Cleansing prayer for a mother before her child's baptism

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One of the most important events in the life of every Orthodox person is the sacrament of baptism, during which the spiritual rebirth of the individual occurs. Christenings take place immediately after the birth of a child. From now on, the heavenly patrons will always be with the baby. According to church canons, after the ceremony, every baptized person has godparents who are responsible for him before the Lord God. Not everyone knows how to properly prepare for this sacrament and what prayer the godparents read at baptism.

Cleansing prayer after childbirth

A pregnant woman is not only cute, but also a great happiness.
Often in society the expectant mother is treated as a sacred object - they always protect her, do not try to conflict with her, and give in everywhere. However, for religion and the temple, a pregnant woman or a young mother is a prohibition. For them, there is even a cleansing prayer after childbirth, which must not only be read before visiting the temple, but also a certain ritual must be performed. Are you surprised? What if a woman should undergo similar rituals even before the baptism of a child? It sounds surprising, but it is true. A young mother who honors the laws of Christianity must not only use prayer, but also undergo a kind of ritual, which in the modern world often undergoes changes and endures numerous mistakes. To prevent this from happening, go to church and see the priest - he will tell you what a woman should do immediately after the birth of a child, and what before his baptism. It is better to contact before pregnancy. You can also read the Bible, where everything is described in detail. The laws in Orthodoxy will be discussed in the article. The texts of prayers used at the appointed time will also be given here.

How are baptisms carried out by the Orthodox Church, and who reads the prayers?

It is worth immediately noting that in Orthodoxy there are several types of baptisms. The first is a three-time immersion with the baby’s head, that is, completely, into the font. The second is sprinkling the head with holy water. As a rule, the first option is used as the main one, and the second one is used as a backup. Pouring is an extreme case when the child, for example, is weak or ill, and it is not possible to postpone the christening. In this case, you may not comply with all the conditions.

In churches where children are baptized, there is a special baptismal chamber or baptistery. These are special places, premises that are used only for this sacrament. Most of the ritual is carried out in this baptismal chapel. Only at the very end does the clergyman take the child to the church for Churching. At the same time, the boy is carried precisely through the altar. And the girls are brought to the royal gates.

Generally speaking, christenings necessarily last about an hour. It is possible that it could be longer. It is best to agree in advance in the summer and choose a weekday. It is possible to baptize during the general “baptismal season.” But for some this is not the best option, and they negotiate with the priests to conduct an individual sacrament.

Initially, before the start of baptism, a catechumen is performed. This is essentially an explanation of all the foundations of the Orthodox faith. But, it is clear that this takes up the time of everyone present, which is not always convenient. Therefore, in many churches, priests have already removed this custom. They conduct public conversations in advance at the agreed time.

About the uncleanness of people in the church

Human “dirt” in Christianity is called uncleanness - we are not talking about physical or even spiritual dirt. Uncleanness is a state of a person that does not allow him to take part in church ritual ceremonies. This is a law that is determined at the sacred level, so it should not be associated with hygiene procedures. A person becomes defiled by uncleanness on certain occasions. For example, a person becomes defiled by uncleanness if he has been in the same room with the deceased for some time.

Here we can also highlight the simple feeling of the deceased - in this case, for a week it is forbidden not only to take part in ritual ceremonies, but also to enter the temple. People who have visited the grave or touched the grave soil or slab are prohibited - this is the law. The water, which can often be found under the deceased in the coffin, can be polluted by uncleanness - during the funeral service for the deceased, the vessel was not brought into the temple.

This is interesting: Getting rid of uncleanliness is difficult, but it is possible. True, for this you will have to go through a certain ritual, even with a sacrifice. It may not be necessary to make a sacrifice today in the form of killing an animal, but this should not be ruled out.

Image of the Holy Spirit

The main prayer during the baptism of children is the “Creed.” The third part of this text is dedicated to the Holy Spirit. He, like the Son, is true God. His task is to endow everything with life and give spirituality to people. The prophets spoke the words of the Lord.

It goes on to say that the church is the same as the spirit and the body. They are inseparable. It is “cathedral” because there are no spatial restrictions. All believers unite in the temple. “Apostolic” because it derives its teachings from the apostles.

Then comes the text about baptism. This is a ritual in which a person comes to know the Holy Trinity through immersion in water. From this moment on, he has life not only physical, but also spiritual. Already in this sentence the essence of the ritual is emphasized. Prayer for the baptism of children directly addresses this topic.

Following this, the person reports that he believes that bodies will unite with souls and the life of the next generation will begin after the resurrection. The word “amen” is translated as “truly,” which means that no one can add or remove anything from what is written.

About the uncleanness of a pregnant woman or young mother

A woman is defiled by uncleanness during the period of bloody discharge from the vagina - this can occur during menstruation or after childbirth. In the Old Testament there are a huge number of laws for conducting various ritual ceremonies regarding women during the period of bloody discharge and the time of uncleanness. Today, in Orthodox churches only the nida ritual is performed, which also undergoes noticeable changes in getting rid of impurity.

Nida is a ritual rite that begins on the seventh “clean” day (after the complete cessation of bleeding). Next, before visiting the temple, a special ritual is performed - the woman is washed in the mikveh. A mikveh is a special font built according to the laws of the Bible. The ritual ceremony is performed by the priest of the church. In the future, the woman can visit the temple until the next bleeding.

This is interesting: A correctly performed nida ritual means a complete absence of sexual contact with a man. God forbids touching, hugging, kissing. A woman should even sleep in a separate bed from her husband - this is followed for a clean week. Otherwise, she does not get rid of impurity.

How to behave during Baptism?

There are strict rules that must be followed during the church ritual of Baptism. The most basic ones are listed below:

• clothing should not be vulgar and distract other people from the ritual; women should wear skirts and cover their heads;
• have a cross on your body;
• purchase church candles in advance, which you will give to the clergyman;
• the infant must be fed before the ritual so that he does not cry during the ritual;
• You cannot use mobile communications during the ceremony.

As soon as the priest places the baby’s cross around the neck, it cannot be removed for the first time; this must be taken into account if the child is very small. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase a special cord for infants.

Church attendance laws

Most young mothers do not understand why they are not allowed to attend church at first. There are not only religious reasons and laws here.

The prohibitions for visiting the temple can be discussed in the following sequence:

• Firstly, a young mother during the period of spotting is considered “unclean” due to her cleansing at the moment. In the Bible, such discharge refers to the cleansing of the woman herself from the dirt of sexual contacts.
• Secondly, it is forbidden to shed blood in the church - this is the law and a great sin. And since there were previously no menstrual hygiene products, there was a ban on visiting the temple.
• Thirdly, a crowd of people, even in a temple, can negatively affect the health of a young mother and her child. Therefore, you should not come to church with your baby at all - it is recommended not to attend church in the first months, as well as during cold epidemics.

As it turns out from the above, there are not only religious aspects in the bans on visiting the temple for a child and a young mother. You should listen to them, because otherwise you may run into problems.

Who cannot be a godfather during a ceremony?

Not every person can become a child's adopter. There is a category of people who cannot be godparents for a number of reasons. Here is a list of those that cannot be recipients:

• people wearing monastic robes;
• parents;
• those who do not believe in God;
• unbaptized;
• have not reached puberty;
• people with mental disorders;
• persons who are drunk.

Baptism can take place without recipients, then Father himself becomes the godfather. The mother is allowed to participate in the ritual only if the prayer of the 40th day has been read over her.

Prayers for the woman in labor and the child

For a young mother, nothing is impossible - this also applies to visiting a temple, which is welcomed by God in a certain case. Today, special ritual ceremonies are not carried out in churches - it is enough just to read the appropriate prayer before visiting church. It is advisable to do this in front of the priest in confession before God. As a rule, the first arrival follows at the time of baptism. If you follow the laws of the Bible, this happens on the 40th day after the birth of the child. During this time, the new mother may still have spotting. To get to the baptism of a child, you should perform the same ritual and read the fortieth prayer. But she is not the only one on the issue.

Prayer request before the sacrament

The godmother and father are responsible for preparing for baptism. The baby’s natural mother is not allowed to attend the sacrament until a cleansing prayer is read over her, which the clergy specially offer so that a woman who has been delivered from pregnancy will be cleansed of her sins and can cross the church threshold.

To know what to do during the sacrament of baptism, visit the temple in advance. Church employees will tell you how to properly prepare for this event. You must understand what is required of you and what the prayer for the baptism of a child sounds like to the godparents. If up to this point you have not often been to church, be sure to attend a service, confess your sins and take communion. Light the candles and pray. Venerate the icons of Jesus Christ and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Not everyone can easily memorize church texts in Old Church Slavonic. Purchase a special “Prayer Book” at the church store - a collection in which church texts are translated and published in Russian. Before the ceremony, godparents must read special prayers. It's better to learn them by heart.

Orthodox prayer book

Familiarize yourself with church texts in advance. It is important that you do not just mechanically pronounce memorized words, but understand what to ask your heavenly patrons for. A prayer coming from a sincere heart will definitely be heard. The Father of God will not leave your appeal unanswered. If you have questions regarding the sacrament of baptism, do not be afraid to ask them to the clergy in the temple. It is better to know what is required of you during the ritual than to be in the dark and make a mistake.

The godmother and father read the following texts the night before baptism. Godfather's Prayer:

Godmother's Prayer:

Parents are also allowed to put in a word about the health of their children. Before baptism they can recite the following prayer:

The role of prayer and features of the sacrament

In Orthodoxy, any prayer request has a specific purpose. The “Creed” prayer, said at baptism, includes 12 parts. Prayer itself plays an important role in the sacrament. For the entire Christian world it represents the basis of the Orthodox faith. The text of this prayer was compiled and also approved at the First and Second Ecumenical Councils.

The “Creed” is considered one of the three most important prayers in Orthodoxy. Its text tells the basic rules of faith, explaining what exactly a person needs to believe.

There are the following features of reading this prayer:

• it is included in the list of morning prayers;
• pronounced during the Divine Liturgy;
• pronounced from memory, without looking at the written text.

If baptism is carried out already at a conscious age, then the person before the sacrament must learn the “Creed” in order to understand the basics of Orthodoxy. Godparents should also study its text in advance and pronounce it without errors or hesitations.

The prayer service has been developed over several centuries and is the fruit of the efforts of many priests. Its final formulation is designed to provide believers with a condensed teaching to avoid any distortion.

Prayer first appeared at a time when pagans began to profess Christianity. Therefore, it implies a person’s encounter with pure and real truth. Because of this, in order to communicate with God, it is necessary to recite the full text of an all-encompassing prayer. Having studied its text in detail, you can easily understand the whole essence of faith.

This prayer service is basic for all Catholics, as well as Protestants and Orthodox. Usually it is read first before the start of the Liturgy.

The baptism of an infant, including the rituals and prayers performed, is similar to that of an adult, but with minor nuances. In this case, the text of the prayer is memorized by the godparents. They must attend the appropriate talks held in the temple. Godparents are obliged to take the child to church and explain to him the truths of the faith.

The baby's mother should not know special prayers. She is only required to undergo a cleansing ritual. This is a fairly ancient ritual that is performed to cleanse a woman after childbirth. When a girl gives birth, she enters a period of ritual impurity. Because of this, she is not allowed to enter the temple. It is only allowed to be in the vestibule. After reading special prayers, the young mother can attend the sacrament of baptism.

During the sacrament itself, a large number of prayers are read. They can only be pronounced by a priest. But sometimes a lay person is also allowed to attend the prayer service. Such a departure from the canons is possible only in certain situations. For example, if a person is in intensive care and access to him is limited. In this case, the nurses themselves can sprinkle the patient with holy water and also read short prayers.

During the baptism of a child, you should bring a towel, clothes for changing, a cross and candles to the temple. The priest must dip the baby into the font three times, after covering his mouth and nose with his hand. For an adult, only the shoulders and head are doused.

After the ritual is completed, the child and an escort go home. The next day you must come with him to the Liturgy and receive communion. At this point the ritual is considered completed.

Prayer for mother and child after baptism in which church

Not only future parents, but also other relatives prepare for the birth of a baby in the family. This is a huge event that family and loved ones are looking forward to. After the baby and mother arrive home from the maternity hospital, parents begin to think about holding a baptism ceremony. They are preparing for this celebration responsibly. Usually mothers try to find out in advance what they need to know about their child’s baptism. Preparing for the ceremony - information for mom

Many questions arise regarding when the ceremony should be performed. There are no clear rules on this matter. It is allowed to baptize a newborn from the 8th day of his life. But the mother needs to remember that she cannot attend church for 40 days after giving birth. If the sacrament is carried out during this period, the woman will not be able to take part. You should also not enter the temple during menstruation and this must also be taken into account.

Also important is the issue of choosing godparents. They should be close people who are ready to take part in raising the baby. The girl’s mother needs to know that only a godmother is enough to baptize the baby. At the same time, the boy’s parents can limit themselves only to choosing a godfather. But you can also invite several people to this role. However, it should be remembered that there are certain restrictions in choosing godparents. They cannot be:

Otherwise, the choice is not limited. You can invite close friends or other relatives to this important role. The main thing is that people understand the responsibility entrusted to them.

Also, a mother should think about what to wear for her child’s baptism. Every woman wants to look elegant for a special occasion. But it must be borne in mind that there are some rules for visiting church that must be respected. Mommy should wear a skirt that goes below her knees and her clothes should cover her arms. We must not forget about the headscarf and the fact that there should be a cross on the neck. You should not wear bright makeup. It’s also better to avoid wearing high-heeled shoes, because the ritual lasts quite a long time, and the mother may get tired during this time. The right decision would be to give preference to comfortable shoes.

If desired, a woman can organize a celebration of this event, set the table and invite guests. This tradition has existed for a long time, but parents decide whether to follow it or not.

Some women are frightened by their ignorance of traditions. They worry that they will be confused in the temple, because they do not know what to do. But don't be afraid of it. Before the sacrament, the church ministers will tell you in detail how everything will happen. And during the ceremony, if something happens, they will also definitely tell you.

But the role of the mother during baptism is not so great. At the end, the priest reads a prayer to the mother. It can be individual if christenings are held separately for one child.

If several children are baptized at the same time, then the prayer is read to several mothers at once. After reading it, women must bow to the ground three times. To do this, you must first cross yourself. Then you need to kneel down and bow your head. Next, you need to get up and do this twice more. But not all churches require such a bow. After this, you need to accept the baby from the hands of the priest. That's all a mother does at baptism. In some churches, a woman may be in the room where the sacrament is being celebrated. In others, she may be asked to leave and will be called back at the end. You will be warned about such features.

Unfortunately, often an Orthodox Christian or his parents put an end to it after the Sacrament of Baptism.

Yu. Volkov. Baptism

Baptized, thank God! We have done the required minimum. The duty to the Lord and the soul of the child was fulfilled. Then only earthly things: education, health, study, work, army, marriage. Well, you can also go to church twice a year: on Easter to dedicate Easter cakes, meat and eggs, and on Epiphany to collect some holy water. The one who has stronger faith (if, of course, there is time!) will also dedicate willow for Palm Sunday, honey for the honey Savior, and apples and grapes for the apple Savior. Well, now that’s definitely enough.

Next, you will need to call the priest when they carry you feet first from the hut to the cemetery.

In the minds of such a person, Orthodoxy is just a good old grandmother’s tradition. No more. And all the mysterious saving life of the Church passes by and is completely unnoticed by him.

But you need to understand that the Sacrament of Baptism is not the end, but the BEGINNING. This is the door to the enormous and deepest world of the Church - the world of Orthodoxy. I was baptized, and I stood on the first step of the stairway to heaven. Christ Himself took me by the hand, and instead of tearing it out of His fatherly hand and leaving again as if nothing had happened into the world with its haste, emptiness and passions, the grace of the Holy Spirit received in the baptismal font calls me up - into the Kingdom of Heaven step by step, step by step, second by second. It's up and up, not down and down.

The Sacrament of Baptism is not only a huge grace, but also a colossal responsibility. In Baptism and Confirmation I received a gift, was grafted into the vine of Christ, united through Him with God the Father and received the gracious gifts of the Holy Spirit for a firm and decisive life in Christianity. I am a new creation, no longer the old man, but a renewed earthly angel, a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven. All my sins have been washed away; the miracle of my personal resurrection happened to me here - in the baptismal font. There was a birth of a new god-like being - a son or daughter of God - God with a small letter. This is what the Sacrament of Baptism is.

But instead of trembling with reverent and sacred horror before the immeasurable depth of the Sacrament, I perceive it as a pure formality - like a stamp in a passport and go on living and sinning...

Now, from the point of view of divine church economy (condescension), we receive the great gift of the Sacrament of Baptism for nothing. But it was not always so. Once upon a time, many Orthodox Christians died for him, and in order to become a Christian, it was necessary to undergo a test-catechumen in order to enter the water in full consciousness of the shrine of Baptism and emerge from it as a NEW person.

The answer is simple. Enter under the high arches of the temple more often. And live the church life. And then the Lord will tell you.

And in general, we should strive to attend church every Sunday with our child, so that the church becomes for him not a frightening, unfamiliar place, but a home. And so gradually, step by step, ascend from measure to measure, discovering for yourself the amazing and deep world of Orthodoxy. After all, in essence, the Sacrament of Baptism is only the beginning of the journey. Next, a long shining road awaits you. Having set foot on it, we will receive such gifts of the Holy Spirit, before which all the treasures of the world will pale.

Some parents and godparents wonder whether it is necessary to give communion to their child after Baptism. In order to give a correct and comprehensive answer to this question, you need to reflect on the meaning of the Sacrament of Baptism itself. According to the teachings of the Orthodox Church, during this Sacrament a person becomes a member of the Church of Christ. During the interview before the Sacrament of Baptism, the priest usually tells the parents and godparents about the great responsibility that is entrusted to them when baptizing a child. They must make every effort to ensure that their child is worthy of his Christian calling. It is impossible to imagine the life of a Christian who does not participate in church services. Therefore, from the moment of Baptism, the child is brought to the Sacrament of the Eucharist or Communion. It will be wonderful if his parents and godparents participate in this Sacrament along with the baby. When a priest, during the celebration of the Sacrament of Communion, gives a child, under the guise of bread and wine, a particle of the very Body and Blood of Christ, a real miracle occurs. This miracle cannot be described in human words, since during the Sacrament of the Eucharist a person unites with God himself. Therefore, it is not surprising that after participating in this holy Sacrament of the Church, many incurably sick and near-death people received complete healing. If parents and godparents are unable to bring their child to the Holy Chalice with Communion on the day of his baptism, then this needs to be done as soon as possible. Many priests recommend that the child participate in the Sacrament of Communion every Sunday.

The mother’s prayer after the child’s baptism is an integral part of fulfilling her maternal duty. Mother's love is one of the most sacrificial types of love that exists on earth. During Baptism, a person is given special spiritual and physical strength for life in Christ, and it becomes more difficult for him to agree with unkind thoughts. At the same time, Christian virtues, such as love, loyalty, friendship, respect, mercy, faith and many others, can more easily develop in him. When the baby’s parents and his godparents decide what to do after the child’s baptism, then first of all they should think about his first Eucharist in life. The baby will not be able to tell you about this, but he will feel the special grace and inexpressible love of God, which will be poured into his heart during the celebration of the Sacrament of the Eucharist. His first Eucharist should be the first step in his active church life.

The ideal option would be if the child’s parents and godparents receive communion after Baptism. Then, in preparation for this Sacrament, they will need to diligently read the penitential canon to our Lord Jesus Christ, the prayer canon to the Most Holy Theotokos, as well as the canon to the Guardian Angel, the canon to Holy Communion and the follow-up to Holy Communion. For adults, it is recommended to eat lean food for at least three days before Communion. On the evening before Communion or on the day of the Divine Liturgy before Communion, you must begin the Sacrament of Confession. During Confession, you need to repent with all your heart of your sins and misdeeds. If the parents and godparents of the child do not have the opportunity to adequately prepare for the Sacrament of Communion and proceed to it, then at least the child himself must be brought to church for the Eucharist. We need to pray for him both at home and in church. Communion of a child after Baptism is an important element at the beginning of his spiritual journey. Children under three years old can be fed in the morning before Communion. Try to make sure your child gets a good night's sleep the night before you go to church with him. It is important that he is not hungry and is dressed in clothes that are comfortable for him.

The first communion of a child after Baptism should not differ from subsequent ones. When adults who are responsible for the Christian upbringing of a child think about how to give communion to a child, they must know, on the one hand, the spiritual requirements of preparation for this Sacrament, and on the other hand, some features of external behavior. Spiritual rules include a special prayer for a child on the day of Communion. You need to ask the Lord - both in your own words and in the words from the prayer book - so that the Lord will grant the baby His Divine grace, so that the child will grow up to be a true and worthy member of the Church of Christ, who follows the path of salvation.

When you bring a child to the Holy Chalice, he should be placed on his right hand. The baby’s hands must be carefully held so that he cannot accidentally push them against the priest’s hand, which is holding the Holy Chalice with the Eucharist.

What prayers should you know?

Godfather

Lord Jesus Christ, be Your littleness on my godson (goddaughter) (name), keep him (her) under Your roof, cover him (her) from all evil lust, drive away from him (her) every enemy and adversary, open to him (her) ) ears and eyes of the heart, grant tenderness and humility to his (her) heart.

Save, Lord, and have mercy on my godson (my) (name), and enlighten him (her) with the light of reason of Your Holy Gospel and guide him (her) on the path of Your commandments and teach him (her). Savior, do Thy will, for Thou art our God, and to Thee we send glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.

In addition to prayers for children before baptism, the following can be read to godparents:

Parents

God, our merciful and heavenly Father! Have mercy on our children (names), for whom we humbly pray to You and whom we entrust to Your care and protection. Put strong faith in them, teach them to revere You and deign them to deeply love You, our Creator and Savior. Guide them, God, on the path of truth and goodness, so that they do everything for the glory of Your name. Teach them to live piously and virtuously, to be good Christians and useful people.

Prayer for the baptism of a child for godparents

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 of the Father before all ages; Light from Light, true God from true God, born, uncreated, consubstantial with the Father, to Whom all things were. For our sake, man and our salvation came down from heaven and became incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became human. She was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried. And he rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father. And again the coming one will be judged with glory by the living and the dead, His Kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the life-giving Lord, who proceeds from the Father, who is worshiped and glorified with the Father and the Son, who spoke the prophets. Into one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. I hope for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the next century. Amen.

Listen to the prayer “Creed”:

All Orthodox Christians know the importance of such an event as baptism in the life of a child and an adult. Orthodox traditions allow the sacrament to be performed on the 8th or 40th day of a baby’s life, but parents are not prohibited from choosing another day for the child’s baptism. Godparents bear enormous responsibility for the spiritual development of the child, so the choice of these two people must be approached with special care. These are people who will be responsible for the sins of their godchild before God.

Godparents must be believers; they should learn a special prayer for the baptismal ceremony.

The spiritual birth of a baby while a priest reads a prayer

When a child appears in a family, the relatives are happy about the appearance of a new family member. They dream of seeing their child happy and wish him only goodness and health. Parents want to raise their child to be a good and worthy person. Every Christian family hopes for God's help in this matter. And in order for the baby to be visible in heaven, they turn to the rite of Baptism.

Parents choose a name for the baby and appoint godparents for their child, who must be Orthodox and follow God's laws. These people will help the child grow with the Lord in the future. But it is necessary to take into account that the recipients are required to know the “Creed”. This prayer is read at the baptism of a child by an Orthodox priest. It includes the basic concepts of the Christian world. Anyone who does not know this prayer to God cannot become a godfather for a girl or boy.

Prayers for godparents

It is not necessary to know the texts of the prayer by heart, although some Priests require this from godparents. It is important to understand the essence of prayer, to have basic knowledge about the Faith and the sacrament of baptism. Godparents are required to understand what responsibility they take on; for this purpose, the priest conducts preventive conversations with them a few days before baptism.

During the sacrament, the priest reads the prayers, but the godparents must repeat the following prayers after him:

• “Our Father” is a prayer known to all Orthodox Christians;
• The “Creed” is the main text that reflects the whole essence of Orthodoxy;
• “Virgin Mother of God, rejoice...” - the Orthodox Church honors the Mother of God, she is above all the angels and holy ascetics.

Responsibilities of godparents

Many godparents who gave in to their parents and their persuasion do not realize the full importance of the decision they made. In the years following the christening, some heavenly parents see their children a few times a year at most—at Christmas and birthdays. Only a few love their godchildren as their own children, are their true friends and continue to teach the Orthodox faith years later, carrying the word of God.

Caring for the little person entrusted by heaven consists not only in prayer at baptism for the godparents, but also in constant communication with divine powers. Godmothers and fathers should offer daily prayers for the health and well-being of even an adult child.

Church attendance is mandatory. During the service, you can light candles, pray in front of holy images, venerate icons depicting Jesus Christ, the Mother of God, and the Archangels. Particularly powerful is the prayer that godparents offer before the face of the Guardian Angel, whose name their godson bears.

You are also allowed to pray at home. There are special morning and evening church texts that can be read, turning to divine powers, asking for intercession and help for your godson. Check out the schedule of church services and attend them with your student.

Rules for the “Creed” prayer for godparents at the baptism of a child

It is advisable that godparents know the text of the “Creed” prayer for the sacrament by heart. In some cases, sheet reading is allowed. Responsible priests do not allow baptism due to ignorance of the text. The ritual means that the entire spiritual life of the child is transferred into the hands of the godparents; for the sake of such responsibility, it is not difficult to learn the words of the prayer.

The text of the Creed is quite complex, so you can use some rules for memorizing the prayer:

• the main thing is to understand the meaning of turning to the Lord, to imagine what we are talking about, this will make it easier to get drunk;
• You can download an audio file from the Internet on which the words of the prayer are recorded, and listen to them daily on your way to and from work. This method will help in correctly pronouncing the words of prayer;
• Every day you need to try out loud, read the text in front of the icon, delving into every word.

This prayer is very important for the godparents to say at the baptismal ceremony; its meaning is of particular importance for Orthodox believers.

Progress of the Sacrament

Father puts on white clothes in honor of the holiday. You should greet him with the phrase “Thank God.” They answer these words: “Glory forever.” Receivers stand in pairs. The child lies in the arms of one of the first godfathers. Subsequently, the priest will ask people to turn around and face the exit. Next you need to renounce evil spirits and come to the peace of God. This ritual is repeated three times.

Then there will be a prayer for parents. When a child is baptized, each godfather must know the Creed. Today, priests can give a piece of paper so that one of the first pair reads the text. Other ministers are asked to repeat the words after them. But it is best if people consciously and without the help of outsiders announce the basic dogmas.

Next comes the anointing and cutting of the lock of hair. Before bathing, you should undress your child. If the baby is completely immersed, then wrap him warmly after the ritual.

The main participants in the action are the baby and the godfather. A prayer will be read through the lips of adults at the baptism of a child. It would be appropriate for the godmother to bring not only a white kryzhma, a shirt, but also a cross with a chain. Usually parents agree on such a gift in advance.

Rules for preparing for the sacrament for godparents

The Christian charter states that the child’s half-parents and monks, unbaptized people, atheists and people of other faiths cannot become godparents. It is also impossible to attract to this post people who are each other’s husband and wife. You need to choose Orthodox people for such a responsible task, with a kind heart and a pious lifestyle.

Material responsibilities for preparing for the ritual are divided as follows:

• the godmother gives clothes and a cross on a chain or string to the baby for the ceremony;
• the godfather pays for everything in front of the church and sets the festive table;
• before the baptism in the church, they arrange a conversation with the candidates for godparents, they are explained how the sacrament will take place, what they will have to do and their responsibilities to the godson for life are told;
• Before the ceremony, godparents must fast and confess in church; it will be good to receive the sacrament of communion.

After baptism, a little person acquires a guardian angel for life; he can receive Holy Communion and participate in all the sacraments of the Orthodox Church. His entire future life will be under the wing of God, and his godparents are responsible for piety and faith in the Lord.

Spiritual Church Traditions of the Faith

It is believed that as soon as the godparents took the baby in their arms after bathing, they are his second parents and are responsible for his life. Now they are responsible for the future fate of the little man.

It has been accepted for a long time that parents are not present at the ceremony, but today the church allows the father to be present at the Baptism ritual in certain cases. The mother should be in another room and read the sacred texts while the priest conducts the church ceremony.

When performing the sacrament of baptism, it is recognized that from now on a person does not belong to himself, he must devote his existence to God. This does not mean that it is necessary to give up earthly goods. This is a sign that a person should feel spiritual strength and be useful in good deeds for other people.