In Orthodox families, as a rule, on the fortieth day after the child's birth parents are thinking about the next important step - baptism. Do I have to do this? And if not, how? These frequently asked questions today and we analyze.
So, why should I be baptized? Actually, almost all the Orthodox church is known for the interpretation of the importance of baptism - the cleansing from original sin, familiarity with God, protection against "impure forces".
But let me be forgiven people of faith, I personally prefer the Old Slavic explanation of the rite of baptism. And our ancestors believed the woman in childbirth - a mediator between the worlds of the living and the dead - the waking and the Na'vi. And the first thing done immediately after birth - baby tied on the handle amulet capable at the time (it was for forty days) to deceive otherworldly creatures. After this period, the baby was baptized by all the canons, he received his guardian angel, and has since become inaccessible to evil. But in addition to the protection of higher powers, with the rite of baptism the child receives also the other parent - the Cross.
By and large, for the boy only godfather, for girls, respectively, godmother. But it so happened that decided to choose godparents of both sexes. Be godparents - a big responsibility. Again we turn to ancient times: in the past years is the cross took on the education of the child, if irreparable happened with native parents. Therefore, choosing godparents for their child, first of all, think about it: someone from the environment you trust so much that with peace of mind would give them its crumbs on education? In fact, it must be really close friends. It is advisable to close relatives with whom you maintain a good and close relationship.
There is an interesting tradition: if your baby (which is already a little older and began to crawl / walk) had frequent falls, ask someone from the godparents to give him something on the legs. This may be slippers, tights, socks or something like that. It was his own godfather has to choose, buy and then give his godson a new thing. It's amazing, but as soon as you put on a baby gift, it will cease to fall. I personally can not understand why there is so, but that it works - I can vouch.
As I mentioned, the rite of baptism in the Orthodox held on the 40th day of life. Several explanations for this. First, the young mother can not be in the church exactly 40 days, because it is considered "unclean" (based on the physiological characteristics of the postpartum period women). After this period, the priest prays over the young mother, thus clearing it.
For 40 days the baby is also very important. During this period, the baby body is set to the correct operation of all their systems, starting with the heartbeat and respiration, ending the regime of the day. And about forty days, when "all systems return to normal," a new man can familiarize with the environment. In addition, the sacrament of baptism is best done at this age also because the baby sleeps most of the time and is not afraid of the new environment and strangers around. Another important argument in favor of baptism on the fortieth day after birth - the ability to hold their breath a newborn reflex when immersed in the baptismal font in the water.
But, of course, baptized on the fortieth day after birth is not an axiom. Baptize a person at any age. And do it not only a priest - the Church permits in case of an emergency the most baptize the baby's mother.
Now that you have decided on the godparents, it's time to decide where it will be held a ceremony. Actually, there is no fundamental importance, in what kind of church you Christen baby, it does not. The main thing is to be a church of your denomination, but big or small, famous or not, does not matter.
Once you have chosen the church, you must meet with the priest and ask him in detail about the ritual needs. Pectoral cross for the baby can be purchased at the church and make it a must future godfather. In this case, it is desirable that after baptism, cross child was tied to tape, not the rope or chain.
If the cross is purchased at a jewelry store, it must be separately sanctify. When buying make sure that you choose is an Orthodox cross and not a Catholic: the Orthodox cross of the crucified Jesus legs crossed and nailed two nails. While in the Catholic crucifixes Christ's feet punched along a common nail.
In front of the temple rite parents get the icon of the saint, after whom the baby would be called. Separately need to buy a shirt or a christening dress - always a soft white cloth. This outfit is traditionally buys future godmother. Also it acquired kryzhma - white delicate diaper (towel), which take the baby after the font. Then this thing must be kept throughout the life of the baptized.
You can even buy a special bag, which will be kept cut during the baptism of children's hair strands. By the way, long ago, there is a belief: that the baby life was pure and violent, so he grew up a good man, and many interested, and that was not in his life obstacles, cut the hair at the time of baptism, should be dropped into the open net fast water.
On the day of the baptism of the cross and guests better to come to the temple in advance. So they quickly adjust the desired fashion, and the priest will read certain prayers are with them. For the rite of adult baptism clothes should not be released, bright. Women preferred the skirt to the floor, and on the head - scarf or shawl.
At the beginning of the rite of baptism by tradition a girl holds a godfather, and the boy - the godmother. After bathing in the font they change: now the girl is holding the cross, and the boy - the cross. The kid at the time of the ceremony should not be heavily dressed. Sometimes the priests require even remove the diaper.
The duration of the Orthodox rite of baptism does not exceed one hour. After completion, the priest with the child in her arms three passes Hot. If the boy was baptized, it still makes the altar; girl the priest bows before an icon of the Mother of God.
At the conclusion of the ceremony all go to celebrate the christening. On the festive table must be sweet pies, porridge with sugar, milk and butter or sweet Krupenik (casserole of cereals) with berries and fruit.
As a gift, godparents godson should give a gift that is useful to him in the future. This can be a set of silverware and a small saving deposit. Other guests in a choice of no severities are not charged a gift, they can donate whatever they want - toys, clothes, silver jewelry.
