Spiritually illiterate people often wonder if it is possible to be baptized in fasting, and they believe that because of fasting no sacraments are performed in the church. This opinion is incorrect, although it has certain reasons. Some Sacraments, such as weddings, are not performed in fasting.
The Sacrament of Baptism is one of the main seven Orthodox Church that the Orthodox Christian needs in his spiritual life. Baptism is called because through it the power of God's grace descends upon the baptized. The Baptism was decided by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. He ordered the apostles to baptize people: “Go, teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28, 19).
Only the baptized person can access all the other Sacraments.
These Sacraments include, first of all, Baptism, as a symbol of a person entering the Church. Without it, all other Sacraments - Anointing, Repentance (Confession), the Communion of the Holy Mysteries, the Blessing of Christ, the wedding, in fact, are impossible. (Seventh Sacrament - Priesthood).
The question of whether it is possible to be baptized in fasting usually arises in anticipation of fasting, especially multi-day fasting, in particular Great Lent, which lasts 40 days before Easter.
Young parents who want to abide by the Orthodox canons are in doubt whether it is possible to baptize a child in fasting, since they should be baptized on the eighth or fortieth day of life, and these days fell on the time of fasting. Of course, - any priest will answer, - you can baptize a child in fasting, the church performs the Sacrament of Baptism all year round.
Some restrictions are possible only in the days of the great, twelve (twelve major holidays in Orthodoxy) holidays, and then only because of the crowds in the churches. Usually, priests recommend appointing another day when there will be fewer parishioners so that the Sacrament can be performed in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Also on fasting days, especially long or strict ones, such as the Assumption Lent, which usually lasts only two weeks - from August 14 to August 28, the day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, in the temples often the Sacraments, including Baptisms, are performed only on Saturday or Sunday. days. But this is not a negative answer to the question of whether it is possible to baptize in fasting, but only a certain restriction associated with the rigor of fasting.
Usually fasts, especially Lenten services, last more than four hours, depending on the day. In addition, services are performed daily - both in the morning and in the evening - so that the gaps between them are very short. Baptism, however, is usually performed at the end of the Divine Liturgy, which during fasting days can end rather late. At the same time, the one who is baptized, and all who participate in the ritual, must be present at the Divine Liturgy and the parents of the baby and successors, that is, godparents, must necessarily confess, partake of the Holy Mysteries.
Since the Divine Liturgy in the days of Lent is connected with the Evening Service, and is unusual in itself - it is called the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, it is scheduled to be served only on Wednesdays and Fridays, unless there are other liturgical instructions, Holy Communion is prepared for the week at the proscomidy of Sunday Service - then it can be difficult for a baby to endure such a long service.
But such strictness can in no way be considered a ban in response to the question of whether it is possible to be baptized into fasting, but only by the specifics of the Lent services. Therefore, asking about whether there are certain days on which you can baptize is not worth it: just as people are born on any day, you can baptize on any day, including fasting.
Having chosen the temple where the Baptism will take place (and in the usual case it is a parish church, that is, one that can be reached on foot in as little as half an hour), you should definitely talk with a priest who has obedience (duty) to baptize new converts. He will certainly answer all questions, including telling whether it is possible to baptize in the post, what and how to prepare, what to observe, and what to refuse, what requirements are imposed on godparents, what are their responsibilities, and so on.
In addition, the father can recall the need for a fasting meal during the celebration of Christening.