Christening the child

Christening is always a holiday. And if a birthday is celebrated annually, then this holiday is only once in a lifetime. It is important to take a very responsible attitude toward the choice of the godparents. According to Orthodoxy, biological parents are responsible to the "world", and parents are godmothers before God. They should take care of spiritual upbringing. According to the canons, only a baptized person and a believer can become a godfather. Parents biological godparents can not be, unlike all other relatives. The godparents are obliged to take the child to the communion at least once a year. Ideal - when christenings coincide with the fortieth day from the birth of the baby. Native brothers and sisters can not be godchildren.

It is necessary to negotiate baptism in the church in advance. At least a week before the planned date. Meet the priest if you are not already acquainted. Discuss all the details with him. No one will better tell you about the sacrament. Clarify whether it is possible to invite guests and shoot the event. Not all priests approve of this, so be ready to refuse. It is quite possible to cross a child at home, but according to the established long tradition they do it in temples and churches, "under domes". Specify what name your child receives when baptized. Sometimes a child is given a different name, because not all the names of the world are present Orthodox shrines.

What "dowry" to cook for the child's christening? This, too, must tell you about it. Need, as a rule:

- chain and cross;

- the icon of the saint (the name given at baptism must coincide with the name of the saint);

- a large towel (preferably if it is new), which the baby will cover after the ceremony;

- outfit for a child of white color (do not be stingy, because this is the most important holiday in life);

- blanket for the baby;

- Birth certificate and passport of one of the parents.

Christening of the child. rules

The prayer "I believe" must be learned by the cross. It will have to be pronounced at the ceremony. Be sure to put the crosses on when you're going to church. Prior to the christening, both godfathers must go to church, repent and receive communion. And before the communion, and before the baptism of the godparents you can not eat (before the rite) and have sex on this day. The christening of the child must be paid by the godparents. In addition, the godfather pays (or gives) an outfit for the child, and the godfather - a cross.

The godmother should be dressed modestly. No mini-skirts and make-up calls! The head must be covered. In "critical days" women do not enter the temple. A woman who gave birth to a child 39 days ago or less can not become godmother. The godparents should not be in close relationships. If a child has only one godfather, he must be of the same sex as the child. It is not advisable to become a godmother pregnant woman. Rite lasts a long time, and almost all this time she will have to keep the baby. Keep this in mind when planning the child's christening.

How to behave during such a rite?

Clothes should be decent, modest, in light colors. Women should be with covered heads, skirts not above the knee (preferably longer). Men, entering the church, have to take off their hats. Before the entrance and after the entrance you must cross. Decorations leave this day at home. To put and hold a candle is acceptable by any hand. They are baptized with the right hand. On the right side of the church there should be men, on the left - women. If the mother still gives birth after the birth, she can not enter the church.

How does the child's christening pass?

You need to drive in advance. The priest will give a sign (inform him of his arrival) when you can enter. The child is brought in by the godparents. The father must keep the girl, the mother the boy. According to the custom, the child should be naked, wrapped in a diaper, but now this rule is adhered to rarely. The first thing a priest does is lay his hand on the baby. Gesture means the protection offered by the Lord to the baby. Godparents stand with a toddler by the font, holding candles. There is a reading of the "Symbol of Faith", renunciation of the devil and the promise to fulfill God's commandments. Then the priest consecrated water, the kid is taken from the godparents and falls three times into the font. Do not worry that a child will catch a cold. The temple is always warm, and water is at least 36 degrees. During the baptism, the sacrament of chrismation is performed. The priest crosses the child with the cross in a cruciform fashion (aromatic oil, made at special times and under special conditions), forehead, eyes, ears, mouth, nostrils, chest, hands, feet, while saying: "The seal of the Holy Spirit, amen." Then the child is given a godfather (if it's a boy) or godmother (if it's a girl). The child is wiped, put on a cross and clothes (should be ready). The priest's hair is cut crosswise. It is a symbol of obedience to God and the sacrifice of the baptized (as gratitude for entering into a pure spiritual life). The child is thrice around the font (meaning reunion with the Church). The boy brings the father to the altar (the girls are not brought), the girl is put an icon of the Mother of God. The ceremony can last up to two hours.

After baptism, candles are left in the church (they are given to clergymen), in the absence of fasting - sausage, cereals, white bread. The rest depends on your desire and purse.

Do not wash clothes after the ceremony. Put it as it is. After the christening necessarily take Communion next Sunday