Despite the massive spread of atheism in the Soviet era, in the modern world more and more people are returning to religion. Most of the population of Russia preaches Orthodoxy, so many believers are interested in when a newborn can be baptized. As a rule, this is done on the fortieth day from the birth of the baby. Why such a period? During this period of time, the woman is considered "unclean" and is forbidden to enter the temple. In exceptional cases, a ceremony can be performed 8 days after the birth of the baby, for example, if he is seriously ill. Before this, the mother of the child should read a special prayer, after which she will be allowed to enter the temple.
What do I need to bring to church?
But it is important to know not only when to baptize a newborn, but also how to prepare for this ceremony. For the christening ceremony, the baby's parents choose godparents for him, whose task is to accompany their godson in spiritual development. Godparents must know important prayers and beliefs, their main task is to retell the main points of the Bible. According to church canons, a child must have one godparent (a boy - a man, a girl - a woman), but it has long been a tradition to select a pair of parents - godfather and mother. Most often, this "family" couple is a couple of close people. Don't choose random people who will play their roles only formally.
Who should be godparents?
Before you wonder when a newborn is being baptized, it's best to choose godparents. It is worth immediately determining who they definitely cannot be. The first is the parents themselves. In the second - atheists or people of a different faith. The moral character of the future godfather and mother is also important. They should not use drugs, drink alcoholic beverages, be promiscuous. All this testifies to the moral instability of people. Such parents will not be able to teach their pupil anything good.
When is a newborn baptized?
The answer is simple: forty days after the birth of the baby. But it is not important. Some parents do not perform this rite, leaving the child in the future the right to choose whether to come to faith or not. Others want to leave the process of baptism to a more conscious age of the child.
How is the rite of baptism?
Now you know when a newborn is baptized. But how does the ceremony itself go? Above the child, the priest reads prayers, lubricating him with special oil. Then the baby is dipped three times in holy water. After that, the child is given a new name. Most often, it is named after the saint whose feast falls on the day of christening. This date is considered the second birthday. Apart fromIn order to know what you need to know when a newborn is baptized, how the ceremony goes, you need to take some things with you.
This is primarily a pectoral cross and a large towel (or sheet). You will also need a birth certificate for the child. It should be understood that baptism is a sacrament, so only parents and godparents are present at it.
Epiphany is a small holiday
If you wish, you can celebrate the completion of the ceremony with church canons - this is not prohibited. It is customary to give gifts on name days, as well as on birthdays. Sometimes godparents pay for the rite - this is their gift to the pupil. Other people can donate toys for the baby or household items.
