How to choose a date for a child's baptism. Days of the ceremony in the temple. On what day of the week are children baptized?

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.

when to baptize a newborn?

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.

preparing for a child's baptism

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 education 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 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.

God-parents

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, in no case, with 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.

rules for baptism in church

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 outside the temple. Some churches allow mothers who do not have bleeding to be present in the temple and observe the ceremony from afar.

baptism ceremony

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.

baptism on 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.

baptism in church

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.

rules for godparents

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.”

God-parents

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 baptismal ceremony - this is his main responsibility and a baptismal gift for his child.

Video: “The Sacrament of Baptism. Rules"

Many parents begin to think about baptizing their child immediately after the birth of the baby. How to prepare for the sacrament without missing important details?

The rite of baptism of a child in Orthodoxy: rules

The rite of baptism is initiation into spiritual life. According to Orthodox canons, it is believed that during it a person “dies” to a sinful life and is reborn again to an eternal life. But the religion of the parents does not play a role in this matter. Having a great desire to baptize a child according to the traditions of the Orthodox Church, they can do this, being themselves unbaptized or representatives of another faith.

But this does not apply to godparents - they must be Orthodox Christians who are not married to each other or do not plan to do so in the future.

There is no difference between the baptism of a boy and a girl, except that the girl is not brought into the altar.

How to properly prepare and conduct the rite of baptism of a child in Orthodoxy, the rules of which not many parents know? In order for everything to go correctly, it is necessary to consult with the ministers of the temple in which the child’s baptism will take place. They will tell you how the sacrament goes. The baptism of a child, the rules of which initiate the child into the spiritual life, is a very important event. And if you follow its canons, everything will go comfortably, both for the baby and the parents.

Baptism of a child: what you need to know

Before the date on which the child’s baptism is planned, an interview is held with the future godparents in most churches. In the process of communicating with them, the rector of the temple gets an idea of the depth of religious knowledge and, in general, attitude towards Orthodoxy. Such meetings are not mandatory, but they are encouraged.

Before baptism, it is necessary to clarify what clothes can be worn for baptism. For women, long skirts, a covered head, and a closed blouse or dress are preferred. The shades are light, because baptism is a holiday. For men - trousers or jeans, and shirts.

When a child is about to be baptized, what else do you need to know: parents are interested in the opportunity to capture it on a video camera. Temples respond positively to this request and never refuse video recording. The main thing is that this does not interfere with the sacrament.

At what age should a child be baptized?

According to Orthodox traditions, infants are usually baptized on their 8th birthday or after the 40th day. Children aged 3-6 months tolerate the whole process more easily, but children from 6 months of age are already very capricious, understanding where they are and where they are. In any case, it is better to baptize a child before one year old. If only for the reason that it is difficult to hold an older baby in your arms for a long time.

Which day should you choose for your child's baptism?

The day can be absolutely any: ordinary, holiday, during fasting. But it all depends on the chosen temple in which the ritual will take place. Most often they offer a day off. baptizing a child on his name day is not always feasible given the modern realities of life and the capabilities of parents.

It is believed that after undergoing the rite of Baptism, children become less capricious and restless.

Choosing a name for a child's baptism

The child’s ordinary name can be absolutely anything, but the spiritual name must be present in the Saints (list of names of saints). Therefore, it is quite acceptable that your baby will have two names: given at birth, and in honor of the saint. This can be either a consonant name (Karina-Ekaterina, Alina-Anna), or one whose name day is closest to the baby’s date of birth. It is important to know that all future Orthodox church life will be connected precisely with the spiritual name.

How to choose a church for a child's baptism

It’s easy to choose a church in which a child’s baptism will meet all the parents’ requirements. You can baptize a child in any church. Consider the distance of the church from your home or personal preferences. The essence of the ritual is the same everywhere, but preparation for baptism may differ. In some churches it is customary to hold public conversations for godparents. Their main goal is to train future godparents and talk about traditions, canons, and prepare for the spiritual sacrament. Such conversations are held once a week by agreement with the priest. After this, the clergyman must allow the baby to be baptized.

All churches have their own conditions and requirements for baptism. It is better to find out in advance about payment, the possibility of taking photos and videos.

Godparents: how to choose

Godparents are the second parents of the baby, whose role is very important. They will teach their godson the rules of Christian life and educate them spiritually. According to the rules of the church, there can be only one godfather, but in this case, a woman is for a girl, a man is for a boy. Godfathers should not be connected by kinship or marriage; they are united by only a spiritual connection.

A godfather can be a family friend, a relative - uncle, aunt, brother, sister and even grandparents.

What is needed for a child's baptism

What is needed for a boy's baptism

Parents always ask a similar question in church: “What is needed to baptize a child?” From the list of things to purchase:

cross. It is better to buy it in the church, because it is already consecrated. A cross purchased in a store must be consecrated in advance;
baptismal kit: ready-made kits can also be purchased at the temple;
kryzhma or a beautiful towel. The child will be wrapped in them after dipping into the font.

What is needed for a girl's baptism

For the sacrament of baptism of a girl you need:

a cross with a cord to put on the baby’s neck;
baptismal set. True, parents most often prefer to purchase an elegant baptismal dress;
a hat for cool weather - so that the child does not catch a cold;
kryzhma or a beautiful towel. This is what the baby will be wrapped in after being dipped into the font.

How is a child baptized?

The baptism of a child is a special day, very exciting for parents. Therefore, it is advisable to arrive at the temple a little earlier in order to have time to put your clothes in order and make sure that you have not forgotten anything.

The temple servants and the priest who will baptize the child will tell you the rules of this sacrament. For example, they will tell you who will hold the baby in their arms if he is still small, where the parents and guests will stand. It is advisable that only the closest people be with the child during baptism - so invite guests to a festive dinner, and not to the temple.

How a child is baptized: one of the godparents holds the child in his arms. Following the priest, they repeat what needs to be said. After blessing the water in the font, the priest dips the child into it three times. Don't worry about the water temperature. Before the sacrament of baptism, it is always heated to a temperature comfortable for children.

Following baptism, the rite of anointing is carried out, when the child's eyes, forehead, mouth, ears, nostrils, legs, arms and chest are anointed with a cross.

After the ceremony is completed, the child is dressed in special baptismal clothes. And he gives the parents a christening certificate.

Baptism is one of the main sacraments of Orthodoxy. This rite consists of accepting the Christian faith. It is designed to protect a person from the influence of dark forces and direct his life in a bright spiritual direction. There is an opinion regarding the correctness of accepting Christianity already at an adult, meaningful age. However, Orthodox priests claim the opposite. Being baptized in infancy, a person early finds a guardian angel, is cleansed of original sin and is forever accepted into the holy church monastery.

The Orthodox Church recommends that infants be baptized on the 8th or 40th day after their birth. Newborn children with a dangerous illness should be baptized as soon as possible. Before the christening, you need to decide on the choice of an Orthodox name for the baby. A saint bearing the same name becomes his intercessor before higher powers. An Orthodox name should be known to a limited number of people; this will make a person invulnerable to evil and ill-wishers.

Child baptism in church

Many people are interested in what days and how a child is baptized in the church. The rules are almost the same in every Orthodox church. You can choose any day of the week for christening. The exception is major church holidays, when due to heavy workload the priest will not be able to perform the ceremony.

Preparation for the sacrament

Preparation for the sacrament involves the purchase of a baptismal kit, preliminary conversations with a clergyman and the choice of godfather and mother. The baptismal set includes a shirt (diaper), a pectoral cross and an icon depicting the patron saint. For female infants, a hat or scarf is added. The baptismal shirt (kryzhma) is considered a miraculous amulet and must be kept throughout the life of its owner.
With its help, traditional healers remove curses and help in the treatment of serious diseases.

Kryzhma for baptism

You can buy kryzhma or sew it yourself. This can be done by both the mother and the future godmother. Preference is given to the white color of the fabric as a symbol of purity and purity.

Traditionally, the godfather buys the pectoral cross. It should be made of inexpensive metal. It is allowed to have a cross made of silver, as this metal is capable of purifying and driving away evil spirits. But gold is not considered pure, so gold crosses are undesirable. You can purchase such a cross in the future, not forgetting to consecrate it. After the sacrament is performed, the pectoral cross is supposed to be worn constantly as a symbol of faith.

Godparents often wonder what is better to buy for the cross: a chain or a cord? In church shops they sell ropes - gaitanchiki, specially designed for wearing it. They are safe and easy to use and are especially suitable for young children.

Relatives and godparents should first visit the priest and ask him all the necessary questions about the upcoming ceremony. He will tell you in detail what is needed to properly participate in it. To take photos or videos, you must obtain his approval and blessing. On the day of christening, you must have the baby's birth certificate with you. Based on this, a baptismal certificate will be issued.

Choosing godparents

The choice of godparents should not be made for mercantile reasons. Priests advise inviting believers for this, who in the future are able to become spiritual parents and mentors for the godson, and, if necessary, replace his father and mother. They must necessarily belong to the Orthodox faith.

Future godparents are invited to the temple for a conversation with the priest. The priest will tell them how the child is baptized, explain their role in the ceremony and in the spiritual life of the future godson. Church rules strictly define the category of persons who cannot be godparents:

the child's parents;
atheists and representatives of other religions;
temple staff;
minors;
persons who are married to each other.

Women are forbidden to be present in the holy monastery during menstrual periods. Before the sacrament, godparents are required to observe a three-day fast, confess and receive communion.

Baptism of children in church

Church rules previously prohibited parents of children from being with them during the ceremony. Today, the procedure for the ceremony has changed somewhat and an Orthodox priest can baptize a baby in their presence.

All participants in the ceremony need to pay attention to their appearance. It must meet church requirements. In clothes, subdued colors are preferred. All those present should be wearing crosses and holding baptismal candles.

Women are not supposed to wear short, revealing dresses or skirts. The head is covered with a scarf or scarf. Flashy jewelry and bright makeup are excluded. Female children must also have their heads covered. Men are allowed into the temple without a headdress.

Christenings of children of both sexes follow the same rules. The first sacred act is the laying of the hand of the priest on the baby. Such a gesture symbolizes gaining the protection of God. The godparents answer some of the priest’s questions on behalf of the godson, then the priest anoints the child with church oil (oil).

After the anointing, the godparents with the baby in their arms must go to the font. The priest sanctifies the water and immerses the baby in it three times. If a boy is being baptized, then the godmother brings him to the font, and if a girl is baptized, then the godfather brings him to the font. After washing, you need to put on a baptismal shirt and cover your head. The priest performs the rite of anointing, which happens only once in a lifetime.

Rules for baptism in the church

Then a small strand of hair is cut from the child's head. The baby is carried around the font 3 times. This means that he accepted the Orthodox faith and united with it forever. The entire ceremony is accompanied by constant reading of prayers.

Upon returning from the holy monastery, all those invited gather at the festive table. During the celebration, children are given gifts and warm, sincere wishes.

Duration and cost of the ceremony

The duration and cost of the ceremony vary. Many parents are interested in how long it takes to baptize a child in a church. This largely depends on the priest. Most often, the ritual takes from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

The main material expenses fall on the shoulders of the blood father and mother, although there was once a custom to pay everything in full to the godfather. The cost of baptism in a church is indicated in the price list with prices for church services. It can be found in the icon shop. You can find out how much it costs to baptize a child in a church from its workers. Traditionally, the amount ranges from 600 to 2000 rubles.

Everyone decides for himself whether to believe in omens or not. There are beliefs associated with christenings. Our wise ancestors advised us to do the following:

do not inform strangers about the date of the upcoming christening;
allow only an even number of guests into the temple;
before the christening, count all the money in the house - this will ensure the child a comfortable life;
on the day of christening, as well as on church holidays, do not perform any work;
do not open the doors of the house to anyone until all participants in the ritual return from the temple;
do not take a pregnant woman as a godparent;
on a holiday, do not make noise or quarrel in the house;
After the feast, the last of the guests should be the godmother and father.

Orthodox priests teach that the mere fact of baptism is not enough to enter the Heavenly Kingdom. Further life in Christ and participation in all church sacraments is important. The Church calls on parents of baptized children to live in its bosom and set a worthy example to the growing generation.

Rules for baptizing a child in church: video

The question of when is the best time to baptize a child in 2018 is rather rhetorical, since there are no religious restrictions on either age or dates. It is more important to know the meaning of the sacrament itself, as well as the order of its implementation, so that the parents’ decision is informed. Then the ritual will certainly bring grace to the child.

1 Recommendations for choosing a date for baptism in 2018
- 1.1 When is the best time to baptize a baby?
2 The most favorable time for baptism of a baby
- 2.1 Tips for parents
3 Important nuances of baptism - we do everything right!
4 Festive lunch after baptism - how to organize and what should be done?
5 Preparing the baby for baptism: how and what to dress him in?
- 5.1 What kind of clothes should you give preference to?
- 5.2 How to put on a child’s baptismal attire correctly?

A child can be baptized at any age. At the same time, it is necessary to remember that until the child is seven years old, making a decision is the responsibility of the parents, but from seven to fourteen years of age, children must also give consent to the ritual. Teenagers over fourteen years of age go to baptism only at their own request, guided by their personal worldview.

Orthodoxy has no prohibitions on the sacrament of baptism even during periods of major fasting; it does not provide for exact dates. The only thing that should be taken into account: perhaps the temple in which the ritual is planned to be performed only conducts it on certain days of the week, most often every Saturday. It is also worth remembering that on major holidays the priest may not physically have time for the sacrament. On such days, services are always held, confessions are held, many people come to the temple, so a small child is unlikely to feel comfortable in such conditions.

When is the best time to baptize a baby?

As advice when choosing the date of the ceremony, you can suggest paying attention to old Slavic customs. It has long been customary to carry out baptism on the eighth, and more often on the fortieth day from the date of birth of the child. These dates have a special meaning: on the eighth day the baby was always named, and the number “forty” is special in Orthodoxy. It is believed that only after 40 days the mother can enter the temple, since she has already undergone natural cleansing after the birth of the child, and postpartum discharge has completely stopped.

Despite the absence of canons limiting the time of the sacrament, it is worth remembering that on days of fasting the holiday itself will have to be celebrated with the corresponding Lenten menu. You can check his list with the priest, or use the help of the all-knowing Internet. But, if suddenly a baby is born sick and weak, it is advisable to carry out the ritual as soon as possible in order to try to help him with all our might. In such a situation, it is advisable to baptize the baby immediately after birth, inviting a priest to the hospital. In the future, the sacrament can easily be repeated within the walls of the temple, when the baby gets stronger.

The most favorable time for a baby's baptism

As for the best time for baptism in our days, it is considered more convenient and favorable to carry out the ceremony in the first week after Easter. In 2018, she will be greeted on April 8th. Most people strive to wait out Lent and baptize their babies under the Red Hill. In 2018, this holiday falls on the fifteenth of April, and therefore most temples will hold the ceremony on the sixteenth.

The best dates in 2018 for the baptism of children are considered to be:

January - 9, 11, 12, 20.
February - 7, 9, 21, 27.
March - it is not recommended to perform the sacrament.
April - 4, 11, 18, 22, 28.
May - 1, 2, 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 24.
June - 3, 8, 12, 18, 22, 24, 28.
July - 4, 7, 21, 29.
August - 2, 4, 16, 22, 26, 28.
September - 14, 16, 28.
October - 3, 9, 18.
November - 2, 8, 12, 14, 16, 18.
December - 24, 27.

When to baptize a child in 2018, only parents can decide. The Church does not set strict dates for the sacrament. It is only important to decide on the temple in advance and find out there about possible specific days of the week for baptism. It may also happen that on the date chosen by the parents, a funeral service, wedding, or baptism of another person is planned in God’s house. Therefore, it is necessary to coordinate the day with the priest. If necessary, he will definitely tell you how to properly prepare for the ceremony and what is necessary for it.

Tips for parents

Before baptism, it is important to remember some nuances:

It is recommended to choose small churches for the ritual, where there will not be many people, then the baby will worry less.
You shouldn't have huge feasts after baptism. This is a sacrament, and not a reason to gather all relatives and friends at a common table, or to drink alcohol.
If the baby cries during the ceremony, then there is no need to worry, this predicts happiness and good health.
It is recommended to baptize a child after the wedding procedure, but not after the funeral service for the deceased.
A silver cross, a diaper and an undershirt for the baby should be purchased by the godmother.
For the sacrament, you must make a donation to the temple, although most houses of God do not charge a fixed fee for the ritual.
Godparents for a child must be chosen with special responsibility, since the man and woman will subsequently be responsible for the spiritual development of the child.
Unbaptized relatives, as well as people of other faiths, cannot be present at the sacrament.
You cannot force your child to participate in the ritual, as this choice is made independently.
It is recommended to wear the shirt in which the child was baptized while sleeping.

Thus, in 2018, a baby can be baptized on any convenient day. The main thing is to talk with the priest in advance to avoid unforeseen situations. A correctly performed ritual will contribute to the child’s happiness and longevity.

Important nuances of baptism - we do everything right!

When choosing a date for your baby's baptism in 2018, it is best to focus on the numbers that fall on Thursday. Also, the holiday of Epiphany is considered a particularly favorable date for such a great sacrament. There is an opinion that it is impossible to organize baptism during Lent, but in reality everything happens differently.

Since during this ritual the little man is introduced to the church, its ministers do not set restrictions in this matter. The only reason why parents may be denied baptism on holidays is that the church is too busy, where numerous services are held.

A particularly important point! The godmother must hold a teaspoon in her bosom during the baptism ceremony. Next, the same spoon should, in turn, be spent a little time with each of the baby’s relatives (on what day it does not matter). The mother takes her first, then the father, and only then comes the turn of the grandparents. As soon as the child grows a little, this is the spoon that should be used to feed him. This ritual will help him eat well, develop quickly, be happy and healthy.

By following all the rules of the baptismal ritual, you can endow your precious child with strong guardian angels.

Festive lunch after baptism - how to organize and what to do?

Almost all parents, after the baptism ceremony, organize a festive table, at which their closest people gather.

In ancient times, at such a celebration, a special porridge – wheat or buckwheat – had to be served. The cereal used for its preparation was left in milk in advance, and then cooked in it with the addition of a small amount of cream. The so-called baptismal porridge was supplemented with jam and sugar, and halves of boiled eggs, which were considered a symbol of fertility, were laid out as decoration.

In some areas, a rooster or chicken was baked in such unsweetened porridge, depending on the gender of the child. The father of the baptized baby also prepared his own special porridge, the essential ingredients of which were horseradish and salt in large quantities. It was believed that such a dish helped a man feel the torment that his wife felt during pregnancy and birth of a baby.

In order for the baby’s life to turn out only in the best way, during the baptism itself and the subsequent festive meal, the following important points should be observed:

There should be a lot of treats on the festive table. At the same time, too large portions of food should not be placed on guests’ plates. If there are leftovers left on the plates after dinner, this will bring failure in the child’s future life.
It is strictly forbidden to use pancakes to treat guests. You should avoid this dish and replace it with a pie filled with rooster or chicken meat.
Pork treats are not prepared for a dinner in honor of a child's baptism. For holiday dishes, it is better to use poultry, beef and fish.
If guests come to the celebration with a gift in the form of money, then on the day of the christening it is definitely worth counting them. Thus, in the future life of the children there will be no financial problems.
Getting drunk at the festive table is strictly prohibited. This is especially true for the child’s godparents. If this rule is neglected, then it is believed that the child may become a drunkard in adulthood.
At the festive table (and throughout the day of christening) there should be no quarrels or disputes. All this will disrupt the atmosphere of the ritual, negatively affecting the future fate of the baby.

All of the above rules are quite simple, so parents should follow them when organizing a holiday dinner.

Preparing a baby for baptism: how and what to dress him in?

One of the pressing issues in the process of organizing a christening is the selection of an outfit for the child himself. You should find a clothing option that will not only correspond to such an important celebration, but also give the baby a feeling of comfort and coziness.

When choosing an outfit for a baptism ceremony, it is worth considering the following important nuances:

During the sacrament of baptism, the priest cuts a small lock of hair from the child's head. That is why it is worth putting on a hat for the baby, which can be quickly and easily removed.
If baptism is to take place, which involves complete immersion in sacred water, then the child will need to be completely undressed. And after carrying out such a procedure, put it on as quickly as possible so that he does not freeze or catch a cold. That is why the chosen set of clothes should have comfortable fasteners and, preferably, be separate (blouse and panties).
Confirmation is another integral part of any baptismal ceremony. During this procedure, the priest smears the baby’s eyes, ears, nose, forehead, chest and limbs with myrrh. That's why parents don't need to wrap their baby up too much. It will be very easy to wash off the baptismal myrrh - an ordinary sponge or special wet wipes for newborns will do for this purpose.

Taking into account all these features of the baptism ceremony, parents should choose the appropriate set of clothes.

What kind of clothes should you prefer?

The most ideal solution for baptism would be a loose outfit that does not require extra effort and time to dress. This could be a vest, complemented by ties, a hat, or pants that do not have socks. But you should give up the usual jumpsuits with buttons in your daily wardrobe. Putting them on will take a lot of time; moreover, the baby may be capricious and cry, which will further aggravate the situation. If parents feel that the selected clothes are not warm enough, then they can additionally wrap the baby in a blanket or diaper.

Modern manufacturers of children's clothing offer special outfits for baptism depending on the gender of the child. So, for a boy, the set will consist of a long dress or vest, a cap, an embroidered diaper, and booties. In the christening set for tiny princesses, parents will be able to find booties, an elegant dress, a cap and a diaper, all made in the same style and color. Thanks to a thoughtful cut, such clothes will allow you to carry out baptism without unnecessary fuss and hassle.

How to put on a child's baptismal attire correctly?

Preparing the baby for the baptism ceremony stands within the walls of the house. Over the selected set you can wear a warm jacket, a hat and outerwear, which will be removed only in the temple before the procedure itself. If it turns out to be too cold in the church, then you don’t have to get rid of your blouse and other warm clothes.

Don't be too fussy or in a hurry when dressing your child after diving. The baby is still very small and such a procedure can cause hypothermia. The priest always gives parents time for all the necessary manipulations of dressing and wrapping up.

Recently, parents have begun to baptize their children at an early age, as they strive to raise them in Orthodox traditions from early childhood. And then the question arises, on what day should the child be baptized? In principle, the church allows you to choose any day for baptism, but parents must take into account some details.

Choosing the day of baptism

According to church canons, the Sacrament of Baptism is usually performed on the 40th day of a baby’s life, but there is no strict instruction on this matter. Since to a greater extent this rule is associated with the postpartum state of the mother’s body. To enter the temple, she must read a prayer and receive the priest’s blessing. If the child is sick, the priest can be invited to the hospital or home earlier than this.

As a rule, the church allows a child to be baptized on the day chosen by the parents; there are no restrictions on prohibitions on days for the Sacrament of Baptism. However, an individual temple may have its own rules, which should be clarified with the ministers when choosing a date.

Often the rite of Baptism is performed for several children at the same time; if you want it to be performed only for your child, then you need to separately agree on this with the priest, and find a day when there are no others willing.

Previously, babies were named after saints, whose memory fell on the day of baptism. This tradition can be preserved by choosing a date in the church calendar on which the memory of the saint whose name your child bears is celebrated. In addition, baptism can be timed to coincide with various church holidays, for example, Trinity, Easter, the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God. However, it should be taken into account that there are many people in the church at this time, and the child may be scared. Also, according to church traditions, women are forbidden to visit the temple during menstruation, which is why it is important that the day of baptism does not fall during this period. Now you know what day to baptize a child, and what rules need to be followed.