An amazingly solemn and at the same time sacred scene - the priest holds an astonished chubby baby and plunges the font into the cool water. How is the baptism of the child? It is important for parents and godparents to know the rules and traditions that accompany this rite.
Why baptize a child?
With baptism, the child becomes a member of the Church. Every Orthodox Christian is considered part of the one Body of Christ. The child gets the opportunity to participate in the Sacraments of the Church. He gains God's protection. There are words in the Gospel: “He who is not born of water and the Spirit cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Baptism is rightfully considered a second birth. In Russia, it was decided to baptize children very early, and if the baby was born weak, the priest could be invited home on the day of childbirth, if only he had time to get there. True, this was not always the case - the first Christians, on the contrary, preferred baptism at a conscious age, when a person independently came to faith. Therefore, some people have the idea whether to baptize a child or whether to give him the choice. Moreover, the holy fathers say that an unbaptized baby is not considered guilty - although original sin lies on him, as on all people, but he, by his own will, has not yet managed to commit a single sin.
The desire to give the child a choice is commendable, but if you think about it, any upbringing always narrows a person’s choice in some way, and this is normal. We do not give our child a choice in which language to speak and in which culture to live - he is already born in Russian culture among Russian speakers. The assimilation of faith is also akin to cultural influence. It is obvious that if parents visit the temple and gently, unobtrusively introduce the child to Orthodoxy, this religion will always be their own religion. Only the excessive zeal of the parents can push the child away, which often happens in adolescence.
Special cases
Most of our country belongs to the Orthodox faith. Even if a person is rather indifferent to religion, he still identifies himself as Orthodox. But when spouses belong to different faiths, this raises difficult questions. If they managed to agree among themselves in what faith to raise a child, they can baptize him. True, both parents will not be able to attend the church at the baptism of the child - this is allowed only to one of them who profess Orthodoxy.
Godfather choice
Most parents choose godparents for their children as friends or relatives. Sometimes the choice is made according to their material condition - parents hope that their child will receive expensive gifts. Orthodoxy prescribes that the godfather and mother be people who participate in the upbringing of the child and lead him to faith. Therefore, it is best if they are church people, if there are any among your relatives and friends. Do you need two godfathers? Not at all. An adult does not need godfather and mother at all. And for the child, someone alone is enough. The boy needs the godfather, the girl needs the mother. The presence of a second “parent” is optional, and if none of the relatives expressed a desire, it’s okay. In the baptism of a child, godparents or one of them will play an important role.
It is only important to know that godparents cannot be spouses or people who are intimate with each other. Also, they cannot be atheists or non-believers, minors, servants of the Church. In addition, although this seems obvious, the parents of the child are never godparents.
Prejudices about pregnant
There is a popular belief that a pregnant woman cannot be a godmother. It's not like that at all. If she herself does not mind, she can participate in this sacrament. You only need to really think about whether she can pay enough attention to her godson or daughter, since she will soon have her baby. And whether it will be difficult for her to endure the ceremony, holding the baby in her arms. With toxicosis, incense and a lack of oxygen in the temple can also cause discomfort.
In addition, it is sometimes believed that pregnant women should not enter the temple, confess, or receive communion. This is generally a very harmful prejudice. On the contrary, it is advisable for a pregnant woman to visit the church quite often and take communion. It is believed that when the mother takes communion, the child also takes communion, because he is connected with his mother by blood and receives everything that she eats or drinks.
How many days after birth are they baptized?
Previously, it was customary to baptize infants very early - on the 8th day after birth. True, a woman was forbidden to enter the temple 40 days after giving birth. Therefore, there is a tradition to baptize a child without a mother. After 40 days, a cleansing prayer is read over mom. After that, she can be in the temple and participate in the sacraments. Therefore, many church people baptize children on the 40th day after birth. First, the priest reads a permissive prayer over his mother , then he proceeds to christening. The baptism of a child with his mother is more comfortable, especially since the mother is allowed to participate in the ceremony and hold the baby in her arms.
It is better not to delay the baptism of the child. On the 40th day, that is, a little older than a month, the baby went through a difficult period of neonatality and adapted to the world. But he still sleeps a lot, so he has every chance to oversleep most of the service, which will protect him from stress. In addition, the baby still has a “duck” reflex, which allows you to hold your breath when immersed in water. Is baptism day regulated in any way? No. Children can be baptized on any day, including fasting, even during Lent. It is also necessary to make sure that the godmother does not have menstruation. In this case, she must not be allowed to participate in the sacrament. The same goes for the mother of the child.
Choose a day
In order to sign up for a baptism, just go to the icon shop at the temple. First, a day will be set to interview the godparents with the priest. Without this conversation, in many churches the rite of baptism of a child will not take place. If one of them does not attend the temple, in preparation for the baptism, the priest will advise to confess and receive communion. Before this, you will need to observe a three-day post. After the conversation, the day and time of the baptism of the child will be selected.
How to get dressed
Women in the temple decided to dress in sufficiently closed clothes so that their knees and shoulders were not visible. It is best to wear a skirt or dress. Pants and jeans are not welcome, as are considered men's clothing. Since the baptism of a child is a solemn occasion, the clothes should be quite elegant. The head should be covered with a scarf or any other headgear. There are no particularly strict requirements for men, however, too open clothes, for example, shorts, are not approved. It is best to wear trousers and a white shirt to look solemn. All those present in the temple need to have a cross on them.
Guests for baptism
The baptism of a child is a sacrament, so you should not make it too stormy and public event. The closest relatives are usually invited from guests. Best of all, if everyone will be sufficiently churched people, and the prayers read in the temple will not remain an empty sound for them. Despite the holiness and secrecy of the event, many families call on the christening of the photographer. Now it is accepted, and priests usually do not interfere with this. You can get very touching pictures, which then will be interesting to see for both parents and a grown-up child.
What you need to buy before the baptism of a child
Which item is the most necessary? Of course, a pectoral cross. But this is not enough, it is also important to have kryzhma - a baptismal towel, as well as a baptismal shirt or suit. The cross is usually bought by the godfather, and things from the fabric - the godmother. Baptismal shirts for girls and boys look the same. They usually have a white or slightly bluish color as a symbol of purity. The length of such a shirt can be different - up to the heels or below the knee, but it does not happen shorter. Such clothes can be decorated with embroideries, ornaments of gold or silver color, an Orthodox cross can be depicted on it. The fabric, as with any children's clothing, should be natural, soft and comfortable.
Symbol of faith
It is important for godfather and mother to learn the Symbol of Faith before baptism. During the ceremony, they will need to read this prayer. True, this cannot be called a prayer in the strict sense, since in the Symbol of Faith there is no appeal to God. This is a statement of the basic tenets of the Orthodox faith.
Christening Gifts
Godparents not only buy items necessary for the baptism of a child, but also present gifts to the baby. Previously, it was customary to order a growth icon - this icon of a saint, whose name is a child, in height corresponded to the height of the baby. Of course, this is quite difficult, so this tradition has been replaced by the tradition of simply giving the icon of the patron saint, it’s possible a small one. In addition, items made of silver or gold are often presented to christening - spoons, rings, earrings. You can also give your child a children's Bible or any books of religious content, or you can give ordinary children's books or toys.
How does baptism happen
How is the baptism of the child? The first sacred action is the laying on of the hands of a priest on the baby’s head. This gesture symbolizes the protection of God. Then the godparents, on behalf of the godson, answer some questions. If an adult is baptized, he must answer them himself. After that, the priest anoints the baby with oil.
Then the godparents with the baby in their arms go to the font. The priest blesses the water and immerses the baby three times in it. This symbolizes the immersion of Christ in the Jordan when the Holy Spirit descended upon Him. The floor of the baby determines who brings it to the font. If it’s a boy, the godfather brings it, if the girl is the godmother. After immersion in water, the baby is wiped and put on in a baptismal shirt. Girls cover their heads with a white bonnet or scarf. Then the priest performs the ritual of anointing. Sanctified with fragrant oil - the world - it anoints the senses and the main parts of the child’s body - brow, mouth, nostrils, eyes, ears, chest, arms, legs. If in baptism a baby is born as a Christian, as a member of the Church, then anointing symbolizes the seal of the Gift of the Holy Spirit. The grace of God sanctifies, strengthens, and directs on the right path all the feelings, thoughts, bodily and mental powers of the child.
The baptism of a boy is different in that after being immersed in a font, he is brought to the altar. In the baptism of girls, this moment is absent. The fact is that the boy, as a future man, can become a priest and serve at the altar. A woman is a servant of the home “church,” that is, the family, which is no less important.
A small lock of hair is cut off from the child’s head. After this, the baby is carried 3 times around the font. The rite of baptism of a child can take from 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Meal after baptism
According to tradition, it is customary to have a meal after the sacrament. It is best to call the priest at the table with the guests. The event can be held both at home and in a cafe. True, you should not turn this meal into a stormy celebration with alcohol, karaoke and dancing. Previously, a midwife was also called to the table, and even the poor were gathered. Now this, of course, is not relevant. No one will bring street beggars or hospital workers to a family feast.
The choice of dishes is not regulated in any way, so the food will depend on whether the festival takes place in the cafe or at home, how much parents want to meet and, of course, on their taste preferences. Baptismal cereal was considered a traditional dish in Russia. Usually it is made from buckwheat or millet and seasoned with honey, cream, butter and egg. Sometimes inside the porridge a chicken was baked in honor of the girl’s baptism or a cock in honor of the boy’s baptism. All this symbolized satiety and abundance. Such porridge is not difficult to cook in our days. It is not necessary to put chickens in it, because not everyone will like the combination of a sweet honey taste with chicken meat.
How to congratulate the baby on baptism?
Usually they baptize babies at such a young age that they cannot understand congratulations. Therefore, congratulations on the baptism of the child will more caress the hearing of the parents. These words should primarily relate to spiritual life. For example, a good wish would be to maintain angelic purity for life. You can wish the development of the best human qualities - kindness, hard work, courage, honesty. In addition, in the congratulation on the baptism of the child, it is worthwhile to wish for everything that children usually wish - good health, success in the future.