Each parent has the right to choose independently: to baptize them with their precious child or not. But recently, more often, young spouses prefer to give the child the right to choose and postpone baptism until his conscious choice. At the same time, truly believing parents try to christen their child as early as possible, literally from the first days of life, since, according to belief, after such a procedure, a person has his own guardian angel.
The procedure for baptizing a child is a rather subtle ritual that raises many questions. It is best to consult with the priest before the baptismal ceremony , but you can find answers to general questions from this article.
The main question parents ask is the meaning of the baptism of the child. According to the Bible, a baptized child is under the protection of God and receives his guardian angel and holy intercessor.
What should parents do if they have different religions?
First of all, they must compromise and decide what kind of religion their child will profess. Moreover, only one of the parents can be present during the procedure when the child will be baptized (the rite rules prohibit parents of another faith from participating in the sacrament). It is very important to remember that this choice is not just a whim or a rule of life in society - it is a very serious act and it is necessary after baptism to adhere to the traditions of the chosen faith in raising a child.
When can a child be baptized?
According to the traditions of the Orthodox faith, the rite of baptism is performed no less than 40 days after birth. This is because a woman does not have the right to enter the church during the first postpartum weeks, as she is considered "unclean." In principle, a child can be baptized before, but the mother cannot be present at this moment in the temple. There is nothing reprehensible in the fact that you decide to undergo this procedure a month or even a year after birth, no one has the right to refuse you.
Baptism of a child - rules for choosing a name.
Usually, the name is chosen by the parents even before the baptismal procedure, according to the names of the saints that appear in the church calendars on the child’s birthday. But such moments happen that such names are completely inapplicable to modern conditions, since complex ancient names, for example, Theopent, will cause a lot of emotions from others. In this case, you have the right to choose a name yourself. If the chosen name of the child does not appear in church calendars, choose the most suitable, for example, Alina - Angelina. In addition, many believe that such a duality of names can protect the child from evil eye and damage. But in the Orthodox faith this is not mentioned, since the belief came to us from Islam.
How to choose godfathers?
The choice of godparents must be approached with particular seriousness. These should be people who are able to carry out the baptism of the child, observe the rules exactly and at the same time they must be believers (of the same faith with parents and the child). People with a different faith, a married couple, monks and nuns, mentally ill, minors, and who came to the church while intoxicated cannot be taken to godparents. If the chosen godfather and godmother are not Orthodox, but are ready to receive this faith for themselves, they must undergo the procedure before the christening of the child. The godfather in a child can be only one, but at the same time he must be the same sex with the child.
Such a rite as the baptism of a child, whose rules are very strict, does not have strict canons in choosing a cross. From a practical point of view, it is better to choose a cross with rounded edges so that the child does not accidentally get hurt. It may not be from precious metals, but from ordinary aluminum or any other metal.