Baptism is the most important church rite in the life of every Orthodox person. During baptism, he dies with Christ to a sinful worldly life in order to be reborn with him by the Holy Spirit for eternal life. And throughout his entire life, his godparents will accompany him. They must instruct him in the faith, engage in his spiritual education, take care of him and warn him against mistakes. Therefore, an honorary invitation to become a child’s godfather imposes certain responsibilities on you, the fulfillment of which should be approached very responsibly. When the child’s parents have placed great trust in you and invited you to be godfather, the first thing you need to think about is a worthy gift for your little godson. Baptism is a church and ancient rite, therefore, unlike secular holidays, such as, for example, a birthday, when the hero of the day can be given any beautiful and useful thing, at christenings it is customary to give gifts in accordance with established traditions among the people.

If you are, so to speak, a “beginner godfather”, new to this business, and have not baptized anyone before, then our story about what godparents give for christenings will come in handy for you. Approach the issue of choosing gifts responsibly, buy them with all your heart and give them with all your heart. Let your godson be very young now and not be able to appreciate your gifts. He will quickly grow up, and the thing donated by you will be kept as a family heirloom, and will remind the matured godson of the first church sacrament in his life and of you, his caring godparents.

What does a godfather give at a christening?

The godfather always gives the most important attribute of the entire baptism ceremony - a pectoral cross. There are no clear rules about what material a cross should be made of. Now in fashion, so to speak, are gold, openwork crosses, decorated with stones and enamel. However, it is not at all necessary to buy such a cross, especially if this is difficult for you for obvious financial reasons.

The main value of the cross is not its monetary value. The cross, first of all, is a symbol of spirituality and faith in God, and not an ordinary piece of jewelry, as many people now perceive it. Therefore, from the point of view of the Church, a simple tin cross made by monks in an Orthodox monastery, or a sandalwood cross brought by pilgrims from a trip to the Holy Land, is much more valuable than any gold. A pectoral cross can also be made of bronze, amber or silver - the main thing is that it corresponds to the Orthodox canon and is consecrated in the church.

Most often in Rus' it is customary to wear an eight-pointed cross with the inscription “Save and Preserve” written on its back side. For a small child, it would be best to buy a silver cross and hang it on a strong natural twine, and not on a chain, which will rub the child’s delicate neck. And if you don’t want to be known as a miser and can afford it, in addition to a silver pectoral cross, give your godson some gold jewelry that will be useful to him when he grows up.

In addition to these gifts, the godfather traditionally pays for the baptismal ceremony and sets the festive table.

What does the godmother give at christening?

According to tradition, the godmother always gives one more item necessary for baptism - kryzhma. This unusual word in church refers to a piece of cloth in which a baptized baby is wrapped after being taken out of the font. Initially, it was a piece of bleached linen, which by now has turned into a large snow-white linen towel (in winter it can be terry cotton), decorated with white embroidery, hemstitching, jacquard braid with Christian symbols and lace. The most valuable kryzhma is the one that the godmother embroiders with her own hands and decorates with lace, crocheted with her own hands - they used to be called “valances”. But if your hands are not “sharpened” for needlework, do not be discouraged and buy ready-made kryzhma in a church shop or in a store. After baptism, kryzhma is under no circumstances washed; it is carefully stored and used to wipe the baby’s face if, God forbid, he gets sick. This, according to popular belief, should bring him a speedy healing from any illness.

The next thing the godmother buys for a christening is a special baptismal outfit, consisting of a white baptismal shirt that reaches the baby’s feet and a white lace cap, richly decorated with ribbons and pearl beads. The set may also include rompers and knitted openwork booties that match the overall style. The baptismal dress is usually made of cambric, decorated with embroidery, lace and hemstitching and then stored as a family heirloom.

This concludes our conversation about what godparents buy for christenings. All that remains is to mention such a cute little gift as a silver spoon, popularly called “for the first tooth.” It is often given by godparents or grandparents to the baby for baptism. Often the handle of such a baby spoon is decorated with a silver angel or a cute animal - a bunny or kitten. It is believed that in order for a baby to grow up healthy, teething easily, and always having a good appetite, he must be fed from this gifted spoon.

The choice of a cross for a christening should be approached with special responsibility. But before you go shopping for a symbol of faith for your baby, you should decide who should give such a gift to the baby. The Church does not oblige any of the participants in the Sacrament of Baptism to buy a pectoral cross for the baby. If you ask such a question to a clergyman, you may hear in response that such a gift should be made from the heart, and not because it is necessary. Probably for this reason, the Orthodox tradition does not indicate who exactly should buy a cross for christening.

Parents, godparents, relatives, and friends of the parents can purchase a symbol of faith for the baby. As a rule, there are no problems with this in the process of preparing Baptism. Usually someone volunteers to buy the child a pectoral cross. Most often, the godmother buys a cross for a girl’s christening, and the godfather buys a cross for a boy. Along with the pectoral cross, godparents can give the child a children's Bible or any other children's church literature. Even if a child cannot read, you can still give him church books. While he is little, his parents can read for him. In addition to books, godparents can give icons to the baby. You can buy a large gold cross for men, women or children. You will be surprised by the wide range and low prices.

How to choose a cross for a child for christening.

When choosing a cross for a child’s christening, several factors should be taken into account. First of all, you need to decide on the type of precious metal. Today there is a huge assortment of crosses made of gold and silver. However, you can also find jewelry made from other precious metals, for example, platinum. The cost of silver and gold crosses of the same weight differs significantly. Children are recommended to buy gold jewelry. They are not as picky about care as, for example, silver ones. They do not blacken or darken over time. However, in very rare cases, gold jewelry can cause allergic reactions. Children's delicate skin often reacts to silver with skin rashes.

The size of a child's cross is of great importance. It should be small. It is desirable that the product has no sharp corners and no stones. All this can injure delicate baby skin. You can put the cross on a chain or string. But it is better for infants to wear a cross on a string. Its length should be such that the child cannot take the cross into his mouth. You can order a neck chain in the online store or buy it in the Temple. It is not necessary to consecrate the chain.

There are no strict rules in the Orthodox Church regarding who should give a child a cross for Baptism. In each individual case, everything is decided individually. A pectoral cross can be given to a child by his parents, godparents, grandparents, friends, or even the priest himself. It is not so important who gives the cross for christening, but with what reverence and attitude towards the cross the child will wear it. The little man does not yet understand the significance of the Sacrament of Baptism being performed and does not understand why a cross is placed on his neck. The pectoral cross is a symbol of his life’s cross, a reminder of the sufferings of the Savior and their meaning for a person’s future life. Our eternal fate depends on how we carry our life’s cross here on Earth.

Although strict There are no requirements for this account, however, traditionally the godfather buys a cross for a boy. In exceptional cases, when parents cannot find two godfathers, then one godfather is enough for the baptism of a boy. At the Baptism of a male child, it is the godfather who bears the main responsibility for his Christian upbringing. Usually the godfather holds the child in his arms most of the time.

At the Baptism of a female child gender, accordingly, there is such a tradition that the godmother buys a cross for her. For a girl, it is the godmother and her influence that is of great importance. Perhaps the godmother is a close friend of the baby’s natural mother. She will happily help raise her goddaughter, take her to church for communion and congratulate her on all important holidays. When a godmother gives a cross to a girl at her christening, she thus begins to show her responsibility and care for her goddaughter.

Which cross should I buy for a christening?

The cross must necessarily be Orthodox, that is, consecrated in the Orthodox Church. Churches. On its front side the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus Christ should be depicted. On the other side of the cross there is usually a prayer addressed to the Lord: “Save and preserve.” If there is such an opportunity, then of course it is better to choose golden cross or a cross made of other precious metals. It can be gold or silver. For the child’s delicate skin, it is important that the body cross does not contain metals that can harm his skin. If the cross is made of gold or silver, then it can not only not harm the child’s skin, but also benefit the child’s health. In the online store Kreshcheniye.ru you can choose crosses for baptism baby at your discretion. For children's crosses you will have the opportunity to choose thin children's gold chains.

Let choosing a cross be a pleasant experience for you, and let wearing it serve the spiritual benefit of your child!

The choice of a cross for a christening should be approached with special responsibility. But before you go shopping for a symbol of faith for your baby, you should decide who should give such a gift to the baby. The Church does not oblige any of the participants in the Sacrament of Baptism to buy a pectoral cross for the baby. If you ask such a question to a clergyman, you may hear in response that such a gift should be made from the heart, and not because it is necessary. Probably for this reason, the Orthodox tradition does not indicate who exactly should buy a cross for christening.

Parents, godparents, relatives, and friends of the parents can purchase a symbol of faith for the baby. As a rule, there are no problems with this in the process of preparing Baptism. Usually someone volunteers to buy the child a pectoral cross. Most often, the godmother buys a cross for a girl’s christening, and the godfather buys a cross for a boy. Along with the pectoral cross, godparents can give the child a children's Bible or any other children's church literature. Even if a child cannot read, you can still give him church books. While he is little, his parents can read for him. In addition to books, godparents can give icons to the baby. You can buy a large gold cross for men, women or children. You will be surprised by the wide range and low prices.

How to choose a cross for a child for christening.

When choosing a cross for a child’s christening, several factors should be taken into account. First of all, you need to decide on the type of precious metal. Today there is a huge assortment of crosses made of gold and silver. However, you can also find jewelry made from other precious metals, for example, platinum. The cost of silver and gold crosses of the same weight differs significantly. Children are recommended to buy gold jewelry. They are not as picky about care as, for example, silver ones. They do not blacken or darken over time. However, in very rare cases, gold jewelry can cause allergic reactions. Children's delicate skin often reacts to silver with skin rashes.

The size of a child's cross is of great importance. It should be small. It is desirable that the product has no sharp corners and no stones. All this can injure delicate baby skin. You can put the cross on a chain or string. But it is better for infants to wear a cross on a string. Its length should be such that the child cannot take the cross into his mouth. You can order a neck chain in the online store or buy it in the Temple. It is not necessary to consecrate the chain.

Every parent wants him to grow up healthy and happy. While constantly taking care of the physical health of the baby and the timeliness of vaccinations, it is necessary to remember the importance of spiritual health, the immortal soul of the child. The christening of a boy or girl is the beginning of their spiritual journey.

The sacrament of baptism is a significant event in the life of a newborn and his parents. After all, thanks to this ritual, the little man receives God’s grace and gains a Guardian Angel for the rest of his life. Therefore, preparation for christening should not be done in a hurry; it should be done in advance - thoroughly and carefully. The article will discuss the christening of a boy and the rules for conducting this ceremony.

Who can be godparents?

This question is not idle. Godparents are not just people who will hold the baby at the font during the ritual, celebrate this event and forget about it. They should be considered as the spiritual leaders of the godson. And in life it may happen that something bad happens to the child’s father and mother, then godparents should be ready to fully replace them in the matter of upbringing.

That is why the choice of those who should baptize a boy or girl must be approached with great seriousness. It is best if these are close relatives or friends. But they must also be worthy of this choice.

Orthodox baptism does not allow the following as recipients:

• atheists,
• people who are not themselves baptized,
• non-believers (Muslims, Buddhists, etc.),
• members of various sects,
• fortune tellers and psychics,
• sinners in essence, which are alcoholics, drug addicts, etc.,
• also, young people under 16 years of age, mentally ill people, monks and nuns cannot be godparents (their participation is not prohibited, but this is somehow not accepted),
• bride and groom,
• spouses (since those who are spiritually related cannot lead married life),
• the child's parents themselves.

Conversation before baptism

What is needed for a boy's christening?

First of all, you should know who is buying a cross for a boy’s christening. And the godfather does this. He must buy a pectoral cross, which the child will not part with until the last days of his life, wearing it under his clothes.

For such a solemn ritual, special baptismal clothes for the boy are also necessary. What should a boy be baptized in? This could be a baptismal shirt or a special suit for a boy's baptism. Usually the baby's godmother buys clothes for christening. The outfit for this occasion should be pleasant and soft to the touch, that is, such that the hero of the occasion feels comfortable in it, then the child will not become capricious.

There is a very good tradition: if the child is not the first in the family, then he should be dressed in the baptismal attire in which his older brother or sister was baptized. Then the children will be friendly and sincerely attached to each other.

Boy's christening clothes, list:

• For the sacrament of baptism it is necessary christening shirt- a universal outfit that is suitable for both a boy’s christening and a girl’s christening. Traditionally it is white. You can sew such a shirt yourself without any problems, but now there is a wide selection of clothes for this occasion with different designs and different styles. You just need to remember that the outfit in which boys (and girls) are baptized should be easy to take off and put on, be fairly loose, not pinch, not squeeze, not rub. Let it be better with a larger allowance. It’s worth paying attention to the fabric – no synthetics! The baby's body in clothes made of natural fabric will breathe freely.
• Will not interfere socks or booties to match the main shirt (they are removed during the ritual).
• The girl needs headscarf or cap. A boy is not required to cover his head in church.
• Often tied to a child’s chest bib. From a purely practical point of view, this is a very important item: during the anointing of the baby with oil, it will not allow the baptismal robe to get dirty.
• There is also such an important item that is needed for christenings, which is called kryzhma. This is a white, brand new diaper (or towel) in which the baby is wrapped after taking him out of the bath. This is perhaps the main attribute in baptism. Often in the corner it is embroidered with the memorable date of christening and the name of the new Christian. After the ritual, the kryzhma is not washed off for a year. It is believed that during the days of a child’s illness or during restless sleep, it can provide healing and calm if the patient is covered with it.

Boy's christening clothes (photo)

When is the best time to baptize a child?

Most often, parents decide this issue themselves. But if you listen to the recommendations of the Church, then it is better to do this as early as possible. This is justified by the fact that the rite of baptism cleanses a boy from original sin and includes him in the membership of the Church with the descent of God's grace on him.

Most often, they decide to baptize a baby after 40 days of age. In religion since the times of the Old Testament, 40 has been a significant number, but in our time it is more associated with female physiology due to the postpartum period. As for the baby himself, it is at this age that children are not yet afraid of strangers and will behave at such a crucial moment much calmer than older ones.

It is also worth remembering this point that children under three months of age are not afraid if they are dipped into water with their heads, since they still retain the reflexes of intrauterine development, which allow them to hold their breath.

On what days are babies baptized? This can be absolutely any day - a holiday or a weekend, fast or ordinary, which you agree in advance with the priest of the parish whose church you are visiting. After all, each temple has its own schedule. If for some reason a free day at the nearest temple does not suit you, you can contact another temple or even several.

It’s not bad if there is a separate room on the territory or in the temple building itself where baptism is carried out. It is specially adapted for such events, it is heated, and it is not visited by strangers.

If this is a fundamental question for you, then you can find out how many more children will be baptized on the day you choose. If it is crowded, you can arrange for baptism to take place on an individual basis.

It is permissible to carry out the ceremony at home, although this, of course, is much less solemn.

How is a boy's christening going?

The sacrament of baptism itself, of course, takes place exactly the same for both boys and girls, with all the necessary actions performed. There are only a few points where differences are observed.

1. The baptism of a boy allows only the presence of a godfather, and there may not be a godmother, while for a girl it is the other way around. But this is not a categorical requirement: there can only be a godmother.
2. The question often arises: when there is both a godfather and a godmother, who holds the boy at baptism? During the entire ceremony, before the baby is dipped into the font (or, which is also acceptable, before pouring blessed water over him), the godmother holds the baptized person, and after that the godfather takes him - receives him. That is why godparents are also called the old Slavic word “godparents”.
3. At the end of the ceremony, the priest brings the boy into the altar - as evidence that he is the future head of the family, which is the home Church. And only men have the right to serve at the altar.
4. And if a girl, like a woman in general in church, needs to cover her head, then a boy does not need a cap.

Godparents, who have learned the rules for baptizing a boy, should become a role model for the grown-up godson, constantly pray for him, teach him faith and the fight against evil. The godson, accordingly, should feel their interest in his spiritual world and concern for himself.

Rite of Baptism