The godparents of a newly converted Christian actually become his second parents. Now the responsibility for the spiritual and moral life of their child before God lies with both biological and spiritual fathers-mothers. Therefore, the choice of godparents should be taken seriously. They are better not to "appoint" frivolous people, even if they are childhood friends and just sociable guys. Also, you should not agree to a flattering offer to become a godfather or a godmother, if Sunday morning sleep is more expensive for you than the communion of a little ward and in general you are still far from the church. When becoming a godfather or godmother of a charming baby, one should not forget that very soon he will become a rebellious teenager, and it is you, in alliance with your parents, who will have to protect him from worldly temptations.

During the baptism itself, it is the godparents who aloud renounce Satan for the baby and unite with Christ and receive their child from the hands of the priest from the font. During the sacrament, the godparents often hold the child in their arms - unless, of course, he himself does not mind. If it was not possible to find both godparents at once, then the boy needs a godfather mentor, and the girl needs a godmother mentor. By the way, godfather and godmother cannot be husband and wife.

Interesting

Godmother for a child

If you are called to be a godmother, then the parents of your future godson or goddaughter trust you and respect you. What do you need to know in order to decide to become a godmother or refuse this offer?

Read more

How to prepare for the baptism of the child

for the child’s baptism should be prepared not only morally, although this is, of course, the most important condition. Baptismal "accessories" will be required, and in some churches you will have to attend special talks on the topic of baptism.

What do you need? First, the cross. It doesn't matter what it will be kept on around the neck: on a simple braid or a gold chain. Secondly, a baptismal shirt - you can buy it or sew it yourself. In fact, as Fr. Philip, this is not a mandatory attribute of baptism, it's just accepted in church tradition. A clean light undershirt or dress will be enough. Thirdly, candles. They can be purchased before the Sacrament is performed in the temple where it will take place. They will be needed to participate in the procession during the sacrament. Fourthly, the towel is not a small waffle, but a large bath towel.

It is also worth thinking about what to dress your baby in. It is better to refuse sliders. A sandbag or panties "without legs" are ideal: there are moments in the sacrament when the baby's legs should be bare.


How a child is baptized

Baptism can be chamber and collective. Especially many people who are being baptized gather in the church on the feast of the Epiphany on January 19th. But for the relatives of the baby, this is one of the most important events in life, therefore, as a rule, the day of the baptism of the child is agreed in advance, and it takes place in a chamber - only for this little Christian.

Before the start of the Sacrament, the priest will explain to everyone their role and place in the church: godparents or parents with the culprit of the event in their arms, grandmothers, sister-brothers and other relatives.

Baptism begins with naming prayers, by which the baptized are given their Christian names. From this moment on, the baby acquires a heavenly patron and protector in the form of a Guardian Angel. If there is no name in the calendar that the baby was named at birth, he receives a new one - a church one. So, Elvira can become Emilia, Yana - Joanna, Adele - Aglaya.

Next comes the time of the exorcism of the devil. The method of exile is the reading of the four prohibition prayers. In them, the evil one is forbidden to deal with a newly converted Christian. As a sign of this, the priest turns to those being baptized and blows crosswise three times in the face of each, pronouncing the corresponding words of the spell.


Now the sacrament participants turn their faces to the west - as a rule, this is the exit from the temple, and the priest begins to ask questions that should be answered loudly, clearly and preferably in unison. Batiushka asks three times twice about whether those who have come renounce Satan, to which, of course, they answer in the affirmative: “I renounce.”

In addition to the verbal renunciation of the evil one, the participants in the sacrament confirm this by action. After the priest's words: "Blow and spit on him," they do it literally. In insulting the demon, the Orthodox, as it were, categorically declares: I have nothing in common with you, Satan, I spit on you and will do this all my life.

Having renounced Satan, the Orthodox unites with Christ. To do this, everyone returns to their original position facing east: with their backs to the entrance, and facing the altar, and again answer the questions of the priest. Several times, with the help of questions, he clarifies the consciousness of the intentions of the parents and godparents of the child, who again respond with prepared formulations. If someone, after the categorical conversation, forgot them, the priest will tell you. Here comes the turn of the godparents. Some of them will have to read the main covenant of a Christian - the Symbol of the Orthodox Faith. And preferably by heart.

- A creed is a set of basic doctrinal truths or dogmas, which briefly states what we Christians believe. If none of those who came by heart knows the Creed, the priest himself can read it, and the rest will try to understand at least something. Ideally, every Christian should not only know it by heart, but also be able to comment on each line. This is usually the first assignment in Christian self-education. It is easy to find the Symbol of Faith, it is in any Prayer Book or in a book that is simply necessary for everyone and which is called very familiarly: “The Law of God,” explains Archimandrite Philip.


After reading the Creed, the priest reminds the participants of the baptism how to properly make the sign of the cross and bow.

- During the sign of the cross, the fingers must be folded in a certain way, with a “pinch”: the thumb, index and middle fingers together, which means our faith in the Trinity, the ring and little fingers are pressed to the palm - as a sign that Christ was both God and Man . We overshadow ourselves with them like this: on the forehead, on the stomach, on the right shoulder and on the left, then a small bow. We, as it were, invoke the sanctification of God on all our thoughts, feelings and actions. And we are baptized from right to left in honor of the prudent thief, who was crucified on the right hand of Christ and did not swear at Him together with everyone, but simply quietly asked the Lord to remember him in the Kingdom of Heaven, - explains the priest.

Now comes the most important thing. Baptism is impossible without water, since Christ himself was baptized in the waters of the Jordan River. That is why on the Epiphany, despite any frosts, the Russians tend to the font and the hole. The priest blesses the water for the baptism of the child, either right during the sacrament, or, usually, in advance. Don't worry about the baby getting cold: the water for baby baptism is always warm. Before immersion, the priest will anoint the baby with oil, which symbolizes the Grace of God - the forehead, chest, ears, arms and legs. After this, the child is immersed in water three times. Some kids are scared, but someone, on the contrary, likes it. The reaction of the baby during baptism will be the subject of conversation and memories for years to come.


Ideally, a child should be baptized in the first days of life. Photo: Andrey KARA

Now the baby is rightfully considered Orthodox, and a cross is put on him. It is no coincidence that the cross is called wearable, it is not worn over clothes, as an ornament, it should be literally on the body.

The sacrament of the baptism of a child can be called a double sacrament, because in its process one more is performed. Like baptism, it happens only once in a person's life. This is the sacrament of Confirmation.

- In this Sacrament, a person is given the grace-filled Gifts of the Holy Spirit to lead the Christian life, - comments Fr. Philip. - For the second time in their lives, they are anointed only when they are ordained as bishops, and earlier - when they enter the royal throne, hence the expression "anointed to the kingdom." As with oil, the priest will anoint the child's forehead, chest, lips, eyes, nose, ears, arms and legs.

After all this, it's time for a religious procession - a very small one - around the font where the baptism took place. This is where the candles prepared in advance are lit. Usually at this time, everyone is in high spirits, many willingly respond to the father's call to sing along with the choristers. After that, the Holy Scriptures are read, and the priest prays for the godparents and their godson or goddaughter.

Immediately after Baptism and Chrismation, the priest carefully cuts off a small strand of hair with small scissors. This is the first grateful sacrifice of a newly converted Christian to the Creator.

The baby's baptism is almost over. It remains only to read the prayers of churching, and for boys this is done in the most holy place of the temple - the altar. Girls, like women, are not allowed there, so prayers are read to them in front of the icon of the Most Holy Theotokos.

This is interesting

Is it possible to baptize a child in Lent before Easter


deciding to baptize the child with a post, under Easter, that is, on a passionate week, we must remember the restrictions on the food and the strict mood of this period of church life

Read more

Popular issues and popular issues and popular issues and popular issues and popular issues and popular issues and popular issues and popular issues. Popular issues answers
How much does a child's baptism "cost"?


To name the “cost” of the sacrament, like any other attribute purchased in a church shop, is not entirely correct. This concept is replaced in the temple by the word "donation". Its size is determined in each church in its own way. The baptism of a child is a priceless gift from above, and it cannot be valued in principle. But in order to accomplish it, it is necessary to spend electricity, water, attract people to prepare the temple, invite singers. The donation made by a Christian is a sign of respect for the work of all these people and the needs of the temple.


Is there a difference in the baptism of a girl and a boy?


There is no difference between the Baptism of a boy and a girl, except for the final "chord" when the boy is brought to the altar and the girl is left outside.


How to choose a place for baptism?


Sometimes parents want to baptize their child in a specific church: in an old church in a distant village or a church near their home. Actually, there is no difference. The grace of God through the performance of the sacrament of baptism is so strong that in some cases it can be performed even at home. It is no coincidence that if a child is sick or weak at birth, a priest can perform the sacrament even in a hospital.


This is interesting

How to baptize a child during the coronavirus: Father John Terauds


The priest told whether it is dangerous to postpone the child’s baptism due to coronavirus

Read more

9000 9000 9000 9000
000
000
000
000
000
000
000 9000 9000 9000 9000
000
000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000 9000
000
000
000
000 whether to take pictures during the sacrament?


Capturing one of the main events in a person's life is not prohibited in the temple. On the contrary, for the rest of your life you will have memories of the most important day in earthly life. But it’s better to take the priest’s blessing for this - just ask permission. By the way, the best position for shooting, as Fr. Philip, - in front of the priest and a little to the side, then you can choose the most successful angle for the main points.

Problems with filming may arise during a general baptism - inadvertently, you can violate the law "On the Protection of Personal Data".


Why lectures before baptism?


Parents who have gathered to baptize a baby are often perplexed: why attend special classes or catechumens before the sacrament, which have now become mandatory in many churches. Somewhere they limit themselves to a short conversation, somewhere they offer a series of lectures. All this is being done with the only good goal - to enlighten the Orthodox, their parents and godparents, to explain to them the meaning of the sacrament and the foundation of the faith they have chosen, to tell them about what awaits them in a new spiritual life. The goal is awareness.


This is interesting

How to properly baptize Orthodox Christians


The sign of the cross of the Orthodox is different from the Catholic and Old Believers. Why it happened and how to be baptized correctly for an Orthodox Christian - read in this material

More details Share in the comments: Comments for the site Cackl e How to baptize a child in the Orthodox Church: a step-by-step guide see also Two mobilized were married to their wives in the church at NVVKU Each church has its own rules for conducting the sacrament of baptism. Some godparents will need to pass a preliminary interview with a priest. You can come somewhere by agreeing on the time of the ceremony by phone. There are churches where a price list for services is set, somewhere you will be asked to simply donate "to the temple", no matter how much you feel sorry for it. If you don’t have money, then, most likely, they will meet you halfway and baptize the child for free. Still, there are a few rules that everyone who plans to be baptized must follow: 1. Decide on a godfather (grandparent) for the child. Godparents are needed only for children under 12-14 years old - on the websites of different churches, data on the upper age limit diverge. According to church traditions, the godmother should be a woman, and for a boy, a man. But this is not an iron rule, and you can deviate from it. It will not be a contradiction if, if necessary, the child has a godfather of the opposite sex. The main thing is that it should be a believing, church-going person. Often, parishioners choose both godparents for the child: both the father and the mother. But it is important that they do not have to be husband and wife to each other - neither now nor in the future. To become godparents for children, including their relatives - grandfathers, grandmothers, uncles and aunts. But a mother - native or adoptive - cannot be a godmother for her child. In addition, it is undesirable to take minors as godparents. “If a person has not yet reached the age of majority, then his age should be such that he can realize the full burden of the responsibility he has taken on and will conscientiously fulfill his duties as a godfather,” notes Priest Dionisy Svechnikov (quote from the website of the Novosibirsk church of Oleg Bryansky). Adults don't need receivers. 2. Select a temple. Call or come by. Find out when the rite of baptism is performed and when you can talk with the priest. You can baptize a child absolutely on any day, including during Lent. There are no restrictions in this matter. It all depends only on the specific church, which may not hold this sacrament on any given day for organizational or technical reasons. 3. Meet with the priest. Answer all the questions he asks you. Ask your questions. There are no special rules for preparing godparents for the ceremony. But at some churches, special talks are held to explain to a person the provisions of the Orthodox faith. Some priests recommend a three-day fast, confession and communion before the sacrament. It is possible that the godmother or godfather will need to know the "Symbol of Faith" prayer. It is pronounced three times in the course of the ceremony and may be asked to read the recipient. 4. Choose the name that the child will receive at baptism. The priest will help you in this matter. Not all modern names are in the calendar. Therefore, Alina, who is not in the calendar, can be called Angelina or Galina, and Yegor - George. Photo: Pavel Komarov, nsknews.info 5. Prepare everything necessary for baptism. This is a cross, a towel and a baptismal shirt, which gives access to the chest, arms and legs of the baby for chrismation. There is a tradition according to which the godfather takes upon himself the payment of the sacrament itself and the purchase of a pectoral cross for the boy. The godmother buys a cross for the girl and brings other things necessary for the ceremony. But these rules are not binding. If you bought a cross or a chain not in a church shop, but in a jewelry store, then they need to be consecrated. To do this, it is enough to contact the priest before baptism. 6. Come to the temple for the sacrament. The ceremony will take about an hour. After baptism, parents will be given a certificate in which the name of the child and the date of the ceremony will be recorded. Learn more What to do for carpal tunnel during pregnancy How kids born How often should you feel your baby move at 21 weeks What to take for head cold when pregnant What doctor do you see for pregnancy What causes hcg Divarication of recti How does child birth feel Parts of pelvic girdle Cold like symptoms sign of pregnancy Women body during pregnancy