What should a godmother do before baptism. About godparents

The Sacrament of Baptism takes about 30-40 minutes. In advance, you need to decide on the name for the child, which will be given to him at Baptism, with the choice of the temple and the purchase of baptismal supplies. It is also necessary to first visit the temple where the Sacrament will take place and talk with the priest. With all the preliminary moments, preparation for Baptism will take no more than a week.

At what age is a child baptized?

You can baptize a child at any age.

There is a tradition that a child should be baptized on the 40th day from the date of his birth. This is due to the fact that about 40 days is mentioned in Old Testament, and it is also believed that until the 40th day the mother cannot be present at the Sacrament due to natural causes. But you can baptize earlier or later, the main thing is not to delay for a long time, not to leave the soul of the child without the grace of God.

In which church should a child be baptized?

Everyone decides for himself in which temple it is better to baptize his child. For small child, preferably if the church is located near the house. First of all, you can find out from relatives, close friends, where they baptized their children. What they liked, what they didn't. You should know that the larger the church, the more children will be baptized in it. It can be difficult for toddlers to wait an hour and a half for their turn.

You should first visit the chosen temple and get acquainted with when you can perform the Sacrament of Baptism. Perhaps you have chosen a specific date and would like to baptize on that day. All detailed information you can find out in the church. A child can be baptized on any day, however, each parish has its own rules and you should know them in advance.

Usually baptized in the morning after the service.

Is it possible to baptize a child in winter?

No obstacles to the performance of the Sacrament of Baptism in winter time no year. The church is warm, the water for baptism is heated. I baptized my second daughter at the end of October at the Gerasimo-Boldinsky Monastery in the Smolensk Region. We were two families who baptize babies. The children behaved wonderfully, no one cried. In the monastery itself it was warm, even hot, cozy and festive. The eldest daughter was baptized there, but in the summer. There were much more people, about 10 people. However, everything went surprisingly smoothly, the Sacrament of Baptism itself took no more than an hour in time.

How much does a baptism cost?

IN Orthodox Church there is no official fee. Here it is important to understand that in our country the Church is separated from the State, and, therefore, it exists only on the donations of the parishioners. Therefore, the amount that they will call you in the temple is only indicative. You can pay more if your funds allow. If you have a severe life situation and you can't pay for baptism now, any priest is obliged to baptize a child for free. If you were denied a particular church, you can contact the dean or other higher priests.

In Moscow and the Moscow Region, the donation for Baptism is about 2,000-5,000 rubles. For an individual performance of the Sacrament, the amount may be slightly higher. In the regions, donations of 1000 rubles are made, for example, in the churches of the Smolensk region, 1500-2500 rubles are contributed for the baptism of a child.

Why do we need a conversation with the priest before Baptism?

A preliminary conversation with the priest is necessary so that the parents understand the full importance and responsibility of the Sacrament being performed. It is necessary to baptize according to faith, and not because the child is often sick, does not eat well, and is some kind of naughty.

During the conversation, the priest will tell about the Holy Scriptures, about the life of Jesus. About why a person is baptized. On the role of godparents in a child's life.

Discourses have recently become obligatory in many temples. They usually take place where you will baptize the child. Churches have rooms for Sunday school, usually where the priest invites parents and godparents. In most temples, such talks take place on weekends, usually on Saturdays. But the priest can appoint another time convenient for you and him.

How to choose the right godparents?

Godparents for one child cannot be a husband and wife, the parents themselves, as well as monastics. All other believers can be godparents.

As for the age at which one can become a godfather, there are discrepancies. Some priests say that from the age of majority, others say that from the age of 14 you can become a godfather or mother. With this question, it is better to turn to the priest at the categorical conversation before the Sacrament.

In the Russian Orthodox tradition, it is customary to have two godparents for a child: a man and a woman. However, there are no instructions in the Church on this matter. So, you can baptize a child with one godfather: for a boy, a man is traditionally chosen as a godfather, for a girl - a woman.

With the permission of the priest, the recipients can become unbaptized people, representatives of other religions, and you can also become a godfather in absentia, if there are significant reasons for that.

Assuming such responsibility, it should be understood that the godfather is the person who is obliged to support the child at turning points in life. It is the godfather who should be next to his godson when he moves away from his parents in adolescence.

Advice to parents: choose a godfather to your liking. It is good if this person is close to your child and can visit him from time to time. If you offered to become a godfather, and the person refused, you should not beg him. Perhaps the person feels that they are not ready to take on this responsibility. Look for another person.

Literature for parents and godparents:

Hieromonk Macarius (Markish) - ""

Archpriest Valentin Mordasov - ""

Do parents and godparents need to confess, take communion before performing the Sacrament of Baptism?

No, it's optional.

What should godparents buy for baptism?

Usually the godfather buys for the godson pectoral cross, and also pays the costs of the Sacrament of Baptism. The godmother can also buy a cross for her goddaughter, as well as other necessary things.

Baptismal set for a boy includes:

A new baptismal shirt and kryzhma (towel).

If the child is breastfed, you can purchase additional socks and a bonnet. During Baptism, the diaper, if there is one on the baby, is best removed. You can put it on after the baby has been dipped into the font three times.

Kryzhma, bonnet, shirt and booties for a boy

Baptismal set for a girl includes:

Baptismal dress, headscarf and kryzhma (towel).

For a girl, instead of a baptismal shirt, you can buy a baptismal dress.

Traditionally, in the decoration of a baptismal outfit for boys, they use blue tones, for girls - pink. But the outfit can also be snow-white as a symbol of purity. For girls, it is allowed to decorate the baptismal set with ruffles and lace.

The baptismal attire should only be made from natural materials: cotton or linen, silk is most often used in decoration.

To choose the right outfit for Baptism, you need to know the age of the child, at least approximately his height or weight. Buy a christening gown in the size your child usually wears. For a boy, you can buy a baptismal shirt one size larger than usual, because. It's made from cotton and doesn't stretch. This will make it easier to put on.

In the winter season, you should buy a towel with a hood.

A baptismal set can also be bought at the church, but not always. Small churches won't sell it to you. Parents themselves can purchase such a set, and godparents then give something else.

Baptismal attire is customary to keep throughout life. If necessary, it can be washed.

To perform the Sacrament of Baptism, you will need baptismal candles, which are covered with elegant lace napkins so that the wax does not drip onto your hands. You can buy such candles in any church shop.

What should be given to the godparents for baptism?

Any gift can be. Good book, household items, something necessary for a child. Often godparents present icons of Jesus Christ, Holy Mother of God, that Saint, in whose honor the baby is named, prayer books, Bibles for children, other spiritual literature.

Measured icons are usually made to order in icon-painting workshops.

Some order beautiful measured icons that will become a family heirloom and possibly be passed down from generation to generation. The measured icon is called because it is made in the size of the child at the time of his birth. Such a shrine is made to order, depicting a saint on it - the patron saint of a child. If the godparents know the name of the saint in whose honor their godson will be named, they can pre-order a measured icon for a gift. It is made in icon-painting workshops at churches, or you can search for private manufacturers of such icons on the Internet. The average cost of a measured icon in Moscow is 17,000 rubles.

Who is present at Baptism?

Priest Alexander Ilyushenko answers as follows: “All relatives and just close people can be present at the baptism. Baptism is called a sacrament not because it is performed in secret from everyone, but because in baptism, as in the performance of other church sacraments, under the visible image of the performance of the established sacred rites, the soul of the believer is communicated the invisible grace of the Holy Spirit.

A mother can also be present at the Baptism of her child. There are no restrictions for her today. In the pre-Christian era, there was a ban on visiting the temple for a woman who had just given birth. Only after 40 days she could cross the threshold of the temple and touch the shrines. But today this rule of ritual purity is no longer as important as it used to be.

Under what name should the child be baptized?

If you named your child according to the Saints, then the name at Baptism will be the same. For example, your girl was born on January 25, and you named her Tatyana. At Baptism, she will have the name Tatyana in honor of the Holy Great Martyr Tatiana, whose memorial day the Orthodox celebrate on January 25.

In the Russian Orthodox Church, they baptize only under those names that are contained in the Saints, i.e. there must be an Orthodox saint with the same name. You cannot baptize a child with a name that is not there.

By participating in Church Sacraments When submitting notes, the name given at Baptism is always indicated.

But what if your name is not in the Saints? Here is what the priest Dionisy Svechnikov says: “If a person’s name is not Orthodox (not contained in the calendar), then they give him a name in honor of the saint, whose memory falls on the day of baptism (if there is no male or female name on that day, then look at the following days), or at the birthday. And sometimes a person asks to be baptized in honor of a particular saint, and this is quite acceptable. Sometimes they choose a name for a person that is simply consonant with his name.

What to do during Baptism?

All attendees should dress appropriately. There should be nothing bright, defiant, distracting the mind and attention of other people. Women should wear modest skirts and cover their heads with a scarf. It is also necessary to wear a pectoral cross on the chest for those who come to the temple of God to perform the Church Sacrament.

Before Baptism, you should buy candles, prepare a towel, a cross for a child - you will give these things to the priest. You should also keep a towel for the baby and a baptismal outfit at the ready.

During the Sacrament, the priest will put a cross around your child's neck. After that, it is never recommended to remove the cross.

Many parents are afraid that the rope on which the cross weighs can harm the baby. If you have such concerns, you can buy a thin chain or. Even if they get tangled, they will easily tear without harming the child.

All children behave differently in church. But, if you are calm and peaceful, set your soul in a solemn mood, then your child, as a rule, will behave well and calmly. If the baby is breastfed, you should feed him first so that he does not cry from hunger. If the child is sleeping, do not wake him up before time. The mother can take him in her arms if he bursts into tears.

In many churches it is allowed to photograph the Sacrament of Baptism. But again, this issue should be discussed in advance with the priest. The photographer must be as attentive as possible, not intrusive, not interfere with the performance of the Sacrament. It is unacceptable to use mobile phones during Communion.

What happens during the Sacrament of Baptism?

During Baptism, the godparents usually stand behind the priest, one of them holds the child in his arms. The priest reads the main prayers, then asks the godparents and the child to turn their faces to the west and renounce Satan three times.

During Baptism, godparents read two prayers: "Our Father" and "The Creed." The priest will also read these prayers and you can repeat the words quietly after him. Some write in advance the words of prayers on a piece of paper.

Then the baby is chrismated. At each chrismation, the priest pronounces the words: “The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen". Godparents repeat after him: "Amen." After that, a strand of hair is cut from the child's head as a sign of his dedication to the Warriors of Christ and readiness to serve God. Then comes the main moment of the Sacrament - a threefold immersion in the Holy Font. In the cold season, the child is not dipped, but only the head, neck and feet are moistened with water. Then one of the godparents takes the baby from the hands of the priest. Thus, he assumes the obligation to raise the child in the faith and will be responsible for him at the Last Judgment.

What to do after Baptism?

After Baptism, all those present can gather at home in a close family circle and celebrate this solemn event. Relatives can present gifts, say kind words, read poetry. Well, if someone himself writes a couple of lines in honor of such important event in the life of a small person.

Dear, beloved, dear,
My goddaughter,
You are the only one in the world,
And the whole world is for you today.
Congratulations on your christening day
And I wish you happiness
Let your angel protect you
From misfortune in life and trouble.

Your child has become a Christian, entered the bosom of the Orthodox Church, and now his future path depends only on you and your godparents. If you want to raise a believing person, live a righteous life yourself, keep the commandments of Christ. A child can be brought up only by personal example and good conversations. Godparents, at every opportunity, should talk with their godchildren, explain Christian truths to them, visit churches, confess and take communion. If possible, travel to holy places. Now very big choice beautiful Christian literature for children. There are books even for the little ones.

Baptism is the first and most significant event in a child's life. According to church rites, the sacrament should take place on the 8th and 40th day from the birth of the baby, but in principle, parents can independently choose the time for the ceremony. Great importance has the choice of godparents, since a serious responsibility will lie on their shoulders. It is important to figure out what prayer is read at baptism, since they are direct participants in the ritual. In addition to prayer texts, second parents should have at least a basic understanding of faith and religion.

First, let's talk about responsibilities. godfather and mothers, since they consist not only in the presence at the ceremony and the purchase of gifts, but also in providing assistance throughout the life of the child. It is believed that godparents will be responsible for the sins of their godson at the judgment of God, so it is important to educate him a good man who believes in God. The duties of a godparent are as follows: pray for the godson, regularly go to church with the child and tell him about God. You also need to teach the child to pray and be baptized. It is important to instill good qualities in him so that he lives by the rules.

Prayer for godparents at baptism

Going to church for baptism, you must put on a cross, refuse to use decorative cosmetics, and as for clothing, a woman must certainly wear a skirt below her knees. Before the start of the ritual, the priest will definitely have a conversation with potential godparents.

Prayer texts are important not only to know by heart, but also to understand their meaning. During the sacrament, they are spoken by the priest, so you can simply whisper the words after him. The first and most important, and not only for godparents, but for all believers - "Our Father". It contains an appeal to God to help him cope with existing temptations, give food for life and forgive for sins. The text of the prayer of the godmother and father at baptism is as follows:

Next strong and obligatory prayer at baptism - "Creed". It contains 12 brief formulations of all Orthodox creeds. Saying a prayer, a person claims that he believes in God, who created heaven and earth, in his Son Jesus, who descended to earth for the salvation of people and endured torment, and then resurrected. The prayer also mentions the Holy Spirit, which believers worship, as well as faith in baptism and eternal life. Godparents, adults, as well as children of a conscious age should certainly know this important prayer. The “Symbol of Faith” prayer, which the godparents read at baptism, sounds like this:

The third prayer at the baptism of a child for the godfather and the godmother is “Virgin Mother of God, rejoice.” She was included in the list of prayer texts at baptism, since the church exalts the Mother of God above all saints and angels. By the way, this prayer is also called the "Angelic Greeting", since it was composed according to the words of the Archangel Gabriel, with which he greeted the Mother of God, telling her that she had given birth to the Savior. The text of this prayer is as follows:

They repeat this prayer several times, but the Mother of God herself bequeathed to believers to pronounce these lines exactly 150 times.

It is also worth figuring out which saints godparents should pray for their godchildren. It is recommended to turn to the saints as often as possible, which will protect the child from various problems and direct him in the right direction. The time for reading prayers does not matter, and they can be said both in the morning and in the evening. It is recommended to turn in prayer texts to the Savior, as well as to the Mother of God. It is best to do this in front of the icon of the Savior Jesus Christ and Vladimir Mother of God.

Baptism is a sacrament that almost every one of us goes through in our lives. But not everyone is destined to be godparents. Parents of a small child are trying to entrust this responsible mission to the most reliable and good man in which they are one hundred percent sure. But what kind of prayer the godparents read at baptism, now I will tell you.

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What does it mean to be a godmother?

If you were offered to become a godmother or father, think carefully about whether you can take on such a responsibility. After all, becoming a godfather is not just about attending the very sacrament of baptism, but this essentially means becoming a second mother or father for a baby. You will also answer for his sins before the judgment of God, because your task is to educate in him a highly moral and respectful person.

Your responsibilities as a godparent will also include the following:

It should be noted that such duties should not strain you, they should bring you joy.

What prayers do godparents read during baptism?

During the sacrament of baptism, two prayers are given to the godparents, which are written on a piece of paper. If they already know them by heart, then you can read them without a piece of paper. The first, most common and most simple prayer- this "Our Father". It can be read in any situation where the help or protection of the Lord is required.

The second prayer is much longer than the first and is called "Symbol of faith". This prayer is very difficult to remember by heart, so it is allowed for godparents to read it from a piece of paper. During the sacrament itself, the Father will also read these prayers, so you can repeat after him quietly. Usually, before baptism, a conversation is held with the godparents in the church, during which they explain how the sacrament takes place and explain the duties of spiritual parents.

Who needs to pray to godparents for their godchildren?

Godparents need to pray for their godchildren as often as possible. After all, now they are their spiritual children and their fate in the hands of godparents. You can pray in the mornings and evenings before the icon of the Savior Jesus Christ, as well as before Vladimir Icon Mother of God. They help everyone and you can turn to them for help in any situation.

Do not forget to purchase an icon for your godson in the church. Which one to choose - Mother, who is there, will tell sells these icons. The proceeds from the sale will go to the church. This counts as a donation on your part. Usually, the icon is chosen by the date of birth of the child or by his name. This icon will protect your godson, and later, when he grows up, teach him to pray before the face of the saint, which is depicted on this icon.

Now you know what kind of prayer godparents read at baptism, and you can take on the responsibility of becoming a spiritual parent.

The duties of the godmother are to participate in the upbringing of the child, to be a spiritual mentor

Who is the godmother

The high role of the godmother is determined by the ritual of baptism itself. According to the procedure, after the child is immersed in the font, the priest hands over the girl to the hands of the woman. So he puts on her all further concerns about the spiritual upbringing of the goddaughter. From this moment on, the godmother is the person who is responsible before God for the spiritual development of the girl. She should pray for her well-being and spiritual development.

The godfather is responsible for the boy.

All her life a girl should feel the support of her godmother.

There must be a spiritual relationship between them. There is an opinion that the goddaughter may have a similar fate.

Not every woman can be a godmother. According to church rules these duties cannot be assigned to a nun, a woman of a different faith, or an atheist. Godparents cannot be husband and wife. It is forbidden for godparents to be natural or adoptive parents of a child.

The duties of the godmother appear immediately after the ceremony:

• The birth mother is not present at the christening. The child is in the arms of the godmother. She looks after him, calms him down, undresses and dresses him during the service, takes him from the hands of the priest.
• The godmother is responsible for the spiritual development of the child.
• In the event of unforeseen situations with biological parents, the duties of raising the godson are transferred to the godparents.
• Godparents, along with consanguineous parents, raise a child.

If native parents are primarily concerned that the child is well fed, clothed and has a roof over his head, then godparents should take care of moral and spiritual development.

What is the role of the godmother

The godmother is considered responsible before God for spiritual education girls. Here she plays a more significant role than her parents.

In light of the responsibilities entrusted to her, the godmother must:

• Pray for the health and spiritual development of the child.
• Join the church. As soon as the girl begins to grow up, the duties of the godmother include talking with the child about Orthodoxy, taking her to church, and being a mentor.
• Throughout her life, the godmother should help and support the goddaughter, by her example encourage the girl to pious deeds.

Religious holidays, fasts are an integral part of development and education. Using their example, the godmother teaches her confidante Orthodox traditions, explaining the meaning of each holiday or ritual.

The role of the godmother in the life of a girl is great, so you need to choose the woman who can protect the baby. She should really worry about the health of the child throughout his life, become his support in difficult situations.

ABOUT PRAYERS

The main means for fulfilling the gospel commandments is prayer. Prayer is the lifting of the mind and heart to God, that is, a conversation with God. This is spiritual food, as necessary as air.

Prayers of supplication - when we ask God for help. Repentant, when having done a bad deed, we ask for forgiveness. Thanksgiving, when we thank and glorify God, having received what we ask for. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Lord have mercy! God bless!

LORD'S PRAYER

Our Father, Who art in heaven! Yes, it's lit your name yes come Your kingdom Thy will be done, as in heaven and on earth. Our daily bread, give us today; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

SONG TO THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD

Virgin Mother of God, rejoice, Blessed Mary, the Lord is with you; Blessed are you in women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb, as if the Savior gave birth to our souls.

Worthy to eat

It is worthy to eat as if truly blessed Theotokos, Blessed and Immaculate and Mother of our God. The most honorable Cherubim and the most glorious Seraphim without comparison, who without corruption gave birth to God the Word, who is the Mother of God, we magnify You.

The Nine Commandments of Bliss

The Lord Jesus Christ says:

1. Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

2. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

3. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

4. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

5. Blessed are mercy, for they will have mercy.

6. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

7. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

8. Blessed are the exiles for the sake of righteousness, for those are the Kingdom of Heaven.

9. Blessed are you, when they reproach you, and wait, and speak every evil word against you, lying to me for my sake. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is much in heaven (Matthew 5:3-12). The Ten Commandments were given in the Old Testament to keep people from evil. The Beatitudes are given to Christians to show what spiritual dispositions they must have in order to draw closer and closer to God and gain holiness. Holiness, born of closeness to God, is the highest blessedness that a person can desire.

The Old Testament Law is the law of strict truth, and the New Testament Law is the law of Divine love and grace. They do not contradict, but complement each other.

6. Thou shalt not kill.

7. Do not commit adultery.

8. Don't steal.

For Christians embarking on the path of a pious life, the main guiding principle is the fear of God.
The consciousness of our sinfulness, the feeling that we are criminals before the justice of God plunges us into the need to attract God's mercy. And only from the fear of God will humility take root in the soul.
And about the blessings that we dare

TEN COMMANDMENTS OF THE LAW OF GOD

1. I am seven, the Lord thy God; let there be no bosi inii for you, except for Mene.

2. Do not make for yourself an idol, and any likeness, a fir tree in heaven, a mountain, and a fir tree on the earth below, and a fir tree in the waters under the earth; don't bow down to them, don't serve them.

3. Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

4. Remember the Sabbath day, and keep it holy: do six days, and do all your works in them, but on the seventh day - the Sabbath of the Lord your God.

5. Honor your father and your mother, may it be good, and may you be long on earth.

6. Thou shalt not kill.

7. Do not commit adultery.

8. Don't steal.

9. Do not obey a friend; your testimony is false.

10. Thou shalt not covet thy true wife, thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's house, nor his village, nor his servant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor any of his livestock, nor all that is thy neighbor's tree (Ex. 20 , 2-17).

Our obligations to God are prescribed by the first four commandments, and towards our neighbors - in the remaining six. Thus, on two tablets, they were given to Moses in the Old Testament.

Jesus Christ, who came in the flesh, in the new testament more clearly expressed the Law of Divine love: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind: this is the first and greatest commandment; the second is like it: love thy neighbor as thyself; on these two commandments. all the law and the prophets are established” (Matthew 22:37-40).

As we love God and our neighbors, we discover true love for ourselves as well. It is expressed in caring for one's soul, in cleansing oneself of sins, in subordinating the body to the spirit, in limiting personal needs. Under such conditions, the best manifestation of love for God and neighbor is revealed.

For Christians embarking on the path of a pious life, the main guiding principle is the fear of God. The consciousness of our sinfulness, the feeling that we are criminals before the justice of God plunges us into the need to attract God's mercy. And only from the fear of God will humility take root in the soul. And about the blessings that we dare

What is needed for this

In addition to the desire to be baptized, you will need to fulfill certain conditions and related accessories. Necessary conditions there may be the following: if a child is baptized, then you can’t do without godparents, and also, in some churches, you may be required to attend catechumens. Of the necessary accessories, we will name perhaps everything, but their complete package will depend both on your desire and on the church where Baptism takes place.

So, you will need: a cross with a device on which it will be held around the neck, a chain or thread does not matter. If baptized Small child- it makes sense to take a thread of silk or a wide satin ribbon so that they do not cut the delicate skin. There are observations that gold and silver chains also do not cause unpleasant irritation to the baby's skin.

Baptismal gown - you can buy it in a specialized temple, or if you like difficulties, sew it yourself, cut it simple, it resembles a nightgown with embroidered cross on the back. In fact, this is not a mandatory attribute of baptism, but it gives the event an additional refinement and corresponds to the traditional church aesthetics. If you do not purchase a baptismal shirt, you need to stock up on a form of clothing that would not embarrass you and those around you when in contact with water. Now in many churches there are fonts for complete immersion, respectively, everything that the person being baptized will wear will be guaranteed to be wet. But even where baptism is done by dousing in a small font, at least up to your waist you will also be doused with water.

Candles - they can be purchased directly in the temple where the baptism will take place, they are necessary to participate in the procession, which takes place during this worship. It is worth clarifying how many candles are needed in the church in which you are baptized per one baptized and godparents, because some of them are given to the altar as a donation.

A towel - but here you yourself understand, the more the better, if someone thinks that a small waffle towel is enough, he will be very jealous of people who are not too lazy to take real Bath towels, it's still wet.

Change of clothes - if you don’t have it, then not only until the end of baptism, but much after it, you will have to experience a number of awkwardness and inconvenience about your appearance. As a rule, temples provide a place where you can change clothes separately for men and women, and for the especially chaste and individual. However, it will be even better if you ask in advance if there is such a place in the temple and if suddenly it does not appear, and you are going to be baptized there, you can foresee everything in advance, by the way, it is usually necessary to take a baptismal appearance only before the baptism itself, with the exception feet, but more on that below. Until the very moment of baptism and after it, you can be in everyday clothes.

Slippers - you will need them because your bare feet will be needed. As a rule, you will be offered to take off your shoes at the beginning of the service, and in order not to be left barefoot, you can take slippers with you. The most ideal option is slates.

A baptismal certificate, in some churches it may not be available, so ask in advance if it will be issued. Now they are different types: simpler and more beautiful, you can choose and purchase on your own, or you can rely on the temple where baptism will be performed. In any case, it is necessary to ensure that it is correctly filled out, the full name of the baptized and godparents, the date of the baptism, the name and surname of the priest, the name of the temple, an indication of the heavenly patron and the day of the angel are correctly set.

Camera or video camera, of course, at your discretion, but after all, baptism is performed only once in a lifetime, why not capture it. Again, ask in advance if there are any restrictions on photography and video filming in this temple.

Godparents

In fact, the institution of godparents has now lost its former meaning. It is very rare to find an example of godparents really participating in the upbringing of their godchildren. Moreover, godparents very often simply live very far away and are physically unable to perform their duties. How about ideally? And ideally, godparents bear full responsibility on an equal basis with parents until the age of majority of their child for his Orthodox upbringing and education. In fact, they are the second parents. This care includes a whole range of activities - from home education to joint church services and financing the corresponding needs - for example, the acquisition of spiritual literature, icons, a baptismal cross, and finally.

During the baptism itself, the godparents renounce Satan for the one being baptized and unite with Christ, confirm this desire aloud and receive their child from the font. In a word, they testify before everyone about their own adequacy in the Christian upbringing of their godson. Naturally, according to church opinion, godparents are also responsible before God for the spiritual and moral life of their child.

This, of course, is an ideal, but one must strive for it. Therefore, godparents should be selected accordingly. Church practice, however, leaves the opportunity for the godfather to be less upset and reflect on his failure to fulfill his duties, if the godson or his parents do not want this. Here, the family world cannot be tested by the efforts of the godfather if the family is not ready for it. But you need to be reminded regularly. That is why the godparents must be included in the baptismal certificate.

Traditionally, a godfather is chosen for a boy, and a godmother for a girl, if it is not possible to have both at once. Godparents cannot be directly related to each other and the person being baptized, for example, a husband and wife cannot be godparents to each other and at the same time to the same child to whom they were invited. Other relatives may well fit

How is Baptism

Baptism can be performed both individually and collectively, depending on your wishes. Again, this issue needs to be resolved the day before. Naturally, individual baptisms will always be preferable, but, unfortunately, not many people know about their right to be baptized in this way, and not wait for one common day. You just need to talk to the priest.

At the beginning of the baptism, the priest will explain where to whom to stand: to those being baptized, to those who are baptized, and to sympathizers who have come to worry about their loved ones. Also, obviously, explanations will be given for those who take photos and videos. By the way, best position- in front of the priest and a little to the side, then you can choose the most successful angle for the main points.

Baptism begins with prayers of naming, by which their names are assigned to those who are baptized. christian names. Also, from that time on, a person has his heavenly patron and the Guardian Angel is activated. Sometimes people are renamed if the calendar does not contain the name given to the child by his parents. The priest reads prayers and first overshadows everyone with the sign of the cross, blessing those who came, and then puts his hand on their head with his palm, symbolizing church patronage. At the same time, those who are being baptized will need to loudly tell the priest their names, in the future the priest will slowly remember them.

After this, the Sacrament of Chrismation is performed. . You will again be smeared with holy oil, but this time it is not oil, but holy Miro. In this Sacrament, the grace-filled Gifts of the Holy Spirit are given to a person for guidance. Christian life. And this Sacrament is so important that it, like baptism, is accepted by a person only once (for the second time in a life, they are anointed only when they are ordained bishops and upon accession to the royal throne, hence the expression "anointed to the kingdom"). The priest will anoint the forehead, chest, lips, eyes, nose, ears, hands and feet.

Holy Myrrh (from the Greek μύρον "fragrant oil") is a specially prepared and consecrated fragrant oil. In the Orthodox Church, Miro is prepared on the basis of olive oil with the addition of white wine and many aromatic substances (this includes aloe, frankincense, rose petals, violet, spicy and galangal roots, nutmeg, rose, lemon and clove oil - about forty ingredients in total). The abundance of components symbolizes the diversity of Christian virtues.

Symbol of faith

I believe in one God the Father, Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, visible to all and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only Begotten, Who was born from the Father before all ages, Light from Light, God is true from God is true, begotten, uncreated, consubstantial with the Father, by Him all was. For us for the sake of man and for our sake of salvation, he descended from heaven and became incarnate from the Holy Spirit and Mary the Virgin, and became human. Crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. And resurrected on the third day according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father. And the packs of the future with glory to judge the living and the dead, His Kingdom will have no end.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Life-Giving One, Who proceeds from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who spoke the prophets.

Into one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. Tea of ​​the resurrection of the dead. And the life of the next century. Amen.