Interview before baptism

The main purpose of categorical 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, such talks are purely individual and are scheduled at an agreed time. There are temples that, after listening to lectures, practice exams and issue an appropriate certificate. The duration of such a course can be up to 7 days.

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

Communion and fasting before the Sacrament

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

It is necessary to fast before the sacrament of the cross for three days, refraining from foul language, pleasures and amusements. On the day of baptism, the recipients are forbidden to eat until the end of the rite, since very often after the rite communion takes place immediately, and the godparents are given the opportunity to take communion with the godson.

Preparation for the rite of Baptism

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

What days can a baby be baptized

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

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

• the date of the ceremony is agreed;
• the list of necessary christening accessories is announced;
• the name of the child, whom he will be named at baptism, is specified.

Is it possible to baptize on critical days On the days of the monthly cleansing, women are forbidden to participate in church sacraments, so the date of baptism should be chosen when the godmother and the mother of the child will not have their period. If the critical days suddenly come earlier or later and fall just at the christening, then the priest must be informed about this. The priest may recommend rescheduling the sacrament, and if this is not possible, then give certain recommendations. Most likely, the godmother will simply be present in the temple, not taking a full part in the ceremony, that is, she will not be able to take the child from the font and hold him in her arms, as well as kiss the icons. Prayers are allowed.

What you need to take to church for the baptism of a girl: a list

Godparents need to prepare the necessary baptismal supplies in advance:

• A pectoral cross on a string or chain - the godfather must buy. If purchased in a jewelry store, then the priest must be warned before the beginning of the sacrament so that he can consecrate the product. In the church shop, all the crosses have already been consecrated.
• - a white cloth (diaper, towel) to take from the font, the godmother buys or sews. In the cold season, you may additionally need a blanket or blanket to wrap the child before the font and warm after.
• or dress - clothes after the font, the godmother buys. The cut of the shirt should be free and give access to the breast, arms, legs for the priest to anoint. The fabric should be natural and pleasant to the body, absorb moisture well.
• . Its presence for a baby girl (up to 7 years old) is not necessary, but parents themselves prefer to wear caps for newborn children, even boys. But for one-year-old babies and girls, lace scarves and bandages are picked up from the year - they beautifully complement the image. It is advisable to buy a product that is in harmony with the dress. In ready-made sets, all baptismal accessories are made in the same style, so this outfit would be preferable.
• Icon by name. If the image of the heavenly patron was not available, then you can purchase an icon of the Virgin 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: a list

The list of things for the christening of a boy 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, the presence of a cap is allowed.
• Nominal icon or image of the Savior.
• Church candles.
• The second small towel so that the priest can dry his hands. After that, it remains for the needs of the church.
• Water bottle, pacifier.
• Spare clothes.
• Birth certificate, passports of mom and dad.

Rules and obligations of parents and godparents

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

Godfather and godmother The godmother should take the girl from the font and keep in her arms throughout the sacrament, the godfather should take the boy. Godparents also have to dress the baby in baptismal clothes, so it’s good when they have experience with newborns. The recipients, instead of the baptized, renounce the unclean and his deeds and take a vow of fidelity to the Lord, thereby promising God to help the newly-baptized Christian believe and live according to the laws of the church. Mother and father Parents of a child under seven years of age (infant) must give their consent to baptism, since it is they who will have to deal with the spiritual education of the baby and his initiation into the church. A child over 7 years old (boy) makes such a decision himself.

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

When, after baptism, the priest conducts churching: he brings and attaches the baby to the icons of the Savior and the Virgin (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 can commune the baby. Children should be given communion as often as possible, preferably every week.

Grandmother and grandfather

Grandparents present at the baptism offer prayers, they 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 christening accessories, such as 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 you need to know for the baptism of a child The main prayer uttered by the person being baptized or his sponsors is. It must be known by heart, in extreme cases, confidently read from a sheet, understanding the meaning. This prayer consists of 12 statements and briefly describes the essence of the Orthodox faith. The godparents also say the prayer words of the godfather and godmother, in which they ask for the naming of their godparents and blessings for this sacred mission. It is customary to know the prayers well known to all Orthodox believers and “Virgin Mary, rejoice.”

The appearance of an heir in the family is a joyful event. A newborn is in dire need of parental love and care. Changing the baby's diaper, keeping his body clean, one should not forget about the purity of the soul.

Orthodox parents They try to baptize their son as soon as possible. After all Sacrament is the spiritual birth of a child for life with God.

In contact with

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

Sometimes you can come across 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 from earthly hardships. Health, money, long life in the body given at birth - all this is temporary, transient. God, first of all, takes care of our eternal soul, gives strength and courage to fight against sinful nature, shows the path leading to Him.

When to baptize a child?

You can baptize a boy at any age. Orthodox families 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 time of the Old Testament church. In those ancient times, the child was brought to the temple on the 40th day.

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

Consider the main arguments for the early baptism of a child:

• newborn boys sleep peacefully during the Sacrament, while grown-up babies can hardly withstand the hourly ritual, they begin to act up;
• a child under 6 months old is not afraid when being in the arms of strangers;
• up to 3 months, babies retain intrauterine reflexes, and they more easily tolerate dipping into 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 well-being of the boy.

Choice of godparents

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

At the christening of a child, the presence of godparents is mandatory . The infant cannot consciously accept one faith or another. Parents and sponsors vouch to bring him up 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 a few years he voluntarily joins the ranks of the Orthodox.

Parents should carefully choose godparents for their son, because it is impossible to change them after the Sacrament. For twins, it is worth choosing different recipients.

Who cannot 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 under 15 and girls under 13;
• people who are married to each other or about to get married.

Here, 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 the upbringing of her godson.

Godfather for 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 churched person from the immediate family circle. It 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 with the child often;
3. regularly visit the temple, including with the baby, pray for the godson;
4. be mindful of your responsibilities.

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

Where to baptize?

Most often the Sacrament of Baptism takes place in the temple. The parents of the baby can choose a temple for the ceremony at their discretion. You can baptize any day by agreement with the priest. Check in advance whether it is possible to photograph the process, shoot a video. Some priests are negative about this.

In large churches there is 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 have chosen so that there is no pandemonium.

If the baby or his parents are sick, clergy can be invited home. In the most severe cases, the child can be baptized in intensive care by the parents themselves or medical personnel. To do this, it is enough to moisten 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 (sprinkle water and baptize). And the Son. Amen (the second time we sprinkle with water and baptize). And the Holy Spirit. Amen. (Repeat the procedure a third time).

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

Preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism

Before a baby is baptized, his parents and godparents must:

1. Find out in the temple how much the rite costs. If the family is in 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 costs, although exceptions are possible.

2. Choose a baptismal name. It is customary to name a child with the name of 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, especially revered by parents. Often a Christian name is determined by the calendar - they choose a saint whose memory is honored on the boy's birthday, as well as on the 8th or 40th day from his birth.

3. Come to talk with the priest. Now it is a mandatory requirement in all temples. The priest will tell about the meaning of the Sacrament, about Christ, about the Gospel. The task of such a conversation is to make sure that the parents and godparents of the baby are Orthodox people and are conscious of the ceremony. The Church does not approve when children are baptized out of superstition, "because it's fashionable" or "it won't get worse." If the need for a conversation scares or displeases you, consider postponing the 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 recipients of the baby. During the Sacrament, they must know by heart the "Word of Faith" prayer. They are also encouraged to fast for three days, go to confession, and take the Sacrament of Communion. On the day of baptism, you can not eat anything until the ceremony is completed.

5. Prepare everything you need for the baptism of the child. The boy must be properly dressed, to, the icon of the saint, who will become the patron of the child. The godfather must purchase a cross with a crucifix and the words "Save and save." It is good if the ends of the cross are rounded and do not injure the baby. It can be made of precious metal, so as not to cause allergies, or wooden. It is better to choose a chain or ribbon for a cross that is soft and short so that the boy does not get tangled in it.

What to baptize the boy?

For the rite of baptism, 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, to tune in the right way. Feed the child so that he behaves calmly. The boy is undressed, wrapped in a blanket. You can leave the diaper on. When the priest gives a sign, the godmother brings it into the temple.

During the Sacrament, godparents with a baby and candles in their hands are near the font. They repeat prayers after the priest, renounce the devil instead of their godson, and swear to keep God's commandments. Then the priest blesses water and plunges the baby into the font three times. At this time, the Holy Spirit descends on him. Warm water is used for baptism, 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 smeared with sacred oil while praying for his health and well-being. The godparents with the baby in their arms walk around the font three times after the priest. The circle is a symbol of eternity. This procession of the cross means the introduction of the child to 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 crosswise. At the end of the ceremony, the priest brings the boy to the altar, which means his churching.

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

Gifts for the holiday

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

Godfather by tradition buys a silver spoon that can be engraved with the boy's name. Silver is a symbol of well-being, 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 blessing and at the same time a great responsibility. It is very important that parents and foster parents can to open before the boy the amazing, deep, bewitching world of Orthodoxy. We must ourselves faithfully and joyfully serve the Lord in order to become a guide for the child on the spiritual path.

The moment when a person enters the Christian faith. It is believed that on this day the child acquires a guardian angel and his spiritual birth takes place. This is an important holiday in the world of Christianity, so they carefully prepare for it in advance.

Parents decide who will be godparents, what clothes to prepare, what to take with them to church, how to celebrate at home, etc.

Let's look at one of the main questions: what can a boy be baptized in? It should be noted that future godparents often give clothes. But it is better to agree on this in advance so that there is no extra fuss before the responsible day. So let's get started.

Christening clothes for a boy

Clothing should be chosen in light colors. This will mean the festivity of the moment and symbolize the cleansing from sins.

The main part is the shirt. It can be plain or decorated with a blue pattern and lace. You can sew it, knit it yourself, buy it in a store or order a personalized shirt in a specialized atelier. If you still have the appropriate clothes from the eldest son, then the youngest can be baptized in it. This is even considered a good omen, because. serves as a sign of spiritual rapprochement of brothers.

For newborns sold It usually includes: a diaper, a shirt, a bonnet. You will also need a large towel to wipe off after bathing, socks and a pair of diapers.

Boys can be dressed in a festive costume. When choosing clothes, you need to consider that during baptism you will need to undress. Therefore, it is desirable that the suit can be easily removed.

For older boys, shirts are also sold - these are long christening shirts to the ankles.

After baptism, clothes and a towel are cherished for life and are not washed. They are believed to help in recovery and have the power of amulets.