As soon as a family is created, the question of having a child arises. After all, a new life is the main thing for which people unite their destinies in marriage. And when a child is born, a holiday comes to the house, of course, along with troubles and worries. A very special day in the life of a little person and his parents is baptism.
They prepare for it in advance, carefully select those who are entrusted with the right to become the baby’s godparents, and try to follow Christian traditions so that baptism fully complies with the canons of the Orthodox Church. First of all, you have to agree with the priest and decide on the date of the upcoming sacrament. For this day you need to stock up on everything you need. In addition to the cross, you will also need a kryzhma for baptism. Many modern parents find themselves puzzled because they do not know what it is, why it is needed and where to get it.
What it is?
The baptismal cap is a simple piece of fabric, a new diaper, towel or even clothes, preferably white. It is known that it symbolizes the purity and sinlessness of man. This is exactly what a child is like when he first visits an Orthodox church after his birth. Now it is possible to buy ready-made kryzhma, made from high-quality natural materials and with appropriate symbols, or you can sew it yourself or order it from a studio. The main symbol of Orthodoxy is the cross, therefore it is desirable that it be present on the kryzhma. This will become a distinctive element that will indicate the spirituality of this piece of fabric or garment.
For many parents, it is very important that everything is not only correct, but also beautiful. Photo and video recording of the sacrament of baptism is now not prohibited, so everyone strives to preserve treasured footage in order to show them to the child in the future. After all, baptism is a holiday that happens only once in a lifetime. But the choice is not only related to visual aesthetics; in fact, the baptismal kryzhma is of great importance.
Kryzhma - what is it
A baptismal set, including kryzhma, is often purchased by the godfather.
The baptismal set may also include
- Personalized silver spoon,
- A pectoral cross is necessary for Baptism.
- The cross is the greatest shrine of an Orthodox person, a symbol of his faith in Christ and his protection.
Choose a chain or leather cord that is long enough so that the cross can be hidden under clothing. In the Orthodox tradition, in Slavic lands, it is not customary to wear a cross on a short chain so that it is noticeable. Only Orthodox priests wear crosses over their clothes - but these are not body crosses, but pectoral (that is, “breast”, translated from Church Slavonic) crosses, which are given upon ordination to the priesthood.
It is important to remember that if you purchase a cross outside the church, you need to consecrate it by bringing it to church and asking the priest to consecrate it. It's free, or you can thank for the consecration with any amount.
All Christians wear crosses of various shapes and from various materials. Particles of the Life-giving Cross, on which Christ Himself was crucified, are today in many churches around the world. Perhaps in your city there is a piece of the Life-giving Cross of the Lord, and you can venerate this great shrine. The cross is called Life-giving - creating and giving life, that is, having great power.
It does not matter what the cross is made of, different traditions have existed in different centuries, and today a cross can be made
- Made of metal or wood;
- From threads or beads;
- Be enamel or glass;
- Most often they choose one that is comfortable to wear and durable - usually silver or gold crosses;
- You can choose blackened silver crosses - they do not bear any special signs.
The Church recommends choosing crosses with the Crucifixion - that is, the figure of Christ and the inscription “Save and Preserve,” which usually appears on the reverse side. They are sold in temples.
The Baptism gift should be appropriate and have a religious context.
- Gift editions of the book of the life of the saint or about the time in which he lived;
- The Bible is a family book that can even be passed down from generation to generation;
- A beautiful lamp for the “red corner” - the home iconostasis of the house;
- Chain for a pectoral cross;
- Ring “Save and preserve” with a cross and prayer;
- Chain for a pectoral cross (for a child - “for growth”);
- Bracelets with a prayer or with a cross (now on sale there are men's, women's, and children's - one-size-fits-all);
- The most traditional option is a beautiful, hand-painted or self-embroidered icon of the patron saint;
- Vessel for holy water;
- Audio and video CDs with spiritual content.
Who brings?
The responsibility to bring kryzhma to church lies with the godmother. She is the one who has to buy it or sew it. An unbaptized child is brought to the temple, a ceremony is performed and he is immersed in the holy font, from where he is taken out already baptized. Before placing the child in the kryzhma, the priest will consecrate it. It is the godmother who receives the godson from the font, wrapping him in cloth. The child will remain in the kryzhma until the end of the traditional baptism process. Then the baby is dressed in clothes, and the parents take the sacred fabric with them to carefully store.
Material
The main criterion by which you should choose a kryzhma for a child is the material. The texture should be tender and soft. Based on the composition, you should choose natural fabrics: for the warm season it can be linen or cotton, a warmer option is terry or thin flannel.
Satin and silk kryzhmas look beautiful and elegant, but these materials do not absorb water well and are even a little cold to the touch - it is unlikely that the baby will feel cozy and comfortable in them.
Size and material
The size of the kryzhma depends on the age of the child.
If this is a baby under three months old, you can choose an option with a length of 75 cm on all sides. For older children, they buy fabric measuring one meter by one meter. It is very convenient to use a model with a hood on one of the corners. This kind of kryzhma for the baptism of a child is most suitable for the youngest. It is important to consider the time of year for which the christening is scheduled. In winter or autumn, of course, it is better to give preference to a terry towel, fluffy or not. In any case, the material should be soft, pleasant to children's skin, and have the ability to absorb moisture well. Terry suits these requirements best. Linen, calico and cotton fabrics are also often used. Satin and silk look very impressive and beautiful, but they cannot absorb moisture so well. They can be used provided that the baptismal cover consists of two layers. The top one can be made of noble material, and the bottom one can be made of cotton or terry.
Varieties of baptismal kryzhma in our store
The model range we have developed includes about 50 items of towels and 40 varieties of diapers. Popular among them are kryzhmas with a universal design that are suitable for boys and girls.
The “Radiant Cross” terry cover goes well with most baptismal shirts without embroidery. The perimeter of the model is trimmed with soft openwork lace with a neutral pattern. The Orthodox cross embroidered on the corner can be in a silver or gold version to choose from. The towel is used to complete sets for children of any gender.
Elegant and sophisticated warm flannel diapers “Cross with curls” and Ray are universal models with white and beige embroidery and woven lace. In the corner there is an Orthodox cross and floral patterns. Pairs with shirts in off-white tones.
Baptism wrap with a hood “Classic” with a lace trim and an Orthodox equilateral cross embroidered on the hood. White embroidery is suitable for children of both sexes. The model can be in a thin (servant) or insulated (flannel) version.
DIY baptismal kryzhma
Of course, you may not want to buy a ready-made rag, towel or diaper. It’s not difficult to find kryzhma in stores and markets, just as it’s not difficult to order custom tailoring, taking into account all your wishes. In this case, the child may have a personalized baptismal cover - not only beautiful and pleasant to the body, but also with a name in the form of openwork embroidery or embossing. The most responsible and skillful godmothers are tempted to make their own kryzhma. In fact, anyone can do this type of handicraft, and there is much more soul in a self-sewn item than in a standard factory item.
So, what do you need to make kryzhma yourself? First of all, it is fabric. It is already known what it should be - soft, natural and hygroscopic. The main task is decoration. A DIY baptismal cover will resemble a work of art if you decorate it with imagination and inspiration. For this you can use lace, braid, embroidery, decorative flowers, beads and ribbons.
By what parameters should you choose kryzhma?
Baptism occurs only once in a lifetime and you will probably want to capture such an event in a photo. The kryzhma should look good in photographs and be combined with the overall style of the room. In order for the child to be calm and not cry, he should feel comfortable in the kryzhma. Consider these points when choosing clothes for the ceremony.
Kryzhma is selected according to the following parameters:
- Color.
- Finishing.
- Textile.
- Size.
Color
Traditionally, kryzhma should be white - a symbol of a pure soul, the divine principle. Now manufacturers make it in different shades of white: milky, cream, light beige, ivory, pearl. There are also light shades of gray, blue, purple and other colors.
Advice:
For fair-haired children, the classic white color is suitable; for dark-haired and dark-skinned children, it is better to choose cream or another shade.
Finishing
The kryzhma is decorated with the following decoration: colored ribbons, lace, beads, ruffles, fringe, embroidery, patterns, guipure, sequins, bows. The ritual attribute is often decorated with pink or yellow details for girls, and blue and light blue for boys. Do not decorate the product with hard and heavy elements to avoid injury to the child. The satin rims on the product look beautiful.
Embroidery
Most often, according to tradition, embroidery is used to decorate the kryzhma: Christian symbols, Orthodox crosses, personalized embroidery, flowers, angels, various ornaments. By embroidering the baby's name or initials, you will make the kryzhma individual.
Textile
When choosing a kryzhma, pay special attention to the material. It must have the following characteristics:
- Hygroscopicity.
Since the basis of the rite of Baptism is immersion in a font of blessed water, the fabric must be hygroscopic. The rapid absorption of moisture after dipping in holy water will make the baby’s body dry and prevent the onset of colds. - Softness.
The fabric should be soft and pleasant to the child's body. - Environmental friendliness.
We recommend choosing natural fabrics instead of synthetic ones. They do not cause allergic reactions or irritation on the body. - Antibacterial.
The bactericidal properties of fabric are important for child hygiene. A material with natural antiseptic properties can independently kill 75% of bacteria.
Focus on the season and location. For the cold season or a large cool temple, terry kryzhma is suitable, which can be fluffy or thin. For the warm season, take linen or cotton kryzhma. Voile, calico or chintz are also perfect.
Material cotton
Cotton fibers are able to absorb moisture well and regulate heat transfer. The material has antiseptic properties. The fabric is soft, light and pleasant to the body. The child will not overheat in hot weather. Often, for beauty, one layer is made of cotton, the second is made of satin. Cotton looks good with satin headbands as decoration.
Material linen
Linen is a natural soft fabric. Easily absorbs and evaporates moisture, has antibacterial properties. It has a muted shade that goes best with embroidery.
Terry material
Terry fabric is made from linen or cotton fibers; it has a fleecy and soft surface. In winter, a terry kryzhma will warm the child. Terry is hygroscopic - it absorbs moisture and removes it from the material. The baby will be comfortable throughout the Baptism ceremony.
Material calico
The fabric is summer, light and soft. Made from cotton fibers, so it has the characteristics of cotton. Quickly absorbs moisture, regulates heat exchange and kills bacteria. A type of calico - chintz - is an even lighter material.
Veil
Make sure that the veil is made of cotton or linen fibers. Refrain from purchasing synthetic veils. The veil has a luxurious, expensive look and can be decorated with embroidered patterns, designs, and borders.
Size
When choosing a kryzhma for very young children, remember the rule: it should completely cover the person being baptized.
Most common sizes:
- 75x75.
- 90x90.
- 100x100.
The small size is suitable for babies up to 3 months. It is advisable that the kryzhma have a corner or a hood, so it is more convenient to hold the child in the hands. For children over 3 months and adults, a product of universal sizes is suitable - 90x90 or 100x100.
For girls and boys
If desired, the material is simply hemmed or the headbands are made of satin. If you are going to baptize a girl, give preference to pink or yellow. All sorts of bows, flowers, and ruffles will serve as decorative elements. The kryzhma for a boy’s baptism can be made of soft blue fabric or decorated with elements of this shade. It is also not forbidden to use pale green, blue or lilac colors. From such fabric it is necessary to make geometric inserts or decorate the kryzhma with ribbons. Hemstitching and embroidery also look very original and unusual. The most skilled craftswomen can try to depict angels, doves, and decorate the kryzhma with a personal inscription.
Where to buy kryzhma?
You can buy a towel online. This is a profitable solution, which means the availability and selection of goods at a convenient time. Kryzhma for baptism is sold at a low price. It is best to choose clothes for your baby on the official website of the manufacturer. The assortment includes products decorated with exquisite decorative elements. They combine elegance and impeccability.
Kryzhma is a mandatory attribute of an important life event. If you are planning to baptize your child soon, make your purchase online. The goods will be sent to any city in Ukraine!
After the christening
What to do with kryzhma after baptism?
According to popular beliefs, it is a talisman for a child throughout his life. Therefore, parents need to preserve it. There is a widespread belief that kryzhma can help a baby during illness. The mother needs to take it out and wrap the child when he feels unwell so that relief comes. Also, parents sometimes find the use of kryzhma as a towel for the child’s face, covering him with it while he sleeps. Since ancient times, there has been an opinion that if a person keeps his kryzhma all his life, he will be happy. Therefore, some believe that this fabric should simply be protected, not used in everyday life, and especially not washed. Therefore, after bathing, it is better to dry the child with a regular towel, and put the kryzhma in a secluded place, but not among everyday clothes or linen. To protect it from stains, odors, dust and damage, it is recommended to purchase or sew a special cover made of cotton fabric. In any case, whether the lid will be used or not, it is advisable to take care that it is not lost or damaged.
What should you do with kryzhma after baptism?
Many people believe in the magical properties of kryzhma, so they keep it all their lives as a respectful relic, without further use. Kryzhma is a personal amulet and is not inherited. There is a belief that by preserving it, a person maintains his happiness. Some people put kryzhma in the crib if the child is sick, believing in a faster recovery due to its healing properties. This item cannot be washed, as drops of myrrh may remain on it. It is also not worth storing it among everyday clothes. A separate cover will prevent the appearance of stains and foreign odors. The cotton cover will additionally protect the roof from dust and ensure air circulation.
Others say that the most important thing is the rite of Baptism itself, and all the attributes accompanying it serve only as a reminder. Kryzhma is just a piece of fabric, and all beliefs have no basis. It is necessary to carefully select godparents who are responsible for ensuring that the child grows up as a believer. Which opinion you join is up to you to choose.
