Surely every parent at one time wondered: "What does the baptism of the child and whether or not it at all, at what age is best to perform this ritual, and how not to be mistaken with the choice of godparents?"Let's try to answer these questions and find out more about how the Sacrament of Baptism and that it requires.
So, why you need the baptism of the child?
Baptism - a Christian sacrament in which through some visible acts sacred child reportedly invisible grace of God.This is a major event in the life of man is his spiritual birth.It is believed that the Orthodox Baptism washes away original sin and the baby is doing it again pure before God.During the baptism of a child puts the angel who will store and protect him throughout his life.Subsequently, the baptized person can get married in the church itself become godparents, and his family will always be able to put a candle in church for his health.
When to baptize?
rite of infant baptism is carried out according to the rules on the fortieth day after his birth.By this time the young mother physiologically completely cleaned after birth and can attend the temple.And the kid at this age rather calmly carries rite, unlike the older children when they are already beginning to distinguish "us" from "them" and are afraid of the new situation and crowded.
the naming
Before baptism is very important for parents to choose a name that will baptize the baby.It is believed that much of human destiny depends precisely on him.It is desirable that the child knew the name of the church as little people.Select it, usually in honor of some saint.In the old days the baby was given the name of the saint, the memory that comes on the day of the christening, but today parents have complete freedom of choice of patron saint for his child.
Choosing godparents
Finding child spiritual mentors, the recipients involved in his Orthodox upbringing - is another important reason why you need the baptism of the child.By choosing godparents should be approached very seriously.In this matter should not start from the level of your friendship or kinship with the candidates under consideration.First of all, think about how godparents will appreciate and cope with their mission.After all, their involvement does not end with the adoption of a child from the baptismal font, but rather, has just begun.They are responsible for ensuring that the child regularly attended church fasted, communion, and they are designed to continually pray for him.
How is baptism?
Godparents make the baby to the temple without clothes, wrapped only in a white diaper, before becoming the font and repeat the prayer for the priest to baptize, read "Creed", promise to fulfill the commandments of God and renounce the devil.The priest then takes the baby out of their hands and three drops in the font.Along with the baptism and the sacrament of Confirmation is made, after which the already baptized child return the cross, and they, in turn, must take the baby in his arms and wrapped in kryzhmu.Then the priest will put on him the cross hairs and postrizhet, marking this small sacrifice being baptized the Lord in gratitude for the beginning of a new spiritual life.After completing the ritual the baby three times carried around the font as a sign of the eternal connection to the bosom of the Church.Finally, the boys' father contributes to the altar, and the girls are helping to venerate the icon of Our Lady.
celebration of baptism
If you now understand for yourself what you need the baptism of the child, and decided to make this Christian sacrament, you should think in advance and the program of celebration.Traditionally, all guests are invited to the house where the child lives, and celebrate the abundant feast.Since christenings originally considered a children's holiday, and are invited to a lot of different age children, on the table have to be a lot of sweet, cookies, nuts, pies and cakes.And, to complete the symbolic celebration cake can be submitted in the form of a cross.
