Baptism of children: rules, features, traditions and signs

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

The sacrament of baptism is the very first rite, which is very significant for a Christian. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare for it both by the parents themselves and by the future godparents. What should be considered for the baptism of a child? Are there any rules and restrictions? We will answer these and many other questions in the article.

What is baptism?

Baptism is the first and most important Christian sacrament, which is recognized in Orthodoxy, Catholicism and Protestantism. Thanks to him, a person becomes one of the members of the church. The baptism of children gives them the opportunity in the future to be involved in other sacraments of the church, such as the Eucharist (communion).

Baptism is slightly different in different confessions, for example, in Orthodoxy a person is immersed in water three times, in Catholicism - once, and in Protestantism they simply pour water on the one who receives baptism. During the ceremony, the priest reads the prayers specific to this sacrament. One of the main roles in the ceremony is played by godparents, on whomgreat responsibility and duty to his godson.

The origin of baptism

In ancient times, immersion in water or pouring water on almost all peoples paid special attention and attached great importance. It was believed that during this ceremony a person is cleansed not only physically, but also spiritually.

Baptism of children in one form or another was also found in Ancient Rome. The ancient Roman writer and philosopher Macrobius (5th century AD) writes that newborns on the 8th or 9th day were washed with water and given a name.

In early Christianity, baptism was performed in the Jordan by the Baptist John, who preached the imminent appearance of the Messiah. Baptism was performed as a symbol of repentance for committed sinful deeds. The Son of God was also baptized by John, as the church teaches, while being sinless.

Baptism of children

Baptism is a very important sacrament in Christianity, and when exactly to baptize a child, each parent decides for himself. It is believed that it is best to baptize on the 40th day after childbirth, especially since until this time the mother of the child, according to church canons, is unclean.

In the Old Testament church, a child was brought to church after 40 days after the birth of God, and a special prayer was read over his mother. This was done before or after the baptism.

When to start the baptism of children, the question is ambiguous, you need to proceed from specific cases and situations. It is preferable to baptize a child while he is still very young, sincethis is in accordance with the canons. Moreover, a small child is easier to endure the rite itself and reacts more calmly to strangers, such as a priest and godparents.

Baptism

Baptism of children in the church is desirable, but not mandatory, there are exceptions when the ceremony is performed at home. At the very beginning of the sacrament, the holy father reads the so-called prohibition prayers, which in the name of the Lord protect the child from Satan. After this, the godparents renounce evil spirits three times, and three times the union with Jesus as the Lord is announced.

Then the priest says a prayer at the baptism of the child and consecrates the water and oil, which they smear the baptized. After anointing with oil, the little man is called by a name that is taken from the Christian tradition. It is preferable to choose a name according to the calendar, as in the old days, but now it is not mandatory, but a recommendation.

Dive into the font

After receiving the name, the child is immersed three times in a font of water. At the first immersion, the holy father pronounces the words that a servant or servant of God is being baptized, the name is called and it is said: "… in the name of the Father. Amen".

During the second immersion in the font, the priest says: “… and the Son. Amen . At the third lowering of the child into the water, the priest says: “… and the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

According to the rules of baptism, after immersing in water, the child is placed in a blanket, this is a special christening diaper, it is also called"kryzhma" or "kryzhmo". The process itself fits in the period from half to a whole hour. Then the priest begins to conduct the sacrament of Chrismation.

Completion of the ceremony

The Holy Father reads the Gospel and tonsures the person being baptized, cutting off a small lock of his hair. The child is then given a cross, which is a symbol of becoming a Christian.

When choosing a cross for the baptism of a child, you should familiarize yourself with some rules. He must be chosen by godparents. The material from which the cross is made does not play a big role, it can be made of gold, silver, bronze, copper or amber. In a spiritual sense, crosses made of metal and wood are very close to the Cross of the Lord.

The cross does not have to be purchased at the church shop, it can be bought anywhere else. It is recommended to purchase a cross that does not have sharp corners to avoid the slightest damage. When buying not in a shop at the church, the cross must be consecrated before the start of the sacrament.

Godparents

Contrary to popular belief, godparents don't have to be two. It can be one, the main thing in this case is that when a girl’s child is baptized, it must be a woman, and when a boy is baptized, only a man. The question often arises: "Who can be godparents, and who can't?"

In reality, there are no specific rules, they are all quite simple. The godparent must be Orthodox, baptizedperson, as he is responsible for the spiritual upbringing of the child. The godfather cannot be the parent of the child. It cannot be a monk or a nun. There are no other restrictions in the rules for baptizing a child.

Before the sacrament

The godfather and mother before the rite must necessarily come to a conversation with the priest. The Holy Father tells the future godfather and mother about Christ and the Gospel, instructs on spiritual cleansing before the sacrament of baptism.

Before the baptism of a child, godparents need to memorize the text of a special prayer - "The Symbol of Faith". It is pronounced three times during the ceremony, it is also desirable that one of the godparents read it.

Still future godparents need to confess and take communion, before it was a mandatory requirement, now it is done at will. However, it is recommended that you approach the sacrament of baptism responsibly, take the sacrament and purify your soul with confession.

Duties of godparents

The godfather of the child during the procedure holds the baby in his arms, in the case when a boy is baptized, if a girl, then the godmother does it.

Parents (godparents) give the person being baptized a pectoral cross, and also choose the first gift for him. Previously, the first gift was called "on the tooth." It was the silver spoon that the baby first started eating with.

Also godparents give the child a birth (growth, measured) icon. The icon should be with the saint of the same name to the child and of the same height as him. This saint will be the patron and helper of the child,ceremonial.

What does the godfather need to know for the baptism of a child? First of all, he assumes the responsibility for spiritual education. He tells him about the main Christian canons, teaches him the saving sacraments of Communion and Confession.

The main duty of a godfather is to pray for his ward. If something happens to his parents, it is he who must take over the upbringing and care of the baby.

Baptismal name

What is needed for the baptism of a child and the selection of a name for him according to the calendar? In Russia, for a long time there was a tradition to give a name according to the holy calendar. Saints are called a list of Christian saints, dates of life, as well as their deeds. The name for the child was chosen as follows. After the birth of the baby, the parents and relatives of the mother and father began to study the calendar and chose a suitable name for the newborn.

If on the birthday it was not possible to find a suitable, euphonious name that parents would like, then the search continued on the following days of the calendar. When a child is named according to the holy calendar, he is given to the preservation and protection of the saint whose name he is named. Nowadays, many believing families follow this tradition and give a name to a newborn at baptism according to the calendar.

General and individual rites

There are two types of sacraments - general and individual. From the point of view of church rules, there is absolutely no difference in them. If you will be baptizing a child with other children, then you must come at the appointed time, with the child, godparents and appropriate supplies. Yourthe child will be baptized along with other children on a first-come, first-served basis.

It is also possible to carry out an individual baptism. To do this, you should discuss the details with the holy father and ask him to set the date and time of the ceremony for a specific day. This is convenient for both parents and for the child, and for the godparents. With an individual ceremony, there will be no outsiders in the church, and the child will feel much calmer.

Differences for daughters and sons

The procedure for daughters and sons is slightly different. So, for example, girls, after being lowered into the font, are brought closer to the icons of the Most Holy Theotokos and the Savior. The baptism of a child by a mother (godmother) does not involve serving in the altar of the temple, since the final stage of the sacrament is held there only for boys with their godfathers.

There is a difference in the baptism of girls and boys and in clothing, for example, girls, like adult women, should have their heads covered. The headdress (white bonnet) is purchased by the godparents and put on for the entire time they are in the temple.

When baptizing boys, there are also some features, in particular, this is the acceptance of a male baby by the godmother before he is dipped into the font. After being submerged three times, the godfather takes him in his arms (assuming there are two godparents).

There are no restrictions on the days and holidays for the sacrament of baptism. Therefore, it is allowed to baptize children on any day: ordinary, festive,lean. You can also do this during Great Lent, which is not forbidden by church canons. Each church has its own schedule, and you need to choose the time for baptism, considering it.

It is important to remember that the baptism of a child is the main step of the baby in the spiritual life. It is also the duty of godparents, who are responsible for the spiritual upbringing of the child. The sacrament of baptism should be approached seriously and thoroughly prepared. By raising your offspring in the Christian faith, in following the commandments, you will lay the fundamental foundation of his whole life, forming a worthy person out of him.