms. Shoes that are not very high are, of course, acceptable, but it is still better to avoid them. It is better to wear simple closed shoes.
- Makeup. Naturally, on such a day any woman will want to look her best, but the church does not accept bright makeup and frilly outfits. Natural makeup is preferable - a little powder and a little blush, neat, even eyebrows, not flashy eyelashes. You can apply gloss to your lips, but avoid lipstick. When tinting your lips, keep in mind that the priest will ask you to kiss the cross, which means that if you apply lip gloss, it should be barely noticeable and long-lasting.
- Handkerchief. The head should be covered with a scarf. Naturally, you should not do voluminous hairstyles - just gather your hair into a bun or ponytail and braid it. You can have your own scarf in the color scheme of the chosen outfit, or take a scarf from the church.
- Cross. Godmothers and birthmothers, and in principle everyone who enters the church, must wear a pectoral cross, consecrated in the church. You can take your own cross or purchase one at the church.
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?
How to dress a baby for christening?
During the baptism ceremony, the baby’s limbs are exposed, and therefore the outfit should be loose. A girl can wear a loose dress, and a boy can wear an equally loose shirt and trousers or shorts. Then the newborn baby is dressed in a white diaper donated by the godmother or in a baptismal shirt - depending on the traditions of the church in which the baptism ceremony takes place.
Men's clothing for the temple
Not only for women, there is a whole set of regulations on what is appropriate to wear to church. Men must also adhere to certain rules:
No sweatpants, suits, etc. A woman would never think of coming to a holy place in sportswear, but with a man who is less scrupulous about choosing clothes, this may well happen.
Shorts and anything that even slightly exposes the legs (Bermuda shorts, breeches, etc.) are prohibited. Here both women and men are equally strictly controlled by church regulations.
Closed shoes. Spanking is prohibited. Sandals are sometimes allowed in some churches, especially in the South (socks must be worn underneath).
Inscriptions and pictures that carry a negative message are prohibited.
The shirt should be buttoned up with all the buttons (if it’s stuffy or tight at the collar, you can undo one top button).
The headdress must be removed.
The ideal clothing for a man is trousers and a light shirt. Previously, they tried to wear a tie and jacket, but now they don’t require this.
How to dress for a christening for a child under seven years old?
If it is necessary to baptize a child who is over a year old, he can be dressed for christening as follows.
- Handkerchief. Girls do not have to wear it until their period arrives, or until they are seven years old. According to church canons, a child under seven years of age is considered an infant. However, in order not to embarrass church grandmothers and other guardians of church order, you can wear a scarf. Thus, you will once again be on the safe side, since each church has its own rules, which they may not always tell you about.
- Dress. It should have long sleeves, be discreet, and made of simple material. In the cold season, you should wear warm tights or panties. If the baptism takes place in the summer, a long dress is still more convenient. If the child spins in his arms, such a dress will not confuse anyone or cause discomfort. Thin straps, slits and cutouts are not appropriate even for a child.
- White clothes . Gets dressed after the bath. White color symbolizes purity, so clothes of this color should be worn after the ceremony. Don't forget about the baptismal set - towel, cap, shirt.
Rules of Piety
To get an answer to the question “what to wear to a christening in church,” it is useful to familiarize yourself with the rules of piety. This is the name given to the standards of behavior accepted in the Church that correspond to the spirit of Christianity. They should not be identified with church etiquette. Archimandrite Platon (Igumnov) notes that the latter covers “horizontal” relationships between people. Piety can be likened to a vertical line from earth to heaven; it affects the relationship between man and God. At the same time, Father Plato adds:
“You cannot rise to heaven without loving a person, and you cannot love a person without loving God.”
How to dress in the temple?
What should godparents buy for a christening?
To prepare for the christening of a child, it is not enough just to dress correctly. Godparents are required to purchase certain things that they give to the baby as a gift.
- White shirt or dress for christening. In the store you can purchase a simple version or a model with embroidery. Also, such goods are sold directly at the church. If you buy a shirt in a store, do not forget to wash and iron it before baptism, so that you can put it on your baby already clean. A baptismal shirt or chemise is worn after the baptism ceremony as a symbol that the child appears pure before God. According to tradition, this shirt should be worn for eight days. After this period, the shirt is removed and stored for life. If the child begins to get sick, the baptismal shirt can be placed under the pillow. You cannot baptize another baby using the same shirt.
- Pectoral cross. There should be a crucifix on it. This baptism should be purchased in advance or directly on the day of baptism. The cross must be consecrated. According to tradition, it is believed that the cross cannot be removed after baptism. Therefore, it is better to choose a small cross and a rope that would be difficult for the baby to remove from himself.
- Towel. Some churches wrap the baby in it after baptism, while other churches use a white swaddle. Whether it is a diaper or a towel, this item should be stored together with the baby’s baptismal shirt and not washed after the baptism ceremony.
- Scarf or cap. It can be purchased separately or purchased as a set with a baptismal set, which will include a cap or scarf.
The cost of a baptismal set, which includes a towel, cap, diaper and shirt, can range from 700-1500 rubles.
Accessories
Additional christening supplies include baby booties. If you choose them in the same tone as the christening outfit, they will perfectly complement the image. A bib is also an auxiliary accessory. On this special day, the suit should look perfect. Just a bib will help protect the suit from any stain. Napkins for candles may also be needed. Usually two of them are bought - for the godfather and the godmother.
Recently, accessories have appeared: a hair bag, a Bible cover and a baptismal certificate. Attributes are created in order to maximize the memory of the baptism ritual. After all, it happens once in a lifetime.
What else will you need for a child’s christening?
To be absolutely prepared for your christening, take the following items with you:
- Flannelette blanket. After the child is undressed and dipped into the bath, he may feel cold. The blanket will keep your baby warm and calm.
- Small package. It will be possible to place a lock of the baby’s hair in it, which will be cut by the priest. A lock of hair should be stored together with the baptismal shirt, diaper or towel.
For boys
The baptism of a boy, first of all, involves choosing a good godfather who will become an example of a real man, a strong and strong-willed person. It is worth taking the choice seriously, since the godfather should not disappear from the godson’s life, but, on the contrary, become his support and support. A godmother for a boy is a second mother who should be able to give advice and treat with understanding.
In addition to spiritual things, you need to prepare clothes for the boy’s baptism and all the accessories. For christening a boy must have:
- Kryzhma;
- Christening shirt;
- White blanket;
- Cap, socks (optional).
Christening attire includes a shirt, cap and socks. It is a relic item and should not be used in everyday life. This is a memory of a sacred day.
How should godparents prepare for the baptismal ceremony?
In addition to clothes and gifts for the baby, godparents need to prepare for the baptism ceremony. What exactly should you do or not do?
- Take communion and repent of mortal sins a couple of days before the christening ceremony.
- Do not eat or have sexual intercourse on the day of baptism.
- If godparents baptize a boy, then the godfather will have to read the “Creed” prayer. If parents participate in the baptism of a girl, this prayer will need to be read to the godfather.
General rules of conduct in church
The temple is a sacred place of God's presence and therefore requires a special, reverent attitude towards itself. Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh taught:
“When you enter the temple, know for sure that you are in the presence of Christ Himself, crucified for your own salvation and resurrected so that you could enter Eternal Life.”
A visit to church should be accompanied by reverent spiritual joy and a prayerful and repentant attitude. At the entrance and exit it is customary to make the sign of the cross three times with bows from the waist. It is advisable to arrive early, before the start of the service. After all, then we will be able to fully take part in it and will not disturb the rest of those praying.
In the temple you must behave calmly and quietly. You should refrain from idle conversations, and during worship and sacred rites it is better not to talk at all or walk around the church. Take photos and videos with the permission of the priest, without disturbing others.
Babies are brought first to Communion and anointing, then the rest of the children come up, then the men, and after them the women. When approaching confession or kissing the cross, you should not try to get ahead of the others, keep the queue.
If you witness someone unknowingly violating the above rules, then be patient. You should not judge, reprimand or lecture others. If because of someone you cannot concentrate on prayer, then it is better to move to another part of the temple.
It happens that other people's involuntary mistakes interfere with common prayer. In such cases, try kindly and with humility to tell the person what is wrong in his actions. In the same way, you should accept comments addressed to yourself. Don't be upset if someone doesn't treat you kindly enough.
What are the responsibilities of a godmother?
Before you agree to become a godmother, you need to understand whether you can fulfill these obligations, which are presented below.
- Vouch for your child before the Lord
- Be responsible for the spiritual upbringing of the child
- Take part in the upbringing and life of the child on an equal basis with his biological parents
- To take care of the child in the event that the biological parents can no longer fulfill their obligations to the child. The godmother can become the baby's full guardian.
- Pray for the godchild, be a caring and loving godmother
- Come to church with your child if the parents cannot do this
- Be an example for a child.
