Rules for the baptism of a child in the Orthodox Church

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

A surprisingly solemn and at the same time intimate scene - the priest holds the astonished chubby baby and dips it into the cool water of the font. How is the baptism of a child? It is important for parents and godparents to know the rules and traditions that accompany this ceremony.

Why baptize a child?

With baptism, a child becomes a member of the Church. Every Orthodox Christian is considered part of the one Body of Christ. The child gets the opportunity to participate in the Sacraments of the Church. He receives God's protection. There are words in the Gospel: "He who is not born of water and the Spirit cannot enter the Kingdom of God." Baptism is rightfully considered a second birth. In Russia, it was customary to baptize children very early, and if the baby was born weak, the priest could be invited home on the day of birth, if only he had time to get there. True, this was not always the case - the first Christians, on the contrary, preferred baptism at a conscious age, when a person would independently come to faith. Therefore, some people have a thought whether it is necessary to baptize a child or whether it is worth giving him a choice. Moreover, the holy fathers say that an unbaptized baby is not considered guilty– although he bears the original sin, like all people, but he himself, of his own free will, has not yet committed a single sin.

The desire to give a child a choice is commendable, but if you think about it, any upbringing always narrows a person's choice in some way, and this is normal. We do not give our child the choice of what language to speak and what culture to live in - he is already born in Russian culture among Russian speakers. The assimilation of faith is also akin to cultural influence. Obviously, if parents visit the temple and gently, unobtrusively introduce the child to Orthodoxy, this religion will always be the most native for him. Only excessive parental zeal can push a child away, which often happens during adolescence.

Special occasions

The majority in our country belongs to the Orthodox faith. Even if a person is rather indifferent to religion, he still identifies himself as Orthodox. But when spouses belong to different faiths, this raises difficult questions. If they managed to agree among themselves in what faith to raise a child, they can baptize him. True, both parents will not be able to be present in the church at the baptism of a child - this is allowed only to one of them who professes Orthodoxy.

Choice of godparents

Most parents choose friends or relatives as godparents for their children. Sometimes the choice is made according to the material condition - parents hope that their child will get expensive gifts. Orthodoxy prescribes that the godfather andmother were people who are involved in the upbringing of the child and lead him to faith. Therefore, it is best if these are churched people, if there are any among your relatives and friends. Is it necessary to have two godparents? Far from it. An adult does not need godfather and mother at all. And for a child, one is enough. A boy needs a godfather, a girl needs a mother. The presence of a second "parent" is optional, and if none of the relatives expressed a desire, it's okay. In the baptism of a child, godparents or one of them will play an important role.

It is only important to know that spouses or people who are intimate with each other cannot be godparents. Also, they cannot be atheists or non-believers, minors, servants of the Church. Also, although it seems obvious, the child's parents are never godparents.

Prejudices about pregnant women

There is an idea among the people that a pregnant woman cannot be a godmother. It's not like that at all. If she herself does not mind, she can participate in this sacrament. You just need to really think about whether she can pay enough attention to her godson or daughter, since she will soon have her own baby. And will it not be hard for her to endure the ceremony, holding the baby in her arms. With toxicosis, incense and lack of oxygen in the temple can also cause discomfort.

In addition, sometimes it is believed that pregnant women should not enter the temple, confess, take communion. This is generally a very harmful prejudice. Vice versa,it is advisable for a pregnant woman to visit the church quite often and take communion. It is believed that when a mother receives communion, the child also receives communion, because he is related to his mother by blood and receives everything that she eats or drinks.

How many days after birth do they baptize?

It used to be customary to baptize babies very early - on the 8th day after birth. True, a woman was forbidden to enter the temple for 40 days after giving birth. Therefore, a tradition has developed to baptize a child without a mother. After 40 days, a cleansing prayer is read over the mother. After that, she can be in the temple and participate in the ordinances. Therefore, many churched people baptize their children on the 40th day after birth. First, the priest reads a permissive prayer over the mother, then he proceeds to the christening. The baptism of a child with his mother is more comfortable, especially since the mother is allowed to participate in the ceremony and hold the baby in her arms.

Better not to delay too much with the baptism of the child. On the 40th day, that is, a little older than a month, the baby went through a difficult neonatal period and adapted to the world. But he still sleeps a lot, so he has every chance to oversleep most of the service, which will protect him from stress. In addition, the baby still has a "duck" reflex, which allows you to hold your breath when immersed in water. Is the day of baptism regulated in any way? No. Children can be baptized on any day, including Lenten, even during Great Lent. You still need to guess so that the godmother does not have a period. In this case, it cannot be allowed to participate insacrament. The same applies to the mother of the child.

Choose a day

In order to sign up for baptism, just contact the icon shop at the temple. First, the day of the interview of the godparents with the priest will be appointed. Without this conversation, in many churches the rite of baptism of a child will not take place. If one of them does not attend the temple, in preparation for baptism, the priest will advise to confess and take communion. Before that, you will need to observe a three-day fast. After the conversation, the day and time of the baptism of the child will be chosen.

How to dress

It is customary for women in the temple to dress in fairly closed clothes so that their knees and shoulders are not visible. It is best to wear a skirt or dress. Pants and jeans are not welcome. are considered menswear. Since the baptism of a child is a solemn occasion, the clothes should be quite elegant. The head must be covered with a scarf or any other headdress. There are no particularly strict requirements for men, however, excessively open clothing, such as shorts, is also not approved. It is best to wear trousers and a white shirt to look solemn. All those present in the temple need to wear a pectoral cross.

Christening guests

The baptism of a child is a sacrament, so it should not be made too stormy and public event. Of the guests, the closest relatives are usually invited. It is best if everyone is sufficiently church-going people, and the prayers read in the temple will not remain an empty sound for them. Despite the holiness and secrecy of the event, many familiesinvite a photographer to the christening. Now this is accepted, and the priests usually do not interfere with this. You can get very touching pictures, which will then be interesting to see for both parents and a grown child.

What to buy before baby's christening

Which item is the most needed? Of course, a pectoral cross. But this is not enough, it is also important to have a kryzhma - a baptismal towel, as well as a baptismal shirt or suit. The godfather usually buys the cross, and the godmother buys things made of fabric. Baptismal shirts for girls and boys look the same. They are usually white or slightly bluish in color as a symbol of purity. The length of such a shirt can be different - to the heels or below the knee, but it is never shorter. Such clothes can be decorated with embroideries, gold or silver ornaments, and an Orthodox cross can be depicted on it. The fabric, like any children's clothing, should be natural, soft and comfortable.

Symbol of faith

It is important for godfathers and mothers to learn the Creed before baptism. During the ceremony, they will need to read this prayer. True, this cannot be called a prayer in the strict sense, since there is no appeal to God in the Creed. This is a statement of the basic postulates of the Orthodox faith.

Christening Gifts

Godparents not only buy items needed for a child's baptism, but also present gifts to the baby. Previously, it was customary to order a full-length icon - this icon of the saint, whose name the child bears, corresponded in height to the heightbaby. Of course, this is quite difficult, so this tradition has been replaced by the tradition of simply giving an icon of the patron saint, maybe a small one. In addition, christenings are often given items made of silver or gold - spoons, rings, earrings. You can also give the baby a children's Bible or any religious books, or you can give ordinary children's books or toys.

How baptism works

How is a baby baptized? The first sacred act is the laying on of the hands of the priest on the head of the infant. This gesture symbolizes the patronage of God. Then the godparents on behalf of the godson answer some questions. If an adult is baptized, he must answer them himself. After that, the priest anoints the baby with oil.

Then the godparents with the baby in their arms go to the font. The priest blesses the water and immerses the baby in it three times. This symbolizes the immersion of Christ in the Jordan, when the Holy Spirit descended on Him. It depends on the sex of the baby who brings him to the font. If it is a boy, the godfather brings it, if it is a girl, then the godmother. After immersion in water, the baby is dried and dressed in a baptismal shirt. Girls cover their heads with a white cap or scarf. Then the priest performs the rite of chrismation. With consecrated fragrant oil - the world - he anoints the sense organs and the main parts of the child's body - the forehead, mouth, nostrils, eyes, ears, chest, arms, legs. If in baptism the baby is born as a Christian, as a member of the Church, then chrismation symbolizes the seal of the Gift of the Holy Spirit. God's grace sanctifies, strengthens and directs on the right path all feelings, thoughts,physical and mental strength of the child.

The baptism of a boy is different in that after immersion in the font, he is brought to the altar. In the baptism of girls, this moment is absent. The fact is that a boy, as a future man, can become a priest and serve in the altar. A woman is a minister of the home "church", that is, the family, which is no less important.

A small strand of hair is cut off the child's head. After this, the baby is carried 3 times around the font. The rite of baptism of a child can take from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

Meal after christening

Traditionally, after the sacrament, it is customary to have a meal. It is best to call the priest to the table with the guests. The event can be held both at home and in a cafe. True, you should not turn this meal into a stormy celebration with alcohol, karaoke and dancing. Previously, a midwife was also called to the table, and even the beggars were gathered. Now this, of course, is not relevant. No one will bring street beggars or maternity hospital workers to a family feast.

The choice of dishes is not regulated in any way, so the food will depend on whether the festival is held in a cafe or at home, how much the parents want to meet and, of course, on their taste preferences. Baptismal porridge was considered a traditional dish in Russia. Usually it is made from buckwheat or millet and seasoned with honey, cream, butter and egg. Sometimes a chicken was baked inside the porridge in honor of the baptism of a girl or a cockerel in honor of the baptism of a boy. All this symbolized satiety and abundance. It is not difficult to cook such porridge even today. chickens in herit is optional, because not everyone will like the combination of sweet honey taste with chicken meat.

How to congratulate the baby on baptism?

Usually babies are baptized at such a young age that they cannot understand congratulations. Therefore, congratulations on the baptism of a child will more caress the ears of parents. These words should first of all concern the spiritual life. For example, it would be a good wish to keep angelic purity for life. One can wish the development of the best human qualities - kindness, diligence, courage, honesty. In addition, in congratulating a child on the baptism, you should wish everything that children usually wish - good he alth, success in the future.