How is the Sacrament of Baptism performed in the church? In this article you will find a detailed photo essay on how a baby is baptized, with a description of all parts of the ceremony.
How is the Sacrament of Baptism performed?
Baptism is the Sacrament in which the believer, when the body is immersed three times in water with the invocation of God the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, dies for a carnal, sinful life and is reborn from the Holy Spirit into a spiritual life. In Baptism, a person is cleansed from original sin - the sin of the forefathers, communicated to him through birth. The Sacrament of Baptism can be performed on a person only once (as well as a person is born only once).
The baptism of an infant is performed according to the faith of the recipients, who have a sacred duty to teach children the true faith, to help them become worthy members of the Church of Christ.
christening set your baby should be the one recommended to you in the temple where you will baptize him. They will easily tell you what you need. This is mainly baptismal cross and christening shirt. The baptism of one baby lasts about forty minutes.
This sacrament consists of Announcements(readings of special prayers - “prohibitions” over those preparing for baptism), renunciation of satan and union with Christ, that is, union with Him, and confession of the Orthodox faith. Here, for the baby, the godparents should pronounce the appropriate words.
Immediately after the end of the Announcement, the follow-up begins christening. most notable and important point- three times immersion of the baby in the font with the pronunciation of the words:
“The servant of God (servant of God) (name) is baptized in the name of the Father, amen. And the Son, amen. And the Holy Spirit, amen."
At this time, the godfather (of the same sex as the person being baptized), taking a towel in his hands, is preparing to receive his godfather from the font.
After that, the one who has received Baptism is dressed in new white clothes, a cross is put on him.
Immediately after this, another Sacrament - Confirmation in which the baptized person, when the parts of the body are anointed by the Holy World in the name of the Holy Spirit, are given the gifts of the Holy Spirit, strengthening him in spiritual life.
After that, the priest and the godparents with the newly baptized go around the font three times as a sign of the spiritual joy of union with Christ for eternal life in the Kingdom of Heaven.
Then an excerpt from the Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Romans is read, dedicated to the topic of baptism, and an excerpt from the Gospel of Matthew - about the Lord Jesus Christ sending the apostles to the worldwide preaching of faith with the command to baptize all nations in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
After the myrrh is washed by the priest from the body of the baptized with a special sponge dipped in holy water, with the words:
“Thou hast justified. Thou hast been enlightened. Thou hast been sanctified. Thou hast been washed in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. You were baptized. Thou hast been enlightened. Thou hast been anointed. Thou art sanctified, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, amen."
Next, the priest cuts the hair of the newly baptized cross-shaped (on four sides) with the words: “The servant (a) of God (name) is cut in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen,” folds the hair on a wax cake and lowers it into the font. The tonsure symbolizes obedience to God and at the same time marks the small sacrifice that the newly baptized brings to God in thanksgiving for the beginning of a new, spiritual life. After making requests for godparents and the newly baptized The Sacrament of Baptism is completed.
Usually immediately followed by churching denoting the first offering to the temple. The baby, taken by the priest in his arms, is carried by him through the temple, brought to the Royal Doors and brought into the altar (only boys), after which he is given to his parents. Churching symbolizes the dedication of the baby to God according to the Old Testament model. After baptism, the infant should be given communion.
Why are only boys brought to the altar?
- Girls are not carried through the Royal Doors for the reason that women in general, in the modern practice of the Orthodox Church, are not allowed into the altar, because they cannot be church and clergymen. And every boy, at least potentially, can become one, therefore, it rushes through the Royal Doors.
- They say that before you baptize your child, you should confess and take communion.
– Of course, even regardless of the Baptism of a child, Orthodox Christians are called by the Church to begin the sacraments of confession and Holy Communion with a certain regularity. If you have not done this until now, then it will be good to take the first step towards a full-fledged church life by anticipating the Baptism of your own baby.
This is not a formal requirement, but a natural internal norm - because, introducing the child to Church life through the sacrament of Baptism, introducing him into the Church's fence - why should we ourselves remain outside of it? For an adult who has not repented for many years, or never in his life, has not begun to receive the Holy Mysteries of Christ, at this moment is a very conditionally Christian. Only by prompting himself to live in the sacraments of the Church does he actualize his Christianity.
What happens during a baptism?
The word "baptism" means "immersion". The main action of baptism is the threefold immersion of the person being baptized in water, which symbolizes the three-day stay of Christ in the tomb, after which the Resurrection took place. 
Everyone who is baptized follows the path of Christ. Just as Christ died on the Cross as a sacrifice for our sins, in the sacrament of baptism we die to a sinful life and to do the will of Satan, so that we can then be resurrected to life with God. Our whole being is thus renewed to its very foundations.
We are left with all our sins, in which we sincerely repented. If a baby is baptized, then he must have godparents, whose duties include the Christian upbringing of their godchildren. For them, they will give a strict answer at the Judgment of God.
Anyone who has agreed to become a godfather must realize that he is taking on a huge responsibility for the child.
In order to give a child a Christian upbringing, the godparents themselves must live a Christian life, pray for their godson.
Chin of announcement
The performance of baptism is preceded by the rite of pronouncement, during which the priest reads prohibition prayers directed against Satan.
The priest blows crosswise on the person being baptized three times, saying the words: “cast out from him (or from her) every evil and unclean spirit hidden and nesting in his heart ...”.
They are a reminder that "the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul" (Gen. 2.7).
The hand of the clergyman is the hand of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, which is a gesture of protection and blessing, for in the future this person will face a mortal battle with the forces of darkness.
Three Prohibitions on Unclean Spirits
The Church tells us about the rebellion against God in the spiritual world created by Him of a part of the angels, possessed by pride. And the source of evil lies not in their ignorance and imperfection, but, on the contrary, in those knowledge and perfection that led them to the temptation of pride and falling away.
Satan belonged to the very first and the best creatures God. He was perfect, wise, and strong enough to know the Lord and disobey Him, to rebel against Him, to desire "freedom" from Him. But since such “freedom” (i.e., arbitrariness) is impossible in the Kingdom of Divine Harmony, which exists only with voluntary consent to the Will of God, Satan and his angels are expelled by God from this Kingdom.
That is why, at baptism, the prohibition of “Satan and all his Aggels” is first performed. St. Cyril of Jerusalem says in the catechetical teaching: “The content of these prohibitions is as follows: first, it cuts off and drives the devil and all his actions with Divine names and sacraments that are terrible for him, driving out the devil, commands his demons to flee from a person and not create misfortunes for him.
Similarly, the second prohibition casts out demons with the Divine Name.
The third prohibition is together with a prayer offered to God, imploring to completely expel the evil spirit from the creation of God and confirm him in the faith.
Renunciation of Satan
The person being baptized (or godparents, if an infant is being baptized) renounces Satan, i.e., renounces sinful habits and lifestyle, renounces pride and self-affirmation, realizing that an unbaptized person is always a prisoner of passions, Satan.
Confession of fidelity to Christ
However, man himself can never wage war with the devil without an alliance with Christ. Therefore, after the declaration of war on Satan, in the rank of announcement, a combination with Christ follows.
The child becomes a member of Christ's host. His weapons will be fasting, prayer, participation in church sacraments. He has to fight with his sinful passions - the evil that lies in his heart.
The baptized confesses the faith, reads the Creed. If an infant is baptized, then the recipient must read the Symbol of Faith for him.
SYMBOL OF FAITH
1 I believe in one God the Father, Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, visible to all and invisible.
2 And into one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only Begotten, who was born of the Father before all ages; Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, uncreated, consubstantial with the Father, Whom all was.
3 For us, man, and for our salvation, who descended from heaven, and became incarnate of the Holy Spirit and Mary the Virgin, and became human.
4 He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried.
5 And he rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures.
6 And ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father.
7 And the packs of the one to come with glory to be judged by the living and the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.
8 And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who spoke the prophets.
9 Into one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.
10 I confess one baptism for the remission of sins.
11 I look forward to the resurrection of the dead,
12 and the life of the age to come. Amen.
The creed contains all the basic Christian truths.
In ancient times, a person had to study them before baptism. And now this is a necessary condition for baptism.
Consecration of water 
At the beginning of the Sacrament of Baptism itself, the priest performs incense around the font and reads prayers for the blessing of water, then blesses the water in which the person being baptized will have to wash their sins.
He makes the sign of the cross over her three times, blows on her, saying a prayer:
“Let all opposing forces be crushed under the sign of the image of Your Cross.”
The consecration of water for Baptism is one of the most important parts of the service, which has the deepest connection with the sacrament itself.
In prayers and actions during the consecration of water for Baptism, all aspects of the sacrament are revealed, its connection with the world and matter, with life in all its manifestations is shown.
Water is the oldest religious symbol. From a Christian point of view, three main aspects of this symbolism seem important. First, water is the primary cosmic element. At the beginning of creation, "the Spirit of God hovered over the waters" (Genesis 1:2).
At the same time, it is a symbol of destruction and death. The basis of life, life-giving force and, on the other hand, the basis of death, destructive force - such is the dual image of water in Christian theology. And finally, water is a symbol of purification, rebirth and renewal. This symbolism permeates the entire scripture, is included in the story of creation, the fall and salvation. Saint John the Forerunner called the people to repentance and cleansing from sins in the waters of the Jordan, and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, having received Baptism from him, sanctified the water element.
Oil consecration
After the consecration of the water, the priest reads a prayer for the consecration of the oil (oil) and the water will be anointed with it. Then the priest anoints the person being baptized with oil: face, chest, arms and legs. AT ancient world oil was used primarily as a remedy.
Oil, symbolizing healing, light and joy, was a sign of reconciliation between God and man. The dove, released by Noah from the ark, returned and brought him an olive branch, “and Noah knew that the water had gone down from the earth” (Genesis 8:11).
So, in anointing the water and the body of the baptized with oil, the oil signifies the fullness of life and the joy of reconciliation with God, since “in Him was life, and life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:4-5).
Baptism renews and restores the whole person in its original integrity, reconciles soul and body. The oil of joy is anointed on the water and the human body for reconciliation with God and in God with the world.
Immersion in the font
Immediately after the anointing comes the most important moment of baptism - immersion in the font.
The priest immerses the person being baptized three times in water with the words:
The servant of God is baptized (name is called) in the name of the Father, amen (first immersion). And the Son, amen (second immersion). And the Holy Spirit, amen (third dive).
Immediately after immersion, a cross is laid on the newly baptized - a sign of his acceptance of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, faith that Christ truly died and truly rose from the dead, so that in Him we can die to sin in relation to our mortal life and become partakers - here and now to eternal life.
Vestments of the newly baptized
Putting on a “light robe” after Baptism marks, first of all, the return of a person to the integrity and innocence that he possessed in paradise, the restoration of his true nature, distorted by sin.
Saint Ambrose, Bishop of Milan, compares these clothes with the shining robes of Christ, who was transfigured on Mount Tabor. The transfigured Christ revealed Himself to the disciples not in a naked form, but in clothes “white as light”, in the uncreated radiance of Divine glory.
In the sacrament of Baptism, a person regains his original garment of glory, the believing soul is clearly and really revealed to the basic truth of Christianity: having received Baptism, “you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory” (Col 3:3-4).
The deepest mystery is being accomplished: the unity of the human and the Divine in "renewed life." The grace given to a person in Baptism, as in the other sacraments, is the fruit of the sacrificial death of Christ and His Resurrection. She informs a person of the will to salvation and the strength to go through life, carrying his cross.
And therefore Baptism can and must be defined not figuratively, not symbolically, but in essence as death and resurrection. In the Christian understanding, death is, first of all, a spiritual phenomenon. One can be dead while still living on earth, and be innocent of death while lying in the grave.
Death is the remoteness of a person from life, that is, from God. The Lord is the only Giver of Life and Life Itself. Death is not the opposite of immortality, but true life which was "the light of men" (John 1:4). Life without God is spiritual death, which turns human life into loneliness and suffering, fills it with fear and self-deception, turns a person into slavery to sin and malice, emptiness.
We are not saved because we believe in the supernatural power and power of the Lord, because this is not the kind of faith He wants from us. To believe in Christ means not only to acknowledge Him, not only to receive from Him, but, above all, to work for His glory.
One cannot expect help from Him without fulfilling His commandments and, above all, the commandments of love; one cannot call Him Lord and bow before Him without doing the will of His Father. Immersion in water means that the person being baptized dies for a life of sin and is buried with Christ in order to live with Him and in Him (Rom. 6:3-11; Col. 2:12-13). This is the most important thing in the sacrament of Baptism. Only by the grace of God do we know that “this water is truly for us both a tomb and a mother…” (St. Gregory of Nyssa).
Sacrament of Chrismation
After immersion in the font and dressing in white clothes, the priest will anoint the newly enlightened with the holy Myrrh: imprinting "the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Through chrismation, the Holy Spirit descends on each of us, filling us with the power of God, just as once on the day of Pentecost he descended on the disciples of Christ. Holy chrism is oil prepared in a special way, which is consecrated once a year by the patriarch and then sent to all dioceses, where the bishops distribute it to the abbots. A priest anoints an already baptized person with holy chrism.
His forehead, eyes, nostrils, mouth, ears, chest, arms and legs are anointed. Different parts of the body are anointed with Holy Myrrh in order to sanctify the whole person through anointing: both his body and his soul.
The forehead is anointed to remove the shame that covered it due to the crime of Adam, and to sanctify our thoughts.
Eyes are anointed so that we do not grope in the dark along the path of vice, but that we walk along the path of salvation under the guidance of the grace-filled light; ears - so that our ear becomes sensitive to hearing the word of God; mouth - so that they become capable of broadcasting Divine truth.
Hands are anointed for sanctification for pious work, for deeds pleasing to God; feet - for our walking in the footsteps of the commandments of the Lord; and breasts, so that, having been clothed with the grace of the Holy Spirit, we may overcome every enemy force and be able to accomplish everything in Jesus Christ who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13).
In a word, our thoughts, desires, our heart and our whole body are sanctified to make them fit for the new Christian life.
The anointing with Myrrh is a visible sign, a seal that the newly baptized is granted the Holy Spirit by God. From the moment this sacred seal is placed on us, the Holy Spirit enters into betrothal, into a close living relationship with our soul. From that very moment we become Christians.
Each time the priest repeats the words: “The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit,” and the receiver, at the end of the anointing, answers: “Amen,” which means “Truly, truly.”
Confirmation is a new independent sacrament, although it is associated with Baptism and is performed, according to the rules of the Orthodox Church, immediately after immersion in the font three times. Acquiring a new son through Baptism, our caring mother - the Holy Church - without any delay begins to apply her care to him. Just as in bodily life, to strengthen the strength of an infant, air and food are needed, so for a person born spiritually through Baptism, special, spiritual food is needed.
Such food is taught by the holy Church in the sacrament of Chrismation, through which the Holy Spirit descends upon our soul. It is like the descent of the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, which was at the Baptism of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Holy Scripture reading and procession around the font
After the Sacrament of Confirmation there is a threefold procession around the font. The solemn circumambulation of the font with the singing of “Be baptized into Christ…” is, first of all, an expression of the Church’s joy at the birth of its new member by the Spirit of God.
On the other hand, since the circle is a sign of eternity, this procession shows that the newly enlightened one expresses a desire to serve God forever, to be a lamp that is placed not under a bushel, but on a candlestick (Luke 8:16), let it shine on all people with its good deeds and asks the Lord to grant him eternal bliss. Immediately after the procession around the font there is a reading of the Apostle and the Gospel. During the reading, the godparents stand with lighted candles.
The final rites of Baptism
The final rites of the rites of Baptism and Confirmation—the washing away of the Holy Myrrh and the cutting of the hair—are performed immediately after the reading of the Gospel. The first rite is the washing away from the body of the newly baptized holy Myrrh. Now external, visible signs and symbols can be eliminated, because from now on only the internal assimilation of the gift of grace, faith and fidelity by a person will support him and give him strength.
The Christian must bear the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit in his heart. Hair cutting, which is performed immediately after washing off the body of the newly baptized Holy Myrrh, has been a symbol of obedience and sacrifice since ancient times. People felt the concentration of strength and energy in their hair. This rite is found both in the rite of initiation into monasticism and in the rite of initiation of readers. In a fallen world, the path to the restoration of Divine beauty, darkened, humiliated, distorted, begins with a sacrifice to God, that is, with bringing to Him with joy and gratitude that which in this world has become a symbol of beauty - hair.
The meaning of this sacrifice is revealed especially vividly and touchingly at the Baptism of infants. The child cannot offer God anything else, and therefore several hairs are cut off from his head with the words: “The servant of God (servant of God) [name] is cut in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen".
Conclusion
Holy Baptism is the spiritual birth of a person, i.e. the beginning of his spiritual life, and in early years it depends on the parents and godparents what will be the continuation. Try to ensure that your child's communion with God continues, first of all, in the Sacrament of Holy Communion, in which a person is truly united with God.
A child can be communed in any Orthodox church. An infant (up to 7 years old) does not need confession before Communion, and it is not necessary to be in the church for the entire service. He can be brought / brought after the start of the service, depending on his spiritual age. Very young children can be communed after feeding (but not immediately after; children in the church should not be allowed to gnaw bagels, crackers, etc. before communion). When feeding, avoid meat food. As soon as possible, try to start taking communion on an empty stomach, accustoming them to the habits of fasting, i.e. after midnight on the day of the sacrament, the child should not be given food or drink. After 4 years, communion can only be done on an empty stomach.
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In order to properly prepare for the baptism of a child, you need to clearly know the answers to the following questions: how to sign up for the baptism of a child, how to dress a child for baptism, how to dress for a child's baptism by an adult, how the rite of baptism of a child goes, how the baptism of a child is celebrated. In this article, we will try to give answers to these questions that so worry parents and godparents of a baby before baptism.
How to register for baptism?
In some churches, the priest records the child for baptism at the time when he conducts a special interview with the baby's parents and godparents. There are Orthodox churches where a church person who has been given such obedience registers for baptism. The ceremony of christening a child involves active participation godparents, therefore, before signing up for a specific day and specific time in the church, you should think carefully so that it is convenient for both the parents of the baby and his godparents. During the preparation for this great sacrament of the Church, one should try to pray more often to the Savior and His Blessed Mother. This should be done by both the baby's parents, and his godparents and, if possible, all close people. You need to sign up for baptism in advance, at least a week before the planned celebration of the sacrament.
How to dress a child for baptism?
To clearly know the answer to this question, you need to ask during the interview what the temperature is in the room where holy sacrament. If this is a well-heated room, then you can dress the child lighter. And if it’s pretty cool there, then it’s better to put on warmer clothes for the baby, and be sure to take a blanket with you. Usually, a child is brought to baptism in one dress, and after immersion in the font, he is dressed in a beautiful baptismal outfit. white color. However, this is not a strict rule.
How to dress for a child's baptism?
The clothing requirements for adults who prayerfully participate in the baptism of a baby are the same as for attending church. Women should be covered in a skirt or dress, clothing should be fairly closed. Even if the sacrament is performed in the summer, men should wear trousers, not shorts.
How is the baptism?
The process of christening a child takes place in several stages. The child is held in the arms of his godparents. Usually the boy is held in his arms before immersion in the holy font. godmother, and after the dive, his godfather. 
When a girl is baptized, everything happens exactly the opposite, although this is not a strict rule. The priest reads special prayers in which he calls on the grace of the Holy Spirit to descend on the baptized baby. Godparents read the Creed. This prayer presents the main doctrinal provisions of the Orthodox Church. Godparents on behalf of the baby make a promise to be faithful to God throughout their lives. There is such a moment during the performance of the sacrament when the godparents turn their faces to the west. They make a symbolic breath and spit in this direction, and also utter certain words in which they renounce all evil deeds and thoughts on behalf of the child. During immersion in the holy font, the priest pronounces the baptismal formula. This is the most important moment in the performance of the sacrament of baptism. After the baptism of the child, the sacrament of chrismation immediately takes place. The priest smears with myrrh - consecrated oil - parts of the baby's body, and says certain prayers. These prayers concern not only the spiritual well-being of the child, but also his bodily health. For this reason, there are a large number of cases when, at first glance, hopelessly ill children, after being baptized, recovered to the joy of their parents and loved ones.
When the parents of the child and his godparents ask in advance how the baptism of the child takes place and how to properly prepare for it, then they feel much calmer and more confident during the sacrament itself, and this is of great importance. It is in a peaceful state of mind that it is easier to pray and be attentive to everything that happens.
How is a child's christening celebrated?
The celebration of the baptism of a child is also called christening. It is customary that immediately after the christening, the baby's parents invite guests. Godparents bring their gifts to the baptism of a child, but not only godparents, but also all close people come with gifts. Someone gives clothes, someone - toys, and someone can bring books or dishes. During the festive feast, parents are congratulated on the joyful event of the baptism of their baby, and happy parents, in turn, thank for the congratulations and treat everyone with various dishes.
To baptize or not to baptize a baby is an eternal question, and everyone decides for himself what will be best for his child. On the one hand, the baby still cannot decide which faith to join and whether he will be a believer at all, and on the other hand, the rite of baptism cleanses the soul of the child from the sins of a past life and from original sin. From the moment of baptism, the baby joins the church, you can pray for him in difficult life situations and the Almighty will help in their resolution.
If the parents decide to baptize the baby, it is worth knowing how the rite of baptism of the child goes in Orthodoxy, the rules of the rite, so that this sacrament does not become a banal procedure that has been passed, because everyone does it.
First of all, set a date for it. Traditionally, babies are baptized on the eighth or fortieth day after birth. There are no strict rules about when to baptize your child, but there is no need to delay this. The kid does not yet understand where his friends are and where they are strangers, and therefore he will not be afraid of the priest or godparents, the process itself will be less painful for him from a psychological point of view. In addition, up to the age of three months, babies still have reflexes, thanks to which he can hold his breath while dipping him into the font.
If the child was born weak and sickly, then he is baptized as soon as possible after birth, so that the Almighty helps the baby to get stronger and recover. Children can be baptized on the first day after birth. If we talk about choosing the date of baptism itself, then there are no strict restrictions here either. The sacrament can be performed on any day, even on fasting and holidays. Just do not forget to discuss the date with the priest first so that he can find time for the ceremony, because sometimes the service in the church takes a long time and he will simply have no time to baptize the baby.
What is needed for baptism?
The list of items is short. Let's consider each of them in more detail:
- Cross. It must be Orthodox, that is, with a crucifix in front and with the inscription “Save and Save” on the back. So say the rules for the Orthodox rite of baptism. If this is just a piece of jewelry with stones, then such a cross is nothing more than an ornament and cannot be baptized with it. If you are not sure that you can choose a suitable cross, buy it in a church shop, then you will definitely not be mistaken. The material from which the cross is made does not matter at all, so it is not at all necessary to buy a gold cross.
- Kryzhma. This is essentially a piece of fabric in which the baby is wrapped after the font. This tissue is preserved in the future and gets when a person is sick or has some life troubles. Kryzhma is a talisman. Today, the role of the kryzhma is increasingly played by a terry towel with embroidered crosses, which is not prohibited by the church. In some churches, they write in the list of necessary things - a towel with crosses.
- Christening shirt. An optional attribute, but the sacrament lasts at least half an hour and the person being baptized cannot be naked all this time. In addition, baptismal shirts are very elegant and add solemnity to the whole action. It is also customary to keep the shirt after the ceremony, although it does not have the same power as the kryzhma.
- Candles. The priest will first say how many and what kind of candles will be needed for the sacrament. Their number depends on how many godparents you take.
- Icon of a saint whose name a baby is baptized. In some churches, it is customary to sacrifice such an icon, and in some it is consecrated and it becomes a talisman for the baptized.
This is just a rough list of what is needed for the ceremony. A more accurate list will be given to you at the church where you are going to baptize the baby.
How to prepare for your future godfather
Three days before the sacrament it is necessary to fast. If future godparents are not sufficiently churched, then it is also worth confessing and taking communion. In addition, the receiver needs to know the “Word of Faith” prayer, which is read during the sacrament. It is likely that the priest will ask his godparents to read it. An Orthodox person must not only memorize this prayer by heart, but also be able to explain its meaning.
Also, before the ceremony, a conversation is held in which the priest tells the future godparents about their important mission, because today not everyone knows and understands why they baptize the child and what a big responsibility it is - the spiritual education of the baby.
How is the rite of baptism
Before the sacrament, the priest consecrates the font, reading prayers over it. He blesses the water, which will wash away the sins of the baptized.
The sacrament begins with the announcement, during which special prohibition prayers are read over the baby. After that comes the turn of renunciation of Satan and union with Christ. Here, the person being baptized should read the prayer, but since the baby cannot do this yet, the words of his godparents are said for him. This is followed directly by Baptism, during which the baby is dipped into the font three times, while saying the following words: “The servant of God (servant of God) (name) is baptized in the name of the Father, amen. And the Son, amen. And the Holy Spirit, amen."
If the child has godparents of both sexes, then the godfather of the opposite sex holds him before the font, and from the font he is received by the godmother or godmother of the same sex as the baby. After the font, the person being baptized is put on a cross and new white clothes, symbolizing his cleansing from sins.
Immediately after the sacrament of Baptism, another sacrament is performed - Confirmation. Miro is a special consecrated oil. Parts of the body are smeared with holy ointment on the baby, after which the godparents with the child in their arms go around the sacred font three times, following the priest. This procedure symbolizes the joy of being baptized and united with the Lord.
Further, after reading the prayers, the remnants of the world are erased from the skin of the baby and the turn of tonsure comes. The priest cuts a few curls from the baby's head. This is done in the form of a cross, that is, on four sides. The cut hairs are glued onto a wax cake and immersed in the font. This procedure symbolizes the sacrifice of an infant in honor of his Baptism. This is a kind of gratitude for the remission of sins and the beginning of the spiritual life of the baby.
At the end of the ceremony, the priest says a prayer for the newly baptized and his godparents.
If a newly baptized baby is already forty days old, they immediately conduct a rite of churching, which means the first offering of a child to church. During this ceremony, the priest takes the baby in his arms and carries it around the church. The churching of boys and girls is somewhat different. Boys are brought into the altar through the Royal Doors, as they can potentially become clergy, and girls are not brought in, since a woman cannot be a priest in the future. Both boys and girls are applied to the icons of the Savior and the Mother of God. The rite of churching ends with the communion of the baby.
In general, communion is carried out not only during churching. It will be very good if the mother brings the baby to communion at least once a month. Then the baby will become stronger, it will be less likely to get sick.
To pay or not to pay?
Today, in almost every temple, the cost of the ceremony is announced, but in fact, payment for the sacrament is not required. No one can refuse to baptize you if you do not have money. But we live in modern world, where such donations are the main source of income for the temple, without which it simply could not exist. Therefore, it is better to pay for the ceremony, if possible. This duty, as a rule, is assigned to the godfather of the child.
How is christening celebrated?
Traditionally, after the sacrament, all its participants go to the home of the baby's parents. Since ancient times, baptism has been a children's holiday, so it is customary to invite many children to it, and put sweets on the table - pies, gingerbread and other goodies. In ancient times, at christenings, they were treated to sweet porridge in milk with butter. Today, porridge is not served on the table, but you can replace it with any other sweet dish based on cereals. And dad was preparing a special porridge - they generously salted it and flavored it with horseradish and pepper. Such porridge was designed to test the father for strength with the pangs of childbirth, because eating a plate of such treats is not easy, just like giving birth to a baby. The custom is quite interesting, so you can take it into service.
What to give for christening?
In honor of this holiday, you can give any gifts. Often guests try to give something useful that will be useful to parents and the baby. But if we talk specifically about spiritual gifts, then it is worth considering such options as an icon, the Bible, religious books. Godmother gives the baby a kryzhma and baptismal clothes, and the godfather - a small silver spoon. Get creative with the gift - you can engrave the baby's name or initials on the spoon, and you can also embroider the baby's name on the top or shirt. These are the things that will remain with the godson for life and it will be nice that these are his things, with his name.
Conclusion
Now you know how a child is baptized in a church and what is needed for this.But the introduction of the baby to the church does not end there. On the contrary, it is only the beginning of spiritual life. The task of relatives and godparents is to tell the baby about God, about the church, go to church with him for services, and not just on holidays, then the child will grow up to be a spiritual, kind person.
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And so, the article:
According to the rules, the baby must be baptized on the fortieth day after birth. But in extraordinary circumstances it can be done earlier. Moreover, in this case, any baptized person can act as a priest.
The optimal age when the baby is able to endure the ceremony without whims is 3-6 months. A month or two later, a child who is already beginning to distinguish between “us” and “them” may be frightened by an unfamiliar environment and cry, which will complicate the process of baptism for himself, his parents, and the priest.
Where to baptize?
Parents of a child choose an Orthodox church based on their own preferences. Baptism can be performed almost any day after the morning prayer service without an appointment. They baptize both in fasting and on holidays. However, if you have scheduled a certain time and day for this ritual, it is better to communicate with the priest in advance. The possibility (or impossibility) of photographing the sacrament is also preliminarily discussed. Now this is allowed in many temples, but most often for a fee. Those who are embarrassed to personally negotiate with the priest can ask the novices for help - women who work in the temple or trade in the church shop. When choosing a central temple for baptism, keep in mind that the date of the ceremony will be set regardless of your plans and the temple may be crowded at this moment. For these reasons, it makes sense to baptize the child in a small church near the house.
How to choose godparents?
The choice of godparents - godparents - should be approached with special responsibility. According to church canons, godparents are the spiritual educators of the child and guarantors for him before God. Therefore, this issue should not be decided for reasons of kinship, benefit, or “not to offend”. Rules for choosing godparents:
* Godparents must themselves be baptized in Orthodoxy;
* It is desirable that there are two godparents - a man (over 15 years old) and a woman (over 13 years old); if there is only one godfather, he must be of the same gender as the child;
* The recipients should not be married to each other or are going to get married;
* Relatives of the child (grandmother or grandfather, aunt or uncle, or other family members) can act as godparents;
* A pregnant woman can become a godmother, but since the girl will mainly have to be held in her arms, your chosen one needs to calculate her strength;
* A woman who gave birth less than 40 days ago cannot become a godmother.
What are the duties of godparents?
The people you have chosen as recipients should prepare for the ceremony as seriously as you, if not more seriously. To do this, they need:
* Visit a church to confess (repent of your sins) and take communion;
* Learn the prayer "Symbol of Faith";
* Fast 3-4 days before the ceremony;
* On the day of baptism, as well as before communion, godparents should not eat or have sex;
* On the recipients during the ceremony, pectoral crosses must be worn;
* According to custom, it is the godparents who bear the costs of;
* Also, according to the Orthodox tradition, the godmother gives the child an outfit for the ceremony, and the godfather - a cross.
Prayer SYMBOL OF FAITH
I believe in one God the Father, Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, visible to all and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only Begotten, who was born of the Father before all ages; Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, uncreated, consubstantial with the Father, Whom all was. For us for the sake of man and for our sake of salvation, he descended from heaven and became incarnate from the Holy Spirit and Mary the Virgin, and became human. Crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. And resurrected on the third day according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father. And the packs of the future with glory to judge the living and the dead, His Kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Life-Giving One, Who proceeds from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who spoke the prophets. Into one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. I look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come. Amen.
Rules of conduct in the church.
* Dress in church modestly and decently. Calm, dark tones are preferred, flashy ones are unacceptable.
* A dress or skirt for women should be long enough - up to the knees and even lower. Men, entering the church, bare their heads. Women, on the contrary, cover it with a scarf or other headdress. Jewelry on this day is best left at home.
* You can light a candle with either hand.
* You need to be baptized only with your right hand.
* Men stand on the right half of the church, and women on the left.
* A mother cannot enter the temple if her discharge continues.
What is required for the ceremony?
* Pectoral cross (on a ribbon), which can be purchased at a church shop or directly in the church. If the cross is bought in a store, then it must be consecrated in advance. Note that some crosses depicting a crucifix according to the Catholic model are not subject to consecration. The Catholic cross is easy to recognize by the fact that on it the Savior's feet are nailed to the cross not with two nails, but with one.* Icon of an Orthodox saint, whose name the baby will receive.
* Baptismal shirt. In principle, any new white clothes can act as this, but it is better to purchase a special shirt in the church (and a bonnet for a girl).
* A clean towel or diaper to wipe the child after the font (this item does not need to be consecrated).
How is the baptism?
Many parents are worried that, according to church rules, they are not allowed to be present in church during the ceremony. However, now not all priests strictly adhere to this prohibition. Therefore, it is better for dads, moms, and godparents to know in advance the order of the baptismal ceremony.
Parents with a baby, a godfather and guests arrive at the church a little in advance so as not to start the ceremony in a hurry and, moreover, not to keep the priest waiting. After the sign to the beginning is given, the godparents bring the child to the temple (the godfather holds the girl, and the godmother holds the boy). In this case, the baby should be without clothes, but wrapped in a white diaper.
The first sacrament is the laying on of the priest's hand on the baby, symbolizing the protection that the Lord provides to the baby.
When the sacrament is performed, the godparents with the baby in their arms and with candles stand at the font. They read the Creed aloud, renounce the devil and promise to keep the commandments of God. Then the priest blesses the water, takes the baby from the godparents and plunges him into the font three times with the words: “The servant of God (name) is baptized in the name of the Father, amen, and the Son, amen, and the Holy Spirit, amen.” (There is no need to worry about the fact that the child will catch a cold, since it is usually warm in the temple, and the water temperature in the font is + 36-37 degrees).
Along with baptism, the sacrament of chrismation takes place. To a baptized infant, the priest anoints the forehead, eyes, ears, mouth, nostrils, chest, arms and legs with holy myrrh, each time saying: “The seal of the Holy Spirit, amen.” Next, the baby is handed over to the recipient of the same sex, who must wipe the baby and put on him a cross and a baptismal shirt prepared in advance. The white robe put on the baptized signifies the cleansing from sins received by him through the holy sacrament.
The priest cuts the baby’s hair in a cross-like manner (cutting off a tiny strand on each side of the head), which symbolizes obedience to God and at the same time marks the small sacrifice that the baptized person brings to the Lord in thanksgiving for the beginning of a new, spiritual life. At the same time, the priest says: “The servant of God (or the servant of God) (name) is being sheared in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, amen.”
After baptism and chrismation, the baby is carried 3 times around the font. This means that the new member of the Church is forever united with her.
And, finally, if a boy was baptized, the priest brings him to the altar, if a girl, he helps her to venerate the icon of the Mother of God. Churching symbolizes the dedication of the baby to God according to the Old Testament image.
Be prepared for the fact that the rite of baptism will take from 30 minutes to 2 hours (the time of the rite depends on the priest).
How to celebrate baptism?
After the christening, the family and those invited go to the house where the child lives to celebrate the christening with a traditional plentiful feast. In addition to other pickles, guests are served a hot drink (punch, mulled wine or warmed wine) and a special holiday treat. It is usually a sweet cake decorated with the child's initials and the date of the christening.
And do not forget to take the baby to Communion after baptism (be it a baby or an older baby)
Young parents often have questions about the need to introduce the baby to the faith. Most of all they are interested in the rules for baptizing a child in Orthodox Church. Being one of the seven pillars of religion, one of the sacraments, the baptism of a newborn requires strict adherence to a number of conditions.
What is baptism and why is it performed
The sacrament of baptism is one of the main rites of the Orthodox Church.
During it, the believer needs to plunge into a ritual container of water three times, invoking the name of the Most Holy Trinity: the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. At this time, he dies to the old life, filled with sins. Immediately the soul is reborn by the Holy Spirit to inherit Eternal Life.
The basis for this sacrament was the instructions from the Holy Scriptures, which can be found in Jn. 3, 5, and also Mk. 16:16 where the Son of God gives instructions that cannot be misunderstood.
This sacrament can be called a process of rebirth for spiritual existence, a new life that will allow you to reach the Kingdom of Heaven.
Baptism is called a sacrament, because in the process a force incomprehensible to the human mind takes part, mysteriously affecting the soul of a person, which is called Grace. There is an establishment by God of its necessity, indicated in the lines of Holy Scripture Matt. 28, 19:
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit
Only after passing through the sacrament of Baptism does a person have the opportunity to approach others, becoming part of the Church of Christ.
At what age should a child be baptized
Given the importance of the perception of faith, many are interested in the question of the appropriateness of the Orthodox rite in infancy. Of course, it is very important to baptize an adult and a person who understands the step taken. Usually, such an action is resorted to by those who did not go through the rite in childhood, while being brought up in a family of non-Christians.
In the families of Orthodox Christians, everything happens differently. Believing parents from childhood will accustom their child to the true, correct faith in God, instilling in him their own concepts. In addition, not only they will take part in education. The godparents, acquired by the baby during the sacrament, take on their great responsibility, pledging to raise the newly acquired son in accordance with the rules of the Faith of Christ, becoming his spiritual mentors. The baptism of an infant is carried out not according to his faith, but according to the faith of his parents and godparents, who take the vow of raising a worthy son or daughter of the Christian Church.
The prototype of baptism can be called the ancient Old Testament custom to carry out circumcision a week after the appearance of a child in this world. Such an action showed one's faith in God, as well as belonging to the people chosen by Him. John Chrysostom in his writings states that the rite of baptism is the most obvious difference between the souls faithful to the Lord and the unfaithful. AT Holy Scripture Qty. 2:11-12 says that the completion of the Orthodox rite of baptism is the reign of death and the burial of the spirit for sin, as well as its rebirth for true life in the house of Christ.
There are no clear rules about what age is most suitable for the baptism of a child. Usually, the ceremony is performed approximately 6 weeks (40 days) after the birth of the child, although this can be done earlier or later. It is not worth delaying the performance of the sacrament for a long time, since the evil one can create obstacles endlessly.
Choosing a name for baptism
In Russia, the choice of the name of the child was carried out according to the holy calendar. To do this, they followed the rule of choosing the names of saints, the days of veneration of which fell on the nearest to the birth of the baby. This is one of the main ways to choose a name, but you can do it differently.
It must be remembered that a name is a practical thing. At baptism, we put into the rite the realization of our faith in a practical sense. In the calendar there are names that do not sound familiar at all, respectively, they cut the ear. To remember all the holy calendar by heart is given to a rare clergyman, which can lead to a number of questions, while even raising doubts about the conduct of the baptismal ritual among this person. Each time it is quite difficult to talk about the fact that this is the name of the saint indicated in the calendar. In addition, there is usually a long queue for the Communion bowl, and such a conversation will take a lot of time.
The easiest way to choose a name for baptism is to perform a ceremony with the one that is already recorded on the birth certificate. Now the world is very popular names that are not listed in the calendar, such as Snezhana, Liana and others. Here you can ask the priest to help you choose similar-sounding names in the calendar, for example, Anna or Leah.
Some people want to baptize a child with a name that is completely different from the mundane. They are sure that a name unknown to others can help protect themselves from the evil eye or damage. This approach to baptism is unacceptable, so most priests who perform the ceremony will immediately refuse to perform the ceremony with a different name. They will give what is written in the birth certificate or consonant.
It must be remembered that the saints are examples for life. Choosing one of them, we at the same time ask them for intercession and support at baptism, and also push the Christian to follow the path paved by these saints, to imitate a great man. And do not forget that the rite of baptism and naming is needed not for protection from corruption, but for inheriting the path to the Kingdom of God.
Preparing the baptismal outfit
When a child is baptized, it is necessary to have a special vestment for the child. Previously, it was prepared by parents, grandmothers, godparents. Now everything has become much easier, because you can buy such a set in a church or even a regular store.
The baptism kit consists of:
- a loose shirt in which you can easily wrap a wet baby after bathing;
- headdress;
- a beautiful napkin designed for a candle;
- diaper;
- a decorated towel, which is popularly called "kryzhma".
A towel is necessary for the priest to transfer the child to it to the godparents. In addition, the weather can also bring some changes to the set, since on cold autumn or winter days it is better to take a warm diaper with a hood, a blanket, an insulated shirt and booties.
What days are baptisms allowed?
Some parents doubt the choice of the day for the ceremony. When making a choice, it is necessary to understand that there are no strict rules for choosing. You can spend it on any day, the main thing is to pay attention to the regime that is supported by the church chosen by the parents.
Only a priest can allocate time in the routine, therefore it is necessary to consult on this issue only with him.
What days can not be baptized
As we have already discussed, almost any day can be singled out for the baptism of a child. At the same time, there are some signs that many people believe in. These include:
- holding a funeral before the ritual, which can bring trouble to the life of the baby;
- the attraction of diseases to the child, if the one who was baptized in the same set gets sick;
- when a priest makes a mistake during the ritual.
All these signs are just tricks worked out by human imagination. Funeral rituals are held almost daily in every major temple. If all this is very important to you, then buy a new set of baptismal robes, and then ask the priest to conduct the ceremony in the morning. Most likely, he will understand his parents, so he will agree to this.
What is needed for the baptism of a boy
The baptism of a child and the constant impact on him, the upbringing of a Christian is one of the main missions in our world. The first thing that is needed in this case is preparedness and attentiveness. Godparents need to develop themselves, read and perceive maximum amount spiritual literature in order to be able to become a reliable support and helper for the godson in any life situation.
When baptizing a boy, it is necessary to take into account all the qualities of the godfather, who will become one of the objects of imitation for the pupil. Courage, self-control, endurance, willpower and fortitude are the main indicators of such a person. That is why he needs to conduct comprehensive training.
Before the start of the sacrament, the godparents must buy a pectoral cross, a cap and a shirt for the newly acquired child.
What is needed for the baptism of a girl
Preparing for a girl's baptism is equally important. At the same time, it should be borne in mind that the influence in the process of education will come from the godmother, who needs to teach the girl in the process of life patience, faith, reliability and fidelity. She, by her example and counsel, should become a support for the young child of God. In this regard, her knowledge also needs to be replenished with spiritual literature.
The rite requires almost the same preparation as in the case of a boy. You just need to buy a kryzhma, a cross, a baptismal dress. The set may also include a scarf, tights and other accessories.
How to choose godparents
When making a choice of planted parents, it is necessary to take into account the following rules:
- The godparents of a new Christian must cross the line from childhood to adulthood, while being adults, realizing the importance of the responsibility taken on their souls. It is impossible to conduct a ceremony with children in the status of godparents.
- Those who live in a Christian marriage, or are just about to enter into it, can become godparents for a child. Their righteous life in marriage can become one of the main movers of the faith of the new Christian.
- Those who live in a civil marriage cannot become godparents to a child. Their life in sin will negatively affect the psyche of a Christian child, corrupting his soul.
- Grandparents, aunts, uncles and other relatives can also be godparents for a child.
- In no case should you take a foster parent as godparents. A stepfather or stepmother becomes his family, which will not give additional support to the spirit, but will deprive her of it.
- Choosing their godfathers for the baptism of a child, parents will not make a mistake. If people mutually respect each other and consider each other to be examples of the true faith, then this will only be an additional protection for the child from external negative influences.
- If parishioners wish to take a priest's child as a godfather, this is welcome. It is in the family of an Orthodox clergyman that a child can learn the true perception of faith.
- Choose as godparents those people who can be present during the ceremony in person. It is impossible to register as godparents in absentia, since being present at baptism guarantees taking responsibility for the fate of the child.
- Monastics cannot be chosen godparents. If, however, Orthodox tonsure is accepted after the acceptance of obligations, then the duties of caring for the soul of the godson not only do not decrease, but also become more voluminous.
- You can baptize a child only with Christian godparents, who also underwent the rite of baptism.
If you think that someone in your environment is worthy of the honor of becoming one of the parents of your baby (and this is indeed the case, it’s not for nothing that they are called godmother and godfather), then feel free to contact him with this offer. Be sure to make sure that they comply with the above rules.
Rules for the ceremony for godparents
Planted parents in the Orthodox rite have their own special role. In doing so, it is necessary to remember the rules, which are that:
- the godmother acquires vestments and kryzhma;
- the ordained father who takes the vow is charged with the cost of baptism;
- each participant in the ceremony must have a pectoral cross;
- godparents need to know by heart the prayer "I believe."
The godparents bring the child to church, trying to do it early. When a girl is baptized, the godfather only needs to be present at the ceremony, as well as pay all expenses. When a boy is baptized, it is he who takes the child and does all the necessary manipulations.
In the process of the ceremony, godparents, if possible, should voice all prayers and pronounce “Amen” on time.
Gifts can be given after the sacrament.
Responsibilities of Godparents
The responsibilities of foster parents include:
- teaching the child the basics of Christianity;
- teaching a child to pray
- be an example of mercy, love and kindness.
At the same time, there are clear rules for imprisoned parents: constantly wear a pectoral cross, know all the necessary prayers and be able to correctly make the sign of the cross.
Prayer for baptism
During the ceremony, a prayer is used, which the godparents need to know by heart:
How the ceremony takes place and its unspoken rules
After purchasing all required attributes and consecration pectoral crosses Naturally, the very sacrament of the rite begins. It goes in this order:
- Announcement, consisting of reading a series of special short prayers - "prohibitions".
- Renunciation of Satan and union with Christ. All answers to the questions asked by the priest must be given by the godparents instead of the godson.
- Baptism in the font with these words ...
- Adoption of a child by a godfather (a girl - a woman, a boy - a man).
- Chrismation. It is carried out using consecrated oil.
- Triple detour around the font.
- Reading a passage from the letter of the Apostle Paul to the Romans.
- Washing off the oil from the body of a child with the words ...
- Tov. Bunches of hair are cut crosswise with the words ...
- Petition for godparents and completion of the sacrament.
- Churching. The priest carries the girl around the temple, while the boy is also entered into the altar.
Christening celebrations and gifts
A large feast at baptism is optional. It is best if only the people closest to the family gather. In addition, a large grouping of people will not bring joy to the baby, but will cause him fatigue and irritation.
You should not give gifts that will not be agreed with the parents, especially expensive ones. Usually children are given clothes, toys. If you want to make an original gift, you should think about whether it is appropriate.
The celebration of christening is not only a social event, but also a spiritual one. On this day, it is better to devote more time to prayer and piety.
