The Sacrament of Baptism is considered the second birth of a person. This ritual is important not only for adults, but also for children. Before the ceremony, parents have a number of questions. One of them is this: is it possible to baptize a child in fasting. What do the priests say about this, why it is possible or impossible to baptize children on fasting days.
Doubts about whether it is possible to baptize a child during fasting lead to a detailed study of the sacrament. Parents need to decide on the date of the ritual.
In addition to the right date, the ceremony is unthinkable without godparents. In church practice, they are referred to as spiritual recipients. After birth, a child's soul is sinless and absolutely pure. To save it with early childhood parents involve the child in church life. Godparents help them achieve this goal.
Requirements for baptism
Godparents are the guides of the soul from infancy to adulthood. They are responsible for the spiritual development and formation of the godson.
Note! Parents are responsible for both the physical and spiritual usefulness of the baby. At the same time, the decision of the godparents in spiritual development is more significant.
It is important to remember that the vocation of sponsors is the introduction of children and their thoughts to the Orthodox dogma. A formal attitude to faith is unacceptable for potential godparents.
According to church requirements, spiritual recipients cannot be:
- half-parents of the baptized;
- representatives of atheism (deny any religion);
- Gentiles (promoting truths other than Orthodoxy);
- people who see a pagan meaning in the sacrament of baptism and pursue magical goals;
- supporters of sectarian movements;
- foster mother or foster father;
- representatives of other confessional movements;
- boys under 15 years of age and girls under 13 years of age;
- ecclesiastics and monks/nuns;
- people who deny the foundations of morality;
- people who do not want to be a godfather;
- people with clouding of mind and other mental illnesses;
- the fair sex, whose body undergoes menstrual cleansing.
Among the acceptable options for the role of the godfather, the church is allowed to invite:
- close relatives: grandmother, grandfather, aunt, uncle, sister, brother, taking into account the age parameter;
- godfathers (kuma or kumu);
- godfather / first-born godmother;
- a pregnant woman;
- an unmarried girl with no children of her own.
The person who baptized the firstborn is allowed to re-become a godfather for subsequent children of the family. The main condition is the fulfillment of spiritual mentorship in relation to all godchildren. In the absence of godparents, the role of the spiritual recipient can be performed by the priest who performs the ritual.
Note! For the sacrament, two godparents are enough. The church forbids taking several pairs for one baby. This is due to the desire of parents to become financially rich, such an impulse is considered sinful.
one godfather
Often parents wonder if it is possible to baptize a child with one godmother or godmother. When asked whether it is possible to baptize a baby with one godparent, the church gives a positive answer.
From the position of Orthodoxy, it is not necessary to invite two recipients for the sacrament. It is allowed to conduct with one godfather.
The following features should be taken into account:
- For female babies, a godmother is chosen.
- For male babies, a godfather is appointed.
Similar nuances are associated with the conduct of the Sacrament. During the ritual, a prayer of renunciation is read. Often a newborn or a baby who is not yet able to speak is baptized. The prayer is read by the beneficiary, of the same sex with him, therefore the godmother does not have the right to read the sacred text instead of the boy, but Godfather instead of a girl.
Married couple
The choice of recipients leads parents to the topic of whether it is possible for a married couple to baptize a child in the church. Concerning the married couple as godparents, the church speaks categorically.
According to the Orthodox faith, godparents become spiritual mentors and parents of the baby. As a result of the ritual, a man and a woman, previously strangers to each other, turn into a single whole.
Such a statement becomes invalid in relation to a married couple. Being in a legal marriage, a man and a woman are initially united. Accordingly, the participation of such a couple in the ritual devalues it. It is declared invalid.
Among the clergy there is a different opinion whether it is possible for a married couple to baptize the same child. A man and a woman are allowed to participate in the ritual if they are not married in heaven. This means that they do not get married.
Informative!: is it possible to be a godfather to several children
Among the church prohibitions in relation to couples, the following points are distinguished:
- Being in a legal (civil) marriage: ignoring this aspect imposes a ban on the further possibility of getting married and concluding sacred bonds;
- Planning for a future union: after the sacrament, the intention to marry will have to be excluded;
- Cohabitation without formal marriage: a union of this kind is considered sinful by the church.
A married couple can participate in the ceremony in case of:
- Baptisms of different children in the same family: spouses undergo the procedure separately, compliance with this condition preserves the sacred value of the union;
- Permissions of the highest church authority: the decision of the ruling bishop has such power, in addition to repentance for the sins committed, in some cases the marriage is declared invalid.
Fasting periods
Orthodox church life includes a series of one-day and multi-day fasting periods. This raises a logical question: do they baptize in fasting.
The opinion that one cannot baptize on fast days contains no theological justification. Often the canons and the history of formation Orthodox Church knows a rare parent. Not every clergyman gives explanations why he cannot conduct the ceremony in fasting. As a result, speculation and rumors give rise to the wrong answer.
Note! The answer to the question of whether it is possible to baptize in fasting is often confused with a wedding. Unlike baptism, weddings do not take place on fasting days.
The period of fasting for Orthodox Christians gives rise to a number of features in the celebration of the Sacrament, namely:
- the number of visitors to the temple is increasing;
- the ceremony is scheduled for Sunday or only Saturday;
- service time exceeds 4 hours;
- the break between morning and evening worship is shortened;
- the ritual is performed at the end Divine Liturgy, which ends in a post extremely late:
- the presence of all participants in the sacrament is mandatory.
The fulfillment of all these conditions is extremely difficult for young children. The clergyman may refuse parents to conduct the ceremony. This decision is due to the increased load on the priest. In addition to the morning and evening services, the duties of the priest include visiting the homes of the sick. Parents will be offered another day to receive the ordinance.
Priests give a positive answer to whether it is possible to baptize a child on Christmas or Assumption Lent. The entry into the Nativity Fast is celebrated on November 28, and the end on January 6. For Uspensky, the period from August 14 to 27 is relevant.
Carrying out the ritual in the Advent has nuances. The ceremony will require a long stay within the walls of the temple of all participants in the procession. The workload on the priest increases exponentially. As a result, the clergyman may offer to perform the sacrament on another day.
The variety of posts includes a particularly strict - Great. It involves diligent reading of prayers, concern for the purity of the fasting soul. In this regard, parents think about whether a newborn is baptized in great post.
The Orthodox Church does not prohibit the ceremony. From the side of the clergy there is only one recommendation. In the case of a loud feast in honor of the rite, a day different from the days of repentance should be chosen. Otherwise, it is recommended to limit yourself to a modest celebration.
Epiphany
Among the possible days for the ritual, parents think about whether the baptism of a newborn can be carried out on the feast of Epiphany. The ceremony requires special attention. January 19 was the baptism of Jesus Christ.
This day is considered the source of the strength of earthly resources. The sacrament performed at Baptism is not prohibited by the church.
There is an opinion among parents that it is not necessary to baptize a baby born on January 19th. Such an assumption is erroneous. Children born on such a holiday also need to undergo the Sacrament.
Leap year
The difference in the number of days in the calendar year raises the question of whether it is possible to baptize a child in a leap year. The presence of February 29 in the calendar gives rise to a lot of prejudices, beliefs and signs. Any responsible step during a leap year is associated with fear and inner excitement of the unknown.
Opinions on whether or not to baptize a baby in a leap year vary. One side adheres to the need to wait for the next year. The other side considers such a precaution to be unnecessary.
Reliably verified data are not available. There are only beliefs and signs. So, holding the ceremony in such a year will give rise to a lot of unpleasant moments in the later life of the baby. Not only health problems are assumed, but also a lack of personal development.
From the side of the church there are no prohibitions on baptism in a leap year. In the church understanding, the concept of a leap year does not exist, therefore, the difference in days in a year should not be a reason for transferring the rite.
parent saturday
Such a holiday as parental Saturday is considered especially significant for believers. The question arises whether it is possible to baptize a child on parental Saturday. This day is intended to commemorate the departed relatives and friends. Such significance does not impose a ban on the implementation of the ceremony.
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Summing up
The Sacrament of Baptism is one of the seven main sacraments in the Orthodox Church. It represents the second human birth. The passage of the rite during fasting introduces a person to church life and therefore the church does not prohibit him on fasting days. There are only a few features of its implementation.
Even before the birth of a baby, parents think about whether it is necessary to baptize him, and when to do it. The sacrament of the Church allows you to get closer to God and partake of the Faith. Also, many mothers and fathers believe that the procedure protects from the evil eye and evil. A child can be baptized at any age or leave him the choice.
When is the best time to baptize a child?
There is no specific time for performing a spiritual sacrament. When can a child be baptized? Most parents carry out the ceremony of approaching God to their child until they reach one year. In Russia, the baby was baptized on the 8th day after birth, modern moms and dads organize this action after 40 days of life. Before this age, a new mother is considered unclean, so she is not allowed to stay in the church. If the baby is born with severe complications or illnesses, then the ceremony can be performed a few hours after the baby is born.
Are children baptized in fasting
Increasingly, parents have a question whether it is possible to baptize a child in fasting. The priests give a positive answer, because it is never too late to bring a person to God. However, several technical difficulties may arise here. The first is related to whether they baptize in Lent, and church prohibitions have nothing to do with it. At this time, frequent and long services are held, between which there are small intervals of time. On weekends, services are shorter, so priests can pay more attention to parishioners.
You should find out in advance whether it is possible to baptize a small child in fasting in a particular temple. There are no restrictions on certain days of the week. The second subtlety: for christenings that fall at this time, it is necessary to organize a Lenten table. You can not eat products of animal origin, drink alcohol. Ask the priest for advice, he will tell you what you can put on the table.
Baptism rules
How does the sacrament take place according to Orthodox canons? This centuries-old rite has become a tradition. It has these rules:
- At least one of the biological parents must profess Orthodox Christianity.
- The age of the godmother and father is at least 16 years old, it is desirable that they are not married and do not plan to marry each other. Both recipients must be believing Orthodox Christians.
- A child must have at least one godparent. For a son, this is a godfather, for a daughter, a godmother.
- In some churches, priests conduct a kind of examination for the recipients before the sacrament. They find out how godparents know religious rites, prayers, honor church holidays.
- When the priest gives a signal, the godparents bring the baby into the church (the boy is the godmother, the girl is the godmother). The chest is wrapped in a white cloth.
- The recipients repeat prayers, undertake to follow the commandments. Then the sacrament of baptism takes place in several stages. The final one is immersing the baby in the font, placing a cross on the chest and bringing the baby to the altar (for a boy) or leaning against the icon of the Mother of God (for a girl). The baby is given the name of one of the saints.
What godparents need to know
They are responsible for the spiritual upbringing of the godson. The godparents are responsible for the reunion of the little man with God, and if something happens to the baby's biological parents, the godparents take on their role. These people close to you should not only know whether it is possible to baptize a child in fasting, but also periodically go to church services, know God's laws, and live by them.
If we talk about organizational issues, the purchase of a cross, a white towel with embroidery, a baptismal suit for the baby falls on the godparents. The recipient agrees with the priest on the sacrament and organizes a feast. Everyone should tune in a positive mood, not think about superstitions and conduct christenings in accordance with church canons.
Video: how the rite of baptism of a child goes
Baptism for many parents one of important days after the birth of a child. For some, this is a tribute to tradition, for some it is just a ritual. But still, the baptism of a child has a number of subtleties that parents should know. There are a number of misconceptions regarding when to baptize a child. Who should be chosen as godparents? Is it possible to perform the ceremony on a leap year, fasting or Parental Saturday? You will learn about this from the article.
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Sacrament of Baptism - the spiritual birth of a child
Why is the Baptism of a baby called a sacrament? It is believed that this rite is Divine, because it the Lord does sending their sacred grace to the baby. And also, the child is given a name, and now he is under the protection of the saint, whose name the child was named.
The Sacrament of Baptism itself is:
- The consecration of the oil.
- Consecration of water for baptism.
- Anointing with holy oil.
- Immersion baby in.
After these actions, a prayer is read, and the child in the face of the Lord acquires spiritual parents who will be responsible for the spiritual upbringing of the child all his life.
At what age should a baby be baptized
The optimal age for Baptism, according to physiological readiness, is 40 days. This age of the child is also important for the mother. Usually, by this time, the woman has completed her postpartum recovery and can attend church. In many churches, after the rite of baptism, mother is invited to Mother's Special Prayer. It happens when a child needs to be baptized ahead of time. The ceremony can be carried out, but without her presence.
Often, parents are of the opinion that in the process of the sacrament of baptism, faith is imposed on the child. And decide to baptize the child in more This is also permissible. The Church accepts baptism at any age, the main thing is that a person really comes with faith and is ready to renounce an unrighteous life.
Is it possible to baptize a child with one godfather? Is it possible to be godparents married couple? These questions and a number of others are constantly of interest to young parents.
First of all, it is worth understanding that godparents carry huge responsibility for the baby. Therefore, it is worth choosing Orthodox believers. Only such people can give a child proper spiritual education and teach him to be an obedient layman.
There are times when it is not possible to take two godparents. How to proceed in such a case? A child can only have one godfather. But there are several nuances. For they take a godmother, and at must be a godfather. Only then can baptism be considered valid. The thing is that during the Sacrament, the godfather, who is of the same sex as the godson, reads the prayer of renunciation on his behalf. And, for example, a godfather cannot read a prayer instead of a girl.
Concerning couples who want to be godparents. The Church answers unequivocally - no. During the Sacrament of Holy Baptism, a spiritual connection appears between the godparents in the face of God. And other relationships, romantic or intimate, are unacceptable. If it so happened that the godparents decided to enter into a relationship, they should abandon them or seek help from the bishop.
Church also forbids godparents:
- Monks.
- People with mental health problems.
- Atheists.
- People of other religions.
- Sectarians.
- blood parents.
- Married couples, as well as couples in intimate relationships.
- Minors and children.
In general, the choice of a godfather is entirely up to you. The main thing to remember is that godparents are responsible for the life of the child, to the same extent as blood parents.
Preparation for baptism: necessary attributes
Godparents have been chosen, and the baby has reached 40 days of age, you need to prepare for baptism and purchase all the necessary things.
What days can and cannot be baptized a baby
Exists misconception that it is absolutely impossible to conduct the Sacrament of Baptism during fasts. So is a child baptized in Lent and other church fasts?
The church does not stipulate prohibitions on the days on which it is possible or impossible to baptize a baby. Of course you can baptize in Great, and in Christmas fasts. The only thing that parents and godparents may face is the employment of a clergyman. If you wish to baptize an infant during Lent, this should be discussed with a representative of your chosen church.
When conducting the rite of baptism in, it is important to remember to adhere to the meal, which is due to fasting. Therefore, it is worth abandoning the celebration of christening at home in order to avoid eating forbidden food and alcohol.
Perform the Sacrament on the days of the celebration of Epiphany, Easter, Trinity and others church holidays also allowed. Interestingly, on the day of Epiphany, there are a large number of people who want to spend the Sacrament. Therefore, if you have chosen this date, it is worth signing up in advance with a representative of the church.
Parental Saturday, one of significant days for Orthodox believers. On this day, all the deceased relatives and friends are commemorated. But despite the significance, on this day there is also no prohibition for the rite of baptism.
Can a baby be baptized on a leap year? Of course, no prerequisites forbidding perform the Sacrament at this time. Therefore, the prohibition of baptism in a leap year is more of a superstition. Since ancient times, our ancestors have associated many signs with a leap year that carry a negative connotation. This year, superstitious people refuse to marry, give birth and baptize children. But in the church there is no concept of a leap year, and, accordingly, it is allowed to baptize a baby during this period.
Summing up, I would like to note that the sacrament of baptism is an unforgettable date in a child's life. And when it is better to conduct this ceremony, as well as who to take as godparents - this is a purely personal matter of the parents. The main thing is to approach everything with faith in the soul and reverence for God.
What is the ideal age for baptism?
Each parent(s) must decide for themselves when is the best time to spend. It is advisable to do this before forty days from the date of birth. Naturally, no one, especially the church, forbids baptizing a child at the age when the parents considered it necessary to do this.
Until now, a controversial issue is the need for a person to be baptized almost immediately after birth, while the child does not have his own faith. Based on this, many parents refuse to baptize a newborn, arguing that the child must independently come to Orthodoxy, and then make a decision for himself to be baptized or not.
If we talk about the fact that a child in infancy lacks such a thing as faith, then his parents clearly do not lack a desire for Orthodoxy. Plus, godparents should also be believers. Subsequently, adults will instill in the child the faith that they themselves adhere to. Based on this, the need for baptism is fully justified, since the child will still come to that religion, to which he could reach himself in the future if he had not been baptized.
Relationship between the name of the child and the sacrament of baptism
After baptism, the child finds an intercessor. He hides under the mask of the saint, after whom the baby was named. In the future, he will protect a person from the tricks of Satan, as well as from all the evil that is in the world. That is why it is also important to choose the “right” name for the child.
What should those parents who decide to name the child in a foreign manner do? In order to baptize a child, it is not necessary to drastically change your mind just before the day of the sacrament and choose another one for him. orthodox name. It is enough just to baptize the child under a different name, and in ordinary life call him the way the parents want. Every person should know the name under which he was baptized. In the future, it is this name that will appear in other church sacraments. For example, if a child, when he grows up, will also become a godparent, or if he wants to seal his marriage bonds with a wedding.
Baptism of a child on Advent and at Christmas: features of the sacrament
Before a man and a woman who became parents in the month of November-December, the question arises, is it possible to baptize a child on Christmas fast? Baptism is one of the most important sacraments in the life of every person. If the parents decide to conduct the rite of baptism of the child in, it will be very difficult for them to find a temple where they can do this. The difficulty lies in the fact that in each of the sacred places there will be services that are dedicated to only one baby. This is Jesus Christ. You should not combine this great Orthodox holiday with your own holiday - the baptism of a child. If the parents want to baptize the child at the beginning of January, you can do this either the day before Christmas or the day after it.
It should also be noted that the baptism of a child on holidays is not prohibited by the church charter. The sacrament is possible on any day if the parents of the child wish it. The question is whether the priest can perform the ceremony. It is possible (and even likely) that he will be involved in holiday service. To find out for sure whether it will be possible to carry out the plan, you should find out if the clergyman can conduct a baptism on this day. If he cannot, then it should be clarified to which other day the celebration should be postponed.
However, some clergymen prefer to hold a completely different opinion regarding the possibility of a child being baptized during the Christmas fast. For example, the priest of the temple Life-Giving Trinity in Kosino, Alexey Mityushin says that the church has a positive attitude towards the baptism of a child at Christmas. If the parents of the baby want the sacrament to be performed at this particular time, the clergy of his temple will definitely meet them and perform the ceremony at the appointed time.
Useful information for godparents
In order to become godparents for a newborn baby, a man and a woman must follow a number of specific rules, without which they cannot participate in the sacrament. So, for example, both godparents must adhere to the Orthodox faith. In addition, they must necessarily be baptized people themselves. These two factors are very important for the man and woman who later have to christen the child. They are connected with the fact that it is godparents who should give the child the first knowledge about their faith, instill in him love for God and the world around him. If the godparents are unbelievers, they will not be able to provide the child with the knowledge he needs.
1. In addition, the duties of godparents also include:
2. Teach your child to fast.
3. Teach a child to pray and observe other commandments that are significant for a believer.
4. Tell the child about the saints, and also teach him to talk with the icons.
5. To give basic knowledge about significant dates for the church calendar.
Another important fact Godparents do not have to be husband and wife. If the sacrament takes place in fasting, it is desirable that future godparents adhere to it.
The day before the baptism of the baby, a man and a woman must confess and take communion. They will also need to learn one prayer by heart. The clergyman whom the family decided to contact, or any other person close to the church, will tell about this in more detail. As a rule, this is the "Creed".
Don't take godparents unfamiliar people. It must be those man and woman who enter the house to the parents of the baby. The grandmother at the church is clearly not the best option among those who can become the godmother of a newborn.
In addition to the basic tasks that godparents face, they must also constantly pray for the well-being of their godson or goddaughter.
As for the biological parents of the child, they are not assigned any duties and tasks in this case. The only thing that is required of them is to come to church, observing the “dress code”. It is desirable that biological parents, like godparents, fast ( actual information for parents planning to baptize their children on fasting days).
How long does the sacrament last?
Baptism on a feast day (or fasting) is absolutely no different from the sacrament that a priest could conduct on an ordinary weekday. The only exception is the employment of a church minister. It is possible that parents and future godparents will have to wait a bit until he is released.
To conduct a full-fledged sacrament over the baby, the priest will not need more than forty minutes. The sacrament is preceded by the Announcement, which is the reading of special prayers for the godparents. Plus, during baptism, godparents must renounce Satan, as well as confirm their belief in Christ.
