What day is better to baptize. Baptizing a Child: Rules, Tips, and Practical Issues

What do we know about the Sacrament of Baptism, what do parents and godparents need to know in order to baptize a child, what are the requirements of the Church for the performance of this Sacrament, on what days is it performed in the church and on Lazarus Saturday?

Baptism age of children

One can decide that it is possible to be baptized only in adulthood, having consciously approached the choice of faith. This is wrong. the church has been performing since ancient times, but certain rather strict conditions must be met.

In the future, children should be brought up as Orthodox Christians, participate in church life, receive the sacraments, and have mentors teaching them this. For this, there are godparents at baptism, that is, godparents. They make a vow to God instead of a child who cannot yet do it himself. They are further responsible for the spiritual upbringing of the godchild, and it is they who will answer before God for what kind of Christian the child for whom they vouched has become.

The question of age, that is, what time to baptize a child, should be decided by parents. Approaching the choice of godparents in the same way as agreeing to become a godfather should be taken seriously, thinking about what kind of spiritual upbringing the child will receive in the future.

When should a baby be baptized?

What days are children baptized? It has long been customary in the church to baptize on the eighth or fortieth day. And that's why.

According to church tradition, on the birthday of the mother and child, three prayers are read by the priest, blessing the mother and the baby who came into this world.

On the eighth day, the priest performs the rite of naming. This ceremony has a deep spiritual meaning. The name affirms our existence in the Universe. The Church in this rite recognizes the uniqueness of a particular person, his personality, endowed with a divine gift. By our name given to us in baptism, the Lord knows us, accepts prayers for us.

The name of a Christian has always been considered a saint, therefore there is a tradition of naming in honor of an Orthodox saint, who then becomes the heavenly intercessor of a person. It is the name given to a person in the rite of naming that is mentioned by him when receiving the Sacraments of the Church (confession, communion, wedding), when commemorating in notes, when commemorating in home prayers.

On the fortieth day, a ceremony should be performed on the mother, containing cleansing prayers, allowing her to visit the temple from that day on and be a member of the church again (from the day of birth until the fortieth day, a woman is absent from the temple for the time of purification). The ceremony must take place in the temple.

These three rites (on the first, eighth and fortieth days) are performed at Baptism, if they were not performed separately, each at its own time. Therefore, the tradition of baptism on the eighth day, when the name should be called, or on the fortieth day, when mothers can already come to the temple and be introduced into the bosom of the church with a cleansing prayer, is widespread.

However, a person can be christened on the first birthday, and on any subsequent. The main thing is not to delay or deprive the child of the opportunity to become a Christian and heir to the Kingdom of Heaven as soon as possible. You also need to know that if a child is in mortal danger or is sick, then he should be christened as soon as possible. For this, the priest is invited to the hospital.

What are the requirements of the church for godparents?

As already mentioned, they take responsibility for the upbringing of the godson in the faith and make vows before God for him. Accordingly, they themselves must be Orthodox Christians who understand the foundations of the faith and live the life of the church, that is, they participate in the Sacraments (confession, communion).

In former times, Baptism was preceded by a period of pronouncement - the time that was given to a person to prepare for the great Sacrament. In the first centuries of Christianity, this period lasted up to two years. The catechumens - those who are about to receive the Sacrament of Baptism - were instructed in the truths of the faith, studied the Holy Scriptures and Tradition, and were present at Divine services. Only after thorough preparation was a person baptized.

At present, there is also preparation - categorical talks, where classes are held for adults who want to be baptized, and godparents who want to be the child's foster parents. Announcements are held at temples. Most often there are two, but there are parishes that organize longer training.

First of all, it must be said that there is no such day in the year on which this sacrament could not be performed. What days are children baptized in the church? The main condition is the readiness of a person for this. In addition, there is even the possibility of baptism not by a priest, but by any Christian. But this is allowed only if the person is dying and there is no way to call the priest.

Our ancestors did this, for example, when a baby was born very weak and the mother, fearing that he would die, washed him three times with water with the words of a prayer: “The servant of God (name) is baptized in the name of the Father (wash with water), amen, and the Son (wash water), amen, and the Holy Spirit (wash with water), amen.” This baptism is accepted by the Church. If the child remains alive, then you need to contact the priest in the future so that he completes the Sacrament. This, of course, is permissible only if there is a real threat to human life. But you need to know about it.

And in order to find out on what days children are baptized in the church in which it is decided to receive the Sacrament, it is necessary to contact the church shop with this question. In large churches, there are usually days specially set aside for this, then Baptism occurs simultaneously for several people. In small parishes, it is enough to contact the priest and coordinate the time with him. The same possibility exists in large churches, if there is a desire to be baptized separately.

In former times, the day for the adoption of Baptism was timed to coincide with the great holidays, primarily Easter and Epiphany. Therefore, there are no obstacles to baptize a child on Trinity, Palm Sunday, Lazarus Saturday, Christmas or Epiphany. The only difficulty may arise if the priests are busy that day and simply cannot perform the Sacrament. Therefore, in this case, you need to know in advance which days children are baptized in the church, or discuss the day with the priest.

Where to perform the Sacrament of Baptism?

Can be done anywhere. In emergency situations, as already mentioned, even a layman can baptize. If you choose, at home or in the temple - of course, in the temple, where the Spirit of God is present in a special way. There is also the possibility of performing the Sacrament in an open source (river, sea), as it happened in ancient times, as the Lord Jesus Christ Himself was baptized. This issue can also be discussed with the priest.

Just do not forget that the Sacrament will take place in any place according to the faith of the person being baptized or the recipients, if it is a child, and does not depend on the place where it will take place.

How to live after Baptism?

For a true believer who consciously accepts Baptism, this Sacrament turns out to be an opportunity already here to partake of eternity, to become what God wants us to be. We are all children of the Lord, but after baptism we become closer to God. However, for this it is not enough just to be baptized, a further life in Christ is necessary, participation in the other Sacraments of the Church is necessary.

So at what age should a child be baptized? Preferably as soon as possible. But you need to understand that this Sacrament in itself does not guarantee salvation, but is only the first step towards it. And it is good when, after the baptism of a child, the family continues life in the bosom of the Church, being an example to their child.

How to baptize a child? What are the rules for the rite of baptism? How much does it cost? These and other questions will be answered by the editors of the portal “Orthodoxy and Peace”.

Baptism of a child

When to baptize - different families decide this issue in different ways.

Most often they are baptized on +/- 40 days after birth. The 40th day is also significant from a religious point of view (in the Old Testament church on the 40th day a child was brought to the temple, on the 40th day a prayer is read over the woman who has given birth). 40 days after childbirth, a woman does not participate in the sacraments of the Church: this is also connected with the physiology of the postpartum period, and in general it is very reasonable - at this time, all the attention and strength of a woman should be focused on the child and her health.

After the expiration of this period, it is necessary to read a special prayer over it, which the priest will do before or after baptism. Very young children behave much more calmly at baptism and are not afraid when someone else takes them in their arms (godparents or priest). Well, do not forget that up to three months, children are easier to tolerate dipping with their heads, because they retain intrauterine reflexes that help hold their breath.

In any case, the choice of the moment remains with the parents and depends on the circumstances and the state of health of the child. If the baby is in intensive care and there are health problems, the baby can be baptized in intensive care. To do this, you can invite a priest or MOTHER CAN BAPTIZE THE CHILD ITSELF.

You can baptize after 40 days.

If the child's life is in danger

If the baby is in intensive care, then you can invite the priest to christen the child. From the hospital temple or from any temple - no one will refuse. But first you need to find out what are the baptismal procedures in this hospital.

If there is no admission of strangers to intensive care, or if the situation is different - an accident, for example - a mother or father (and an intensive care sister at the request of the parents, and generally anyone) the child can be christened SAMI. You need a few drops of water. With these drops, the child must be crossed three times with the words:

The servant (a) of God (s) is baptized (NAME)
In the name of the Father. Amen. (for the first time we baptize and sprinkle with water)
And the Son. Amen. (second time)
And the Holy Spirit. Amen. (third time).

The child is baptized. When he is discharged, in the temple it will be necessary to perform the second part of baptism - Chrismation - joining the Church. Explain to the priest in advance that they baptized themselves in intensive care. You can baptize the baby at home, having agreed on this with the priest in the temple.

Whether to baptize in winter

Of course, they heat in the temples, the water is warm in the font.

The only thing is that if the temple has one door and the temple itself is small, one of the relatives can be on duty at the entrance so that suddenly the door does not open completely wide open.

How much to pay? And why pay?

Officially, there is no fee for the Sacraments and rites in churches.

Christ also said: “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). But only now the believers fed and watered the apostles, allowed them to sleep, and in modern realities, donations for baptism are one of the main sources of income for churches, from which they pay for light, electricity, repairs, firefighting and the priest, who most often has many children. Price tag in the temple - this is the approximate amount of the donation. If there really is no money, MUST baptize for free. If they refuse - a reason to turn to the Reverend.

Is it necessary to call according to the saints

Whoever wants. Someone calls according to the holy calendar, someone in honor of a beloved saint or someone else. Of course, if a girl was born on January 25, then the name Tatyana really asks for her, but the parents choose the name for the child themselves - there are no “needs” here.

Where to baptize?

It is unlikely that this question will arise before you if you are already parishioners of some temple. If not, choose a temple to your liking. There is nothing wrong with visiting several temples. If the employees are unfriendly and rude (it happens, yes), you can look for a temple where you will be treated kindly from the very beginning. Yes. we come to the temple to God, but there is no sin in choosing a church according to our liking. It is good if the temple has a separate baptismal one. In it, as a rule, it is warm, there are no drafts and there are no strangers.
If there are few churches in your city and they all have large parishes, then be sure to find out in advance how many children usually attend baptism. It may turn out that a dozen babies will be baptized at the same time, each of which will be accompanied by a whole brigade of relatives. If you do not like such a mass character, you can agree on an individual baptism.

Photographing for a christening

If you decide to hire a photographer for the christening, be sure to find out in advance whether he will be allowed to shoot, use a flash. Some priests have a very negative attitude towards the filming of the Sacraments, and an unpleasant surprise may await you.
As a rule, photography and video shooting are not prohibited anywhere. Baptism photos are a great joy for the whole family for many years, so if you can’t take pictures in the temple, then you need to look for a temple where you can take pictures (but even in Old Believer churches they are allowed to shoot at christenings)
In some cases, the child can be baptized at home. The main thing is to agree on this with the priest.

Godparents

Who can and cannot be a godfather is the most common question. Is it possible for a pregnant / unmarried / unbelieving / childless girl to be baptized, etc. - the number of variations is infinite.

The answer is simple: the godfather must be a man

- Orthodox and church (HE is responsible for raising a child in the faith);

- not the parent of the child (godparents should replace the parents in which case);

- it is impossible for a husband and wife to be godparents of one baby (or those who are going to get married);

- A monastic cannot be a godfather.

Contrary to popular belief, it is not necessary to have two godparents. One thing is enough: women for girls and men for boys. .

Conversation before baptism

Now it's a must. For what? In order to baptize those who believe in Christ, and not those who come, so that “a child_sick_should_be_baptized_otherwise_they_jinx_and_we_are_Russian_and_Orthodox”.

It is necessary to come to the conversation, this is not an exam. usually the priest talks about Christ, the Gospel, recalls that the Gospel must be read independently. It looks like this.

Often, the need for a conversation causes indignation among relatives and many try to “get around” them. Someone, complaining about the lack of time, or even just desire, is looking for priests who can neglect this rule. But first of all, this information is needed by the godparents themselves, because by offering them to become the godparents of your child, you impose a great responsibility on them, and it would be nice for them to know about it. If the godparents do not want to spend time on this, then this is an occasion for you to think about whether the child needs godparents who cannot sacrifice just a couple of their evenings for him.

If the godparents live in another city and can only come on the day of the sacrament, then they can have conversations in any church that is convenient. Upon completion, they will be given a certificate with which they can participate in the sacrament anywhere.

It is very good for the godparents, if they do not know yet, to learn - this prayer is read three times during baptism and it is likely that the godparents will be asked to read it.

What to buy?

For baptism, the child needs a new baptismal shirt, a cross and a towel. All this can be bought at any church shop and, as a rule, this is the task of godparents. The christening gown is then stored along with the baby's other memorabilia. In foreign stores there is a whole line of stunningly beautiful clothes for baptism, you can also use some beautiful set for discharge.

Name at baptism

Find out in advance what name the child will be baptized. If the name of the child is not in the calendar, select in advance a close one in sound (Alina - Elena, Zhanna - Anna, Alice - Alexandra) and tell the priest about it. And sometimes the names are given strangely. One of my acquaintances Zhanna was christened Eugenia. By the way, sometimes there are unexpected names in the calendar, for example. Edward - there is such an Orthodox British saint (though then all the employees of the temple will not believe that there is such an Orthodox name). In church records and when performing other Sacraments, you will need to use the name given at baptism. Based on it, it will be determined when the child has the day of the Angel and who his heavenly patron is.

We arrived at the temple, what's next?

The church shop will ask you to pay for a baptismal donation. Before the sacrament, it is better to feed the baby so that it is more comfortable and calmer.

Eat at the temple It is POSSIBLE, it is good for this to be in feeding clothes or to have an apron with you. If you need privacy, you can ask one of the temple employees to find a secluded place.
The only thing is that if the baby is feeding for a long time, it is better to have a bottle-drinker-syringe with food with you so that it does not happen that the baby gets hungry in the middle of the service and you either have to wait half an hour until he eats or he will cry from hunger.

During the sacrament, the godparents hold the child in their arms, parents can only watch. The duration of Epiphany is usually about an hour.

It is useful to familiarize yourself in advance with what will happen in the service in order to understand the meaning of what is happening. Here .

But mothers are not allowed to be baptized everywhere - it is better then to clarify this issue in advance.

Cold water?

The water in the tub is WARM. First, hot water is usually poured there, before the Sacrament it is diluted with cold water. But the water in the font is warm :)

The employees of the temple who collect it will take care that the water is warm - they do not want the baby to freeze as much as you do. After dipping, the child will not immediately be able to dress, and here again it is worth mentioning that it is good to baptize very small children in separate rooms and not in the temple itself, where it is cool even in summer. In any case, do not worry, everything happens quickly and the child will not have time to freeze.

Should a child wear a cross all the time?

Often parents are concerned about the safety of a child wearing a cross. Someone is afraid that the child may suffer from a rope or ribbon on which the cross hangs. Many are worried that a child may lose a cross or it may be stolen, for example, in the garden. As a rule, a cross is worn on a short ribbon, which cannot get tangled anywhere. And for kindergarten, you can prepare a special inexpensive cross.

And they say that...

Baptism, like many other things in our lives, is surrounded by many stupid superstitions and prejudices. Older relatives can add worries and worries with stories of bad omens and prohibitions. It is better to clarify any doubtful questions with the priest, not trusting, even very experienced, grandmothers.

Is it possible to celebrate baptism?

It is quite logical that relatives who gather for Epiphany will want to continue the holiday at home or in a restaurant. The main thing is that during the holiday they do not forget the reason because of which everyone gathered.

After baptism

When the Sacrament ends, you will be given a certificate of baptism in your hands, which will indicate when the baptism was performed, by whom, and the day when the child has a name day will also be written. After baptism, you will definitely need to go to the temple again to give communion to the baby. In general, babies should be given communion regularly.

There are no days when it is strictly forbidden to baptize a child. But those parents who want to conduct the sacrament according to Orthodox canons adhere to certain rules. Since ancient times, the tradition has been widespread to carry out baptism on the eighth or fortieth day from the birth of the baby. On the eighth day of a child's life, the priest conducts an important rite of naming. By the name received on this day, the Lord knows the person and accepts his prayers.

But many still do not choose this date for baptism because of the strict rule - the mother of the child cannot be present at the ceremony until the fortieth day from the birth of the child. Until this period passes, his mother is excommunicated from the church for purification, and then a special cleansing ceremony is performed on her, allowing her to visit the temple again. Therefore, the most common date for baptism is the fortieth day of a baby's life.

Attention! Do not forget to find out in advance if another event is planned in the church for that day, because then there will be a lot of people in the church, which will interfere with the sacrament, and the priest may be busy.

Baptism on holidays

Previously, baptism was timed to coincide with church holidays - Easter, Epiphany, Trinity, Christmas, Palm Sunday and others. The sacrament is allowed to be performed on any holiday, but you need to understand that a lot of parishioners visit the temple these days. The child may not be comfortable among a large and noisy crowd. And as noted earlier, the priest may not have enough time to conduct the rite of baptism. Therefore, if you still decide to conduct the sacrament during the holidays, you must visit the church in advance and agree with the priest.

What else do you need to know when choosing a date?

We have compiled a list of what else you should pay attention to when choosing a date for baptism:

1. You need to know that according to church rules, the mother of the child and the godmother cannot come to church during critical days. Therefore, it is necessary to check in advance with your cycle and, if necessary, move the date of baptism.
2. If you are worried about the health of your baby, you can find out the weather for the coming week and choose the warmest day. Some postpone baptism until summer to make sure their child does not get sick after bathing.
3. There are also parents who refuse to baptize a baby in infancy at all. There is nothing catastrophic about this! Remember, a child can be baptized at any age. Some specifically time the sacrament to coincide with the child's birthday, for example, the completion of one year.
4. Often a day off is chosen for the baptism so that as many relatives as possible can come. By the way, an unlimited number of people can attend the ceremony, it is only important that they are relatives and friends.

Particular attention should be paid to the choice of godparents, who are entrusted with the most important mission - to educate the godchild in the faith.

How to carry out a baptism at home?

In some cases, such as illness of a child or parent, or living in a remote rural area, a priest can be invited home and baptized there. Also, this method is sometimes used by those who do not want to take a child to the temple in cold weather. But in this case, keep in mind that the priest may not agree to your proposal. In addition, only in the church does the most important part of baptism take place - the presentation of girls to the altar and the introduction of boys into it. So a child can be baptized at home, but only in the temple does this sacrament take on its full meaning.

Advice! After baptism at home, the priest can be invited to stay at the ceremonial table in order to celebrate the christening.

11 folk signs about the baptism of a child

Signs of baptism by Orthodox Christians were passed down from generation to generation. We have selected the most famous of them:

• Christening clothes should be new, light in color. After all, it is believed that it is in it that the child for the first time appears before God;
• you need to baptize the child early, because after the ceremony he has his own guardian angel, who from now on will protect the baby;
• for the same reason, you should not show the baby to a large number of people before the sacrament. After all, the child is absolutely defenseless in front of everything;
• Saturday is considered the most successful day for baptism among the people;
• pork should not be served on the festive table after christening, it is best if it is rooster or chicken meat.
• godfather and godfather should not be in a romantic relationship, much less be husband and wife. It is best if they are relatives;
• the godparent should give the child a cross for the sacrament, and it is better if the cross is not made of gold;
• it’s good if a wedding takes place in the church before or after baptism. And vice versa, it is bad if it is the funeral of the deceased;
• you should not invite a woman who has had an abortion to become a godmother;
• kryzhma (a special towel for the ceremony) should be given by the godmother. It must be kept for life without erasing;
• if you are buying a cross or other things needed for a ceremony in a church, do not take the change under any circumstances, or leave it in the donation box.

Relying on church rules when choosing a day of baptism or choosing a date convenient for the family and the child is your decision! The main thing to remember is that baptism is a sacred sacrament that will largely determine the future fate of your baby. Therefore, it is necessary to prepare for it and take it seriously!

The rite of baptism of a child - video

The sacrament of baptism causes reverent awe in most people. Even not deeply believing parents necessarily baptize the baby so that the child is under God's protection.

The rite of baptism is a ritual that requires little preparation. It is important to know when to baptize a newborn, what to prepare for going to church, who to take as godparents (named parents). Learn more about the traditional Christian rite.

Most parents try to protect the tiny little man early, they conduct the sacrament of baptism until the baby is 1 year old. Most often, the ceremony is performed on the 40th day after the birth of the child. Sometimes the sacrament takes place later, if the baby is sick, the weather is so windy and cold that the baby can easily catch a cold.

Take note:

• it is not worth postponing the ceremony for a long time: newborn children up to a year old behave calmly during the sacrament, most of them sleep;
• after a year and a half, the child often spins, is naughty, is afraid of incomprehensible smells, sounds, many strangers, the actions of a priest;
• with such behavior, the special atmosphere inherent in the traditional rite disappears: all efforts are aimed at calming the crying baby;
• whims, screams, exhortations of parents often wake up other children if the ceremony takes place for several couples;
• consider an important point, ensure maximum peace of mind during the ritual.

In some cases, the priest does not recommend postponing baptism. Perform the traditional ceremony as soon as possible if the baby is restless, weak, born prematurely. In case of a serious illness, priests also advise to baptize the baby early.

Baptism of a child: what you need to know? Helpful Hints:

• any day is suitable for the ceremony. Often young parents choose Saturday and Sunday, when many close people and friends can come to share the joy;
• on major church holidays, it is not very convenient to hold christenings: a lot of people gather in the temple, the child may burst into tears due to stuffiness, a large crowd of strangers. On such days, the priest will not be able to devote enough time to parents and the baby;
• if you plan a date in advance, pay attention to a delicate nuance: mommy can be present in the temple when she does not have critical days at that moment. Choose the date of the christening taking into account an important factor.

Where to baptize a newborn

The bulk of the rites of baptism of the child takes place in the church. Sometimes circumstances interfere with visiting the temple: the child quickly catches a cold in crowded places, the baby gets sick, gets very worried, cries at the sight of strangers. What to do?

Talk to the priest, whom you respect, explain the situation. The priest will take the accessories for the ceremony with him, will baptize the baby at home. Parents will need to prepare attributes for the ceremony.

Advice! In small settlements there is often one or two churches, the choice of where to baptize a child is practically absent. If you live in a big city, don't be lazy, talk to your friends, ask for advice on choosing a priest. It is important to know that the holy father will approach the sacrament of baptism with soul. Come to the temple in advance, talk with the priest, ask for advice on preparing for the ceremony. Find a person who is completely conducive to you.

Necessary purchases: traditions and rules

What is required for a child to be baptized? Take note:

• most often the cost of the ceremony, the purchase of special accessories in the church is paid by the godfather. Sometimes the parents and the godfather pay the rite equally. You cannot force the named pope to pay in full for the christening if the person is still in a difficult financial situation;
• the godmother should bring a kryzhma - a special towel for the christening of a child, in which the priest will wrap the crumbs during the ceremony. Kryzhma needs to be consecrated before christening. Often, the named mother buys a teaspoon made of silver (the cutlery is also holy in the church);
• young parents acquire little things for baptism: crosses for guests, candles, a pectoral cross for crumbs. Many parents choose a gold product, but a church cross on a satin ribbon is quite suitable;
• at baptism, the child receives a second, church name, based on the date of the ceremony. Parents should buy an icon with the face of a saint (holy) - the patron saint for the baby. Choose an icon in the temple: it will be consecrated there, after the christening, the parents will take the amulet home to protect the newly baptized baby from evil forces.

How much does a child's baptism cost? Specify in advance the cost of accessories for the ceremony: often the amount is impressive.

Which outfit is suitable for adults and kids

• women are required to wear a light scarf / scarf / thin scarf on their heads. The skirt or dress should cover the knees. Under the ban deep neckline, open shoulders, too bright, defiant colors;
• men will suit trousers and a shirt of soothing tones. Breeches, shorts in the temple are out of place;
• a special baptismal set of a beautiful undershirt and a hat, on which a cross is embroidered, will suit the baby. A special set is put on the baby only for the sacrament of baptism, then kept at home, reminding of the purity of the child's soul. If you don't have a christening set, wear nice clothes that are easy to put on and take off.

How to choose named parents

Unfortunately, often parents do not attach much importance to this moment. They are looking for someone who will agree or who is allowed by the rules. Not always godparents are people who are ready to come to the rescue at the first call of their parents, to rejoice for the named son or daughter.

Many choose second parents, based on the wealth of the named mother and father, in the hope of expensive gifts or an invitation to visit abroad. Kind, decent people with below average income, unfortunately, are rarely considered as suitable candidates.

This is why many godparents see their named children only for birthdays, and even then, not for all. Sometimes godparents are remembered only before preparing for the godson's wedding in order to get an expensive gift.

Important! Ideally, the named parents should be congenial people or good friends. If you have such acquaintances or relatives in mind, invite them to christening, entrust them to become a named father or mother. Good godparents are joy in the house. Remember about spiritual communication with the godson, and not just about the material side of the issue. Remember: the financial side tends to change for better or worse, and good relationships often last a lifetime.

Who can be godfather

Entrust the honorable duty:

• good friends;
• relatives whom you are glad to see in your house;
• family aunts and uncles.

Who can't be a godfather

Young parents should be aware that there are limits. Traditions do not allow certain categories of relatives and friends to be invited to this responsible role.

Cannot be godparents:

• baby's parents;
• children: the minimum age of the godmother is 13 years old, the godfather is 15 years old;
• a married couple cannot be invited to become godparents for one baby;
• mental illness is a reason to refuse the help of a person who, due to pathology, is not able to fully realize the measure of responsibility;
• people of a different faith. Sometimes the prohibition is violated if the future godfather is a very good, kind person.

How is the ceremony

How is the baptism of a child? The scenario of the ritual is practically the same, regardless of the location of the church (large city or small village). Parents, friends, relatives, future godparents should generally understand how the sacrament is performed so that there is no confusion or awkwardness in some situations.

Basic moments:

• baptism is scheduled for a certain time, but you need to drive up to the temple in advance: this way you will have time to arrange financial issues, negotiate documents for the baby;
• an important point is to properly prepare the baby for the ritual. Undress the child, wrap it naked in kryzhma - a special diaper or a beautiful towel larger than the baby;
• the clergyman first invites the godmother to the church with the boy in his arms, the future goddaughter is carried by a man;
• further inside the temple are the invited guests, the mother comes last. Sometimes, before reading certain prayers, mommy waits outside;
• the priest takes the newborn in his arms. At this time, the guests repeat the prayer of renunciation of the devil;
• the next stage is immersing the crumbs in the font. The action is performed three times. If baptism is carried out in the cold season, the priest can pour some water from the font on the arms and legs of the baby;
• Chrismation takes place after the water ritual. The newly baptized baby receives a blessing, protection from dark forces. To do this, on the nose, forehead, eyes, lips, ears, arms, legs and chest, the clergyman puts smears in the form of a cross with church liquid;
• the priest gives the crumbs to the named parents: the woman takes the boy, the man takes the girl. Now you need to wipe, dress the baby.

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The sacrament of baptism continues:

• the baby receives a pectoral cross. One of the named parents holds the baby, the second puts on a consecrated cross;
• the priest cuts a few locks from the baby's head (in the center). This detail means obedience to God, the new spiritual life of the newly baptized baby;
• at the end of the rite, the priest with the baby in his arms goes around the font three times. The priest puts the girl to the icon of the Virgin, the boy is brought into the altar;
• now you can transfer the newly baptized baby to the mother. The parent brings out a crumb of their temple;
• all guests, godparents go home with their parents to celebrate the baptism of the baby.

The traditional ceremony takes from 30-40 minutes to two hours. The more couples in the church baptize children, the longer the sacrament lasts: the priest pays attention to each child.

Now you know when a newborn baby is baptized, who to make named parents, what to purchase for the ceremony. Consider the recommendations, choose worthy godparents, take a responsible attitude to the preparation of the solemn ceremony. May God and the saints bless the newly baptized baby, protect him from adversity, protect him from troubles and the influence of dark forces!

Parents prepare in advance for the Baptism of their baby, because it is necessary to take into account so many nuances. One of the points that moms and dads are interested in is the question of which day of the week is better to baptize a child. There are several factors to consider when choosing when to perform the sacrament of baptism. This will allow you to prepare for the ceremony and make the event as comfortable as possible.

What day of the week can a child be baptized?

According to tradition, the ceremony is performed after the 40th day from the birth of the crumbs. This is due to the fact that after childbirth, a mother cannot enter the temple for a certain time. But it is allowed to baptize a newborn, starting from the 8th day of life.

There are no restrictions regarding the timing of the Sacrament. Parents can choose a date that is convenient for them. But in each case, it is necessary to focus on the rules of the church in which the ceremony is planned to be held. You need to know them in advance. Ministers will always tell you on what day of the week children are baptized in this particular church. After all, each of them has its own routines and rules that should be followed and respected. In some temples, a certain time is allotted for.

Some mothers and fathers decide to coincide with the ceremony on the day of remembrance of that Saint, whose name is the little one. This date can be found on the church calendar. Also, sometimes they want the sacrament to coincide with a church holiday, but then you have to be prepared for a large number of people who will attend services.

When deciding on the date of the event, you should choose it in such a way that it does not fall on the expected menstruation of your mother or godmother. Indeed, during this period, women should not visit the temple.

It doesn’t matter what day of the week the parents baptize the baby. The main thing is that they responsibly prepare for the event, and also raise the little one in Orthodox traditions. The question of choice is also important, because they also have to take care of the spiritual education of the little one.