Boy's christening - rules, how it goes, responsibilities of godparents

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.

What to do with baptismal items

How to be baptized is described in detail in the Bible, but there are no recommendations for the use of baptismal paraphernalia. Because of this, there are many opinions and advice. Priests can recommend several options for storing kryzhma to parents:

• put it in a corner of the chest of drawers and take it out in extreme cases (if the baby is sick or is acting restless);
• place the kryzhma near the crib, hiding it from public view, so that it protects the baby.

When the baby does not wear the cross all the time, it can be stored along with the kryzhma in the chest of drawers. While opinions may differ regarding the use of kryzhma, there are actions that absolutely cannot be carried out with it. The baptism towel cannot be washed, thrown away, or baptized another person in it. The baptismal shirt is put into a box or a special bag and kept for life. There is an opinion that it has healing powers; the shirt can be applied to the sore spot of the person who has been baptized in it.

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.

Principles

It is important to understand the seriousness of the ritual and approach its preparation with responsibility. Godparents are chosen for the child for life, and not for show, so you need to make sure that they are reliable people who love the baby with all their hearts and are able to take care of him if necessary. You can find out in detail what and how, from the priest.

A short set of rules is as follows:

1. Godparents must profess Christianity.
2. The cross must be purchased directly from the church: it does not have to be made of expensive material. The golden cross can be consecrated separately, but do not put it on the child yet.
3. You need to choose the name of the patron saint of the girl/boy.
4. The ritual cannot be postponed - it is advisable to baptize the baby before six months of age. Of course, it is never too late to draw closer to God. Some parents are of the opinion that their child should grow up and choose his own faith, but an unbaptized baby is unprotected, defenseless against the forces of evil, and therefore more restless.
5. You cannot have wild celebrations on the occasion of christenings. There is no need for pomp here; the main thing is to dedicate the little man.

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.

Congratulations on the baptism of a girl

Baptism becomes the very first and most significant holiday for a baby. On this day, even a newborn baby should hear sincere congratulations and receive gifts. Below are several options for congratulations that will help express all the joy inherent in this event:

1. With all our hearts and with God's blessing, we congratulate the baby on the most intimate and important sacrament - baptism! Starting from this day, the Guardian Angel will protect and guide you on the true path. Let all the grace pour on you with our prayers, and you will grow up healthy, joyful, beautiful!
2. Baptism is not just a ritual or a tribute to customs. Even though you are small, your path in life is already marked by the Lord’s blessing. A new, spiritual world is opening up for you, which will help you grow into a pure and kind girl.
3. May your Guardian Angel protect you from all troubles, and may the heavenly intercessor “name” pray to the Lord our God for you. Live with faith, hope, goodness, keep purity in your soul, live with an open heart.

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.

Additional recommendations

There are less common superstitions:

1. A man needs to become the godfather of a girl, a woman - a boy, if this is their first godson. They say that otherwise the personal lives of these people will not work out.
2. For those who have several children, the baptismal suit should be passed on - then the brothers and sisters will be friendly with each other. However, there is a common belief that this thing is very personal, and along with it, the problems of the previous owner can be inherited.
3. Before going to church, the child should be protected from the evil eye in a very unique way: the mother should eat garlic and blow on the child.
4. You cannot take a pregnant girl as godparents. Indeed, there is a reason for such a ban. The woman’s thoughts are now completely occupied by the child who is in her womb, so she will not be able to concentrate on the process. Thus, harm will be caused to both the godson and the unborn baby. In addition, it is not advisable for the godmother to be menstruating at the time of the ceremony. Feel free to ask her about it.
5. During a modest meal to mark the end of the process, the godparents must taste a piece of each dish present on the table so that the godson will be happy. A similar principle is observed in Rus' during Christmas holidays, when the godfathers of the owners are declared the main guests of the house.

Whether to listen to this advice is up to everyone to decide for themselves. Perhaps some of them will seem quite interesting.

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?

What to engrave on a silver personalized spoon for a christening?

Silver has excellent disinfecting properties, so a spoon made of this metal is often given to a baby. It’s just great if the first spoon in his life is this one - beautiful and useful.

But it is advisable to immortalize an event such as a christening with a gift. How?

• Most often the date of christening is engraved . The holiday itself is considered great, but, unfortunately, years later, not everyone can remember its date
• A good option would be an inscription about who the gift is from. For example, “Vanya from Grandma”
• Another option is the boy’s name given to him at baptism. Especially if it differs from what is written on the birth certificate
• You can engrave a picture instead of text . For example, an image of an angel

IMPORTANT: Previously, it was customary to pass on such spoons from generation to generation. Thus, the most ordinary gift turned into a family heirloom. It would be a good idea for parents to take this idea on board.

The christening date is the most common engraving option on a spoon.

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.

How does the baptism of a child take place in church - the main stages of the ceremony

The sacrament of baptism itself begins with the rite of announcement. The priest lays his hand on the person being baptized and pronounces the words of a prayer in which he asks God to allow the person being baptized to approach His name as the Lord and secure His protection.

According to church tradition, instead of a baby, the recipients renounce the devil and are united with Christ.

First, the priest asks the godparents and the person being baptized to turn to the west, with their backs to the altar (symbolically, this side is considered the abode of Satan) and utter words of renunciation of the devil and his evil deeds, then blow and spit as a sign of contempt for the unclean. Afterwards, the priest says to turn to the east, to the side of the Lord, and give consent to union with Christ. This stage ends with the reading of the “Creed” prayer, which godparents need to know by heart and understand its meaning.

Confirmation

Immediately after baptism, the sacrament of Confirmation follows, endowing the newly baptized with the grace-filled power of the Holy Spirit:

• With a brush dipped in sacred fragrant oil, the priest applies crosses to the face and other parts of the body, pronouncing the words “Seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen".
• Then the priest with the recipients and the newly baptized walk around the font three times, after which the priest washes and wipes the myrrh from the child’s body, saying: “You were baptized, enlightened, anointed, sanctified, washed, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen".
• The rite of baptism ends with a cross-shaped tonsure of hair from the child’s head as a sign of service to God with the words: “The servant of God (servant of God) (Name) is tonsured in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” The priest cuts small locks of hair from four sides of the head, rolls them into a ball of wax, which he then lowers into the font.

Participle

Sometimes the sacrament takes place immediately after baptism, but most often the priest invites the parents to come with the child on another day, for example, in a week. On the appointed day, mother and baby are allowed to come closer to the end of the morning service, which is followed by Communion, where the baby is given communion with wine (the Blood of Christ).

We invite you to familiarize yourself with the meaning of the noble name Sarah - fate, character and family

The duration of the ceremony depends on the number of baptized people. An individual sacrament takes about 40 minutes, a group – up to 1 hour.

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.

Rules for a boy's christening and signs

When preparing for a christening, you should remember the following:

• It is desirable that the personalized icon be silver. After finishing the sacrament and returning home, it should be placed in the baby’s room at approximately eye level.
• As for choosing the time of year, there are no restrictions - even during Lent, such a ritual is allowed.
• As for the age of the baby, there are also no restrictions. However, it is still recommended to perform the ritual on the 40th day - this date is quite symbolic in Christian teaching.

IMPORTANT: It has been proven that very young children are less capricious and more easily tolerate the process of dipping into water. The fact is that at that time their intrauterine reflexes were still developed.

Small children tolerate baptism more easily

• Pay careful attention to the location of the ceremony - it is highly desirable that the chosen church has a separate baptismal room. Such places are warmer, and you don’t have to worry about the presence of unnecessary people
• Regarding photography or video shooting, it is better to agree in advance with the priest - not everyone approves of such interference in the sacrament
• When you purchase a cross, give it to the priest in advance
• It is advisable to protect Kryzhma - it is considered a relic
• Christenings are celebrated in the home circle at a laid table

IMPORTANT: It is better not to drink alcohol during the celebration, since christening symbolizes the spiritual birth of a child.

The christening of a child acquired its own signs:

• If a boy has older brothers or sisters, he should be baptized in their clothes - this will guarantee that the children will be friends
• Despite the fact that all parents want their child to behave calmly during the sacrament, crying is considered a good sign. The priests say that this is how evil spirits come out of the boy
• It is better to carefully fold and hide the things in which the boy was baptized, as well as the towel. They should not be used in everyday life

IMPORTANT: The belief says that if the baby is sick, baptismal items will help him recover.

The clothes in which baptism took place are believed to have miraculous properties

• All dishes on the festive table must be tasted by the godparents - in this case, the baby entrusted to them will be rich

What is the rite of baptism?

According to believers, baptism contains the highest spiritual meaning. This is the Christian sacrament of cleansing from sins before the face of the Creator. Rebirth to a spiritual and holy life occurs through holy water. The baby is dipped three times into a church bowl of water, calling on God to cleanse and protect the child’s soul . Then a cross-shaped anointing of various parts of the body with sacred oil occurs, starting from the forehead and ending with the feet of the baptized person.

Baptism occurs only once in a lifetime , and only after that a person has access to other church sacraments: he can pray and light candles for the health and repose of loved ones. Only a baptized person can subsequently be a godparent.

Christening as a holiday

The ritual in the church is just the beginning. It is equally important to properly organize the feast after.

• Fun doesn't have to be noisy. Otherwise, the girl’s life will be hectic.
• Drinking alcohol for godparents is a bad sign.
• Putting a cup of water on the window during a feast means providing your goddaughter with an easy life in this world.
• In order for the girl to grow well
  , the godmother must take the gingerbread from the table, put it on a high shelf and announce: so that the goddaughter grows up so big!
• You need to finish all the food on the plates so that the girl grows up beautiful
  .

Traditional dishes for christenings: sweet porridge with milk and butter, pastries, sweets. Pies, chicken dishes - with a bang. If there are more children, then it’s good to bake a cake. You can even design it in the form of a cross so that the purpose of the holiday is visible.

It is a very bad omen to serve pancakes at a christening. Pork is also not recommended.

Signs for Epiphany on January 19 for prosperity

Be sure to bring some holy water to your home on the night of January 18-19. You can get it in an ice hole or in a spring, or you can drop by the church for some water in the morning on the feast of Epiphany. It is believed that with the help of such water you can attract wealth to your home.

Dip a yellow coin into holy water and let it lie there for at least 3 hours. Then put this coin in your wallet in the most secret pocket and always carry it with you. It is believed that such an Epiphany coin will definitely bring you financial well-being.

Prayer “Creed” for a child’s christening

It has long been customary to read a special prayer - the “Creed” - in the preliminary part of the celebration. It is advisable, of course, to learn it by heart, but reading it from a piece of paper is also acceptable.

This prayer contains all the basic teachings that an Orthodox person should believe in.

1. I believe in one God, the Father, Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, of everything visible and invisible. 2. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only Begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages: Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one being with the Father, by Him all things were created. 3. For the sake of us people and for the sake of our salvation, he came down from heaven and took flesh from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became a man. 4. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. 5. And rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures. 6. And ascended into heaven, and sat at the right hand of the Father. 7. And He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; His Kingdom will have no end. 8. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, worshiped and glorified with the Father and the Son, who spoke through the prophets. 9. Into the one, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. 10. I acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. 11. I look forward to the resurrection of the dead. 12. And the life of the next century. Amen (truly so) .

During the christening, the godparents need to read a prayer, and the rest of those present can also

As you can see, christenings are not just another reason for relatives and friends to gather. And also not a tribute to fashion or an act “for show”. Such an event is an important step in the baby’s just beginning life. And only parents and godparents can help make this step right.

How to choose a name

The boy's parents must choose a name for the church before the baptism ceremony. Nowadays there are a large number of names in fashion that are not in the calendar. For example, if a boy was named Ivan at birth, then at the moment of joining the church he can become John. The name given during the sacrament determines when the child’s Angel Day will be celebrated.

You have the right to choose a name yourself, and not using the calendar. It is not necessary that the child be born on the same day as the saint’s name day. For example, a boy with poor health can be named Nikolai or Luka, regardless of his date of birth.

What do guests give at christenings?

• Clothes are something that will definitely come in handy. Moreover, it is not at all necessary that these things fit the baby right now, because things for growth will also fit

IMPORTANT: It is advisable to discuss such an idea with your parents - in this case, the risk of making a mistake in choosing an item is minimal.

• Many boys love sports, so such a gift with an eye to the future will be quite useful. You can buy both sports sets for kids and something separately - for example, a soccer ball

A sports set for a boy will be a christening gift with an eye to the future

• A bicycle, even a small one, would also be appropriate. It won’t be long before the baby grows into a big one, but the tiny three-wheeler will come in handy for him faster
• If guests know the baby's parents closely, it is recommended to give him hygiene items. As a rule, such things fly away with a bang, so you will be doing your parents a big favor
• Money is a universal gift, always and everywhere. In addition, young parents, as a rule, need money

IMPORTANT: However, try to present at least a small toy with them. Money is wasted without a trace, but after the christening the child should have at least some memory left

• Speaking of toys, the baby will find them very useful. Of course, guests can also give an amulet, a personalized icon and a spoon, but it may also happen that the same gift is presented by godparents. Therefore, a toy is always a win-win option

The toy is a universal gift, suitable for christenings

• If the boy was not baptized at a tiny age, you can give him sweets. For example, some sweet souvenirs made in the theme of the holiday

Christening-themed sweets are a great gift for a baby

• Educational gifts are what you need for christenings. Appropriate toys and books will benefit the child and bring him many joyful moments
• An excellent christening gift would be a special box for storing christening supplies.

Box for storing things related to christening

And this box is designed to store baptism and birth certificates

Godparents - who are they?

In addition to choosing the child's name, it is important to decide on the godparents. They must meet the following criteria:

• not to be a married couple;
• must be believers (with the exception of monks, they cannot be godparents);
• are not the natural parents of the child.

There are no other restrictions on the choice of godparents. For a boy, it is enough to invite only a man who is ready to take upon himself the obligation not to leave the child in trouble and to give him spiritual advice.