The Orthodox Church recommends the baptism of the boy on the fortieth day from birth. However, each parent can choose the date that is most convenient for them. For this important event, it is necessary to properly prepare not only for parents, but also for godparents. The baptism of a boy is slightly different from the christening of a girl. For example, it is believed that the boy must have a godfather, and the godmother may be absent. In girls, the opposite is true. But it is obvious that it will be better for the child if he has two spiritual mentors who will be with him not only on this day, but throughout his future life. How the boy’s baptism takes place and what is needed for this, we will tell in the article.
Here are the basic questions that a child’s parents usually ask:
1. Where to baptize? If parents have a favorite church, which they regularly attend, then the boy’s baptism can be carried out in it, having agreed in advance with the priest. If there is no such place, then you can choose any spiritual institution that you like best and the clergyman of which will inspire the greatest trust and respect from you. In order to sign up for a baptism, you need to call the office of the church and find out the dates on which it is possible to conduct this rite. You can be invited to a kind of interview where you can personally chat with the priest and ask him questions that are of interest to you.
2. Who should the godparents choose? Very often they invite their friends to these important roles. But this is an absolutely wrong approach to such an event. The godparents of your baby should be those people who know a lot about spirituality and regularly attend church themselves. After all, the godfather will be a spiritual mentor for your child, who will always be able to help and suggest the right path, and therefore the people you choose should correspond to this high rank. In addition, it is not allowed that the godmothers mom and dad were a married couple or were in an intimate relationship with each other.
3. What is needed for the baptism of a boy? The godmother gives the child a baptismal shirt and towel, and the godfather gives the cross. All this must be bought in advance and passed to parents before baptism, so as not to forget anything. You may also be asked to bring gifts to the temple: bread, sugar and other products.
4. How to prepare for the sacrament? The main preparation will lie on the shoulders of the godfathers. The week before baptism, they need to confess and receive communion in the church. Three days before the event, they need to observe non-strict fasting, as well as to learn or at least read the creed (prayer "Believe").
5. How is the boy’s baptism? The main role in the sacrament is played by the priest and godparents, who follow all the instructions of the priest. The temperature of the water in the font is checked and the clergyman begins his rite. Depending on whether you have chosen individual or general baptism, it lasts from half an hour to an hour and a half.
Now your child has found a Guardian Angel and godparents who will always be there. God bless you!