When can you be baptized in the year calendar. Christening
Immediately before Baptism, it is customary in church practice to perform a catechumen - a deep and comprehensive explanation of the meaning and foundations of the Orthodox faith. In many churches, public conversations with future godparents are held in advance, if possible.
should be visited. Before performing the sacrament, all the candles are lit, the priest walks around the temple or baptismal chapel and reads three prayers: a prayer for the baby’s birthday, a prayer for the naming of a child’s name.
the eighth day and the prayer of the 40th day (mother’s prayer). To perform Baptism, the child is completely undressed; while the prayers are read, the godparents hold him in their arms, wrapped in swaddling clothes. If it’s cold, you can leave the baby in clothes, but slightly expose his chest, arms and legs.
The presence of the child’s mother at the Christening is allowed only after the priest has read the prayer of permission on the fortieth day. But some priests read it at the beginning and, thereby, allow the mother to participate in the Sacrament, while others read it at the end, and then the mother should not even enter the temple (she is allowed to stand in the vestibule). Both are allowed by the Church: when to read the mother’s prayer is the decision of the priest. After these prayers, the priest asks the godparents and the godson to turn their faces to the west (symbolically this is the abode of Satan). And, turning to his godparents, he asks questions three times, which must also be answered consciously three times. Since baby
cannot understand the essence of the questions, his godparents make vows for him.
First the priest asks:
Do you renounce Satan, and all his works, and all his service, and all his pride?
Godparents should answer:
I deny.
Then the priest says:
Blow and spit on him (as a sign of extreme contempt).
After this, the priest orders you to turn your face to the east, towards the Lord, and asks:
Are you compatible with Christ?
Godparents should answer:
I fit in.
With this answer, the godparents confess their godson’s loyalty to the Lord. Next, they read the Creed prayer, which should be learned by heart. Then the priest reads the great litany, during which he blesses the oil and water in the font. For invincibility in the fight against Satan, before immersion in the font, the priest anoints the baby with Holy Oil with the words: The servant of God is anointed (servant
God) Name the oil of joy in the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Anointing his chest, he says:
For the healing of soul and body.
Anointing the ears:
To the hearing of faith.
On hands:
Your hands created me and created me.
On foot:
So that he (she) may walk in Your footsteps (Your commandments).
Then the priest takes the child from his godparents and baptizes him, immersing his head into the font three times, holding him facing east, with the words: The servant of God (servant of God) (Name) is baptized in the name of the Father. Amen. And the Son. Amen. And the Holy Spirit. Amen. Then one of the godparents (for a boy this is the godfather, and for a girl this is the godmother) takes the baby from the hands of the priest into his own arms. The child is thoroughly dried, dressed in a baptismal shirt and put on a cross. White outfit serves as a sign of purity of soul
and reminds the baptized person that he must maintain this purity in the future, and the cross serves as a sign of his faith in the Lord. The kryzhma, which has absorbed holy water, like the baptismal shirt, must be preserved.
Immediately after Baptism, the Sacrament of Confirmation is performed in a single rite, which, like Baptism, is no longer repeated. The priest anoints the baptized saint
Peace, drawing the image of a cross on the forehead, eyes, nostrils, lips, ears, chest, arms and legs of the child, with the words: Seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen. After anointing with Myrrh, the priest with the recipients and the baptized person walks around the font three times with candles, then washes and wipes the Myrrh off the child’s body with the words: You were baptized, enlightened, anointed, sanctified, washed, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen. Next the priest reads prayer for cutting the hair and performs the tonsure of the classes in a cross shape: The servant of God (servant of God) (Name) is tonsured in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. The cut hair is rolled into a ball of wax and lowered into the font.
The hair cutting is followed by a prayer for the recipient and the newly baptized. And then there is a dismissal - a blessing for leaving the temple with kissing the cross; the prayer remembers the saint in whose honor the name of the baptized person is given, and with this the Sacrament ends.
If the child is already 40 days old, then immediately after Baptism and Confirmation, Churching takes place. If the prayer of permission for the 40th day was not read over the child’s mother before Baptism, then it must be read before Churching. For
male and female infants the rite of churching is few
varies. The priest takes the child in his arms in the vestibule of the temple and signs a cross for them at the entrance to the temple, in the middle of the church and on the pulpit at the Royal Doors, saying the words: “The servant of God is being churched.” If a male child has been baptized, the priest brings him into the altar, carrying him around the altar through the high place, then places him on the icons on the iconostasis and gives him into the hands of his mother or recipient.
Girls are not brought into the altar; their churching ends at the Royal Doors. The priest concludes the churching with prayer. After the Sacrament of Baptism, it is necessary to give the child communion. Sometimes the first Communion takes place on the same day, but more often the priest asks you to come the next day or a week later. Usually Communion is celebrated after the morning liturgy; the days and times of services vary in different churches. It is not necessary to stand at the service with a child; babies are given communion without a queue and only with wine (the Blood of Christ). The child must be given communion regularly, preferably at least once a week.
2.Preparing godparents for the baptismal ceremony
Dear godparents, before you become a recipient, you must understand all the responsibility and importance of the upcoming event - the Sacrament of Baptism. You have the enormous responsibility of spiritual education of your godchild; together with your parents, you are responsible for him before God. In order to teach their godchildren the basics of the Christian faith, godparents themselves must understand and be able to explain to the child what and in Whom they believe. If you feel that you are not sufficiently informed on these issues, it is time to fill in the gaps in your knowledge about Orthodox Christianity. Today there is every opportunity for this: in church shops there is a lot of religious literature, including children’s literature, telling about God, Faith and the Church. Priests are always ready to discuss with you issues of spiritual education of children; in many churches educational (civil) conversations are held with future godparents. Before the Sacrament of Baptism, it is advisable to observe a three-day fast, confess and take communion. For Baptism, you should dress appropriately and be sure to wear an Orthodox cross. A woman must cover her head and wear a skirt below the knee. Mother and godmother are not allowed to use lipstick - kissing the cross and kissing icons with painted lips is unacceptable. Dear godparents and young mothers, remember that a woman should refrain from participating in church sacraments during days of female infirmity. In addition, there are also prohibitions regarding the age, status and faith of future godparents: only adult believers baptized in Orthodoxy can become godparents. A husband and wife or a couple about to get married cannot become godparents, because the spiritual kinship established between recipients in the Sacrament of Baptism is higher than any other union, even marriage.
How to baptize a child? What are the rules for the baptism ceremony? How much does it cost? The editors of the portal “Orthodoxy and Peace” will answer these and other questions.
Child Baptism
When to baptize - different families solve this issue differently.
Most often they are baptized +/- 40 days after birth. The 40th day is also significant from a religious point of view (in the Old Testament church, on the 40th day a child was brought to the temple, on the 40th day a prayer is read over a woman who has given birth). For 40 days after giving birth, a woman does not participate in the sacraments of the Church: this is also related to the physiology of the postpartum period, and in general it is very reasonable - at this time, all the attention and energy of a woman should be focused on the child and her health.
After this period has expired, a special prayer must be read over her, which the priest will do before or after baptism. Very young children behave much calmer at baptism and are not afraid when someone else (godparents or priest) takes them in the arms. Well, don’t forget that up to three months, children can more easily tolerate head-dipping, because they retain intrauterine reflexes that help them hold their breath.
In any case, the choice of the moment is up to the parents and depends on the circumstances and the state of the child’s health. If the baby is in intensive care and there are health problems, the baby can be baptized in intensive care. To do this, you can invite a priest or MOTHER CAN BAPTIZE THE CHILD HERSELF.
You can baptize after 40 days.
If the child's life is in danger
If the baby is in intensive care, then you can invite a priest to baptize the child. From the hospital church or from any church - no one will refuse. Just first you need to find out what the baptism procedures are in this hospital.
If strangers are not allowed into the intensive care unit, or if the situation is different - an accident, for example - the mother or father (and the intensive care nurse at the request of the parents and anyone else in general) the child can be christened THEMSELVES. A few drops of water are needed. With these drops, the child must be crossed three times with the words:
Servant of God (NAME) is baptized
In the name of the Father. Amen. (we cross ourselves for the first time and sprinkle some water)
And the Son. Amen. (second time)
And the Holy Spirit. Amen. (third time).
The child is baptized. When he is discharged, the second part of baptism will have to be performed in church - Confirmation - joining the Church. Explain to the priest in advance that you baptized yourself in intensive care. You can baptize your baby at home, having agreed on this with the priest in the church.
Should I baptize in winter?
Of course, in churches they heat the water, the water in the font is warm.
The only thing is that if the temple has one door and the temple itself is small, one of your relatives can stand guard at the entrance so that the door does not suddenly open wide open.
How much to pay? And why pay?
Officially, in churches there is no fee for the Sacraments and services.
Christ also said: “Freely you received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). But only the believers fed and watered the apostles, allowed them to spend the night, and in modern realities, the donation for baptism is one of the main sources of income for churches, from which they pay for light, electricity, repairs, fire-fighting work and the priest, who most often has many children. Price list in the temple - this is the approximate donation amount. If there really is no money, they MUST baptize for free. If they refuse, it’s a reason to contact the dean.
Is it necessary to call according to the calendar?
Whoever wants it. Some call it according to the calendar, some in honor of their favorite saint or someone else. Of course, if a girl was born on January 25, then the name Tatyana really begs for her, but the parents choose the name for the child themselves - there are no “musts” here.
Where to baptize?
It is unlikely that this question will arise before you if you are already parishioners of some temple. If not, choose a temple to your liking. There is nothing wrong with visiting a few temples. If the employees are unfriendly and rude (this happens, yes), you can look for a temple where they will treat you kindly from the very beginning. Yes. We come to God in church, but there is no sin in choosing a church according to your liking. It’s good if the church has a separate baptismal room. It is usually warm, there are no drafts and there are no strangers.
If there are few churches in your city and they all have large parishes, then be sure to find out in advance how many children usually attend baptism. It may turn out that a dozen babies will be baptized at the same time, each of whom will be accompanied by a whole team of relatives. If you don’t like such a mass gathering, you can agree on an individual baptism.
Baptism photography
If you decide to hire a photographer for the christening, be sure to find out in advance whether he will be allowed to take pictures and use a flash. Some priests have a very negative attitude towards filming the Sacraments and an unpleasant surprise may await you.
As a rule, photography and video shooting are not prohibited anywhere. Photos from a baptism are a great joy for many years for the whole family, so if you can’t take pictures in a church, then you need to look for a church where you can take pictures (but even in Old Believer churches they allow you to take pictures at christenings)
In some cases, a child can be baptized at home. The main thing is to agree on this with the priest.
Godparents
Who can and cannot be a godfather is the most common question. Is it possible for a pregnant/unmarried/unbeliever/childless girl to baptize a girl, etc. – the number of variations is endless.
The answer is simple: the godfather must be a person
– Orthodox and church (HE is responsible for raising a child in the faith);
– not the child’s parent (godparents must replace the parents if something happens);
– a husband and wife cannot be godparents of one child (or those who are going to get married);
- A monastic cannot be a godfather.
Contrary to popular belief, it is not at all necessary that there be two godparents. One thing is enough: women for girls and men for boys. .
Conversation before baptism
Now this is a must. For what? To baptize those who believe in Christ, and not those who come because “a child_is_sick_must_be_baptized_otherwise_they_will_jinx_and_we_are_Russian_and_Orthodox.”
You have to come to the conversation, this is not an exam. usually the priest talks about Christ, the Gospel, reminds that you need to read the Gospel yourself. This looks like.
Often the need for conversation causes indignation among relatives and many try to “get around” them. Someone, complaining about a lack of time, or even just desire, is looking for priests who can ignore this rule. But first of all, this information is needed by the godparents themselves, because by offering them to become your child’s godparents, you impose a great responsibility on them and it would be nice for them to know about it. If godparents do not want to spend time on this, then this is a reason for you to think about whether the child needs adoptive parents who cannot sacrifice just a couple of their evenings for him.
If the godparents live in another city and can only come on the day of the sacrament, then they can have conversations in any church that is convenient. Upon completion, they will be given a certificate with which they can participate in the sacrament anywhere.
It is very good for godparents, if they don’t already know, to learn - this prayer is read three times during baptism and, it is likely that godparents will be asked to read it.
What to buy?
For baptism, a child needs a new baptismal shirt, a cross and a towel. All this can be bought at any church store and, as a rule, this is the task of the godparents. The baptismal shirt is then stored along with other mementos of the baby. In foreign stores there is a whole line of stunningly beautiful clothes for baptism; you can also use some beautiful set for discharge.
Baptismal name
Find out in advance what name the child will be baptized. If the child’s name is not in the calendar, select one that sounds similar in advance (Alina - Elena, Zhanna - Anna, Alisa - Alexandra) and tell the priest about it. And sometimes names are given strangely. One of my friends Zhanna was baptized Evgeniya. By the way, sometimes there are unexpected names in the calendar, say. Edward is such an Orthodox British saint (though later all the employees of the temple will not believe that there is such an Orthodox name). In church records and when performing other Sacraments, you will need to use the name given at baptism. Based on it, it will be determined when the child’s Angel Day is and who his heavenly patron is.
We arrived at the temple, what next?
At the church shop you will be asked to pay a donation for baptism. Before the sacrament, it is better to feed the baby so that he is more comfortable and calm.
Feed in the temple IT IS POSSIBLE, it’s good to wear nursing clothes or have an apron with you. If you need privacy, you can ask one of the temple employees to find a secluded place.
The only thing is that if the baby is feeding for a long time, it is better to have a bottle-sipper-syringe with food with you, so that it does not happen that the baby gets hungry in the middle of the service and you either have to wait half an hour until he eats or he will cry from hunger.
During the sacrament, the child is held in the arms of the godparents, the parents can only watch. The duration of Baptism is usually about an hour.
It is useful to familiarize yourself in advance with what will happen during the service in order to understand the meaning of what is happening. Here .
But mothers are not allowed to be baptized everywhere - it is better to clarify this question in advance.
Cold water?
The water in the font is WARM. First, hot water is usually poured into it, and before the Sacrament it is diluted with cold water. but the water in the font is warm :)
The temple employees who collect it will make sure that the water is warm - they don’t want the child to freeze just as much as you do. After immersion, it will not be possible to immediately dress the child, and here again it is worth mentioning that it is good to baptize very young children in separate rooms and not in the church itself, where it is cool even in summer. In any case, don’t worry, everything happens quickly and the child will not have time to freeze.
Should a child wear a cross all the time?
Parents are often concerned about the safety of their child wearing a cross. Someone is afraid that the child may be harmed by the rope or ribbon on which the cross hangs. Many people worry that the child might lose the cross or it might be stolen, for example, in the garden. As a rule, the cross is worn on a short ribbon that cannot get tangled anywhere. And for kindergarten you can prepare a special inexpensive cross.
And they say that...
Baptism, like many other things in our lives, is surrounded by many stupid superstitions and prejudices. Older relatives can add worries and worries with stories about bad omens and prohibitions. It is better to clarify any doubtful questions with the priest, not trusting grandmothers, even very experienced ones.
Is it possible to celebrate baptism?
It is quite logical that relatives who will gather for Epiphany will want to continue the celebration at home or in a restaurant. The main thing is that during the holiday they do not forget the reason for which everyone gathered.
After baptism
When the Sacrament is over, you will be given a certificate of baptism, which will indicate when the baptism was performed, by whom, and the day on which the child has a name day will also be written. After baptism, you will definitely need to go to the temple again to give the baby communion. In general, babies should be given communion regularly.
Christening is an important, mysterious process for every parent. It is important to choose not only good godparents who would take care of your baby as if they were their own, but also the temple where the sacramental process will take place.
Today, almost all parents, regardless of whether they are married or not, what faith they are, and how they believe in God, try to baptize their children, which is very correct and corresponds to church canons. We talked about the age when it is better to baptize a baby in one of our articles. Let us remind you that there are no strict requirements in this regard: you can baptize a baby at any age when you consider it necessary: at one, two or three years old, and at a later age.
However, there is no need to delay for too long: as a rule, children are baptized in the first year of life. According to old Slavic customs, the baptism of a child was usually carried out on the 8th or 40th day from the date of birth. These dates were chosen for a reason: they have special meaning. So on the eighth day the baby was named, and the number “40” is special in Orthodoxy.
The best dates for baptism in 2017
And if this year, 2017, you become or have already become happy parents, and do not want to postpone the process of baptizing a child for a long time, then according to the church calendar, the most favorable dates for baptism during this period will be:
Of course, when to baptize a child in 2017, only the parents decide: the church, as already mentioned, does not set strict dates. It is important for the church to adhere to all canons and attributes. Let's not forget that children's crosses godparents choose.
As for the day, baptism can be performed on absolutely any day: fasting, ordinary, holiday. However, each temple has its own schedule, and therefore it is worth checking in advance.
How to choose a church for baptism
The choice of the temple within whose walls the child will be baptized is important, first of all, for parents. If you are parishioners of a particular church, then it is better to baptize your child there. Ideally, you should choose the church that you go to most often, know the priest, and maybe you were married to. It’s good when the temple is small and there are few people in it: this way the baby will be less capricious. However, it is believed that if a child cries during baptism, then this is a sign of a good life.
Baptism at home is also permitted. It is performed only under any special circumstances that do not allow people to come to the temple. As a rule, this is a baby's illness.
The rite of baptism is the most important event in a person’s life. He acquires a church name, a guardian angel and a patron saint. From this moment on, the baptized person receives God's grace and the protection of the church. In the article I will tell you when a child is baptized, on what days and according to what rules. You will learn what the Sacrament of Baptism means, how to choose godparents and how to prepare for this procedure. We will also look at some questions about choosing a baptismal name and the responsibilities of godparents.
Baptism is a Sacrament during which a person’s soul is accepted into the bosom of the church. From this moment a person enters the path of serving the Lord and becomes a Christian. The soul gains eternal salvation, which is why baptism is called spiritual or second birth.
After the rite of baptism, a person is enveloped in God's grace.
Parents should know that baptism is not just some ritual in the church that everyone is supposed to do. This is not a folk tradition or an obligation to grandparents who insist on baptism. This is a completely voluntary act that must be taken with full responsibility, and not a tribute to fashion and rules.
Church traditions
The clergy teach that a person can be baptized on any day of the year. It is not necessary to coincide with any church holiday or memorable day. The Lord accepts everyone at any time. However, the day of baptism may be postponed due to the busyness of the priests, for example, another rite of the Sacrament is performed on the day you have chosen.
What to do in this case? You can order the Sacrament of Baptism in several churches and choose the most suitable day for you. This will solve all the issues with organizing a home party.
According to established Orthodox traditions, babies are baptized either on the eighth or fortieth day after birth.
After baptism, the baby receives a guardian angel who vigilantly protects him from the vicissitudes of life. There are times when a baby needs to be baptized immediately, without waiting for the fortieth day. This may be due to the poor health of the newborn, a threat to his life.
The Guardian Angel becomes stronger with every prayer addressed to him.
The baby also has another patron - a saint, who is honored on the day of baptism. Usually the baby is given a baptismal name in honor of this saint. The day of baptism is called the day of the angel and name day if the baby was given a name in honor of the saint who is honored on this day. The church name cannot be shared with everyone; a narrow circle of close people should know about it.
Baptism is an important event in the life of a baby and his parents. In the old days, the baby was not even shown to strangers until the baptism ceremony. It is believed that after acquiring a guardian angel and patron saint, a child becomes protected in this world. After baptism, you can light candles for the baby and read prayers, and the baptized baby can take part in the sacrament.
Rules for godparents
The choice of godparents should be conscious. Firstly, they must be churchgoers. Secondly, lead a pious life according to church canons. This is very important, since spiritual parents must set an example for their godson.
The parents of the baby being baptized may be unchurched; this is not an obstacle to the baby’s baptism.
Becoming a godparent is a big responsibility that every Christian should be aware of. Baptism is not just a church and home holiday, but a Sacrament. A special event occurs in the spiritual world when a new soul is reborn to eternal life. The angels sing a joyful song and bless the newly baptized.
The godfather must prepare in advance for this event and take an active part in organizing the ritual. To be aware of everything, the godfather (godfather) must visit the church in which the ceremony is planned and learn about his responsibilities from the priest.
A cross for a baby should be chosen with rounded ends so that it does not get hurt.
According to Orthodox tradition, the godfather gives his godson a cross and pays church expenses for the Sacrament. Godparents also give their ward a silver spoon and an icon. It can be either a measured icon or an icon of the patron saint. But you can give any icon of your choice:
- girls are given an icon of the Mother of God;
- boys are given an icon of the Almighty.
The godmother purchases towels, a baptismal shirt or dress and a sheet for the ceremony. The mother also buys kryzhma, which can subsequently save the baby from illnesses - the child is wrapped in it for a speedy healing. Kryzhma must be protected from prying eyes, because witches can cause damage through it.
For a girl's baptism, it is necessary to purchase a cap so that her head is covered. For boys, a cap is not needed.
Do godparents need to fast, confess and receive communion before the ceremony? There are no strict requirements for godparents, however, a Christian believer will not fail to perform the listed actions.
Answers on questions
Why is a baby immersed in water during baptism? Water symbolizes new life, washes away sins and cleanses the soul.
When is the best time to baptize a child? The optimal age for the Sacrament is three months. The baby will be able to calmly go through the procedure and behave appropriately. But the ceremony can be performed at six months of age, and even older.
On what days can a child be baptized? This can be any day when clergy perform ceremonies in the church. You need to agree on the day of the ceremony in advance.
Is it necessary to perform the Sacrament in church? You can also order a service at home if the baby is weak or sick.
Can a baptismal name correspond to a worldly name? This is allowed if the baby was given an Orthodox name after birth. Remember that the baptismal name cannot be replaced.
Can a child have one godfather or are two parents required? The godfather can be one, but then he must match the gender of his godson.
Who should pay for the baptism ceremony? This can also be done by the baby’s parents; this fact is not particularly important.
Is it possible to refuse the offer to become a godparent? This is considered a great sin, so you cannot refuse.
Can close relatives be godparents? Yes, this is allowed. That is, you can choose your grandmother and aunt, cousin or sister as godparents.
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Currently, in the era of high technology and busy people, we sometimes forget about spirituality. The religion that we profess from the moment of communion should also be an integral part of our life. And therefore, many young families with the birth of a baby are asking the question, for example, when can children not be baptized in 2017?
But before we answer this question, we want to talk about when to baptize a child - the rules and the true purpose of the ceremony itself. Along with the process of baptism, original sin is washed away and the baby or even an adult becomes absolutely clean. Now, after a child’s baptism in June 2017 or at another time, he can become someone’s godfather, undergo a wedding ceremony with a loved one, and perhaps be mentioned in prayers.
One of the main details of the baptism process is the choice of godparents. With such a choice, you should not base your future godparents on the material well-being; they must be highly spiritual so that they can give the child morality and intelligence. Look among your friends and acquaintances for kind and sympathetic people. The main rule when choosing such people is that they should not be married, not now, not earlier and not in the future. They must also be baptized. As for age, you can become a godfather from the age of 15, and a godmother from the age of 13. Even a pregnant woman can be a godmother, but a woman who gave birth less than 40 days ago is not allowed to participate in the ceremony.
When you have already decided on the choice of godparents, then they must take on all the actions and responsibility. The first thing is to go to church and find out the whole process before baptism, during and after the ceremony. Future parents will need to receive communion and confession, as well as fast throughout the entire period until the moment of baptism. According to tradition, godparents themselves buy everything necessary for the child. The mother buys baptismal clothes (it should be white), and the father buys a cross. You will also need a cross for yourself, and a towel and the Saint’s horse for the baby. Adults' clothing when going to church should not be bright, with cutouts or slits. Women cover their heads with a scarf, and men take off their hats.
As you can see, the rules are simple, you just need to follow them. But as for the question: when is it better to baptize a child in 2017, we have not yet answered. Anytime! Yes, on any day of the whole year, even on fasting days, you can baptize a child. Another thing is that services are often held during Lent, so you need to find out in advance from the clergy when you can baptize a newborn (in 2017 as well). Or the date you choose may be occupied by other ceremonies - weddings, funeral services, for example. A little advice: always choose small churches where there will be few people, it will be calmer for your baby. But even if he screams throughout the ceremony, don’t be alarmed, this is for health and happiness.
You can celebrate the baptism ceremony, but it is better to do it in a small family circle with your godfathers. Baptism in itself is a sacrament, so it is not worth celebrating with alcoholic drinks and noisy fun.
