Where is the best place to baptize a child? Where does the custom of having godparents come from? Baptize... without an interview

Some parents want to baptize their child at home and invite a priest to do this. It seems to them that this is more convenient, safer for the child’s health, and that prying eyes will not see him. But there are several reasons why it is better to baptize a child in a temple:

1. Baptism itself presupposes the joining of the baby to the Church of Christ, therefore it is in the church that this initiation takes place.

2. After Baptism, the child’s churching takes place: the boy is carried along the altar, the girl is only handed over to her mother from the sole, so you will still need to come to the temple.

3. After Baptism, if it occurs in the morning, there is often communion of the baby, a sacrament no less important than the first.

4. Since ancient times, the baptism of a child has taken place in a church, since no other place will have such a solemn and majestic environment for receiving this sacrament.

5. Many parents complain that the Baptism of an infant is performed “not quite according to the ritual,” that is, not through immersion in water, but simply by pouring it over. This reflects the desire to perform baptism in full rite, but at home this is impossible. Meanwhile, there are special baptismal churches or baptisteries in churches where even adults can be baptized through immersion.

6. If you are afraid of prying eyes, although the sacrament of Baptism itself drives everything away dark forces, you just need to order an individual Baptism, then only your family and friends will be present.

Baptism at home is usually performed by a priest in cases where a child or adult is sick, or when it is not possible to get to the temple in rural areas with a small child. Today, many people have personal transport or have someone to ask for, so this problem arises quite rarely.

Where to baptize a child.

The main tasks of parents when preparing for the baptism of a child are to look at the names according to the calendar and choose a name for their baby, select the date of baptism, select and invite godparents to baptism, and study the rules for baptizing a child. Godparents should buy a cross, learn the Creed prayer, think about what they are giving for the baby’s christening, but the main thing is to study how the child’s baptism takes place and what you need to know to baptize the child. Parents can decide where to baptize a child, or godparents can also advise. Some want to baptize the baby in a large beautiful church, for others it is important that there be fewer people. Still others definitely want to baptize the child by complete immersion, while others want relatives and friends to be allowed to attend the baptism and be allowed to film this event. Therefore, it is worth thinking in advance about where it is better to baptize a child so that everyone is happy and the baby is happy.

Today there are a huge number of churches in Russia, and there is no church in which baptism is not performed. You can call any temple you like and find out what rules it has for preparing and performing the sacrament:

1. In some churches, baptism is performed daily, in others - on Saturday or Sunday.

2. In most churches it is customary to register for baptism, but in some churches baptism is performed every day: you can come up on a day convenient for you in advance, register and baptize your baby.

3. In most churches, godparents are offered an interview or several lectures before the baby’s baptism. During the interview, the godparents are explained the basic truths Orthodox faith, talk in detail about following the sacrament of Baptism. It is useful that during the interview you can talk with the priest and ask him all the questions that interest you, you can learn church life from the inside, get interesting and necessary knowledge. It is a pity if godparents treat these conversations as a duty and try to avoid attending them.

If the godparents live in other cities and can only come for baptism, it is better to look for where you can baptize the child without an interview. Then the priest holds a short conversation with the godparents immediately before the sacrament and gives explanations during its performance.

Where to baptize a child in Moscow&

When choosing where to baptize a child in Moscow, you need to think about how many people want to attend the sacrament, whether godparents have the opportunity to attend lectures before the baby’s baptism, whether you want to baptize the baby by complete immersion, whether you want to baptize him individually, and finally, what amount of donation is needed count. All this can be found out by calling or visiting the temples you like. Here are a few temples that those who have been baptized speak well of:

1. Cathedral of Christ the Savior. In the Alekseevsky chapel of the lower Transfiguration Church there is a baptistery, where baptism is performed with full immersion, the water is warm. Here, before the baby's baptism, godparents need to listen to conversations.

2. Temple Life-Giving Trinity in Cheryomushki. There is a separate room for baptism, baptism is performed daily.

3. St. Danilovsky Monastery. Here baptism is performed on weekdays in a font by complete immersion.

4. Church of All Saints on Sokol. Here baptism takes place in a separate building.

5. Temple of the Icon Mother of God Sign on metro station Pionerskaya. Here, men are baptized separately on one day, women on another day, and children on the third.

Without an interview, you can get to baptism in the Church of the Archangel Michael at Klinniki on the Maiden Field, in the Church of Sergius of Radonezh on Ryazanka (on Saturdays and Sundays), the Church of St. Nicholas on Smolenskaya, the Nativity of the Virgin in Krylatskoye.

It is imperative to call the church and find out whether you need to sign up for baptism and what time you need to come, since baptism without a preliminary interview assumes that before the baptism itself there will be a short conversation with the priest.

There are also special baptismal churches in Moscow: for example, the church-chapel of St. Olga Equal to the Apostles at the Church of the Ascension of the Lord outside the Serpukhov Gate.

The amount of donation for the sacrament of Baptism differs in different churches: it ranges from 300 to 3000 rubles.

Where to baptize a child in other cities?

In small towns there are no such difficulties as in Moscow with choosing where to baptize a child, since there is no a large number of churches and, most importantly, there are few people who are baptized, so there will not be much inconvenience when baptizing in any church.

In St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, many people prefer to baptize a child in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, in the Church of the Presentation of the Lord or in the cathedral Vladimir icon Mother of God.

In Yekaterinburg, it is advised to baptize a baby in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist or in the Ascension Church on Ascension Hill; here you need to go through 12 lectures before baptism.

In Novosibirsk, people often choose the Znamenskaya Church, Alexander Nevsky Church, and the Church of the Intercession for baptism. Holy Mother of God.

In Krasnoyarsk you can baptize a baby in Svyato-Pokrovsky cathedral, Blagoveshchensk convent or the Holy Dormition Monastery.

In Chelyabinsk, for baptism you can choose the churches of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and St. Simeon's Cathedral.

In Rostov, it is advised to baptize a baby in the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, in St. Nicholas Church or in the church St. Sergius Radonezh.

Kazan is home to a large number of beautiful monasteries. Why not baptize a child in the Annunciation Cathedral of the Kazan Kremlin, in the Tikhvin Church or in the St. Nicholas Cathedral?

There are more than 90 churches in Volgograd. For the baptism of a baby, you can, for example, choose the Cathedral of St. John of Kronstadt, St. John the Baptist Church, St. Nikitsky or Lavrovskaya Church.

In Tver, in the cathedral, baptism takes place every day at 8.30, registration - at 8 o'clock.

In Izhevsk, you can have your baby baptized in St. Michael’s Cathedral or Trinity Church.

People in Perm speak very highly of the Monastery of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.

In Omsk you can be baptized in the Kazan Cathedral, and in the Holy Cross Cathedral they try to ensure that the water for baptizing babies is always warm.
In Kirov, in the Church of the Holy Archangel Michael of the Novovyatsky parish, baptism is performed at 9.00 by appointment, in the Church of the Theodore Icon of the Mother of God - at 10.00 every day, except Monday, and in the parish of the Church of Faith, Hope, Love and their mother Sophia, baptism is performed from 7.30 every day .

In Samara, many baptize babies in the Church of St. Sophia, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Cyril and Methodius, the Ivanovsky Monastery, and the Oznesensky and Intercession Cathedrals.

In Tyumen, it is advised to baptize a child in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Nicholas the Wonderworker or Archangel Michael.

In Voronezh there is the baptismal church of St. John the Baptist at the Intercession Cathedral and the church of St. John the Evangelist in the courtyard of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In Saratov you can be baptized in the Trinity Cathedral, the Church of the Nativity of Christ or the Church of the Kazan Icon of the Mother of God.

Also, those being baptized are attracted by the beauty of the St. Sophia Cathedral in Vologda, the Transfiguration Cathedral in Tambov, the Assumption Cathedral in Vladimir, the Church of Elijah the Prophet in Yaroslavl and the St. Sophia Cathedral in Novgorod.

Fortunately, there are now many operating Orthodox churches in Russian cities and villages, so choosing where to baptize a child can be quite easy.

What is baptism and why is it performed on a person?

Baptism is a sacred act in which a believer in Christ, through triple immersion of the body in water with the invocation of the name of the Holy Trinity, is washed from original sin, as well as from all the sins he committed before Baptism, spiritually dies to a carnal, sinful life and, being born again, clothed with the grace of God for a holy life, according to the Gospel. The Apostle says: ≪ We were buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.≫ (Rom. 6:4).

Without Baptism you cannot enter the Church of Christ and become a partaker of the grace-filled life.

How many times can you be baptized?

Baptism is a spiritual birth, which, like carnal birth, cannot be repeated. As at bodily birth, laid down once and for all appearance a person, so Baptism puts an indelible seal on the soul, which is not erased, even if the person has committed countless sins.

What should a person do who does not know whether he has been baptized and has no one to ask?

If an adult who wishes to be baptized does not know for sure whether he was baptized as a child or whether he was baptized by a layman, but it is not known whether it was done correctly, then in this case he should receive Baptism from a priest, warning him of his doubts.

What is needed for Baptism?

To receive Baptism, an adult requires a voluntary and conscious desire to become a Christian, based on strong faith and heartfelt repentance.

How to prepare for Baptism?

The preparation for Holy Baptism is true repentance. Repentance is an essential condition for Baptism to be accepted in a worthy manner, for the salvation of the soul. Such repentance consists of recognizing one’s sins, regretting them, confessing them (in a confidential conversation with a priest, which is held immediately before baptism), leaving a sinful life, and realizing the need for a Redeemer.

Before Baptism, you need to get acquainted with the basics of the Orthodox faith, with the “Creed”, with the prayers “Our Father”, “Virgin Mother of God, rejoice ...” and try to learn them. Public conversations for those wishing to be baptized, which are held daily in our church, will also help. It is advisable to read New Testament, God's Law and Catechism. It is important to accept the teachings of Christ with all your heart and mind, and then at the appointed time come to church on an empty stomach, having a cross with you, white shirt and a towel.

When should a child be baptized? What is needed for this?

Specific time for performing the Sacrament of Infant Baptism church rules not installed. Orthodox Christians usually baptize their children between the eighth and fortieth day of life. Postponing the baptism of children after their fortieth birthday is undesirable; this indicates a lack of faith among parents who deprive their child of the grace of the Church Sacraments.

Are godparents required?

For children under 12-14 years of age, godparents (fathers) are obligatory, because the children themselves cannot consciously profess their faith, and godparents vouch for the faith of those being baptized. According to the rules of the 7th Ecumenical Council (787), from the moment of baptism, a child becomes a relative of the same sex as a recipient. Therefore, for the baptism of an infant, one godfather is required, two are not necessary. Adults can be baptized without godparents.

Where does the custom of having godparents come from?

During the times of persecution of Christians, when Christians gathered in a secret place to celebrate the Liturgy and prayers, a convert was accepted into the community only if he had a guarantor who prepared him for Baptism.

Who can be godfather?

All baptized and churchgoers, except for parents and other close relatives.

Who can't be a godfather?

Godparents cannot be:

1) children (the foster child must be at least 15 years old, the female foster child must be at least 13 years old);

2) people are immoral and insane (mentally ill);

3) non-Orthodox;

4) husband and wife - for one person being baptized;

5) monks and nuns;

6) parents cannot be the guardians of their children.

Can a godfather marry a godfather?

According to the decrees adopted in the Russian Orthodox Church, which in turn are based on the decrees of the VI Ecumenical Council: marriage is impossible between the godfather, the goddaughter and the parents of the person being baptized. All other cases are permissible.

Can his mother be present at the Baptism of a baby while she is a month old?

He can be present, but in this case the ritual of churching the baby will not be performed, which consists of reading prayers relating to the mother and baby and bringing the baby to the throne or the royal doors (depending on gender), as if before the face of the Lord Himself. To be churched means to be introduced into the church assembly, to be numbered among the assembly of the faithful. Such inclusion is accomplished through the Sacrament of Baptism, in which a person is reborn to new life and becomes a full member of Christian society; churching is a special expression of this inclusion; it can be compared to an official act by which the new rights of a new member of society are secured and by which he is introduced into the possession of these rights.

Can parents be present at the Baptism of their child?

The customs existing in some places of not allowing father and mother to attend Baptism have no ecclesiastical basis. The only requirement is that parents must not participate in the Sacrament of Baptism (that is, they do not hold the baby in their arms, do not receive him from the font - this is done by godparents), and parents can only be present at Baptism.

Who should hold the child at Baptism?

During the entire Sacrament of Baptism, the baby is held in the arms of the godparents. When a boy is baptized, the child is usually held by the godmother until he is immersed in the font, and Godfather- after that. If a girl is baptized, then first the godfather holds her in his arms, and the godmother receives her from the font.

Isn't it better to postpone Baptism until the time when the child can consciously say that he believes in God?

Since God gave parents a child who has not only a body, but also a soul, then they should take care not only of his physical growth. The sacrament of Baptism is a spiritual birth, which is the first and irreplaceable step on the path to eternal salvation. In Baptism, the grace of God sanctifies human nature, washing away original sin and giving the gift of eternal life. Only a baptized child is able to fully participate in holy things, be a partaker of the Eucharist, and generally perceive grace, which will protect him from many temptations and vices during the period of growth and maturation. And whoever postpones the Baptism of a child leaves the little soul exposed to the influence of the sinful world. Certainly, Small child cannot yet express his faith, but this does not mean that his parents should neglect his soul. The wishes of young children on many issues important to them are not always taken into account. For example, some children are afraid and do not want to visit the hospital, but their parents, even against their wishes, treat them. And the Sacraments of the Church, the first of which is Baptism, are spiritual healing and that spiritual nutrition that children need, although they do not yet realize it.

Is it possible to be baptized at 50 - 60 years old?

You can be baptized at any age.

On what days is Baptism not performed?

There are no external restrictions for performing the Sacrament of Baptism - neither in time nor in the place where it is performed. But in some churches the Sacrament of Baptism is performed according to a schedule on certain days, for example, because the priest is busy.

Is only a priest able to perform Baptism?

In exceptional cases, for example, when mortal danger for a newborn baby or an adult, when it is impossible to invite a priest or deacon, it is allowed for Baptism to be performed by a lay person - that is, anyone who has been baptized Orthodox Christian who understands the importance of Baptism.

In case of mortal danger, how can a person be baptized without a priest?

To do this, it is necessary to consciously, with sincere faith, with an understanding of the importance of the matter, accurately and correctly pronounce the formula of the Sacrament of Baptism - the sacramental words: “ The servant of God (servant of God) (name) is baptized in the name of the Father (first immersion or sprinkling with water), amen, and the Son (second immersion or sprinkling with water), amen, and the Holy Spirit (third immersion or sprinkling with water), amen.”. If a person baptized in this way remains alive, then the priest must complete the Baptism with the prayers and sacred rites prescribed in the rite, and if he dies, then he can have a funeral service, order memorial services, write his name in church notes

Can a pregnant woman be baptized?

Pregnancy is not an obstacle to the Sacrament of Baptism.

Do I need to bring a birth certificate to Baptism?

To perform the Sacrament of Baptism, a birth certificate is not required; it is only needed to make an entry in the temple archive - who baptized whom and when.

What word does the word “baptism” come from? If from the word “cross,” then why does the Gospel say that John “baptized” with water even before the Savior suffered on the cross?

For everyone European languages“baptism” means “baptizo”, that is, immersion in water, washing in water. Initially, this term was not associated with the church Sacrament, denoting any washing with water, immersion in it. The Slavic language, which arose already in the Christian era, emphasizes precisely the Christian meaning of Baptism as co-crucifixion with Christ, dying in Christ and resurrection for a new life of grace. Therefore, when the Gospel speaks of the baptism of John, it means the symbolic immersion of people coming to him into water for the remission of sins; The origin of the name Sacrament from the word “cross” is a philological feature of our language.

About the Creed

Hwhat is the Creed?

A creed is a brief and precise statement of the main truths of the Christian faith. It consists of twelve members (parts). Each of them contains the truth of the Orthodox faith. The 1st member speaks about God the Father, the 2nd-7th members talk about God the Son, the 8th - about God the Holy Spirit, the 9th - about the Church, the 10th - about baptism, the 11th and 12th - about resurrection of the dead and eternal life.

How and why was the Creed composed?

Since apostolic times, Christians have used so-called “articles of faith” to remind themselves of the basic truths of the Christian faith. The Ancient Church had several short creeds. In the 4th century, when false teachings about God the Son and the Holy Spirit appeared, the need arose to supplement and clarify the previous symbols.

At the First Ecumenical Council the first seven members of the Creed were written, at the Second - the remaining five. The First Ecumenical Council took place in the city of Nicaea in 325 to confirm the apostolic teaching about the Son of God against the incorrect teaching of Arius. He believed that the Son of God was created by God the Father and therefore is not the true God. The Second Ecumenical Council took place in Constantinople (Constantinople) in 381 to confirm the apostolic teaching about the Holy Spirit against the false teaching of Macedonius, who rejected the Divine dignity of the Holy Spirit. For the two cities in which these Ecumenical Councils took place, the Creed is called Nicene-Constantinopolitan.

What is the meaning of the Creed?

The meaning of the Creed is the preservation of a single confession of the immutable truths (dogmas) of the faith, and through this the unity of the Church.

The Creed begins with the word “I believe,” so saying it is a profession of faith.

When is the Creed said?

The symbol of faith is pronounced by those receiving baptism (“catechumens”) during the Sacrament of Baptism. At the baptism of an infant, the Creed is pronounced by the recipients. In addition, the Creed is collectively sung by believers in church during the Liturgy and read daily as part of the morning prayer rule. Every Orthodox Christian should know it.

How do we understand “I believe in one God the Father, Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, visible to all and invisible”?

This means believing in one God the Father, in the fact that God contains everything in His power and authority, controls everything, that He created heaven and earth, visible and invisible, that is spiritual world, to which the Angels belong. These words express the confidence that God exists, that He is one and there is no other besides Him, that everything that exists, as in the visible physical world, so in the invisible, spiritual, that is, the entire vast universe was created by God and nothing can exist without God. A person accepts this faith with his heart. Faith is confidence in the real existence of God and trust in Him. God is one, but not lonely, because God is one in essence, but trinity in Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit - the Trinity is consubstantial and indivisible. Unity of Three, infinite loving friend friend of persons

How to understand “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, begotten, not created, consubstantial with the Father, in Whom all things were”?

This means believing that the Lord Jesus Christ is the same One God, the second Person of the Holy Trinity. He is the Only Begotten Son of God the Father, born before the beginning of time, that is, when there was no time yet. He, like Light from Light, is as inseparable from God the Father as light is from the sun. He is the True God, born of the True God. He was born, and not at all created by God the Father, that is, He is one being with the Father, Consubstantial with Him.

The Son of God is the second Person of the Holy Trinity according to His Divinity. He is called Lord because He is the true God, since the name Lord is one of the names of God. The Son of God is called Jesus, that is, the Savior, this name was given by the Archangel Gabriel himself. The prophets called Him Christ, that is, the Anointed One - this is how kings, high priests and prophets have long been called. Jesus, the Son of God, is so called because all the gifts of the Holy Spirit were immeasurably communicated to His humanity and thus to Him in of the highest degree belongs to the knowledge of the Prophet, the holiness of the High Priest and the power of the King. Jesus Christ is called the Only Begotten Son of God because He is the one and only Son of God, born from the being of God the Father, and therefore He is of one being (nature) with God the Father. The Creed says that He was born of the Father, and this depicts the personal property by which He differs from the other Persons of the Holy Trinity. It was said before all ages, so that no one would think that there was a time when He did not exist. The words of Light from Light in some way explain the incomprehensible birth of the Son of God from the Father. God the Father exists eternal Light, from Him is born the Son of God, Who is also the eternal Light; but God the Father and the Son of God are one eternal Light, indivisible, of one Divine nature. The words of God are true from God are true, taken from the Holy Scriptures: The Son of God came and gave people light and understanding so that they might know the true God and abide in His true Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life (see 1 John 5:20). The words begotten, uncreated were added by the holy fathers of the Ecumenical Council to denounce Arius, who wickedly taught that the Son of God was created. The words consubstantial with the Father mean that the Son of God is one and the same Divine being with God the Father.

“In Whom all things were” means that everything that exists was created by Him, as well as by God the Father, the Creator of heaven and earth. God the Father created everything by His Son as His eternal wisdom and His eternal Word. This means that the world was created by One God - the Holy Trinity.

How to understand “for our sake man and for our salvation came down from heaven, and became incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became human”?

This means believing that Jesus Christ, for the salvation of the human race, appeared on earth, was incarnated by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became human, that is, he took on not only the body, but also the human soul and became a perfect man, without ceasing at the same time to be God - became a God-man.

The Son of God, according to His promise, came to earth to save not just any people, but the entire human race. “He came down from heaven” - as He says about Himself: “No one has ascended into heaven except the Son of Man who came down from heaven, who is in heaven” (John 3:13). The Son of God is omnipresent and therefore always abides in heaven and on earth, but on earth He was previously invisible and became visible only when He appeared in the flesh, became incarnate, that is, took upon Himself human flesh, except for sin, and became Man, without ceasing to be God . The Incarnation of Christ was accomplished with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, so that the Holy Virgin, just as she was a Virgin, remained a Virgin after the Nativity of Christ. The Orthodox Church calls the Virgin Mary the Mother of God and honors Her above all created beings, not only people, but also angels, since she is the Mother of the Lord Himself.

The word made man was added so that no one would think that the Son of God took on only flesh or body, but so that in Him they would recognize a perfect Man, consisting of body and soul. Jesus Christ was crucified for all people - by His death on the cross He delivered the human race from sin, curse and death.

How do we understand “who was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, who suffered and was buried”?

This means believing that the Lord Jesus Christ during the reign of Pontius Pilate in Judea (that is, at a very specific historical moment) was crucified on the cross for the sins of people for the sake of the salvation of the entire human race. He Himself was sinless. He really suffered, died and was buried. The Savior suffered and died not for His sins, which He did not have, but for the sins of the entire human race, and did not suffer because he could not avoid suffering, but because he voluntarily wanted to suffer.

How do we understand “and he who rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures”?

This means believing that Jesus Christ rose again on the third day after His death, as predicted in Scripture. Jesus Christ, by the power of His Divinity, rose from the dead in the same body in which He was born and died. In the Scriptures of the prophets of the Old Testament, it was clearly predicted about the suffering, death, burial of the Savior and His resurrection, therefore it is said: “according to the Scriptures.” The words “according to Scripture” refer not only to the fifth, but also to the fourth member of the Creed.

Jesus Christ died on Good Friday at about three o'clock in the afternoon, and rose again after midnight on Saturday on the first day of the week, called from that time “Sunday”. But in those days, even part of a day was taken as a whole day, which is why it is said that He was in the tomb for three days.

How do we understand “he who ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father”?

This means to believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, on the fortieth day after His Resurrection, ascended into heaven with His most pure flesh and sat down at the right hand (on the right side, in honor) of God the Father. The Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven with His humanity (flesh and soul), and with His Divinity He always remained with the Father. The words “sitting on the right hand” (sitting on right side), must be understood spiritually. They mean that the Lord Jesus Christ has the same power and glory with God the Father.

By His ascension, the Lord united the earthly with the heavenly and showed all people that their fatherland is in heaven, in the Kingdom of God, which is now open to all true believers.

How do we understand “and the one who is to come will judge with glory the living and the dead, whose Kingdom will have no end”?

This means believing that Jesus Christ will again (again, again) come to earth to judge all people, both living and dead, who will then be resurrected; and that after this Last Judgment the Kingdom of Christ will come, which will never end. This judgment is called terrible because the conscience of every person will open before everyone, and not only the good and evil deeds that someone has done throughout his life on earth will be revealed, but also all the words spoken, secret desires and thoughts. According to this judgment, the righteous will go into eternal life, and the sinners into eternal torment - because they did evil deeds for which they did not repent and which they did not make amends for. good deeds and correction of life.

How to understand “and in the Holy Spirit, the Life-giving Lord, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who spoke the prophets”?

This means believing that the third Person of the Holy Trinity is the Holy Spirit, as true the Lord God as the Father and the Son. To believe that the Holy Spirit is the Life-Giving Spirit, He, together with God the Father and God the Son, gives life to creatures, including spiritual life to people: “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God” (John 3: 5). The Holy Spirit deserves worship and glorification equal to the Father and the Son, therefore Jesus Christ commanded to baptize people (all nations) in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (see Matt. 28:19). The Holy Spirit spoke through the prophets and apostles, and by His inspiration all the Holy books were written: “Never was prophecy made by the will of man, but the saints spoke it God's men, being moved by the Holy Spirit" (2 Pet. 1:21).

It also talks about the main thing in the Orthodox faith - the mystery of the Holy Trinity: One God is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit revealed itself to people in a visible way: at the Baptism of the Lord in the form of a dove, and on the day of Pentecost He descended on the apostles in the form of tongues of fire. A person can become a participant in the Holy Spirit through right faith, church sacraments and fervent prayer: “if you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him” (Luke 11:13).

“Who proceeds from the Father” - Who proceeds from the Father; “He who is with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified” - Who should be worshiped and Who should be glorified equally with the Father and the Son. “Who spoke the prophets” - who spoke through the prophets.

How to understand “into One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church”?

This means believing in the Church founded by Jesus Christ through the Apostles: one, Holy, Catholic (which includes all the faithful, its members). This speaks of the Church of Christ, which Jesus Christ founded on earth for the sanctification of sinful people and their reunification with God. The Church is the totality of all Orthodox Christians, living and dead, united by the faith and love of Christ, the hierarchy and the holy sacraments. Each individual Orthodox Christian is called a member, or part of the Church. When talking about faith in the one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, then the Church means all the people who are faithful to it, who profess the same Orthodox faith, and not the building where they go to pray to God and which is called the temple of God.

The Church is one because “there is one body and one spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all” (Eph. 4:4-6).

The Church is Holy, because “Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for her (i.e., for all believers - members of the Church) in order to sanctify it (having sanctified every Christian with baptism), cleansing it with the washing of water through the word (i.e., baptismal water and with the sacramental words of baptism), in order to present her to Himself as a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:25-27).

The Church is Catholic, or Catholic, or Ecumenical, because it is not limited to any place (space), nor time, nor people, but includes true believers from all places, times and peoples.

The Church is Apostolic because it has continuously and unchangeably preserved since the time of the Apostles both the teaching and the succession of the gifts of the Holy Spirit through consecrated ordination. The True Church is also called Orthodox or True Believer.

How do we understand “I confess one baptism for the remission of sins”?

This means recognizing and openly declaring that for spiritual rebirth and forgiveness of sins one only needs to be baptized once. Baptism is a Sacrament in which a believer, by immersing his body three times in water, with the invocation of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, dies to a carnal, sinful life and is reborn from the Holy Spirit into a spiritual, holy life. Baptism is one, because it is a spiritual birth, and a person is born once, and therefore is baptized once.

The Creed only mentions Baptism because it is the door to the Church of Christ. Only those who have received Baptism can participate in other church sacraments. A sacrament is such a sacred action through which the real power (grace) of the Holy Spirit is secretly, invisibly given to a person.

How do we understand the “tea of ​​the resurrection of the dead”?

This means expecting with hope and confidence (tea - I expect) that a time will come when the souls of dead people will again unite with their bodies and all the dead will come to life through the action of the omnipotence of God. The resurrection of the dead will follow simultaneously with the Second and Glorious Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. At the moment of the general resurrection, the bodies of dead people will change; in essence, the bodies will be the same, but in quality they will be different from the current bodies - they will be spiritual - incorruptible and immortal. The bodies of those people who will still be alive at the Second Coming of the Savior will also change. According to the change of man himself, the entire visible world will change - from perishable to imperishable.

How to understand “and the life of the next century. Amen"?

This means expecting that after the resurrection of the dead, the Judgment of Christ will take place, and for the righteous there will come the endless joy of eternal bliss in unity with God. The life of the future century is the life that will happen after the Resurrection of the dead and the General Judgment of Christ. The word "amen" means confirmation - truly so! This is the only way the truth of the Orthodox faith can be expressed and it cannot be changed by anyone.

About naming and names

Are name days and Angel's Day the same thing?

Sometimes name day is called the day of an angel, because the saint and the guardian angel come so close in their service to man that they are even designated by a common name, although they are not identified.

Each person has his own Guardian Angel, he is given by God at Baptism. The Guardian Angel is a disembodied spirit; he has no name. And the saints, in whose honor people are given names, are also people who, with their righteous lives, pleased God and were glorified by the Church. The day of remembrance of the saint whose name a person bears is a name day. One saint can be the patron saint of many people with the same names.

Angel Day is the day of a person’s Baptism, and Angel Day can also be called the day of remembrance of all Heavenly Powers ethereal (November 21, new style).

But in the popular consciousness, these holidays have merged together, and on name day people congratulate them on Angel’s Day.

How to choose a name for a baby?

In the Russian Orthodox Church there is a custom to name a baby in honor of saints (according to the calendar). The baby is usually named after the saint, whose memory is celebrated by the Church on the birthday itself, on the eighth day after his birth, or on the day of Epiphany. But you can choose the name of any saint whose memory is celebrated shortly after the baby’s birthday. Sometimes a child is named after a saint who was chosen in advance and prayed to even before the child was born.

How to correctly determine who your saint is?

You need to find in the month book (at the end of the Orthodox church calendar) the saint of the same name, and if there are several of them, then choose the one whose memorial day comes first after the birthday or the one you especially reverence. You can also rely on the priest’s choice of name at baptism.

How to determine the name day?

Name day, the day of the namesake, is the day of remembrance of the saint of the same name, closest after your birthday, or the one in whose honor the priest named you when performing the Sacrament of Baptism.

How should you spend your name day?

On this day you need to go to Church, take communion, submit notes about the health and repose of your relatives, and order a prayer service to your patron saint. The best activity on name day is reading the life of your saint and other spiritual books, as well as performing deeds of piety. A festive meal for relatives and friends without any excesses in “eating and drinking” is also not forbidden.

Is it possible to name a child after the father?

It is possible if this name is in the Orthodox month book.

What to do if the child does not have Orthodox name?

If the name under which the child is registered is not in the Orthodox calendar, this does not mean that his name should be changed at Baptism. It is quite possible that, out of ignorance, the parents gave the child an Orthodox name, but in its Western European or local form. In this case, the priest usually translates it into the Church Slavonic form and baptizes under this name, having previously informed it to the parents of the person being baptized or to himself.

Here are examples of such translations: Angela - Angelina; Zhanna - Joanna; Oksana, Aksinya - Ksenia; Agrafena - Agrippina; Polina - Appolinaria; Lukeria - Glyceria; Egor - Georgy; Jan - John; Denis - Dionysius; Svetlana - Fotina or Fotinia; Martha - Martha; Akim - Joachim; Korney - Cornelius; Leon - Leo; Thomas - Thomas.

In the case where it is not possible to establish such a correspondence (for example, names such as Elvira, Diana do not have them), the priest recommends that the parents or the person being baptized choose an Orthodox name (preferably close in sound), which will henceforth be his church name.

What to do if a person with a non-Orthodox name does not remember the name with which he was baptized?

You can raise the archive in the church where the person was baptized. If this is not possible, you need to contact a priest. The priest will read a naming prayer and name the Orthodox saint.

Is it possible to change the Orthodox name given at birth to another Orthodox name at Baptism? For example, should Vitaly be baptized with the name Vyacheslav?

If at birth the baby was given the name contained in Orthodox calendar, when naming, you should not change this name to another. Sometimes people who wish to be baptized ask to be given a name that is different from the one given at birth. In most cases, this is not due to the desire to radically change the way of life, as happens when accepting monasticism, but with a superstitious desire to avoid the influence of sorcerers, those who know the name person.

On Thursday of the first week of Great Lent, March 14, there will be NO public conversations before baptism. The next conversation will take place on Saturday, March 16 at 14:00, topic: Creed.

Baptism is a fundamental sacrament. Christian life begins with him. When immersed three times in blessed water with the invocation of the baptizing name of God the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, a person dies to a carnal, sinful life and is reborn from the Holy Spirit into a spiritual, holy life. Thus, the baptized person is introduced into the Church and becomes its member.

Holy Baptism is the main guarantee of our salvation, for, according to the word of the Lord, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit(John 3:5–6).

Since Baptism is a spiritual birth, and a person will be born one day, then this Sacrament can only be performed once in a lifetime.

Baptism is impossible without faith wishing to receive the Sacrament. Purpose of Baptism- union with God, receiving His saving grace.

Those who are baptized are granted remission of all sins- both the first-born and personal, committed before Baptism, for God, by the Death of His Son on the cross, blotted out original sin and all the sins of every person from the beginning of the world to the end of it.

What is needed for a child's baptism:

• Child's birth certificate;
• Certificates of completion of public consultations;
• Christening shirt, diaper;
• Cross;
• Towel;
• Candles;
• For older children (who are already walking) - a swimsuit and rubber slippers.

What is needed for the baptism of an adult:

• Birth certificate;
• Certificate of completion of public consultations;
• Christening shirt;
• Cross;
• Towel;
• Candles;
• Swimsuit and rubber slippers.

Public conversations:

Infant adoptees (godparents), adults being baptized and children over 7 years old must first undergo two preparatory conversations.

For adults coming to Baptism it is still necessary to read the Gospel of Mark and undergo an individual confessional conversation with a priest - any day from 17:30 in the temple.

Conversations take place in a Sunday School class.
There is no need to register in advance.

Thursday at 18:30
Saturday at 14:00
Sunday at 16:30

How to get:

FAQ:

1. Are public conversations mandatory?
Adults being baptized They must undergo preparation for the Sacrament - two public conversations and a confessional with a priest.

By blessing His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, the Department of Religious Education and Catechesis prepared a document “On religious, educational and catechetical service in the Russian Orthodox Church.” According to this document, “all adults and children over 7 years of age who wish to receive the Sacrament of Baptism must undergo the announcement. It is unacceptable to perform the Sacrament of Baptism on adults who, not knowing the basics of faith, refuse to prepare to participate in the Sacrament.”

In exceptional cases(elderly age, illness and other good reasons) preparation time can be reduced at the discretion of the priest.

For godparents, two preparatory conversations are necessary.

If the recipient is a churchgoer (regularly participating in the Sacraments of the Church), he only needs to approach the priest once for a short conversation or have such conversations in his church with his confessor.

2. How to choose a godfather (godfather)
The custom of having recipients at Baptism dates back to the most ancient Apostolic Tradition.

According to the Trebnik, only one receiver is needed- a man for a male person being baptized or a woman for a female person. According to established tradition, there is a practice of inviting two recipients to participate in the Sacrament: a man and a woman.

Recipients cannot be:

• Unbaptized or persons of another religion
• Non-believers and those unwilling to join the truths of the Orthodox faith.
• Parents of the child
• Minors
• Mentally ill
• Married couple or persons intending to marry
• Absentee adoption is not allowed

3. What should a godfather/godmother do before baptism?
The godfather and godmother must attend catechesis in the church, come to Confession and Communion before the baptism of their godson. This also needs to be done by the parents of the child who is going to be baptized.

4. Is it possible to have conversations in another temple?
Conversations can be held in any Orthodox church. In most temples, at the end of the conversations, you are given certificate(can be simply handwritten by the priest).

5. What to do if godparents live in another city/country.
If they are Orthodox people, they probably know where to be Orthodox church in their city/country and can always come to a conversation about preparation for baptism with the priest of a given temple.

6. What prayers do you need to know for baptism?
The three main prayers that a person receiving baptism must know by heart are the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer and the Song of the Most Holy Theotokos.

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 of the Father before all ages; Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, uncreated, consubstantial with the Father, to whom all things were. For our sake, man and for our salvation, who 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 the one who is to come will judge with glory 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 is with the Father and the Son, we are worshiped and glorified, 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.

Lord's Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven! Let him be holy your name Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as it is in heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, just as we forgive our debtors; and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Hymn to the Most Holy Theotokos

Virgin Mary, Rejoice, O Blessed Mary, the Lord is with You; Blessed are You among women and blessed is the fruit of Your womb, for You have given birth to the Savior of our souls.

7. What kind of cross is needed for baptism?
Anyone is suitable for Baptism Orthodox cross. The main thing is that it is durable and does not break. Regarding size, pattern, precious metal and material - there is no difference. It is important that a person has reverence before baptism. The cross can be purchased at the discretion of parents and godparents in the church shop of the temple.

8. What clothes are needed for baptism?
Baptism kits for children or adults are sold in the church shop of the temple. Parents, godparents and guests also need to pay attention to their clothes. Men should choose long sleeves and trousers. For women - a headdress (scarf or hat), long sleeves and a skirt below the knees.

9. Is it necessary to confess and receive communion before baptism?
A person who receives baptism only needs to confess. But the parents and godparents of the child who is being baptized need to both confess and receive communion. This is especially important for those who have not received communion for a long time, because it is the sacrament of the Eucharist and the sacrament of repentance that connects us with Christ and His Church.

10. Is communion necessary after baptism?
After baptism, it is necessary for an adult to receive communion, and for the parents of a baptized child to bring him to the cup of communion for the first time. And after that, try to take communion regularly.

What do you need if you decide to accept the sacrament of Baptism or baptize a child?

P Before planning the date of the Sacrament of Baptism, in order to avoid refusal to perform this Sacrament, please pay attention to the following:

I. Conversations

According to decree(click link) Patriarch of Moscow and All Rus', baptized(from 7 years old), and also,godparents And parents baby needs to go free conversations (at least two) .

If someone does not want to prepare for Baptism, if they want to “just baptize the child (or be baptized) as before,” then one should think... why? Baptism only makes sense when a person radically changes his life, when a child is introduced to church life. It has been noticed that people who are baptized, but not enlightened, fall into even greater sins than even the unbaptized, and “the last thing happens to that person.” worse than the first"(Gospel of Luke chapter 11, verses 24-26).

In our temple conversations are held regularly , according to schedule

Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday - 1 conversation - 13.00, 2nd conversation - 16.30

Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday - 1 conversation - 16.30, 2nd conversation - 13.00

• Attention! If The baptism is planned to take place in our church, and the conversations are held in another church, then one of the parents child (as a rule, they live not far from our temple), we still ask come to our temple for any of the conversations convenient for them to check their level of knowledge. The same applies to those who have already had conversations in our church, but that was a very long time ago (more than six months). You can find out about the requirements for the level of training in our temple below.

II. In our church, at the end of the 1st conversation, homework is given (which must be checked at the 2nd conversation):

1. Understanding every word from prayers "Symbol of Faith"(Orthodox Niceno-Constantinograd) and reading the text itself no mistakes.
2. General overview about the teachings of Jesus Christ. For this you need read the Gospel of Matthew(Orthodox in synodal translation), and, in writing draw upNot less than five questions on "dark" places from the Gospel.
3. Pass the Confession, (that is, to repent of your sins), from a priest in any church of the Russian Orthodox Church.In our church, Confession can be held dailyButin the evening after18.30 , and also in the morning, after the Divine Liturgy (except for the period of summer holidays and the period of Lent, when Confession may be canceled in the evening).

1. In case of failure homework, you will have to come to us again and again, until the person Honestly Not get ready to participate in the sacrament of Baptism (including as godparents or parents of a child).

III. Baptism

• Date of Baptismdiscussed during the last conversation.
• In our country, Baptism is performed voluntarily donation(including completely free).
• Usually in our templetwo people are baptized at a time. But they can also christen individually, if about this warn in advance , when registering for Baptism.
• Above women NOT it's supposed to perform baptismduring menstruation or within 40 days after the birth of the child,except in special cases.The same rule applies to the godmother or parent, that is, during the period of uncleanness, they cannot take part in the Baptism of the child.

IV. Memo for Baptism (what you need to take with you):

1. Child's birth certificate(passport) or their photocopy. It is given before the start of Baptism to the temple for the window of the candle box.At the end of the Baptism, the documents can be taken back along with a new document - a certificate of Baptism.

Documents are required to make an entry in the temple register confirming identity: who was baptized, when and by whom. This book is kept and, if necessary, it can always be confirmed that a person is indeed baptized.

2. TOrestic with a ribbon or chain. (Such a cross can always be purchased in an icon shop at any temple).

3. Baptismal set: shirt/shirt/T-shirt - the main thing is that the clothes are clean and light. (Dressed by the priest on the person being baptized after immersion, and subsequently discarded as a shrine it is forbidden ).

4. Towel to dry off lightly after diving.

5. Select patron saint name and write down the date of his memory. (

*6. D For diving: men - swimming trunks, women - a swimsuit, babies - nothing. Also, for diving you can wear a shirt (but Not baptismal). (There is a screen for changing clothes in the Chapel). In the future, throw all this away like a shrine it is forbidden.

*7. Slippers(preferably flip-flops) to stand during the Baptism.

5. In what cases should you NOT become godparents? (the most common cases are considered):

• In absentia, because godparents need to personally participate in the sacrament of Baptism. Just as you cannot participate in the sacraments of Communion or Wedding in absentia.
• B l and closest relativesbaptized:father or mother.
• For married couples from the same person being baptized, as well as potential spouses,because having become godfathers, according to established tradition, they do not have the right to create a family with each other, since spiritual ties are incompatible with marital ones.
• For the same reason , spouse, including potential the most baptized. (The same rule applies to baptized).
• For teenagers up to 14 years of age (in some cases even older).
• Mentally ill.
• Not baptized in the Russian Orthodox Church or in the Local Orthodox Churches.
• P Orthodox baptized, butnot recognizing the Russian Orthodox Church led by our patriarch (freethinkers, schismatics, sectarians and others).
• Orthodox baptized, recognizing our Russian Orthodox Church, but leading a non-Christian lifestyle. Especially those living in such grave sins like abortionsunconsummated marriage, adultery and other types of fornication, drug addiction, gambling addiction, drunkenness,resort to magic, blasphemy, murder, suicide attempts, incitement to the above sins, denial of any provisions on the Christian faith from the Creed prayer, as well as living in other grave sins. (But you can repent of them from an Orthodox priest at Confession and never perform them again. In such cases, you can become godparents).

Edited by priest Sergiy Ayupov.

Believers Orthodox people know about the seven Christian sacraments, one of which is baptism. The teaching says that every Orthodox Christian needs to be baptized in order to save his soul and gain the Kingdom of Heaven after physical death. God's grace condescends to those who are baptized, but there are also difficulties - everyone who accepts the ritual becomes a warrior of God’s army, and the forces of evil fall upon him. To avoid misfortunes, you need to wear a cross.

The day of baptism is very important for a believer - it is like the day of his second birth. This event must be approached with full responsibility. Let's talk about what the baby needs to perform the sacrament, what to buy and take with him, what godparents should do, how to celebrate this holiday at home.If the godparents (godparents) take on part of the responsibility for organizing the ceremony, this will be correct. Preparations for the holiday are carried out by all its participants, especially the baby’s relatives.

It is believed that wearing a pectoral cross protects a person from the forces of evil, and also strengthens his spirit and directs him to the true path. Appearance or the cost of the material of the cross does not matter at all - as long as the cross is Orthodox and not pagan

When is the best time to baptize a baby?

According to custom, the baby is baptized on the 8th or 40th day after birth. There are circumstances that may affect the timing of baptism infant: if the baby is sick, the illness poses a threat to life, you can baptize him earlier. Orthodoxy says that after christening a person has a guardian angel who is always behind his right shoulder. He will protect the baby and can save him. It is believed that what more prayers addressed to the angel, the stronger he will be.

Some people prefer to wait until the little man grows up and becomes stronger. back side medal is that while the child is an infant, he sleeps in the arms of his godmother and calmly endures the sacrament. The older he gets, the more difficult it is for him to serve quietly. At 2 years old, the baby is spinning, wants to run, go outside. This creates difficulties for the priest and godparents, because the action can last more than an hour. Bathing a baby in the font is also easier.

The first thing mom and dad do before the sacrament is choose a spiritual name for the baby. In our country, a tradition has developed of calling a baby in the world by a name other than the one given to him at baptism in the church - this is a custom justified in Orthodoxy, since it is believed that church name Only the mother and father, the priest and the godparents can know.

Then the little man will be more protected from life’s adversities. In the church, you can agree that the baby is named after the saint on whose day the baby’s birth date falls.

Recommendations for preparing for the baptism ceremony of a small child

This article talks about typical ways to solve your issues, but each case is unique! If you want to find out from me how to solve your particular problem, ask your question. It's fast and free!

How to organize a child's christening? You need to visit the temple where the procedure will take place. In the church shop you can ask any questions you may have. The church minister in the shop will offer you to read a brochure about baptism, which describes all the rules. The date of birth of your baby will be written down, and the desired church name of the baby and the names of his godparents will be asked. For the ceremony, a voluntary payment is made in the form of a donation, which goes to the needs of the temple. How much should I pay? The amount of donation may vary from church to church.

Before the sacrament of baptism, godparents must be sent for an interview with the priest. If the baby’s mother and father come along with them and take part in the conversation, this will only be a plus. The priest will tell you how the baptism of a young child is performed, and what you need to take with you. He will definitely ask during the conversation whether the mother and father and the baby’s adoptive parents are baptized. If not, then the unbaptized should be baptized before the sacrament is performed on the baby. During the conversation, the priest will give recommendations to the baby’s family and set a day and time for the child’s baptism. On this day, you should arrive early in order to have time to get your bearings and prepare. Many parents invite a photographer to their child’s christening and take photos and videos. You need to know that to record videos and take photographs, you must ask permission and blessings from the priest.

Who to choose as godparents?

Usually godparents are people of the same sex as the baby: for girls it is a woman, for boys it is a man. You can invite two godparents of different genders. Then the baby will have a spiritual father and mother.

The question of who is worthy to become your baby's godfather is very important. Godparents become the baby's second parents. Think about who treats the little man better, who is ready to bear responsibility for him, give him a spiritual example, and pray for him? Most often, relatives and family friends become recipients.

It is best if the godfather is a deeply religious person who knows and observes church traditions and laws. This person should be at your home often because he is responsible for raising you. little man, first of all – spiritual. He will be next to your baby all his life.

Can be chosen as godfather sister or mom and dad's brother, close friend or a family friend or the baby's grandparent.

The recipients must be baptized themselves - this must be done in advance. Parents need to understand that the issue of choosing godparents must be approached very seriously.

Who can't become a godfather?

Baptismal laws in Orthodox Church are such that they cannot become godfathers:

1. atheists or non-believers;
2. monks and nuns;
3. mentally ill people;
4. children under 15 years of age;
5. drug addicts and alcoholics;
6. promiscuous women and men;
7. spouses or sexually close people;
8. baby's parents.

Brother and sister cannot be godparents to each other. If you are baptizing twins, you must not do it on the same day. Twins may well have the same godparents.

Memo for godparents

• Appearance. The child's adoptive parents should come to church with their pectoral crosses on the neck. If it is a woman, she wears a skirt that is below the knee and a jacket with sleeves to the temple. A headdress is required for the godmother. The rules for being in church also apply to a man’s clothing: you cannot expose your knees and shoulders, that is, even in hot weather you will have to give up shorts and a T-shirt. A man is in the temple with his head uncovered.
• Purchases and payment. People often ask, who should buy a cross for a child’s baptism? Who pays for the procedure? There is a certain procedure for baptizing a newborn child and preparing for it.
  1. It assumes that the godfather buys a cross for the godson and also pays for the baptism. The godmother buys a cross for her goddaughter. It is best to choose a cross made of ordinary metal or silver. It is not customary to use a golden cross at a ceremony. When choosing a cross, make sure that it cannot injure the baby; let the cross have oval edges.
  2. In addition to the godmother's cross, you need to buy a towel, baptismal shirt and sheet in advance. She buys kryzhma - the material in which the baby is baptized. Caring mothers keep the material for many years, as it helps to cure the child from illness. The sick little man is wrapped in kryzhma, and he begins to recover. It should be stored in a place hidden from prying eyes, since it is believed that through it you can damage the baby.
• Preparation. People appointed as spiritual parents are obliged to prepare themselves for the baptism ceremony of a small child. Preparation includes strict fasting, starting a few days before the event, and refusal of entertainment and pleasure. The day before, it’s a good idea to take communion in church, before going to confession. You must take your child's birth certificate with you to church. You can watch the video of the baptism in advance to roughly understand the sequence of events.
• Prayer. Recipients are required to learn the “Creed” prayer. This prayer is read by the priest three times during the sacrament of baptism of the child; the godfather may also be asked to read it by heart.

Nuances of christening

• A little man can be baptized on any day of the week - on holidays and weekdays, on Lent and on an ordinary day, but most often christenings take place on Saturday.
• The foster children are supposed to pick up the child from the parents in advance and go with him to church on the appointed day and time. Their parents follow them. There is a sign that the godfather should chew a clove of garlic and breathe in the baby’s face. In this way, evil forces are driven away from the baby.
• Only the closest people are present at the ceremony in the temple - the parents of the boy or girl receiving the sacrament, maybe grandparents. The rest can come to the house of the baptized person after the ceremony and celebrate this event at the festive table.
• Baptism of an infant does not always take place in the church itself. Sometimes the priest conducts the ceremony in a specially designated room.
• If necessary, parents can arrange a ceremony at home or in the maternity hospital. To do this, you need to come to an agreement with the priest and pay all his expenses for organizing the sacrament.
• The priest reads prayers and anoints the newborn. Then he cuts a lock of hair from his head, as if making a sacrifice to God. Then the baby is lowered into the font three times, the priest says: “Here is the cross, my daughter (my son), carry it.” Together with the priest, the godfather says: “Amen.”
• The child's parents also come to church, observing Orthodox customs. They dress as is customary in the temple. During the ceremony, the mother can pray for her child. Such prayers will surely be answered.
• In the evening, relatives and friends come to the holiday with gifts. Their choice depends on wealth and imagination: toys or clothes, baby care items or an icon of the baby’s patron saint.

Features of christenings for boys and girls

The christening of a girl and a boy differs little. During the ritual, the godfather carries the male child behind the altar, but the godmother does not carry the female child there. The christening of a newborn girl requires the presence of a headdress, that is, a headscarf is put on her. When are christenings performed? little boy, he is in the temple without a headdress.

If both godparents participate in the ritual, then first the godmother holds the boy, and after bathing in the font, the godfather picks him up and carries him to the altar. The girl is held in her arms only by her godmother. This is the main difference in the ritual for children of the opposite sex.

If the procedure for baptizing a small child is followed, the child’s blood and spiritual parents will prepare for christening, and the child will grow up healthy and cheerful. When he grows up, he will become a highly spiritual person striving for a righteous life.