Baptism of a child is one of the Sacraments of the Orthodox Church. He needs it for the salvation of the soul and for the possibility of spiritual life. After all, it is believed that this is how God bestows his grace and protection.
The most important rules for the baptism of children require their parents to be Orthodox and believing people. By baptizing their child, from childhood they endow him with love for the Almighty, bestowing faith. Let's take a closer look at this process.
Main Rules for Baptizing Children
- It is customary for any child to be baptized not earlier than on the 40th day after his birthday. The fact is that until that time the Church cannot accept the worldly mother of a baby within its walls, since it considers her unclean. If there is an urgent need for baptism, then it can be carried out without it. After this period, a prayer for women in labor is read over the mother, after which she has the right to participate in church events.
- There is a lot of controversy around one of the most controversial rules for the baptism of children - the ban on baptism in Lent. So is it possible to perform the ceremony during the main post? Of course yes! One of the favoriteperiods for the Sacrament - the Day of the Angel (or Saint), in honor of which the baby was named.
- There are several regulations regarding who must consent to the baptism of a child at a given age. Before your child is seven years old, permission can only be obtained from the parents. When the child grows up (from the age of seven to fourteen), consent to this church rite is asked from both the parents and the child himself. When he turns fourteen, no permission from his mother and father is required.
- Before the Sacrament itself, worldly (present) and spiritual (future), it is advisable for the child's parents to confess and take communion.
- The rules for christening children require a baptismal white shirt and a new towel. After the end of the Sacrament, the parents take these things home and keep them. They say that in everyday life a baptismal towel calms and heals the baby from any ailment (if wrapped in it).
- A silver pectoral cross and an icon are given to a baby by his future godparents.
- Before the start of the Sacrament, you need to take care of the presence of several candles.
- There are special prayers for the baptism of a child, which the priest reads during the Sacrament. It is the reading of prayers, as well as the triple immersion of the child in the font, that are the main points in the performance of this church procedure.
- The heads of women at the ceremony shouldbe covered with a scarf, and they themselves are dressed in a skirt or dress. Those who are menstruating are not allowed to attend this ceremony at all.
- After the Sacrament, it is necessary to continue the celebration in the house where the child lives. Parents set the table, invite relatives, close friends and, of course, godfather and mother, who, by the way, are the last to leave the holiday. It is believed that the child after baptism is under the protection of the Lord himself, therefore, in no case should you drink alcohol, overshadowing the great event. Remember, baptism should bring joy and spiritual development to all its participants!
