Baptism is a kind of cleansing from possible filth, instructing the one who came to God on the true path. In a mystical sense, it is also a renunciation of Satan, a demonstration that a person's life is forever connected with God. Usually the sacrament of baptism takes place in childhood, but it can be done much later, the Church does not limit anyone in his striving for the Absolute. In this article, we will look at how a child is baptized.
First you need to decide on the choice of godparents. The main condition is the kinship of souls, common views on the upbringing of the child. You must be sure that they can not only help you in certain life situations, come to the rescue, but also be able to benefit your child. This does not mean that you automatically relieve yourself of responsibility for the Christian upbringing of your children, shifting this burden onto someone else's shoulders. On the contrary, it is about making a commitment to God and the Church to show by example a model of life in a Christian way.
Whatnecessary for the baptism of a child? Obligatory artibuts are a cross and a shirt in which the child descends into the font. You can buy such a shirt in the temple where the baptism procedure will take place, or you can sew it from a simple fabric. But do not forget about the cross on the back. You will also need shoes or slippers. Remember that this is according to church traditions. Many temples are very careful about such details.
How is the baptism of the child, you will be told directly in the temple. You will need candles, which are easiest to purchase directly on the premises of the church before the beginning of the sacrament. Buy a few candles, do not regret - they are needed for both the baptized and the godfather. Some of the candles are donated.
The procedure itself takes about 40 minutes. A beginner is usually not allowed to conduct the Sacrament. An experienced priest knows better how a child is baptized. At the very beginning, "prohibitions" are read - special prayers, after which the renunciation of Satan and the adoption of the Orthodox faith take place. The godparents also pronounce the words due to the sacrament, after which the child is immersed in water three times. Meanwhile, the priest says these words: “The servant of God (servant of God) (name) is baptized in the name of the Father, amen. And the Son, amen. And the Holy Spirit, amen.”
After bathing, the godfather receives the godson (or goddaughter), who is put on new white clothes and a cross. It remains to pass the rite of Confirmation. The holy father and godparents, reading a special prayer, go around the person being baptized three times. In sometemples, in addition, the Epistle to the Romans is read in the part devoted to baptism. The baby is washed with holy water, and a special prayer is said over him, emphasizing the inseparable connection of the world, God and the baptized.
The last action is the shaving of the baby with a cross, which should symbolize submission to the will of God and the birth of a new life in Christ. The baby is again immersed in the water three times with the appropriate prayers.
Now everything depends on parents and godparents. In what spirit they will raise a child, whether they will instill Christian values in him - by and large depends only on them.
In conclusion, it must be said: do not be afraid of anything. There is nothing difficult or dangerous about the way a child is baptized. If he is calm, he will not even have time to notice how the Sacrament will end.
