How to baptize a child in a church in accordance with Orthodox canons

Baptism is one of the main sacraments of Orthodoxy. This rite consists of accepting the Christian faith. It is designed to protect a person from the influence of dark forces and direct his life in a bright spiritual direction. There is an opinion regarding the correctness of accepting Christianity already at an adult, meaningful age. However, Orthodox priests claim the opposite. Being baptized in infancy, a person early finds a guardian angel, is cleansed of original sin and is forever accepted into the holy church monastery.

Features of the Christian rite of baptism

The Orthodox Church recommends that infants be baptized on the 8th or 40th day after their birth. Newborn children with a dangerous illness should be baptized as soon as possible. Before the christening, you need to decide on the choice of an Orthodox name for the baby. A saint bearing the same name becomes his intercessor before higher powers. An Orthodox name should be known to a limited number of people; this will make a person invulnerable to evil and ill-wishers.

Child baptism in church

Many people are interested in what days and how a child is baptized in the church. The rules are almost the same in every Orthodox church. You can choose any day of the week for christening. The exception is major church holidays, when due to heavy workload the priest will not be able to perform the ceremony.

How much does it cost to baptize a child?

The catechumen must have with him:

• pectoral cross on a string or chain;
• white baptismal shirt (opaque and long);
• towel.

The baptismal shirt is worn before the Sacrament is performed. In it, the priest immerses the catechumen in water. A towel is needed to dry yourself after immersing yourself in the plunge pool.

For convenience, you can bring slippers with you to put on immediately after the dive.

All sacraments in the church are free . However, all parishes exist on voluntary donations and it is customary (if possible) to donate a small amount to the priest for his time and performing the sacrament.

There are churches in which a donation for baptism is fixed. The average donation amount in city churches is 2,500 rubles. The price may vary depending on the region and temple.

Baptism of both adults and children takes place on any day. On all holidays, fasts, ordinary days. You can be baptized any day. But you should agree on baptism in advance, because... Each church has its own routine, as does each priest. Perhaps on this day all the priests will be busy with other duties. Therefore, be sure to agree in advance on the sacrament of baptism for a certain day and time.

In the capital and its outskirts, thousands of people come to Jordan every year. To prevent uncontrolled mass gatherings of people, the administration will equip several swimming areas in advance. Priests perform rituals in the evening, January 18, Epiphany Eve. You can plunge into the ice hole starting at 6 pm on January 18, on the night of January 18-19 and on January 19 all day until 18.00.

If you still decide to swim for Epiphany, then start preparing about a week before January 19th. To begin with, take a contrast shower in the morning, gradually reducing the water temperature. Finally, when after a few days the body gets used to the cooling, you can douse yourself with cold water from head to toe. Such measures will help protect the body from hypothermia and stress, so you definitely won’t get sick, but will only improve your health.

Preparation for the sacrament

Preparation for the sacrament involves the purchase of a baptismal kit, preliminary conversations with a clergyman and the choice of godfather and mother. The baptismal set includes a shirt (diaper), a pectoral cross and an icon depicting the patron saint. For female infants, a hat or scarf is added. The baptismal shirt (kryzhma) is considered a miraculous amulet and must be kept throughout the life of its owner. With its help, traditional healers remove curses and help in the treatment of serious diseases.

Kryzhma for baptism

You can buy kryzhma or sew it yourself. This can be done by both the mother and the future godmother. Preference is given to the white color of the fabric as a symbol of purity and purity.

Traditionally, the godfather buys the pectoral cross. It should be made of inexpensive metal. It is allowed to have a cross made of silver, as this metal is capable of purifying and driving away evil spirits. But gold is not considered pure, so gold crosses are undesirable. You can purchase such a cross in the future, not forgetting to consecrate it. After the sacrament is performed, the pectoral cross is supposed to be worn constantly as a symbol of faith.

Godparents often wonder what is better to buy for the cross: a chain or a cord? In church shops they sell ropes - gaitanchiki, specially designed for wearing it. They are safe and easy to use and are especially suitable for young children.

Relatives and godparents should first visit the priest and ask him all the necessary questions about the upcoming ceremony. He will tell you in detail what is needed to properly participate in it. To take photos or videos, you must obtain his approval and blessing. On the day of christening, you must have the baby's birth certificate with you. Based on this, a baptismal certificate will be issued.

Name

Find out in advance what name the child will be baptized. If the child’s name is not in the calendar, select one that sounds similar in advance (Alina - Elena, Zhanna - Anna, Alisa - Alexandra) and tell the priest about it. And sometimes names are given strangely. One of my friends Zhanna was baptized Eugenia. By the way, sometimes there are unexpected names in the calendar, say. Edward is such an Orthodox British saint (though later all the employees of the temple will not believe that there is such an Orthodox name). In church records and when performing other Sacraments, you will need to use the name given at baptism. Based on it, it will be determined when the child’s Angel Day is and who his heavenly patron is.

Choosing godparents

The choice of godparents should not be made for mercantile reasons. Priests advise inviting believers for this, who in the future are able to become spiritual parents and mentors for the godson, and, if necessary, replace his father and mother. They must necessarily belong to the Orthodox faith.

Future godparents are invited to the temple for a conversation with the priest. The priest will tell them how the child is baptized, explain their role in the ceremony and in the spiritual life of the future godson. Church rules strictly define the category of persons who cannot be godparents:

• the child's parents;
• atheists and representatives of other religions;
• temple staff;
• minors;
• persons who are married to each other.

Women are forbidden to be present in the holy monastery during menstrual periods. Before the sacrament, godparents are required to observe a three-day fast, confess and receive communion.

Baptism photography

If you decide to hire a photographer for the christening, be sure to find out in advance whether he will be allowed to take pictures and use a flash. Some priests have a very negative attitude towards filming the Sacraments and an unpleasant surprise may await you. As a rule, photography and video shooting are not prohibited anywhere. Photos from a baptism are a great joy for many years for the whole family, so if you can’t take pictures in a church, then you need to look for a church where you can take pictures (but even in Old Believer churches they allow you to take pictures at christenings). In some cases, a child can be baptized at home. The main thing is to agree on this with the priest.

Baptism of children in church

Church rules previously prohibited parents of children from being with them during the ceremony. Today, the procedure for the ceremony has changed somewhat and an Orthodox priest can baptize a baby in their presence.

All participants in the ceremony need to pay attention to their appearance. It must meet church requirements. In clothes, subdued colors are preferred. All those present should be wearing crosses and holding baptismal candles.

Women are not supposed to wear short, revealing dresses or skirts. The head is covered with a scarf or scarf. Flashy jewelry and bright makeup are excluded. Female children must also have their heads covered. Men are allowed into the temple without a headdress.

Christenings of children of both sexes follow the same rules. The first sacred act is the laying of the hand of the priest on the baby. Such a gesture symbolizes gaining the protection of God. The godparents answer some of the priest’s questions on behalf of the godson, then the priest anoints the child with church oil (oil).

After the anointing, the godparents with the baby in their arms must go to the font. The priest sanctifies the water and immerses the baby in it three times. If a boy is being baptized, then the godmother brings him to the font, and if a girl is baptized, then the godfather brings him to the font. After washing, you need to put on a baptismal shirt and cover your head. The priest performs the rite of anointing, which happens only once in a lifetime.

Rules for baptism in the church

Then a small strand of hair is cut from the child's head. The baby is carried around the font 3 times. This means that he accepted the Orthodox faith and united with it forever. The entire ceremony is accompanied by constant reading of prayers.

Upon returning from the holy monastery, all those invited gather at the festive table. During the celebration, children are given gifts and warm, sincere wishes.

Organization of christenings

Christening - since ancient times there has been a belief that by plunging into water, a person is freed from sins and receives a new, pure life, becoming closer to God. The baptism of a child is an important event in the life of a family; it is a special Sacrament of spiritual birth and purification. It is believed that after undergoing the rite of baptism in earthly life, a person receives God's grace - saving power.

provides parents with professional and qualified assistance, since organizing and conducting baptism is a troublesome event and requires certain knowledge. We offer the following christening services:

• choosing a church for baptism;
• organizing your meeting with Father;
• coordination of photo and video filming with the church administration;
• taking photos and videos;
• We will advise or offer a choice of church supplies;
• transport services;
• a walk with a photo session, as well as constant consultations on how best to conduct a christening in a church.

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The employees of our company will help you carry out the christening, because organizing the baptism of a child or adult will require a lot of expense and effort.

At what age is it better to be baptized?

There is no clear answer to this question. Many parents prefer to do this process at an earlier age, before the child has left infancy. There are parents who believe that their child should make an informed choice. Baptism of an infant is a responsible step that places great responsibility and responsibilities on the godparents. A child is baptized no earlier than 40 days from the date of birth.

The baptism of an adult is somewhat different from the baptism of an infant. Man inherently has a dual nature: physical and spiritual. That is, he has a soul and a body, which means it is necessary to prepare for baptism in both directions. We will tell you and help you purchase the necessary accessories (neck cross, towel, shirt, flip-flops).

Having enough experience in providing services for organizing christenings, we will advise, coordinate, and agree on all issues that interest you with the priest, guests, and godparents. This includes:

• assistance in choosing godparents;
• setting a christening date;
• making invitations;
• gifts from godparents and relatives;
• choosing holiday decor;
• organizing a dinner in honor of the baptized;
• drawing up an entertainment program for the christening celebration;
• making bonbonnieres for guests;
• making a photo book.

The baptism ceremony for a girl and a boy follows almost the same scenario. After baptism, the priest reads special prayers to the boy. When a boy is christened, he is brought to the altar - the most sacred place in the temple. For boys, special sets are produced, which include a baptismal shirt, a diaper, a towel and a cap, decorated with blue lace.

For the christening of a girl, it is necessary to prepare in advance; it is good that the parents shift the responsibility for preparation to an experienced organizer. It is advisable to choose white clothes for girls, perhaps with lace or embroidery.

Our child baptism services include:

• buying kryzhma for baptism;
• christening set or clothes;
• payment of donations to the Temple;
• purchase of a pectoral cross with a chain.

Organizing the baptism of a child or adult is a significant event in the life of a believer. Such a holiday happens once in a lifetime, and we will help you spend it in such a way that it will be remembered by godsons, parents, and relatives of the godson. Godparents can give a gift coupon for organizing and conducting christenings by the ART EVENT holiday agency.

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Duration and cost of the ceremony

The duration and cost of the ceremony vary. Many parents are interested in how long it takes to baptize a child in a church. This largely depends on the priest. Most often, the ritual takes from 30 minutes to 2 hours.

The main material expenses fall on the shoulders of the blood father and mother, although there was once a custom to pay everything in full to the godfather. The cost of baptism in a church is indicated in the price list with prices for church services. It can be found in the icon shop. You can find out how much it costs to baptize a child in a church from its workers. Traditionally, the amount ranges from 600 to 2000 rubles.

Cold water?

The water in the font is WARM. First, hot water is usually poured into it, and before the Sacrament it is diluted with cold water. but the water in the font is warm

The temple employees who collect it will make sure that the water is warm - they don’t want the child to freeze just as much as you do. After immersion, it will not be possible to immediately dress the child, and here again it is worth mentioning that it is good to baptize very young children in separate rooms and not in the church itself, where it is cool even in summer. In any case, don’t worry, everything happens quickly and the child will not have time to freeze.

Interesting beliefs about christenings

Everyone decides for himself whether to believe in omens or not. There are beliefs associated with christenings. Our wise ancestors advised us to do the following:

• do not inform strangers about the date of the upcoming christening;
• allow only an even number of guests into the temple;
• before the christening, count all the money in the house - this will ensure the child a comfortable life;
• on the day of christening, as well as on church holidays, do not perform any work;
• do not open the doors of the house to anyone until all participants in the ritual return from the temple;
• do not take a pregnant woman as a godparent;
• on a holiday, do not make noise or quarrel in the house;
• After the feast, the last of the guests should be the godmother and father.

Orthodox priests teach that the mere fact of baptism is not enough to enter the Heavenly Kingdom. Further life in Christ and participation in all church sacraments is important. The Church calls on parents of baptized children to live in its bosom and set a worthy example to the growing generation.

Is it possible to baptize a child without the announcement and communion of the parents?

About two hundred townspeople took part in Epiphany bathing in 2020. Next year the number of applicants may increase. Basically, swimming pools are located in open reservoirs, specially equipped outdoor pools. Therefore, due to quarantine measures, the procession and swimming will not be canceled.

Participants in the procession will be subject to the usual requirements for maintaining distance and wearing masks. The places are equipped with tents for changing clothes. Both men and women will be able to take part in the swimming.

The descent into the water is made of wood, with handrails to make it easier to get in and out of the water. The path to the ice hole is lined with a non-slip coating.

Fans of winter swimming should take a towel with them to dry their body and hair. Rubber slippers with non-slip soles will help you get to and from the pond safely. Hot tea will warm the body after an ice bath.

This is not the first year that Muscovites have been taking ice baths on Epiphany. Ice holes are located in all areas. Lakes, the Moscow River, ponds - approximately 120 places for ablution will await residents of Moscow and the Moscow region. In open areas, the city authorities will create conditions for safe immersion in the cold water.

Data is based on 2021. Please check January 17 for exact information about the locations of Epiphany fonts in Moscow in 2021.

North of Moscow:

• Dynamo stadium and Leningradskoe highway;
• Ostankino pond;
• R. Moscow;
• R. Chernushka;
• Karamyshevskaya embankment;
• Stroginskaya and Kirovskaya floodplains.

East End:

• font "Vernissage";
• Lake Svyatoe;
• Losiny Ostrov Park;
• Sokolniki Park;
• Nizhny Maysky pond;
• Terletskie ponds - metro stations "Novoogarevo", "Perovo".

Southwestern part:

• sanatorium “Uzkoe”, pond No. 4;
• Bolshoi Vorontsovsky pond - Church of the Life-Giving Trinity;
• pond in the village of Zakharyino;
• ponds Zelenka, Troparevsky and Chernyavsky.
• About 100 fonts will be installed at holy springs, churches and temples.

Before subjecting your body to serious stress by swimming in ice water, you should test its strength. Carry out a series of hardening procedures: completely immerse your head in cool water, douse yourself with cold water, walk barefoot in the snow. Not everyone can withstand the stress of changing temperatures.

Before directly plunging into the icy Epiphany water, you need to follow a number of procedures:

• the fast is still ongoing, you should not swim in the ice hole after a feast and libations;
• Having served the all-night service in church, allow your soul to be cleansed and closer to goodness;
• Having attended a church service, prayed, accept the faith more closely, allow the Lord to guide you;

• By repenting of your sins, you can cleanse your soul and body.

Swimming in Jordans - ice holes that look like a cross - pays tribute to a thousand-year-old tradition. It originates from the bathing of Jesus Christ in the Jordan River. Then he received baptism from John.

For many Muscovites, washing with water in ice holes at Epiphany is not associated with the Christian faith. It attracts people as entertainment, an opportunity to show courage and fortitude. With such an attitude, it is also not a sin to plunge into the font.

Many Muscovites take part in the procession to Jordan on Epiphany. Taking water procedures is possible as early as January 18th on Christmas Eve. This day ends the holy week. They swim on the night of the 19th. Most will come to the ice hole on Tuesday afternoon. Some reservoirs will not be closed on January 20, so that everyone can undergo the purification ceremony.

Rescuers, doctors, and internal affairs officers are on duty around the clock at the places where water procedures are performed. After the ice bath, you will be able to dry off and warm up in specially equipped shelters. Some people will want to continue the celebration at home.

“On July 28, in all churches in Russia, services are held according to the regulations of the Great Holiday. Greatness can be heard in the chants, the words are dedicated to Saint Vladimir,” says press secretary of the Tatarstan Metropolis Dmitry Alikin.

Also, in all churches of the country, bells are ringing on July 28 at 12.00. This campaign has been held in Russia since 2012.