Baptism is one of the ancient religious traditions, which continues to this day. Many parents baptize children, wishing thus to protect them from evil eye and trouble. In this article we will tell you about all the features of the rite of baptism.
The rite of baptism has a special sacral meaning for Orthodox people. It is believed that so the kid is purified before God, washing away his sins. Therefore, many parents try to baptize a child as soon as the time is right.
Where to baptize a child
Baptism of toddlers is held in the temple. In exceptional cases, it is possible to conduct a ritual outside of it. If your city has several temples, you can choose the one that you like most, or the one that is near your home.
All the nuances of baptism are discussed with the priest. He will tell you the list of necessary things, will set a date. If you regularly attend church services in a certain temple, it is better to choose it as the place where to baptize a child.
How to choose a name for baptism
Choosing a church name for a baby is an important stage of baptism. Of course, you can baptize a baby with any name. However, in the church it is customary to give the child a second name, consonant with the name of one of the saints.
Church rites can not affect the change in the name of the child. Names for baptism are used only in the conduct of church ordinances.
When you can baptize a child
The question of when to baptize a child, many parents are asked right after his birth. The Church does not give strict instructions on this matter. However, it is believed that this is best done in the first year of life of the baby. So he is cleansed of original sin and attached to the church.
From the physiological point of view, the time when it is better to baptize a child refers to the first three months of life. At this time, the baby still retains the instincts from the moment of being in the womb of the mother. The child can easily tolerate immersion in the water, more calmly behaves in the hands of other people.
Certain days when you can baptize a child, no. You will be able to do it at any date convenient for you.
Clothes for christening
The choice of clothes for baptizing a baby requires special attention. Her godmother acquires beforehand. The infant's shirt must be soft, pleasant to the touch. In such clothes the baby can feel comfortable and will not be capricious.
Now the clothes for the baptism of a boy and a girl can be different. For boys choose a set of shirts and pants. Girls are baptized in dresses with or without pants.
Choosing the options in which to baptize a child, make sure that the clothes open the arms and legs of the baby. This is necessary for the church rite.
The rules of baptism
The baptism of the newborn is a mysterious church rite, which is accompanied by certain rules. They are associated with ancient church traditions. The child's baptism requires special responsibility from the side of the godparents; first of all, the rules determine their behavior:
- it is necessary to come to the christening in advance, so that the priest can prepare for the rite;
- one of the godfathers enters the church of the toddler: the boy should be kept godfather, the girl - the godfather;
- during the ritual, the godparents read a prayer that must be learned in advance;
- the priest immerses the baby in a font without clothes, after which the godfather wraps it in a white cloth, wipes it and puts it on specially prepared clothes.
The boy and girl's christenings differ in some moments: the rules require that the boy be brought to the altar, and the girl is attached to the icon of the Mother of God.
The rules of how to baptize a child in a church can also vary depending on the chosen temple. Thus, for example, the question of the presence of mother at baptism remains controversial. Now in many churches, my mother is allowed to visit the christening after carrying out a purification ritual.
Often parents ask a question about whether it is possible to baptize a child in a fast or a church holiday. There are no forbidden days. You can do this at any time.
How long does baptism last?
The length of baptism depends largely on the priest. Although the rite is held according to established canons, the time may vary. It depends on the preparation, mood and behavior of the baby. On average, baptism takes from 30 minutes to 1 hour. For more information on how long baptism lasts, you will be able to choose a temple for your purpose.
What you need for baptism
In order for the ritual to pass calmly and correctly, the godfather needs to know in advance what is needed to baptize the child. The standard set includes: a cross (consecrated in the temple), kryzhma, clothes for changing clothes, two towels, candles. As a rule, the godmother buys clothes. The choice and purchase of the cross is for the godfather.
The reasons why people decide to baptize children are sometimes very original in the sense that they are not related to the Church.
Baptism can be perceived as following the family way of life:
« Our family adheres to the tradition of baptizing children. And I do not want to back off from her", - says one of the users.
Sometimes baptism is perceived as a national tradition:
« I will not call myself a church person, for me it is rather a matter of continuity and some kind of identification: a Russian person is an Orthodox Christian».
This statement is accompanied by a broad rationale:
« People (in their mass) profess (feel belonging) that religion, which historically developed in the territory of their state. Hindus do not convert to Christianity, the Japanese do not aspire to Judaism, and Iranians are indifferent to Zen. Everyone does their own thing».
Such non-church people, "Orthodox for culture," sociological surveys reveal in Russian society from two-thirds to 80%. To this number, we, on occasion, even like to appeal. But it seems that it is with these people, when they turn to church, wanting to baptize children, there is the greatest number of misunderstandings, sad and comical situations, the essence of which is the same: they do not really represent what they are asking for, but they demand that they do it without fail.
The godfathers without "fanatical piety"
« I baptized two of my children and my older cousin, and everything was easy, sincere and festive ...
Now the priest strictly asked me when I confessed and communed for the last time, how often I go to church and what, what prayers I know. I do not differ from many compatriots with excessive fanatical piety, so I honestly replied that I do all this at the behest of the soul, not rarely, but not every day. Received the answer: "I'm tired of baptizing atheists!»
The commentator was offended. But how can she explain that baptism is not just a "holiday", but Christianity is not only "God-like"?
Another case:
« Godfather at us was a relative brother of a relative. He is generally a hard worker, from the countryside, where all the aunts go to him for help, and he does not take a penny from anyone, he is always happy to help. Also unworthy was».
Is the god and the "good man" the same thing?
« A friend asked to be godmother to her baby. I prepared thoroughly - I bought everything needed in the baptism store, adjusted mentally, but now I read about the interview and I was upset. I do not particularly follow the Orthodox customs, but suddenly the priest will not allow me before this sacrament».
Obviously, in the representation of such people, baptism is simply a beautiful rite. Here and complaining about the refusal to "carry out the ritual" are carried on the Internet. Or the fact that the "ritual" was for some reason not held individually or in the main temple (which was chosen by applicants for what is beautiful and ancient), but in a small christening crib (or in general in a separate baptismal room), where not could normally turn around the photographer and camera operator.
Is the church beautiful?
Baptize ... without an interview
However, the main wave of indignation is the demand for parents and godfathers to go through cursory conversations. As the main argument against them, the participants in the online discussions give the practice that existed in the Church in the 1990s, when all those who came were baptized at the first conversion.
However, we will deal with the fact that in general such conversational conversations and for what they arose.
The introduction into the church practice of preparatory conversations for the baptized themselves (in case adults are baptized), as well as for parents and godparents (in the case of infant baptism) is regulated by the document "On Religious-Educational and Catechetical Service in the Russian Orthodox Church", which entered into force on December 28, 2011.
In it, in particular, it is said:
« It is inadmissible to perform the Sacrament of Epiphany on adults who, not knowing the basics of faith, refuse to prepare for participation in the Sacrament. "
"The Sacrament of Baptism can not be committed over a person who denies the fundamental truths of Orthodox faith and Christian morality. To participate in the Sacrament of Baptism, people who wish to be baptized for superstitious reasons can not be admitted. "
That is, the main purpose of pre-baptismal conversations is not to conduct a "test for a good person", as the authors of some of the above records have found. Their goal is to explain to a person the basics of religion, in which he addresses himself or draws a child.
At our request, the situation is commented on by the clergyman of St. Nicholas Church at Straw Lodge, priest Dimitri Turkin:
For many years the priests had to baptize almost everyone who asked for it. A very small number of baptized became parishioners. Members of the Church sometimes took people who were very far from the true faith and did not seek to learn this faith. There is a hope that such a situation has gone forever.
So, one must accustom oneself to the idea that one should prepare for baptism, and if there is no such objectivity, then there will be no baptism.
Currently, the preparation for baptism is listening to lectures mainly by future godparents. Of course, like any new business, it is not without its shortcomings. In fact, we are trying to revive the practice of the announcement before baptism. This is an obvious benefit for the Church, so the world does not want to accept it.
The error of those who critically assess our attempts to resist the formal attitude to the Sacrament is that it seems to them: we are trying to force someone to teach something. In fact, we are still trying, sorry for the rudeness, just to filter out those who do not want to learn anything by themselves. They, believe me, do not need Christ or His Church.
It's very good that someone says: "Baptizing a child is the reason to start going to the temple." Visiting the preparatory lectures is just the beginning of going to the temple. In addition, it is also a way to begin to understand something in church life. But we can no longer count on "suddenly start."
Imagine the feelings of a priest, forced for years to baptize everyone who comes. Believe me, it is very difficult and painful for the soul to pray with those and for those who do not want anything and just indifferently defend the time of the Sacrament.
In fact, we do not deny anyone. If a person has been trained, he is allowed to be baptized. It's just that those who decided for themselves that they do not need anything from the Church apart from the fact of baptism, do not come to our conversations and therefore do not come to be baptized and baptize children.
There were many cases with baptism, but I do not remember a single one when a person became a parishioner, who at first showed indifference.
In general, for the time that has passed since the introduction of public conversations into church practice, the attitude towards them has become calmer. However, the phrase in the title of this section still occupies a leading place in the list of search queries.
Interviewing Interviews
In addition to the very fact of holding them, the catechumens' conversations cause a whole series of questions.
Firstly, at the very beginning of the conversation, apparently, they conducted, as they say, "with zeal not according to reason." A correspondent knows a case where a couple of years ago, an orthodox couple from Moscow tried to baptize their third child in Vologda from their parents.
After a two-hour lecture with three children from zero to four years in her arms, my mother then tried to talk with the priest about "easing the procedure." To which the answer was: " Either wait two more meetings, or go to get baptized at the place of residence».
In Moscow, asking the same pair of questions, the priest ordered his parents to prepare for the sacrament. The child was baptized the next day convenient for them.
Commentary Priest Dimitri Turkin:
Participation (NB, not the presence) of the godparents and / or parents is mandatory in cases when they are not churchied or are not parishioners of this temple. If baptism is requested by parishioners who confess and receive communion in the temple, they receive permission without preparation.
If they are people from another ward, then they should show their degree of churching in a brief conversation and then, according to the results, they will get permission to be baptized, or they will be offered preparatory conversations.
Cases of duty on catechesis (both by the participants and by the organizers) are noted in the network records:
« It's just something like a lecture. Three Saturdays went. The baby was sitting with the baby. I do not regret it. Though I took a nap».
In other cases, the content of the conversation itself caused questions. The Regulation "On Religious-Educational and Catechetical Service" provides:
"The announcement of adults involves several conversations, including the study of the Creed, selected passages of the Holy Scripture, the foundations of Christian morality, including the notion of sins and virtues, and the introduction into the liturgical life of the Church."
The official document prescribes that when they are needed, there must be at least two conversations, but their content and duration is determined by the catechist "with love and discretion". However, life practice can often differ significantly:
« I went last year, so on a laptop I was given a video to see with the speeches of the clergy about the benefits of the very conversation I came to».
Sometimes the meaning of the conversation, according to the testimony of the catechumens, was reduced to maintaining superstitions connected with baptism:
« The interview was more like a conversation for life. The main thing that worried them was whether we meet with the godfather, do not we live together as a man and a woman or a marriage with us ...»
In other cases, the content of the conversation itself is difficult to understand at all:
« The inadequate lady who led the interview, took the liberty to tell why the children die small, that's the only logic in it was not».
Sometimes those who came were obviously not ready for the fact that instruction will pass "into the practical plane." Although, perhaps, the tone of the conversation was chosen not quite right:
« The abbess of the church (I can be mistaken) led a monologue about how we are all irresponsible, sinful, low people.
There were many godparents and parents, some tried to ask questions, for which they received short answers in the style: "There is a book, everything is written there, what is it unclear?»
True, our godfather, who was convicted of fornication for the whole crowd (he had already lived with a girl for a long time), got married. Perhaps we are wrong Orthodox and should not be baptized, but not in this way it should be reported. "
Some parents wish to perform the Baptism of the child at home and invite a priest for this. They think that it is so much more convenient, safer for the health of the child and other people's eyes will not see it. But there are several reasons why baptizing a child is better in the temple:
1. Baptism itself presupposes the child's joining the Church of Christ, therefore it is in the church that this initiation takes place.
2. After the Baptism, a child is churched: the boy is carried across the altar, the girl is only transferred to the mother with the salt, so it will still be necessary to come to the temple.
3. After Baptism, if it occurs in the morning, often the communion of the infant, the sacrament, no less important than the first.
4. The baptism of a child from ancient times takes place in the church, since in no other place will there be such a solemn and majestic environment for the acceptance of this sacrament.
5. Many parents complain that the baptism of the baby is performed "not quite according to the rite," that is, not through immersion in water, but simply by pouring. Here, the desire to perform baptism according to the full rank affects, and at home it is impossible. Meanwhile, there are special baptistery temples or baptisteries in temples where it is possible to perform Baptism even for adults through immersion.
6. If you are afraid of someone else's eyes, although the very mystery of Baptism drives away all the dark forces, you simply need to order an individual Baptism, then only your relatives and relatives will be present.
Baptism at home is usually performed by a priest in cases when a child or adult is sick, or when there is no way to get to a temple in the countryside with a small child. Today, many people have personal transport or have someone to ask, so this problem is rare.
Where to baptize a child.
The main tasks of parents in preparing for a child's baptism are to look at the names of the saints and choose a name for their baby, choose a date for baptism, choose and invite baptismal parents to be baptized, and learn the rules of the child's baptism. Godparents should buy a cross, learn a prayer. A symbol of faith, think what is given to the child's christening, but the main thing is to study how the child's baptism takes place and what it needs to know for the child's baptism. Where to baptize a child, parents can decide, and the godparents can also advise. Some want to baptize a baby in a large beautiful temple, for others it is important that there are fewer people. Still others want to baptize the child completely immersed, and others want to be baptized by relatives and relatives and allowed to shoot this event on the camera. Therefore, about where it is better to baptize a child, so that everyone is happy and the kid was happy, it is worthwhile to think in advance.
Today in Russia there is a huge number of temples, and there is no such temple in which baptism was not performed. You can call any temple you like and find out what rules of preparation and fulfillment of the sacrament exist in it:
1. In some churches, baptism is performed daily, in some - on a Saturday or Sunday.
2. In most churches it is customary to enroll for baptism, but in some, baptism is performed every day: you can go up to a convenient day in advance, register and baptize the baby.
3. In most churches, the parents of the cross are offered to pass an interview or several lectures before the infant's baptism. At the interview, the godparents explain the main truths of the Orthodox faith, explain in detail about the follow-up of the sacrament of Baptism. It is useful that at the interview you can talk with the priest and ask him all the questions you are interested in, you can learn the church life from the inside, get interesting and necessary knowledge. It is a pity if the godparents to the passage of these conversations are treated as a duty and try to avoid visiting them.
In case the godparents live in other cities and can only come to baptism, it is better to look for where you can baptize a child without an interview. Then the priest conducts a small conversation with the godparents just before the sacrament and gives an explanation at the time of its commission.
Where to baptize a child in Moscow &
Choosing where to baptize a child in Moscow, you need to think about how many people want to attend the sacrament, is it possible for the godparents to attend lectures before the baby's baptism, do you want to baptize the infant with a full immersion, whether you want to christen it individually, and finally, how much donation is needed to count. All this can be found out by calling the temples that you like or visiting them. Let us list a few temples, which are well answered by those who passed the baptism:
1. The Cathedral of Christ the Savior. In the Alekseevsky side-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 the godparents need to listen to the conversations.
2. The Church of the Life-Giving Trinity in Cheryomushki. There is a separate room for baptism, baptism is performed daily.
3. The Holy Danilov Monastery. Here, baptism is performed on weekdays in the font with a full immersion.
4. The Church of All Saints on the Falcon. Here, baptism is performed in a separate building.
5. Temple of the icon of the Mother of God. A sign on the Pionerskaya metro station. Here, on a single day, men are baptized, on another day - women, in the third - children.
Without an interview, you can get baptized in the temple of the archistrategist Michael at Klinniki in the Maiden Field, in the Sergiy Radonezhsky temple in Ryazan (on Saturdays and Sundays), the church of St. Nicholas in Smolensk, the Nativity of the Virgin in Krylatskoye.
It is necessary to call the temple and find out whether you need to register for baptism and how much you need to come, as baptism without a preliminary interview suggests that before the baptism, a small conversation with the priest will take place.
There are special baptismal churches in Moscow: for example, the chapel of the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Olga at the Church of the Ascension of the Lord behind the Serpukhov Gates.
The amount of the donation for the Sacrament of Epiphany is different in different temples: it ranges from 300 to 3000 rubles.
Where to baptize a child in other cities?
In small towns there are no difficulties with choosing where to baptize a child, as there are a small number of churches and, most importantly, a little bit of baptized, so in baptism in any church there will not be much inconvenience.
In St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg, many prefer to baptize a child in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, the Church of the Presentation of the Lord or the Cathedral of the Vladimir Icon of the Mother of God.
In Yekaterinburg, it is advised to baptize a baby in the Ioanno-Predtechensky cathedral or in the Ascension church on the Ascension Hill, here it is necessary to pass 12 lectures before the baptism.
In Novosibirsk, for baptism, often choose the Znamensky Church, the Alexander Nevsky Church, the Church of the Intercession of the Blessed Virgin.
In Krasnoyarsk, you can christen the baby in the Holy Protection Cathedral, the Annunciation Women's Monastery or the Holy Assumption Monastery.
In Chelyabinsk for baptism, you can choose the temples of St. Nicholas, the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin, St. Simeon's Cathedral.
In Rostov advised to baptize an infant in the Cathedral of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, in the St. Nicholas Church or in the church of St. Sergius of Radonezh.
In Kazan there is 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 Cathedral of St. Nicholas Cathedral?
There are more than 90 temples in Volgograd. For the infant's baptism, you can, for example, choose the Cathedral of St. John of Kronstadt, St. John the Baptist Church, St. Nicholas or Lavrovsky Church.
In Tver in the cathedral baptism is held every day at 8.30, registration - at 8 o'clock.
In Izhevsk, you can make a baby baptism in St. Michael's Cathedral or Trinity Church.
In Perm they speak very well 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 try to ensure that the water for the baptism of babies is always warm.
In Kirov, in the temple of the holy archistratographer Michael Novovyatsky parish, baptism is performed at 9.00 on the recording, in the church of Theodore's 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 Sofia, baptism is performed from 7.30 every day .
In Samara, many children are baptized in the church of St. Sophia, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the saints Cyril and Methodius, the Equal-to-the-Apostles, the Ivanovo Monastery, the Ooznesensk and Pokrovsky cathedrals.
In Tyumen, it is advised to baptize a child in the Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin, 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 Theologian in the courtyard of the Assumption Church of the Blessed Virgin.
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, the beauty of the baptized attracts 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, now there are many Orthodox churches in Russian cities and villages, so it's quite easy to choose where to baptize a child.
Recently, a distant friend called and asked a strange question: "Where in Moscow can you baptize a child without an interview?" The correspondent of "Pravmir" understood the meaning of this phrase, and what other problems arise in connection with baptism. When writing the material, information from open sources - various forums of general (non-church) subjects was used.
Baptize, that ... it was
The reasons why people decide to baptize children are sometimes very original in the sense that they are not related to the Church.
Baptism can be perceived as following the family way of life:
« Our family adheres to the tradition of baptizing children. And I do not want to back off from her", - says one of the users.
Sometimes baptism is perceived as a national tradition:
« I will not call myself a church person, for me it is rather a matter of continuity and some kind of identification: a Russian person is an Orthodox Christian».
This statement is accompanied by a broad rationale:
« People (in their mass) profess (feel belonging) that religion, which historically developed in the territory of their state. Hindus do not convert to Christianity, the Japanese do not aspire to Judaism, and Iranians are indifferent to Zen. Everyone does their own thing».
Such non-church people, "Orthodox for culture," sociological surveys reveal in Russian society from two-thirds to 80%. To this number, we, on occasion, even like to appeal. But it seems that it is with these people, when they turn to church, wanting to baptize children, there is the greatest number of misunderstandings, sad and comical situations, the essence of which is the same: they do not really represent what they are asking for, but they demand that they do it without fail.
The godfathers without "fanatical piety"
« I baptized two of my children and my older cousin, and everything was easy, sincere and festive ...
Now the priest strictly asked me when I confessed and communed for the last time, how often I go to church and what, what prayers I know. I do not differ from many compatriots with excessive fanatical piety, so I honestly replied that I do all this at the behest of the soul, not rarely, but not every day. Received the answer: "I'm tired of baptizing atheists!»
The commentator was offended. But how can she explain that baptism is not just a "holiday", but Christianity is not only "God-like"?
Another case:
« Godfather at us was a relative brother of a relative. He is generally a hard worker, from the countryside, where all the aunts go to him for help, and he does not take a penny from anyone, he is always happy to help. Also unworthy was».
Is the god and the "good man" the same thing?
« A friend asked to be godmother to her baby. I prepared thoroughly - I bought everything needed in the baptism store, adjusted mentally, but now I read about the interview and I was upset. I do not particularly follow the Orthodox customs, but suddenly the priest will not allow me before this sacrament».
Obviously, in the representation of such people, baptism is simply a beautiful rite. Here and complaining about the refusal to "carry out the ritual" are carried on the Internet. Or the fact that the "ritual" was for some reason not held individually or in the main temple (which was chosen by applicants for what is beautiful and ancient), but in a small christening crib (or in general in a separate baptismal room), where not could normally turn around the photographer and camera operator.
Is the church beautiful?
Baptize ... without an interview
However, the main wave of indignation is the demand for parents and godfathers to go through cursory conversations. As the main argument against them, the participants in the online discussions give the practice that existed in the Church in the 1990s, when all those who came were baptized at the first conversion.
However, we will deal with the fact that in general such conversational conversations and for what they arose.
The introduction into the church practice of preparatory conversations for the baptized themselves (in case adults are baptized), as well as for parents and godparents (in the case of infant baptism) is regulated by the document "On Religious-Educational and Catechetical Service in the Russian Orthodox Church", which entered into force on December 28, 2011.
In it, in particular, it is said:
"It is unacceptable to perform the Sacrament of Epiphany over adults who, not knowing the basics of faith, refuse to prepare for participation in the Sacrament."
"The Sacrament of Baptism can not be committed over a person who denies the fundamental truths of Orthodox faith and Christian morality. To participate in the Sacrament of Baptism, people who wish to be baptized for superstitious reasons can not be admitted. "
That is, the main purpose of pre-baptism conversations is not at all to conduct a "test for a good person," as the authors of some of the above records have found. Their goal is to explain to a person the basics of religion, in which he addresses himself or draws a child.
At our request, the situation is commented on by the clergyman of St. Nicholas Church at Straw Lodge, priest Dimitri Turkin:
For many years the priests had to baptize almost everyone who asked for it. A very small number of baptized became parishioners. Members of the Church sometimes took people who were very far from the true faith and did not seek to learn this faith. There is a hope that such a situation has gone forever.
So, one must accustom oneself to the idea that one should prepare for baptism, and if there is no such objectivity, then there will be no baptism.
Currently, the preparation for baptism is listening to lectures mainly by future godparents. Of course, like any new business, it is not without its shortcomings. In fact, we are trying to revive the practice of the announcement before baptism. This is an obvious benefit for the Church, so the world does not want to accept it.
The error of those who critically assess our attempts to resist the formal attitude to the Sacrament is that it seems to them: we are trying to force someone to teach something. In fact, we are still trying, sorry for the rudeness, just to filter out those who do not want to learn anything by themselves. They, believe me, do not need Christ or His Church.
It's very good that someone says: "Baptizing a child is the reason to start going to the temple." Visiting the preparatory lectures is just the beginning of going to the temple. In addition, it is also a way to begin to understand something in church life. But we can no longer count on "suddenly start."
Imagine the feelings of a priest, forced for years to baptize everyone who comes. Believe me, it is very difficult and painful for the soul to pray with those and for those who do not want anything and just indifferently defend the time of the Sacrament.
In fact, we do not deny anyone. If a person has been trained, he is allowed to be baptized. It's just that those who decided for themselves that they do not need anything from the Church apart from the fact of baptism, do not come to our conversations and therefore do not come to be baptized and baptize children.
There were many cases with baptism, but I do not remember a single one when a person became a parishioner, who at first showed indifference.
In general, for the time that has passed since the introduction of public conversations into church practice, the attitude towards them has become calmer. However, the phrase in the title of this section still occupies a leading place in the list of search queries.
Interviewing Interviews
In addition to the very fact of holding them, the catechumens' conversations cause a whole series of questions.
Firstly, at the very beginning of the conversation, apparently, they conducted, as they say, "with zeal not according to reason." A correspondent knows a case where a couple of years ago, an orthodox couple from Moscow tried to baptize their third child in Vologda from their parents.
After a two-hour lecture with three children from zero to four years in her arms, my mother then tried to talk with the priest about "easing the procedure." To which the answer was: "Either wait two more meetings, or go to be baptized at the place of residence."
In Moscow, asking the same pair of questions, the priest ordered his parents to prepare for the sacrament. The child was baptized the next day convenient for them.
Commentary Priest Dimitri Turkin:
Participation (NB, not the presence) of the godparents and / or parents is mandatory in cases when they are not churchied or are not parishioners of this temple. If baptism is requested by parishioners who confess and receive communion in the temple, they receive permission without preparation.
If they are people from another ward, they should show their degree of churching in a brief conversation and then, according to the results, they will receive a permission to be baptized, or they will be offered preparatory conversations.
Cases of duty on catechesis (both by the participants and by the organizers) are noted in the network records:
"It's just something like a lecture. Three Saturdays went. The baby was sitting with the baby. I do not regret it. Though it took a little nap. "
In other cases, the content of the conversation itself caused questions. The Regulation "On Religious-Educational and Catechetical Service" provides:
"The announcement of adults involves several conversations, including the study of the Creed, selected passages of the Holy Scripture, the foundations of Christian morality, including the notion of sins and virtues, and the introduction into the liturgical life of the Church."
The official document prescribes that when they are needed, there must be at least two conversations, but their content and duration is determined by the catechist "with love and discretion". However, life practice can often differ significantly:
« I went last year, so on a laptop I was given a video to see with the speeches of the clergy about the benefits of the very conversation I came to».
Sometimes the meaning of the conversation, according to the testimony of the catechumens, was reduced to maintaining superstitions connected with baptism:
« The interview was more like a conversation for life. The main thing that worried them was whether we meet with the godfather, do not we live together as a man and a woman or a marriage with us ...»
In other cases, the content of the conversation itself is difficult to understand at all:
« The inadequate lady who led the interview, took the liberty to tell why the children die small, that's the only logic in it was not».
Sometimes those who came were obviously not ready for the fact that instruction will pass "into the practical plane." Although, perhaps, the tone of the conversation was chosen not quite right:
« The abbess of the church (I can be mistaken) led a monologue about how we are all irresponsible, sinful, low people.
There were many godparents and parents, some tried to ask questions, for which they received short answers in the style: "There is a book, everything is written there, what is it unclear?»
True, our godfather, who was convicted of fornication for the whole crowd (he had already lived with a girl for a long time), got married. Perhaps we are wrong Orthodox and should not be baptized, but not in this way it should be reported. "
The Rite of Baptism is a sacrament, after which a person becomes closer to God, receives his protection and protection. After a person passes this rite, he gets the right to feel in the other sacraments of the Church, the baptized one is born anew for the spiritual life. Let's consider, how the specified ceremony is conducted, what it possesses features, what do you need for christening.
Why is baptism called a sacrament? The whole point is that in the process of passing the ritual, a person, as it were, is born anew for the spiritual life and becomes closer to God, who in an incomprehensible way begins to help him achieve the Kingdom of Heaven. Throughout his entire earthly life, the baptized receives a saving power from God, which is called grace. And because all this happens to be incomprehensible to a person's understanding, this ritual is called sacrament. In the Orthodox Church there are seven sacraments and you can join one of them, and since after a person's baptism gets the opportunity to feel in other rituals of the Church, in time he can go through the remaining six sacraments.
The Order of the Rite of the Baptism
Those who decided to pass the rite, for sure it will be interesting to know how it goes at all, so we will consider the order of this sacrament. Rite begins with the fact that he who baptizes denies Satan three times. This happens as follows. The priest asks three times if you are renouncing Satan, what you should answer, I renounce. Next, the priest finds out if you want to combine with Christ, and accordingly asks three times about this question. The question should be answered, combined. You probably have a question, how do they act if the infant is baptized, or is the child who is not yet able to speak, to adequately perceive the world around him? Baby Baptism, as is known, is carried out in the presence of godparents , and they take full responsibility for the godson before God. Accordingly, all the questions are answered by the godparents.
Prayer "Symbol of Faith"
After the abdication of Satan and the consent to the combination with Christ, it is necessary to read the prayer, which was called Symbol of faith. Usually this prayer is read by a priest, for which you just need to repeat the words of prayer. But, it will be right if before the ceremony you read this prayer in advance and understand its meaning. This is necessary because the Creed contains all the basic dogmas of the Orthodox faith. In particular, the prayer tells how Christ for the sins of men was crucified on the cross, but since his faith had no boundaries, he was resurrected and taken to heaven. Some priests force the godparents to read the Creed, so you will definitely need download cheat sheet.
Baptism in the Church
After the prayer is read, the priest reads the great litany. This is a special prayer, after reading, which ordinary water becomes holy. Further, the rite provides that in the consecrated water all those who are baptized are dipped three times. In this case, adults and large children simply wash their water, and infants are dipped into the font completely. That is why baptism of children it is better to conduct in the church, although it is allowed to cover the waters of the ice-hole and various sources. After a bath on a baptized cross on.
The cross for baptism
Many, choosing a cross for the ritual, experience some difficulties in choosing. By and large, it does not matter if you bring a cross from ordinary metal or gold to the rite. The cross is a symbol of faith, which will always remind you that you can save your soul and just like Christ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, it does not matter which metal this symbol of faith will be made from, the fact of its existence is important. It should be noted that it is not necessary to bring illuminated crosses to baptism. The priest can illuminate this symbol before the ritual, but the church servant must be warned about it in advance.
Baptism of the Child
After the cross is worn, the ritual continues with the reading of the texts from the Gospel and the hair is tonsured. Shaved hair is rolled into wax and the resulting ball is thrown into the font where the baptism took place. After the end of the rite, you can go to the font and see if you have drowned your piece of wax or not, there are a lot of signs associated with it. Some before child baptism are asked by the question, how much is the rite of baptism , whether any gifts are given. The sacrament under consideration should be performed absolutely free of charge, and no one and nothing can come between you and God. Christening in Moscow (temples for baptism in Moscow), for example, are considered very prestigious, but despite this and in such prestigious churches in our country, the rite is free. But, it is considered a good idea to offer a donation to the temple. In addition, a gift to the temple, usually leaves a towel, which the priest wipes his hands after dipping the child in the font. Further, that they give a christening to a child and what to give for christening. Temples in Moscow you can find on the map yandex
Icon for christening
Many customs and traditions are associated with the baptisms. So, if you baptize the baby, then it is necessary for him to present the Measuring Icon. The icon should show the patron saint of your baby. It will be great if you donate an icon, the size of which will match the growth of your little man. This gift is given a certain meaning. A child from a young age will remember that he has a heavenly intercessor, which can be accessed at any time. Christening of the child (son, daughter) thanks to such a gift will be remembered for the rest of his life, even if a person becomes separated from God as he grows up. The godparents can order the services themselves, or video services, as a gift.
Christening of the daughter
For baptism Girls and boys, there are some separate rules that must be followed at baptism. So the girls must come to the temple with their heads covered, in festive, but at the same time with simple clothes. Prefer clothes in the form of a skirt, which closes the knees. It should be borne in mind that during the rite for the anointing, it will be necessary to provide the breast, so the clothing on the breast should be appropriate. In order to not have much difficulty in choosing clothes, you can buy special dresses for baptism.
Christ's son's baptism
Just like girls, clothes for baptism of Boys should be both simple and festive. In the temple, male people enter without headgear. Of the characteristics of the son's baptism, it is worth noting that men are given the opportunity to bow to the altar, women are deprived of such privileges.
Far not everyone can come to the temple and take part in the the Sacrament of Baptism. For example, people with disabilities may be deprived of this opportunity, but this does not mean that they can not find salvation from God. Individual christenings can be held for such people, since the ritual in question is not at all necessary only in the church. In this case, you should first familiarize yourself with the order of the sacrament, determine what to wear christenings and solve other organizational issues. If you want order individual christenings in the church, you need, I would say even necessarily need to make a donation. What amount will be discussed? It is known only to the very father. For example, the christening in Sergiev Posad laurel, followed by lunch in the refectory of the kings, will cost you a round sum, and christenings for example in a small church where not in the village, will cost about 3-5 thousand.
5Dbabtism
Services: The Rite of BaptismDescription: The rite of baptism, the sacrament of baptism, the order of the rite for christening, the prayer "The Symbol of Faith", the icon for christenings, individual christenings, the baptism in the church, the baptism of the baby, the baptism of the child and the christening of the child, son, daughter. Christening in Moscow. What do you need for christenings?