When is it better to baptize a child after birth, on what days? What should you buy for a child’s baptism, what should you give? Rules for baptizing a child in church for a boy, girl, godparents, parents. How to choose a church for a child's baptism. At what age do people get baptized?

What do you need if you decide to accept the sacrament of Baptism or baptize a child?

P Before planning the date of the Sacrament of Baptism, in order to avoid refusal to perform this Sacrament, please pay attention to the following:

I. Conversations

According to decree(click link) Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', baptized(from 7 years old), and also,godparents And parents baby needs to go free conversations (at least two) .

If someone does not want to prepare for Baptism, if they want to “just baptize the child (or be baptized) as before,” then one should think... why? Baptism only makes sense when a person radically changes his life, when a child is introduced to church life. It has been noticed that people who are baptized, but not enlightened, fall into even greater sins than even those who are not baptized, and “the last thing for that person is worse than the first.” (Gospel of Luke chapter 11, verses 24-26).

In our temple conversations are held regularly , according to schedule

Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday - 1 conversation - 13.00, 2nd conversation - 16.30

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday - 1 conversation - 16.30, 2nd conversation - 13.00

• Attention! If The baptism is planned to take place in our church, and the conversations are held in another church, then one of the parents child (as a rule, they live not far from our temple), we still ask come to our temple for any of the conversations convenient for them to check their level of knowledge. The same applies to those who have already had conversations in our church, but that was a very long time ago (more than six months). You can find out about the requirements for the level of training in our temple below.

II. In our church, at the end of the 1st conversation, homework is given (which must be checked at the 2nd conversation):

1. Understanding every word from prayers "Symbol of Faith"(Orthodox Niceno-Constantinograd) and reading the text itself no mistakes.
2. General understanding of the teachings of Jesus Christ. For this you need read the Gospel of Matthew(Orthodox in the Synodal translation), and also, in writing draw upNot less than five questions on "dark" places from the Gospel.
3. Pass the Confession, (that is, to repent of your sins), from a priest in any church of the Russian Orthodox Church.In our church, Confession can be held dailyButin the evening after18.30 , and also in the morning, after the Divine Liturgy (except for the period of summer holidays and the period of Lent, when Confession may be canceled in the evening).

1. In case of failure homework, you will have to come to us again and again, until the person Honestly Not get ready to participate in the sacrament of Baptism (including as godparents or parents of a child).

III. Baptism

• Date of Baptismdiscussed during the last conversation.
• In our country, Baptism is performed voluntarily donation(including completely free).
• Usually in our templetwo people are baptized at a time. But they can also christen individually, if about this warn in advance , when registering for Baptism.
• Above women NOT it's supposed to perform baptismduring menstruation or within 40 days after the birth of the child,except in special cases.The same rule applies to the godmother or parent, that is, during the period of uncleanness, they cannot take part in the Baptism of the child.

IV. Memo for Baptism (what you need to take with you):

1. Child's birth certificate(passport) or their photocopy. It is given before the start of Baptism to the temple for the window of the candle box.At the end of the Baptism, the documents can be taken back along with a new document - a certificate of Baptism.

Documents are required to make an entry in the temple register confirming identity: who was baptized, when and by whom. This book is kept and, if necessary, it can always be confirmed that the person is indeed baptized.

2. TOrestic with ribbon or chain. (Such a cross can always be purchased in an icon shop at any temple).

3. Baptismal set: shirt/shirt/T-shirt, the main thing is that the clothes are clean and light. (Dressed by the priest on the person being baptized after immersion, and subsequently discarded as a shrine it is forbidden ).

4. Towel to dry off lightly after diving.

5. Select patron saint name and write down the date of his memory. (

*6. D For diving: men - swimming trunks, women - a swimsuit, babies - nothing. Also, for diving you can wear a shirt (but Not baptismal). (There is a screen for changing clothes in the Chapel). In the future, throw all this away like a shrine it is forbidden.

*7. Slippers(preferably flip-flops) to stand during the Baptism.

5. In what cases should you NOT become godparents? (the most common cases are considered):

• In absentia, because godparents need to personally participate in the sacrament of Baptism. Just as you cannot participate in the sacraments of Communion or Wedding in absentia.
• B l and closest relativesbaptized:father or mother.
• For married couples from the same person being baptized, as well as potential spouses,because having become godfathers, according to established tradition, they do not have the right to create a family with each other, since spiritual ties are incompatible with marital ones.
• For the same reason , spouse, including potential the most baptized. (The same rule applies to baptized).
• For teenagers up to 14 years of age (in some cases even older).
• Mentally ill.
• Not baptized in the Russian Orthodox Church or in the Local Orthodox Churches.
• P Orthodox baptized, butnot recognizing the Russian Orthodox Church led by our patriarch (freethinkers, schismatics, sectarians and others).
• Orthodox baptized, recognizing our Russian Orthodox Church, but leading a non-Christian lifestyle. Especially those living in such grave sins as abortion,unconsummated marriage, adultery and other types of fornication, drug addiction, gambling addiction, drunkenness,resort to magic, blasphemy, murder, suicide attempts, incitement to the above sins, denial of any provisions on the Christian faith from the Creed prayer, as well as living in other grave sins. (But you can repent of them from an Orthodox priest at Confession and never perform them again. In such cases, you can become godparents).

Edited by priest Sergiy Ayupov.

The baptism of a child is a solemn event after the birth of a baby in the family. It introduces a person to communication with God, to union with the Lord. Not everyone has an idea about this sacrament. Therefore, we will try to tell you more about it.

When can a baby be baptized?

The question that concerns any parents is how early can a child be baptized? “This can be done from the first days of the baby’s birth, especially if there is a threat to his life.

If everything is fine with the baby, they usually wait forty days. Why? This time is given to the mother of the newborn for cleansing. For 40 days the church considers her “unclean.” After the expiration of the term, the mother can be present during the ritual of joining the church. And the baby will become stronger to perform the sacrament of Baptism.

At what age can you be baptized? You can come to the Lord at any age. It is believed that at Baptism a person receives his Guardian Angel, who does not leave him even after death.

Video: What you need to know before baptizing a child

Why is it better to be baptized in infancy?

Many people prefer to baptize later, at one or two years old. But we must remember that the older the child, the more difficult it is for him to withstand the ritual, because it lasts about an hour. An infant sleeps peacefully in the arms of his godfather, but a grown-up child, tired, begins to be capricious. It is also more difficult to immerse it in the font.

What days to baptize

Are there days when Baptism is prohibited? There are no restrictions, but different churches have their own schedule of services. Therefore, it is advisable to check the date of Baptism in your church.

Choosing a godfather

Godparents must be chosen for the person being baptized.

• Church rules say that a child needs a successor of the same sex.
• A godmother is required for a girl; a godfather is required for a boy.
• If the baby has both recipients, as is popular among the people, this is also allowed.
• The choice of godparents must be approached seriously; they are entrusted with the spiritual education of the godson in the Orthodox faith.
• The person who becomes the child's foster child must be a person of the Orthodox faith, a relative, close acquaintance or family friend.
• A husband and wife or a couple planning to get married, people with a sick psyche, sectarians, people who are sinners from the point of view of the church (alcoholics, drug addicts, etc.) cannot baptize the same child.

What is needed for the baptism ceremony

For baptism you need to buy:

Note to moms!

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1. Christening shirt (the godmother buys it).
2. Pectoral cross with chain (bought by the godfather).
3. You also need to have a baptismal towel and diaper with you.

How much and why to pay

Before performing the ceremony, you need to pay a donation for baptism. This amount is different in each city. The Lord commanded not to take money for Baptism. But the donation for the ceremony is one of the important parts of the temple’s profit, allowing it to pay the costs of lighting, heating, repairs and maintenance of the temple, and the work of the priest, who, according to custom, has a large family.

If a person does not have money to pay, he cannot be denied the sacrament of Baptism. If you refuse, you need to contact the dean (this is the clergyman who oversees order in the parish).

How does the baptism ceremony take place?

Is it possible to take photographs in the church?

Many churches now allow taking photos or videos of the ceremony. But you need to find out this in advance, since some priests are categorically against filming. After all, Baptism is first and foremost a sacrament.

Video: The Sacrament of Baptism. Rules

What to do with baptismal items

The baptismal shirt, diaper and towel are kept in the family of the baptized person. These things cannot be washed, because they contain particles of the holy world. If the baby is sick, they put a baptismal shirt on him and pray for his recovery. The diaper (or kryzhma) has the miraculous property of healing a baby from illnesses. If your child is teething painfully, you can pray and cover him with a diaper or towel.

Celebration of christening

After the baptism ceremony is completed, it is customary to celebrate a joyful event. I would like to remind you that the godfather pays for the baptismal ceremony itself and sets the festive table. At christenings, godparents and guests bring gifts.

What can you give to someone who has been baptized?

Traditionally they give:

• silver spoon
• silver mug,
• toys,
• elegant clothes,
• photo album,
• gold or silver jewelry,
• money.

Through the sacrament of Baptism, a person joins God, is born spiritually, and acquires an inextricable connection with the Heavenly Father. Therefore, it is so necessary to baptize your baby as early as possible. If parents have additional problems, there is no need to seek information from strangers. Contact the priest, and he will listen to you carefully and answer your questions.

There are places that have miraculous powers. But if you can’t go there, it doesn’t matter. Focus on something else. Look at what names fall according to the calendar on the day the baby was born. It might make sense to choose one of them. Then the baby will have a strong patron. Or find a temple where this saint is revered and baptize the child there.

Many people think that by baptizing a child, they have fulfilled their mission. And godparents remember their ward only on the baby’s birthday. But it's not that simple. The child needs to be gradually introduced to the Bible, told about the saints, and master rituals with him. At first it is better to do this at home; until the age of three, you should not bring your baby to services, he will involuntarily make noise. Explain to your child at home how to behave in church, talk about your faith - in the simplest words. Tell us how the holy icon helped you during a difficult period of your life. The child must understand that church is not some rituals he does not understand, but a part of life that will gradually become a necessity.

Church-Chapel of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Princess Olga

Annunciation Church-Baptismal Church

The baptismal sanctuary operates at the Assumption Cathedral (Penza). The temple has existed since 1899 and is a famous place of pilgrimage. Children are brought here for baptism not only from the Penza region, but also from other places. Here you can purchase all the things you need for baptism.

Holy Trinity Cathedral of the Alexander Nevsky Lavra

This is the oldest temple in St. Petersburg, it was founded in 1713, the place for its foundation was chosen by Peter the Great himself. The holy image of the Mother of God “Neva Quick to Hear” icon, which was in Leningrad during the siege and, according to many testimonies, helped people avoid starvation, is kept here. Also kept here are the icon of the holy martyr Paraskeva Friday, the icon of St. Blessed Grand Duke Alexander Nevsky.

Icon of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, Archbishop of Myra, icon of the holy great martyr healer Panteleimon. There are many people who want to be baptized here, so you need to sign up in advance. If you come from another city, you can contact the temple’s pilgrimage service, which will help you stay in a hotel and navigate the schedule of services.

Cathedral of Christ the Savior in Moscow

There is a myth that only VIPs can baptize their child in the main temple of the country. But it turns out that it is available to everyone. In the Alekseevsky chapel of the lower Transfiguration Church a baptistery was built, where baptism with full immersion is performed. To do this, you need not only to register in advance, but also for parents and godparents to go through an introductory conversation. During it, the priest tries to understand whether you understand what the rite of baptism is and whether you are ready for it. If it seems to him that you are doing this unreasonably, he may suggest that you postpone the baptism to a later date and give you literature to read. Imagine how you will feel if, with the entire retinue of relatives called for the christening, you are sent home, and this may well happen. So it is better to come to the sacrament only for parents and godparents and to pay more attention to spiritual preparation than to the festive table and outfits.

Kiev-Pechora Lavra

Any Orthodox person should come to this holy place, famous for its miracles, at least once in their life. And baptism received at the Lavra has a special meaning for the believer. The conditions for baptism here are approximately the same as in the main Moscow church. Registration is required in advance; an interview is required before baptism.

These articles were created to help you prepare for the Sacrament of Baptism. Please ask questions by email or by phone, we will try to answer them. All information on the site is copyrighted, therefore copying the text without the permission of the author and indicating the source is prohibited.

But every parent also has their own criteria: for example, is this church “prayed” or is it possible to baptize a child here not on the day of general baptism, but individually.

If you are churchgoers and have been going to services systematically for years, the question goes away by itself: of course, you should talk to a priest you know and decide on all the issues that concern you. It’s another matter if the baby’s parents are inexperienced: either believers who rarely visit church, or simply trying to observe the family tradition of baptizing children.

Where to baptize a child

First of all, you need to decide what kind of church should be in which you would like to baptize your firstborn. Now not only in Moscow and the Moscow region - throughout Russia, dozens and hundreds of ancient churches have been restored, new ones are being built or built. Therefore, everyone has the opportunity to choose.
Someone chooses the church that is closer to home, so as not to tire the baby on a long journey before baptism. But for some, it is the prayerfulness of the place or the beauty of the temple that is important. It is also important for someone to find out how long the ceremony takes place here and whether it is possible to choose the day for it that suits you, not to stand in the general queue, etc. All these questions need to be clarified in advance by talking with the rector of the temple or its priest. You can also ask them by phone by calling the temple.

Do not forget to find out the question of the strictness of the approach to the rite of baptism in the chosen church: do the godparents need fasting and confession with communion before him, do they baptize a baby here with complete immersion in holy water, and not just wet the head, is there a special room for baptism in the church or the ceremony takes place directly in the temple and, of course, can you baptize your baby individually if that is what you want. Take into account the personal impression that the priest himself made on you during the conversation.

Individual baptism

You need to know that individual baptism lasts at least 30-40 minutes, general baptism - and in this case, adults can be among those baptized - can take place within an hour and a half, especially if the maximum permissible number of people registered for the ceremony on that day is fourteen.

If you do not have the opportunity to overpay for individual baptism, but standing in line is also undesirable, try to choose not one of the central churches, but a small church or chapel on the outskirts, where there are always fewer people being baptized. In the almost homely atmosphere of such a church or chapel, baptism for a child will be much easier.

Photo and video recording of the baptism ceremony

Now many parents invite a photographer as a guest on this day in order to capture as a souvenir the very first and very important church ceremony of their baby. Sometimes filming is supposed to be done with a video camera. But in a preliminary conversation with the priest, you need to clarify in advance whether filming is allowed in the temple of your choice and whether you need to pay extra for it. In most churches in Moscow and the Moscow region it is allowed and no additional fee is charged.

List of beautiful ancient churches with miraculous icons

Well, if you are in any case attracted to an ancient, sacred temple, there are a lot of them in Moscow and the region. As an example, let us cite at least a dozen very beautiful ancient churches, in which, in addition to all of the above, there are also miraculous icons.

1. Church "Joy of All Who Sorrow";
2. Temple of the Icon of the Mother of God “The Sign” in Kuntsevo
3. Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Starye Cheryomushki
4. Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Orekhov-Borisov
5. Temple of the Martyr Tatiana at Moscow State University
6. St. Nicholas Church in Aleksin
7. Church of Elijah the Prophet at the Novgorod Compound
8. Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Fili
9. Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Khamovniki

In addition, in any church shop today you can purchase a directory that lists literally all the churches in the region - with a description of the history of each of them, with their location and contact numbers.

Svetlana Kostitsyna

Baptism of a baby is a special sacrament that requires careful preparation. Some rules should be followed when planning a date and determining godparents for a newborn.

Long before the child plans to be born, parents begin to think about the fact that he will need to be baptized. Since ancient times, it was believed that only by baptizing a baby does he acquire his name and join the people of God, becoming closer to the Lord himself. The baptism ceremony frees the little person from sins, because all children are born in sin.

In any case, this is a matter that requires compliance with many rules.

Why are children baptized?

By undergoing the rite of baptism, the child rises to a higher spiritual level, he joins the church and acquires a name before the Lord.

• Baptism is a special solemn sacrament. During the christening of a small child, a real miracle occurs. The Church insists that at this moment the real gate to Heaven opens. Baptism washes away a person's sins, making him clean before the Lord.
• If you think about it, this is a way to warn your baby in the future from evil, problems and misfortunes.
• The Church insists that religion is not chosen “like clothing,” so parents must take care of the baptismal ceremony in advance, choose godparents, and engage in the spiritual education of the child “from the cradle.”
• Baptized people are recognized by the church and you can light candles and read prayers for them. This is another reason for the timely baptism of a child in the church.

Church calendar: when to baptize a newborn?

• The most optimal time for baptism is considered to be the days when a woman’s postpartum bleeding ends, that is, after forty days.
• After this period has expired, you need to carefully prepare for the ceremony and calculate the date.
• Many choose certain days on which the Holy Apostles are honored and give the baby their names.

Since ancient times, it was believed that baptism can be performed as early as the eighth day of birth, provided that the umbilical wound has completely healed.

There are also situations when parents do not wait for forty days to baptize. The reason for this is not the baby’s good health, his possibility of dying from illness, or a difficult and traumatic birth. In situations where it is impossible to visit church, a clergyman is invited to the hospital and conducts the ceremony. As a last resort, the mother herself reads the prayer and sprinkles the child with holy water.

After hospital baptism, you should definitely be re-baptized in church.

• According to the rules, the sacrament is performed on the fortieth day after the birth of the baby, and this is not accidental.
• This is the time that should bring order to the mother of the child and the newborn itself.
• It is believed that it is not worth postponing the date of baptism for a long time, and if one of your relatives is sick or could not come, the church does not accept this.
• If fasting occurs on the date of baptism, that is, on the fortieth day, this does not become an obstacle and there are no prohibitions on church holidays.
• The only exceptions may be major church holidays; in such cases, the church may not hold baptism due to the clergy being very busy.

Preparing for a child's baptism - choosing godparents, rules and responsibilities of godparents

The christening of a child has always been considered a special holiday in the life of every family. This is a cleansing of the soul and body at the same time. Due to the child’s inability to bow before God, his godparents perform this duty for him. It is for this reason that godparents should be chosen carefully, because they will become the child’s spiritual parents until the end of his days.

Godparents for a child must be Orthodox people and must not have any intimate relationships with each other.

• According to the rules, the baptism of a baby should be carried out only within the walls of the church. During baptism, both parents read the “Creed” prayer, which serves as their proof of the Orthodox faith and compliance with the duties of godparents. In their prayer, both parents completely renounce Satan and promise to take full part in the spiritual Christian upbringing of their child.
• We must remember that Christianity is a voluntary and conscious choice. So it is with the choice of godparents, they should not give up their fate and fully devote their strength to this entire process.
• According to tradition, it is believed that if a girl is baptized, she must have a godmother, and a boy must have a godfather. You can ask the priest himself to play the role of godfather.
• Godparents should read a prayer for their godchild every holiday and before going to bed. It is customary to ask God for forgiveness and blessings every time, to wish health to the child and to give thanks for every day of life.
• It is also the duty of the godparents to introduce the child to the Bible and give him communion.
• Godparents should take on the burden of “motherhood” and make the mother’s work easier by giving her rest.

Ideally, before baptism, both parents should come to church for confession to ask God for forgiveness for all sins committed and to receive communion. Before baptism, godparents need to spend the day in peace, prayer and refuse any intimate relationships with their spouses. You should also limit yourself in food.

Before baptism, the godmother must prepare all the necessary clothes for baptism:

• kryzhma - a special diaper
• shirt
• hat (for girls)

The godfather traditionally receives a cross. The cross should be silver, as this metal is considered pure and is capable of attracting positive energy. Gold is not welcomed by the church, because it is not a metal from God.

The clothes in which the baby is baptized and the kryzhma should not be washed after baptism. In those moments when the child is sick, he should be covered with kryzhma. It is believed that she is able to heal the baby and give him relief. The mother must keep all the clothes and give them to her child for safekeeping as an adult.

How to dress for a christening in church: dress code rules

The church requires compliance with a special “dress code”. Men are advised not to wear clothes that are too bright or provocative. It is best to wear a long sleeve shirt and trousers. It will be solemn and correct. It is better not to wear short sleeves; some clergy react negatively to modern T-shirts. Another important point for men is that all tattoos on the body should be completely hidden. They may have a negative connotation and therefore be unacceptable in the church.

Women must adhere to a more serious dress code:

• A woman's head must be covered with a scarf and, under no circumstances, any headdress.
• A woman should not wear trousers; she should definitely wear a skirt or dress that will cover her legs at least to the knees.
• Women's shoulders should also be covered, and the neckline should not expose everyone's chest.
• Every detail of a godmother’s clothing should not cause outrage or condemnation. A woman should make sure that her wardrobe is not provocative: no heels, bright patterns, skulls, chains and spikes. Church is a noble place.

Every godfather must have a cross on his chest.

What are the rules for baptism?

• The Orthodox Church states that during the baptismal ceremony, under no circumstances should non-Orthodox people and people of other religions be present. Therefore, before the christening, carefully check with all your loved ones for details.
• The church is a pure, noble place. You should go to church with a pure soul and heart. Therefore, if you have conflicts in your family, you should definitely correct them and establish communication.
• After the baptism ceremony, parents must set the table for their godparents to celebrate the event. It is customary to give gifts to a child in order to leave as many memories as possible of this bright day.
• Baptism can be carried out individually, or you can combine several together. The ritual does not lose its power and acquires meaning of equal strength for everyone.
• Hair cut during baptism should be kept by the godfather.

Is it possible to baptize a child under a different name?

Modern fashion dictates its conditions, and more and more often parents give their children unusual names: Viola, Alyana, Milana, and so on. What to do in cases where the church does not recognize the name? In such a situation, the priest offers the child another Orthodox name: either one similar to what the child has, or a name dedicated to the Holy Apostle.

In such situations, the child has two names, but only what the church has given him gains power. In prayers and petitions to God, the child’s church name should be mentioned.

Is it possible to baptize a child if the mother is unbaptized?

The Church says that unbaptized people have no right to be within its walls. That is why it is forbidden for unbaptized parents to be present during baptism. This whole situation is fundamentally wrong and before baptizing her child, the mother must undergo baptism herself. Only then do her prayers gain strength and meaning.

Some churches also do not consider it correct for a mother to be near her child during baptism, even if she is baptized. After all, all responsibilities fall on the godmother - and here she is the main one. All this can be understood from the point of view that a child cannot have two mothers at the same time. In such cases, the mother is located outside the temple. Some churches allow mothers who do not have bleeding to be present in the temple and observe the ceremony from afar.

Is it possible for a pregnant woman to be a godmother and baptize her child?

The Church categorically prohibits the presence within its walls of “unclean” women, that is, those who are currently experiencing postpartum discharge or menstruation. But treat pregnant women who decide to come to the temple loyally and even favorably. Therefore, a pregnant woman may well be a godmother.

However, you should think about the fact that the ritual is quite complex and requires endurance. Sometimes you have to stand for a long time in a stuffy room and hold a child in your arms. Whether a pregnant woman can withstand this process, and whether she is capable of it, is another question.

Is it possible to baptize a child without godparents?

Some life situations force parents to make difficult decisions regarding the choice of godparents. It often happens that there are simply no suitable people. In such cases, the church itself should come to the rescue and offer its services. The fact is that any priest can become a child’s godparent.

The rules of baptism state that the child must have at least one godparent who will pray for him.

Still, it is advisable to prepare in advance to find suitable people for baptism. Age and social status should never matter; only the desire to share the fate of a parent and the Orthodox faith should move people.

Are children baptized during Lent and Easter?

As mentioned earlier, fasting and church holidays do not become an obstacle to the ritual. The only exception is the situation when the clergyman performing the ceremony is too busy on the occasion of Easter or any other date. You should always check with the priest in advance about his capabilities and plans and only then prepare for the event.
It is best to choose the day before Easter.

Is it possible to baptize a child during a leap year?

Church rules have nothing against leap years for baptisms. Christening is a rite that brings the child’s soul closer to God, and therefore, some everyday conventions should not matter. In no case should you postpone baptism on the occasion of a leap year; the child should be introduced to the Lord as early as possible.

On what day of the week are children baptized?

As a rule, baptism can be carried out on any day of the week - you just need to agree with the priest. Most often, churches gather children during the first half of the week to baptize them in the second half, but they are always ready to make exceptions and hold a private ceremony.

Baptisms are most often held on Saturday, since Sundays are overloaded with church services.

The rite of baptism, as a rule, is a long process that requires careful preparation and full dedication. First, the ceremony takes place in a separate room, where the godparents read prayers, and the child is anointed with myrrh and dipped in holy water. Typically, this action lasts from forty minutes to an hour. The most important thing happens in this room - the child is given a name and a cross is put on him.

How is the baptism of a child performed?

After the ceremony, carried out in a separate room, the child is allowed to enter the temple and is solemnly brought into the church. The priest brings the baby to important icons and reads prayers. The priest carries the boy children through the altar; girls are not allowed to be there. Mothers are present in the temple and read maternal prayers. This takes another forty minutes of time.

Baptism of a child: rules for godparents in the church

During baptism, godparents should listen carefully to the priest. He will read those prayers that should be mandatory when a child acquires the Orthodox faith. They are read in the old language, so it is possible that some words are repeated exactly. You shouldn't get lost here. You need to not panic and try to complete the task as best as possible.

During prayer, it is customary, at the request of the priest, to spit at the wall three times and blow. Here you should not overdo it and do everything symbolically. Each godparent should help each other if the child does not behave calmly. Baptism is a holiday that should not be overshadowed by a bad state of mind. According to the rules, if a girl is baptized, she is held by her godfather, and if a boy is baptized, by her godmother.

Who cannot be a child's godfather?

There are several rules that should be followed when choosing godparents:

• godparents should not be in an intimate relationship with each other
• godmother should not have her period during baptism
• godparents cannot be people of other faiths
• The parents themselves cannot be godparents

That's all the requirements. You can be baptized several times in your life and rebaptizing the children of your loved ones (that is, I will be the godfather of the child of the parents who are the godparents of my child) is also not prohibited.

Who should buy a cross for a child’s baptism and which one?

As mentioned earlier, the godfather must buy a cross for a newborn - this is his direct responsibility. The cross must be consecrated, so prefer to purchase this attribute directly in the church. If you have already purchased this item in a jewelry store, try to dedicate it to the church in advance.

The cross should be the most ordinary one, without unnecessary symbols and meanings. It must have a crucifix and the inscription “Save and Preserve.”

Rules for baptizing a girl in the Orthodox Church

The baptism of a newborn does not differ much depending on its gender and still requires some nuances:

• A girl's clothing must have a cap - a headdress that will cover her head, as for any woman.
• It is best to give preference to a long shirt and not dress the girl in a suit.
• When removing the cap, the girl's head should be covered with kryzhma.
• The girl is not carried through the altar in the temple.

Rules for the baptism of a boy in the Orthodox Church

• A headdress for boys does not have such a strong meaning as for girls and therefore it is not necessary to keep it on the head.
• The priest brings the boy not only to the icons, but also carries him through the altar, reserving this sacrament only for the male sex.
• The priest reads the prayers, starting with men's names.

What do you give for a child's baptism?

Christening is an important date, and therefore on this day it is customary to give many pleasant and useful gifts. Most often, these are clothes for the child, toys or sums of money, with which parents themselves decide what to buy.
It is important not to come to the holiday empty-handed. It will be most pleasant to receive important things, for example, walkers or educational games.

It is not uncommon for one of the godparents to give the child a silver spoon. Most often this is the godmother.

How much does it cost to be baptized in a church?

The cost of baptism depends only on the church and your generosity. Churches rarely assign a specific amount and most often simply ask for a voluntary contribution to the development of the church. However, depending on the size and importance of the temple, the amount can vary from $10 to $80. This amount includes the ceremony, sometimes paraphernalia, a certificate and an ordered service in honor of the baby.

The godfather must pay for the baptism ceremony - this is his main responsibility and a baptismal gift for his child.

Video: “The Sacrament of Baptism. Rules"