How a boy's christening takes place, the rules of baptism. What is needed for the baptism of a child? Christening of a 2 year old boy, what is needed?

Every parent wants him to grow up healthy and happy. While constantly taking care of the physical health of the baby and the timeliness of vaccinations, it is necessary to remember the importance of spiritual health, the immortal soul of the child. The christening of a boy or girl is the beginning of their spiritual journey.

The sacrament of baptism is a significant event in the life of a newborn and his parents. After all, thanks to this ritual, the little man receives God’s grace and gains a Guardian Angel for the rest of his life. Therefore, preparation for christening should not be done in a hurry; it should be done in advance - thoroughly and carefully. The article will discuss the christening of a boy and the rules for conducting this ceremony.

Who can be godparents?

This question is not idle. Godparents are not just people who will hold the baby at the font during the ritual, celebrate this event and forget about it. They should be considered as the spiritual leaders of the godson. And in life it may happen that something bad happens to the child’s father and mother, then godparents should be ready to fully replace them in the matter of upbringing.

That is why the choice of those who should baptize a boy or girl must be approached with great seriousness. It is best if these are close relatives or friends. But they must also be worthy of this choice.

Orthodox baptism does not allow the following as recipients:

• atheists,
• people who are not themselves baptized,
• non-believers (Muslims, Buddhists, etc.),
• members of various sects,
• fortune tellers and psychics,
• sinners in essence, which are alcoholics, drug addicts, etc.,
• also, young people under 16 years of age, mentally ill people, monks and nuns cannot be godparents (their participation is not prohibited, but this is somehow not accepted),
• bride and groom,
• spouses (since those who are spiritually related cannot lead married life),
• the child's parents themselves.

Conversation before baptism

What is needed for a boy's christening?

First of all, you should know who is buying a cross for a boy’s christening. And the godfather does this. He must buy a pectoral cross, which the child will not part with until the last days of his life, wearing it under his clothes.

For such a solemn ritual, special baptismal clothes for the boy are also necessary. What should a boy be baptized in? This could be a baptismal shirt or a special suit for a boy's baptism. Usually the baby's godmother buys clothes for christening. The outfit for this occasion should be pleasant and soft to the touch, that is, such that the hero of the occasion feels comfortable in it, then the child will not become capricious.

There is a very good tradition: if the child is not the first in the family, then he should be dressed in the baptismal attire in which his older brother or sister was baptized. Then the children will be friendly and sincerely attached to each other.

Boy's christening clothes, list:

• For the sacrament of baptism it is necessary christening shirt- a universal outfit that is suitable for both a boy’s christening and a girl’s christening. Traditionally it is white. You can sew such a shirt yourself without any problems, but now there is a wide selection of clothes for this occasion with different designs and different styles. You just need to remember that the outfit in which boys (and girls) are baptized should be easy to take off and put on, be fairly loose, not pinch, not squeeze, not rub. Let it be better with a larger allowance. It’s worth paying attention to the fabric – no synthetics! The baby's body in clothes made of natural fabric will breathe freely.
• Will not interfere socks or booties to match the main shirt (they are removed during the ritual).
• The girl needs headscarf or cap. A boy is not required to cover his head in church.
• Often tied to a child’s chest bib. From a purely practical point of view, this is a very important item: during the anointing of the baby with oil, it will not allow the baptismal robe to get dirty.
• There is also such an important item that is needed for christenings, which is called kryzhma. This is a white, brand new diaper (or towel) in which the baby is wrapped after taking him out of the bath. This is perhaps the main attribute in baptism. Often in the corner it is embroidered with the memorable date of christening and the name of the new Christian. After the ritual, the kryzhma is not washed off for a year. It is believed that during the days of a child’s illness or during restless sleep, it can provide healing and calm if the patient is covered with it.

Boy's christening clothes (photo)

When is the best time to baptize a child?

Most often, parents decide this issue themselves. But if you listen to the recommendations of the Church, then it is better to do this as early as possible. This is justified by the fact that the rite of baptism cleanses a boy from original sin and includes him in the membership of the Church with the descent of God's grace on him.

Most often, they decide to baptize a baby after 40 days of age. In religion since the times of the Old Testament, 40 has been a significant number, but in our time it is more associated with female physiology due to the postpartum period. As for the baby himself, it is at this age that children are not yet afraid of strangers and will behave at such a crucial moment much calmer than older ones.

It is also worth remembering this point that children under three months of age are not afraid if they are dipped into water with their heads, since they still retain the reflexes of intrauterine development, which allow them to hold their breath.

On what days are babies baptized? This can be absolutely any day - a holiday or a weekend, fast or ordinary, which you agree in advance with the priest of the parish whose church you are visiting. After all, each temple has its own schedule. If for some reason a free day at the nearest temple does not suit you, you can contact another temple or even several.

It’s not bad if there is a separate room on the territory or in the temple building itself where baptism is carried out. It is specially adapted for such events, it is heated, and it is not visited by strangers.

If this is a fundamental question for you, then you can find out how many more children will be baptized on the day you choose. If it is crowded, you can arrange for baptism to take place on an individual basis.

It is permissible to carry out the ceremony at home, although this, of course, is much less solemn.

How is a boy's christening going?

The sacrament of baptism itself, of course, takes place exactly the same for both boys and girls, with all the necessary actions performed. There are only a few points where differences are observed.

1. The baptism of a boy allows only the presence of a godfather, and there may not be a godmother, while for a girl it is the other way around. But this is not a categorical requirement: there can only be a godmother.
2. The question often arises: when there is both a godfather and a godmother, who holds the boy at baptism? During the entire ceremony, before the baby is dipped into the font (or, which is also acceptable, before pouring blessed water over him), the godmother holds the baptized person, and after that the godfather takes him - receives him. That is why godparents are also called the old Slavic word “godparents”.
3. At the end of the ceremony, the priest brings the boy into the altar - as evidence that he is the future head of the family, which is the home Church. And only men have the right to serve at the altar.
4. And if a girl, like a woman in general in church, needs to cover her head, then a boy does not need a cap.

Godparents, who have learned the rules for baptizing a boy, should become a role model for the grown-up godson, constantly pray for him, teach him faith and the fight against evil. The godson, accordingly, should feel their interest in his spiritual world and concern for himself.

Rite of Baptism

The appearance of an heir in the family is a joyful event. A newborn is in dire need of parental love and care. When changing your baby's diapers and keeping his body clean, we must not forget about the purity of his soul.

Orthodox parents They are trying to baptize their son as early as possible. After all Sacrament- this is the spiritual birth of a child for life with God.

In contact with

Classmates

The font with water symbolizes the “womb” of the Church, in which the soul dies to a sinful life and is resurrected by the Holy Spirit into heavenly life. This is just an external ritual, but at the same time, on the invisible plane, the little man joins God and becomes open to the eternal.

Sometimes you can encounter mercantile views on the Sacrament of Baptism. Children are baptized in the hope that they will stop getting sick and live a happy life. However, baptism does not save us from earthly adversity. Health, money, long life in the body given at birth - all this is temporary, transitory. God, first of all, takes care of our eternal soul, gives strength and courage to fight the sinful nature, and shows the path leading to Him.

When to baptize a child?

A boy can be baptized at any age. In Orthodox families they try to do this as early as possible. There is a custom to baptize a baby on the 40th day after birth. It comes from the times of the Old Testament church. In those ancient times, a child was brought to the temple on the 40th day.

In addition, according to church customs, the mother should not take part in the Sacraments for 40 days after giving birth. She should devote this time to the newborn and restoration of her health. After the expiration of the term, she has the right to attend the christening of her son.

Let's look at the main arguments for early baptism of a child:

• newborn boys sleep peacefully during the Sacrament, while older babies can hardly withstand the hour-long ritual and begin to be capricious;
• a child under 6 months of age is not afraid when he finds himself in the arms of strangers;
• up to 3 months, babies retain intrauterine reflexes, and they can more easily tolerate immersion in the font.

However, parents have the right to postpone this event to a later date. It all depends on the circumstances, as well as the boy’s well-being.

Choice of godparents

Since the beginning of the Church any person preparing to come to God was helped by godparents. Usually pious people, sincere believers, who were ready to vouch for their godson, were chosen for this role. They instructed converts in the basics of Orthodoxy, brought them to conversations with clergy, and answered questions. It was the godparents who helped the person get out of the font after baptism - they took him into their own hands. That's why they are called "receivers."

At the christening of a child, the presence of godparents is mandatory. . The baby cannot consciously accept one faith or another. His parents and successors guarantee to raise him as an Orthodox Christian. Godparents act as representatives of the Church, that is, the community of believers. Their task is to bring the recipient to the temple, to Christ, so that after several years he voluntarily joins the ranks of the Orthodox.

Parents must carefully choose godparents for their son, because it is impossible to change them after the Sacrament has been performed. For twins, it is worth choosing different receivers.

Who can't become a godfather?

The Church says that godparents cannot be:

• the child's parents;
• representatives of other religions or atheists;
• monks;
• mentally ill people;
• boys up to 15 years old and girls up to 13 years old;
• people who are married to each other or about to get married.

But an unmarried or pregnant woman It may well be, contrary to popular belief. The main thing is that she regularly goes to church and has a desire to participate in raising her godson.

Godfather to a boy

Only one receiver is allowed at the baptism of a child. The boy must be baptized by a man who agrees to become his second father.

For this role, it is better to choose a church-going person from the immediate family circle. This could be a friend or relative. The godfather must meet several requirements:

1. serve as a positive example for the boy;
2. have the opportunity to communicate frequently with the child;
3. visit church regularly, including with your child, and pray for your godson;
4. take a conscious approach to your responsibilities.

Sometimes there is no suitable candidate for the role of recipient. In this case, you can ask the priest for advice. He will tell you which of the temple parishioners can become a good godfather for the boy. You can also invite a priest to play this role.

Where to baptize?

Most often the Sacrament of Baptism takes place in the temple. The child’s parents can choose a temple for the ceremony at their discretion. You can be baptized on any day by agreement with the priest. Check in advance whether it is possible to photograph the process or shoot a video. Some priests have a negative attitude towards this.

Large churches have a separate baptismal room. For newborn babies, this is preferable, as it will avoid drafts and crowds. Find out in advance how many children will be baptized on the day you choose to avoid crowds.

If the baby or his parents are sick, clergy can be invited home. In the most severe cases, the child can be baptized in the intensive care unit by the parents themselves or by medical personnel. To do this, just wet your hands in water and cross the boy three times, saying:

The servant of God (name) is baptized in the name of the Father. Amen (spray water and make the sign of the cross). And the Son. Amen (we splash some water a second time and make the sign of the cross). And the Holy Spirit. Amen. (we repeat the procedure a third time).

After the child is discharged from the hospital, he must be taken to the temple and undergo Confirmation, explaining the situation to the priest.

Preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism

Before a child's baptism, his parents and godparents must:

1. Find out in the temple how much the ceremony costs. If the family has a difficult financial situation and there is no money, the boy should be baptized for free. But usually people pay the fee as a donation. Traditionally, the godfather bears the expenses, although exceptions are possible.

2. Choose a name for baptism. It is customary to name a child after a saint, who will later become his patron. This may be a saint with the same name or a name similar in sound (Egor - George, Jan - John). You can choose a saint who is especially revered by your parents. Often a Christian name is determined by the calendar - a saint is chosen whose memory is honored on the boy’s birthday, as well as on the 8th or 40th day from his birth.

3. Come to a conversation with a priest. Now this is a mandatory requirement in all temples. The priest will talk about the meaning of the Sacrament, about Christ, about the Gospel. The purpose of such a conversation is to make sure that the parents and godparents of the baby are Orthodox people and consciously relate to the ritual. The Church does not approve of children being baptized out of superstition, “because it’s fashionable” or “it can’t get any worse.” If the need to talk scares you or makes you unhappy, consider postponing baptism. It is unlikely that people who do not trust God will be able to instill in a child love for Him.

4. Learn prayers, confess, take communion. This requirement applies to the baby's recipients. During the Sacrament, they must know by heart the prayer “Word of Faith.” They are also recommended to fast for three days, go to confession, and receive the Sacrament of Communion. On the day of baptism you cannot eat anything until the ceremony is completed.

5. Prepare everything you need for your child's baptism. The boy must be dressed correctly for the icon of the saint who will become the child’s patron. The godfather must purchase a cross with a crucifix and the words “Save and preserve.” It is good if the ends of the cross are rounded and will not hurt the baby. It can be made of precious metal, so as not to cause allergies, or wooden. It is better to choose a short and soft chain or ribbon for the cross so that the boy does not get entangled in it.

What should a boy be baptized in?

For the baptism ceremony the boy will need:

How is the Sacrament of Baptism performed?

On the day of the ceremony, come to the Church in advance to calmly prepare for the solemn event and get in the right frame of mind. Feed the child so that he behaves calmer. The boy is undressed and wrapped in a blanket. You can leave the diaper. When the priest gives the sign, the godmother brings it into the temple.

During the Sacrament, the godparents with the baby and candles in their hands are near the font. They repeat prayers after the priest, renounce the devil in their godson's place, and swear to keep God's commandments. Then the priest blesses water and immerses the baby in the font three times. At this time, the Holy Spirit descends on him. The water used for baptism is warm, so the child will not catch a cold.

The godfather takes the boy from the font and wraps him in kryzhma. The priest hangs a cross on his chest as protection from sin. Then the godfather puts a baptismal shirt on the baby and the sacrament of Confirmation begins.

Certain parts of the child's body are anointed with sacred oil while prayers are recited for his health and well-being. The godparents with the baby in their arms walk around the font three times following the priest. The circle is a symbol of eternity. This procession of the cross means the child’s initiation into eternal, heavenly life.

In gratitude for what has happened the boy makes a sacrifice to God. As a sacrifice, the priest cuts the hair from his head in a cross shape. At the end of the ceremony, the priest brings the boy into the altar, which means his churching.

The Sacrament of Baptism is celebrated solemnly, because this is the first Sacrament in the baby’s life, the first meeting with God. After the ceremony, everyone who loves the baby and was present in the temple celebrates the christening, gathering at a common table.

Gifts for the holiday

It is customary to give gifts to a baby at christening. These can be ordinary things, for example, educational toys. But spiritual gifts are still more appropriate: an icon, the first Bible. The godmother usually gives the boy a kryzhma and a baptismal shirt. If a woman does needlework, she can sew them herself. A set containing maternal love and warmth will become a reliable talisman.

Godfather by tradition buys a silver spoon that can be engraved with the boy's name. Silver is a symbol of well-being and prosperity. This spoon is subsequently used in the temple to accustom the child to Communion. From it the baby is given bread soaked in red juice.

Baptism is only the first step on the path to God. This is a great grace and at the same time a huge responsibility. It is very important that parents and adoptive children are able to to open before the boy the amazing, deep, bewitching world of Orthodoxy. We ourselves must faithfully and joyfully serve the Lord in order to become a guide for the child on the spiritual path.

Interview before Baptism

The main purpose of public conversations is to convey the essence of the Orthodox faith and convince those who wish to accept Baptism or become a recipient of its truth.

The organization of such interviews depends on the rules established in the temple. Meetings can be regular - held on certain days for parents and future godparents, for example, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. In some churches, these conversations are strictly individual and scheduled at an agreed upon time. There are temples that, after listening to lectures, practice exams and issue a corresponding certificate. The duration of such a course can be up to 7 days.

The interview does not have to take place in the church where the baptism is planned. Out-of-town godparents can listen to public conversations in the church closest to them.

Communion and fasting before the Sacrament

A day or two before baptism, both parents and recipients need to visit the temple, confess and receive communion in order to be cleansed of sins before the bright event.

Before the sacrament of the cross one is supposed to fast for three days, abstaining from foul language, pleasures and amusements. On the day of baptism, the godparents are prohibited from eating until the end of the ceremony, since very often after the ceremony there is communion immediately, and the godparents are given the opportunity to take communion together with the godson.

Preparation for the rite of Baptism

At what age should a child be baptized? The Orthodox Church calls for infants to be baptized as early as possible, so that grace will quickly descend on the child and he will find his Guardian Angel. Most often, the 40th day of birth is chosen as the date of christening. There are several reasons for this: up to 40 days the woman in labor is not allowed to participate in church sacraments, after which a cleansing prayer is read over her, allowing participation in baptism; in babies in the first months of life, intrauterine reflexes do not completely fade away, so they easily tolerate being dipped into water; newborns behave more calmly when strangers (godparents, priest) take them in their arms.

On what days can a baby be baptized?

The baptism of children is carried out on any day, including holidays and Lenten days. On weekends, services are usually longer and the number of parishioners is larger, so it is better to arrange for a baptism on a weekday. On major holidays, when services of special content and duration are held, Baptism may not be held at all, it all depends on the specific church. It is also worth considering that during Lent, the treats at the christening celebration should be Lenten.

It’s good to choose a day when the atmosphere in the church is calmer and there are few people, but it’s better to agree with the priest about an individual sacrament, discussing the main nuances of organizing the ceremony:

• the date of the ceremony is agreed upon;
• a list of necessary baptismal accessories is announced;
• the name of the child, which he will be named at baptism, is specified.

Is it possible to baptize on critical days? On the days of monthly cleansing, women are forbidden to participate in church sacraments, so the date of baptism should be selected when the godmother and mother of the child do not have menstruation. If your period unexpectedly comes earlier or later and falls right around the time of christening, then you must inform the priest about this. The priest may recommend postponing the sacrament, and if this is not possible, then give certain recommendations. Most likely, the godmother will simply be present in the temple, without taking full part in the ritual, that is, she will not be able to accept the child from the font and hold him in her arms, and also venerate the icons. Offering prayers is permitted.

What you need to take to church for a girl’s baptism: list

Godparents need to prepare the necessary baptismal supplies in advance:

• A pectoral cross on a string or chain - should be bought by the godfather. If purchased in a jewelry store, then the priest must be warned before the sacrament begins so that he can consecrate the product. In the church shop, all the crosses have already been consecrated.
• - white cloth (diaper, towel) for taking from the font, bought or sewn by the godmother. In the cold season, you may additionally need a blanket or blanket to wrap your child before the bath and warm him up after.
• or a dress - clothes after the font are bought by the godmother. The cut of the shirt should be loose and give access to the chest, arms, and legs for the priest to anoint. The fabric should be natural and pleasant to the body, well absorb remaining moisture.
• . It is not necessary for a baby girl (up to 7 years old), but parents themselves prefer to wear caps for newborn children, even for boys. But for one-year-old babies and girls from one year old, lace scarves and headbands are selected - they beautifully complement the image. It is advisable to buy a product that matches harmoniously with the dress. In ready-made sets, all baptismal accessories are made in the same style, so this outfit will be preferable.
• Icon by name. If there is no image of the heavenly patron in stock, then you can purchase an icon of the Mother of God or revered saints - Nicholas the Pleasant, Panteleimon the Healer, Matrona of Moscow.
• Church candles for the sacrament.

What you need to buy for a boy's baptism: list

The list of things for a boy’s christening is practically the same. Godparents and parents will need to bring with them:

• Pectoral cross - , or .
• - terry or cotton (according to the season).
• or a ready-made baptismal set without a headdress. For newborn boys, a cap is allowed.
• A personalized icon or image of the Savior.
• Church candles.
• A second small towel so that the priest can dry his hands. Afterwards it remains for the needs of the church.
• A bottle of water, a pacifier.
• Spare clothes.
• Birth certificate, passports of mom and dad.

Rules and responsibilities of parents and godparents

All those invited to the temple for the sacrament must wear crosses and also know their responsibilities.

Godfather and godmother The girl should be received from the font and held in her arms throughout the entire sacrament by the godmother, the boy by the godfather. The godparents will also have to dress the baby in baptismal clothes, so it’s good if they have experience interacting with newborns. The recipients, instead of the baptized person, renounce the unclean and his deeds and take a vow of allegiance to the Lord, thereby promising God to help the newly-made Christian believe and live according to the laws of the church. Mom and Dad The parents of a child under seven years of age (infant) must give their consent to baptism, since they are the ones who will be involved in the spiritual education of the child and his inclusion in the church. A child over 7 years old (adolescent) makes this decision himself.

The presence of the mother at the baptism depends on how many days have passed since the birth. Only after 40 days and after reading a cleansing prayer is the young mother allowed to attend the ceremony.

When, after baptism, the priest conducts churching: he brings and places the baby to the icons of the Savior and the Mother of God (the boys are first brought into the altar), then after that he is given either to the godparents or to the father and mother present.

The first communion may be scheduled for some other day, for example, in a week. Parents or mother will need to come with the child to the morning prayer service so that the priest will give the baby communion. Children need to receive Holy Communion as often as possible, preferably every week.

Grandmother and grandfather

Grandparents present at the baptism offer prayers and can help the godparents change the child's clothes. Being one of the closest relatives, they take part in solving organizational issues. If desired, they can buy additional baptismal accessories, for example, a blanket, blanket, booties, socks, which will be needed during the sacrament and will also be useful to the child in the future.

What prayers do you need to know to baptize a child? The main prayer said by the person being baptized or his recipients is. You need to know it by heart, or at least read it confidently from the page, understanding the meaning. This prayer consists of 12 statements and briefly describes the essence of the Orthodox faith. The godfather and godmother also recite the prayer words of the godfather and godmother, in which they ask to be named godparents and to be blessed for this sacred mission. It is customary to know the prayers that are well known to all Orthodox believers and “Virgin Mother of God, Rejoice.”

Orthodox believers know about the seven Christian sacraments, one of which is baptism. The teaching says that every Orthodox Christian needs to be baptized in order to save his soul and gain the Kingdom of Heaven after physical death. God's grace descends on those who are baptized, but there are also difficulties - everyone who accepts the ritual becomes a warrior of God's army, and the forces of evil fall upon him. To avoid misfortunes, you need to wear a cross.

The day of baptism is very important for a believer - it is like the day of his second birth. This event must be approached with full responsibility. Let's talk about what the baby needs to perform the sacrament, what to buy and take with him, what godparents should do, how to celebrate this holiday at home.If the godparents (godparents) take on part of the responsibility for organizing the ceremony, this will be correct. Preparations for the holiday are carried out by all its participants, especially the baby’s relatives.

When is the best time to baptize a baby?

According to custom, the baby is baptized on the 8th or 40th day after birth. There are circumstances that can affect the timing of the baptism of an infant: if the baby is sick, the illness poses a threat to life, you can baptize him earlier. Orthodoxy says that after christening a person has a guardian angel who is always behind his right shoulder. He will protect the baby and can save him. It is believed that the more prayers addressed to an angel, the stronger he will be.

Some people prefer to wait until the little man grows up and becomes stronger. The other side of the coin is that while the child is an infant, he sleeps in the arms of his godmother and calmly endures the sacrament. The older he gets, the more difficult it is for him to serve quietly. At 2 years old, the baby is spinning, wants to run, go outside. This creates difficulties for the priest and godparents, because the action can last more than an hour. Bathing a baby in the font is also easier.

The first thing mom and dad do before the sacrament is choose a spiritual name for the baby. In our country, a tradition has developed of calling a baby in the world by a name other than the one given to him at baptism in the church - this is a custom justified in Orthodoxy, since it is believed that only the mother and father, the priest and the recipients can know the church name.

Then the little man will be more protected from life’s adversities. In the church, you can agree that the baby is named after the saint on whose day the baby’s birth date falls.

Recommendations for preparing for the baptism ceremony of a small child

How to organize a child's christening? You need to visit the temple where the procedure will take place. In the church shop you can ask questions that interest you. The church minister in the shop will offer you to read a brochure about baptism, which describes all the rules. The date of birth of your baby will be written down, and the desired church name of the baby and the names of his godparents will be asked. For the ceremony, a voluntary payment is made in the form of a donation, which goes to the needs of the temple. How much should I pay? The amount of donation may vary from church to church.

Before the sacrament of baptism, godparents are required to go for an interview with the priest. If the baby’s mother and father come along with them and take part in the conversation, this will only be a plus. The priest will tell you how the baptism of a young child is performed, and what you need to take with you. He will definitely ask during the conversation whether the mother and father and the baby’s adoptive parents are baptized. If not, then the unbaptized should be baptized before the sacrament is performed on the baby. During the conversation, the priest will give recommendations to the baby’s family and set a day and time for the child’s baptism. On this day, you should arrive early in order to have time to get your bearings and prepare. Many parents invite a photographer to their child’s christening and take photos and videos. You need to know that to record videos and take photographs, you must ask permission and blessings from the priest.

Who to choose as godparents?

Usually, godparents are people of the same sex as the baby: for girls it is a woman, for boys it is a man. You can invite two godparents of different genders. Then the baby will have a spiritual father and mother.

The question of who is worthy to become your baby's godfather is very important. Godparents become the baby's second parents. Think about who treats the little man better, who is ready to bear responsibility for him, give him a spiritual example, and pray for him? Most often, relatives and family friends become recipients.

It is best if the godfather is a deeply religious person who knows and observes church traditions and laws. This person should often visit your home, since he is responsible for the upbringing of the little man, primarily spiritual. He will be next to your baby all his life.

You can choose your mother’s or father’s sister or brother, a close friend or family friend, or the baby’s grandmother or grandfather as your godfather.

The recipients must be baptized themselves - this must be done in advance. Parents need to understand that the issue of choosing godparents must be approached very seriously.

Who can't become a godfather?

The laws of baptism in the Orthodox Church are such that the following cannot become a godparent:

1. atheists or non-believers;
2. monks and nuns;
3. mentally ill people;
4. children under 15 years of age;
5. drug addicts and alcoholics;
6. promiscuous women and men;
7. spouses or sexually close people;
8. baby's parents.

Brother and sister cannot be godparents to each other. If you are baptizing twins, you must not do it on the same day. Twins may well have the same godparents.

Memo for godparents

• Appearance. The baby's adoptive parents must come to church with their crosses around their necks. If it is a woman, she wears a skirt that is below the knee and a jacket with sleeves to the temple. A headdress is required for the godmother. The rules for being in church also apply to a man’s clothing: you cannot expose your knees and shoulders, that is, even in hot weather you will have to give up shorts and a T-shirt. A man is in the temple with his head uncovered.
• Purchases and payment. People often ask, who should buy a cross for a child’s baptism? Who pays for the procedure? There is a certain procedure for baptizing a newborn child and preparing for it.
  1. It assumes that the godfather buys a cross for the godson and also pays for the baptism. The godmother buys a cross for her goddaughter. It is best to choose a cross made of ordinary metal or silver. It is not customary to use a golden cross at a ceremony. When choosing a cross, make sure that it cannot injure the baby; let the cross have oval edges.
  2. In addition to the godmother's cross, you need to buy a towel, baptismal shirt and sheet in advance. She buys kryzhma - the material in which the baby is baptized. Caring mothers keep the material for many years, as it helps to cure the child from illness. The sick little man is wrapped in kryzhma, and he begins to recover. It should be stored in a place hidden from prying eyes, since it is believed that through it it can be used to damage the baby.
• Preparation. People appointed as spiritual parents are obliged to prepare themselves for the baptism ceremony of a small child. Preparation includes strict fasting, starting a few days before the event, and refusal of entertainment and pleasure. The day before, it’s a good idea to take communion in church, before going to confession. You must take your child's birth certificate with you to church. You can watch the video of the baptism in advance to roughly understand the sequence of events.
• Prayer. Recipients are required to learn the “Creed” prayer. This prayer is read by the priest three times during the sacrament of baptism of the child; the godfather may also be asked to read it by heart.

Nuances of christening

• A little man can be baptized on any day of the week - on holidays and weekdays, on Lent and on an ordinary day, but most often christenings take place on Saturday.
• The foster children are supposed to pick up the child from the parents in advance and go with him to church on the appointed day and time. Their parents follow them. There is a sign that the godfather should chew a clove of garlic and breathe in the baby’s face. In this way, evil forces are driven away from the baby.
• Only the closest people are present at the ceremony in the temple - the parents of the boy or girl receiving the sacrament, maybe grandparents. The rest can come to the house of the baptized person after the ceremony and celebrate this event at the festive table.
• Baptism of an infant does not always take place in the church itself. Sometimes the priest conducts the ceremony in a specially designated room.
• If necessary, parents can arrange a ceremony at home or in the maternity hospital. To do this, you need to come to an agreement with the priest and pay all his expenses for organizing the sacrament.
• The priest reads prayers and anoints the newborn. Then he cuts a lock of hair from his head, as if making a sacrifice to God. Then the baby is lowered into the font three times, the priest says: “Here is the cross, my daughter (my son), carry it.” Together with the priest, the godfather says: “Amen.”
• The child's parents also come to church, observing Orthodox customs. They dress as is customary in the temple. During the ceremony, the mother can pray for her child. Such prayers will surely be answered.
• In the evening, relatives and friends come to the holiday with gifts. Their choice depends on wealth and imagination: toys or clothes, baby care items or an icon of the baby’s patron saint.

Features of christenings for boys and girls

The christening of a girl and a boy differs little. During the ritual, the godfather carries the male child behind the altar, but the godmother does not carry the female child there. The christening of a newborn girl requires the presence of a headdress, that is, a headscarf is put on her. When a little boy is christened, he is in the temple without a headdress.

If both godparents participate in the ritual, then first the godmother holds the boy, and after bathing in the font, the godfather picks him up and carries him to the altar. The girl is held in her arms only by her godmother. This is the main difference in the ritual for children of the opposite sex.

If the procedure for baptizing a small child is followed, the child’s blood and spiritual parents will prepare for christening, and the child will grow up healthy and cheerful. When he grows up, he will become a highly spiritual person striving for a righteous life.

Clinical and perinatal psychologist, graduated from the Moscow Institute of Perinatal Psychology and Reproductive Psychology and Volgograd State Medical University with a degree in clinical psychology