When a baby is born, his soul and body are defenseless, therefore, the sooner he is baptized, the sooner he will find his own and learn faith in God. Up to 7 years of age, it is customary to assign godparents to children. But what to do if unforeseen situations arise when such people are simply not around. The question arises: “Is it possible to baptize a child without godparents?”

Cases of performing a ritual without godparents

Our life is a series of events in which it happens that the Christian rite of baptism must be performed regardless of whether godparents are nearby or not.

1. The child is seriously ill. In this case, anything can happen, the baby can die at any moment or he will have a serious operation. Then the little man should be baptized right in the hospital. This ritual can be performed by anyone. To do this, you should bring blessed water from the church. If this is not possible, take the usual one. Then, pouring this water on the head, say these or similar words: “God’s servant (name) is baptized in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen". After this, you can go to church and ask the clergyman to complete the baptism according to all the rules. You can also choose Orthodox godparents for your child in the future.
2. There are no people nearby Orthodox faith who adhere to God's Laws. Sometimes parents cannot entrust their child to people who have nothing to do with the faith, and it is impossible to appoint godparents from among friends and acquaintances who will not raise the child in Orthodoxy.
3. The godparents are far away. There are situations when close person is located several kilometers away, but you really want him to become the spiritual mentor of your child. The Church approaches this situation differently. Some clergy do not advise choosing godparents who cannot be with the godson. Others think that there is nothing wrong with this. A person, even being far away, can take part in the life of a child and will be able to convey to him the basic commandments.

It is best to baptize a child in infancy, then he will be reliably protected from all the evil that exists in this world. In addition, this is the revival of the human soul.

Most often, baptism is carried out after the baby turns 40 days old, because all this time the mother cannot attend church, and the baby needs to feel under the protection of the mother’s wing when performing the sacrament. Therefore, as soon as a woman is cleansed after generational sin, she can immediately take part in baptism.

If the mother trusts the chosen godparents, then baptism can be carried out on the 8th day after birth without her presence.

Required preparation:

• purchase a pectoral cross. If it is purchased in a regular jewelry store, then it must first be consecrated;
• buy kryzhma - a towel for wiping the baby. After the sacrament it must be preserved. It is believed that in case of illness it helps to alleviate the child’s condition. To do this, you need to dry your baby with this towel every day after bathing;
• Prepare comfortable clothes for the baby so that they can be taken off and put on easily and quickly.

The rite of baptism is always the same. But in order for the baby to be calm, you should come to church early, let the child get used to the new place, then he will be less nervous and capricious.

Then you can prepare the baby - undress and wrap it in a baptismal towel. Next comes the ceremony itself. There is no need to worry that you might do something wrong. Father will tell you what to do.

What does the Church advise if the baby does not have godparents?

Try to find at least one of the godparents. The girl is a godmother, and the boy is a spiritual mentor. Children should trust other parents and seek any help.

If, after all, there are no such people, the Church answers the question “Is it possible to baptize a child without godparents?” positively. The baby should not be deprived of the sacrament of baptism due to the lack of spiritual mentors. In addition, during baptism, this role is taken on by the priest who conducts the ritual.

Remember, it is necessary to baptize a child, then his life will be under reliable protection and his guardian angel.

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 descends on 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 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 can affect the timing of the baptism of an 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 the more prayers addressed to an 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 only the mother and father, the priest and the recipients can know the church name.

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

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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.

The priest will be able to tell you more about the sacrament and instruct the godparents, with whom a preliminary conversation must be held. Parents of the child can also attend.

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 often visit your home, since he is responsible for the upbringing of the little man, primarily 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?

The laws of baptism in the Orthodox Church are such that the following cannot become a godparent:

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.

If twins are growing up in a family, then they need to be baptized in different days, but another pair of godparents is not needed for this - it is enough to find two reliable and pious people

Memo for godparents

• Appearance. The baby's adoptive parents must come to church with their crosses around their necks. 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 the baptism of a newborn child and preparation 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 get better. 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 required to prepare for the rite of baptism small child and themselves. 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.

Traditionally, baptism takes place on the premises of a church, but in some circumstances parents may request an outdoor ceremony - for example, at home or in the maternity ward

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 a little boy is christened, he is in the temple without a headdress.

If both godparents participate in the ceremony, then first the boy holds the child godmother, and after bathing in the font, his 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.

Is it possible for an adult to be baptized without godparents?

To answer the question whether it is possible to baptize a child without godparents, it is enough to read the sequence of the sacrament of Baptism, then a lot will become clear to us. The sequence is compiled for adults, that is, it contains places where the person being baptized says prayers and answers questions to the priest. When we baptize a child, the godparents are responsible for him and read his prayers. Therefore, it is obvious that the sacrament of Baptism of a child cannot take place without adults. But an adult is able to profess his faith himself.

Is it possible to baptize a child without one of the godparents?

The question of whether it is possible to baptize a child without a godmother can be answered in the same way as the question of whether it is possible to baptize a child without a godfather. If it was not possible to find a person capable of taking on the responsibilities of a godmother or father, it is possible to perform the sacrament of baptism without one of the parents. In this case, it will be more important for a girl if she has a godmother, and for a boy - a godfather.

Is it possible to baptize a child without godparents?

IN in this case, baptism can only be performed under the following circumstances:
The child's life is in danger, he is in serious condition. At such a moment, baptism can be performed by a priest or any layman by pouring holy water on the baby’s head three times and saying the words: “God’s servant (me) (name) is baptized in the name of the Father. Amen. And the Son. Amen. And the Holy Spirit. Amen". If after baptism by a layman the baby survives and recovers, then you need to turn to the Church and complete the Sacrament of Baptism with Confirmation.
If no godfather is found for the child, the priest can take on the responsibilities of godparents and say prayers for the child himself. If the priest knows the baby, then he will be able to take care of him and instruct him in the faith, but if not, then he will remember the godson in prayer at every service. Not all priests take on such responsibility, so in different churches the question of whether it is possible to baptize a child without godparents is answered differently.
Still, it is better to try to ensure that your child has two godparents, just like two siblings (see How to choose godparents). Indeed, in later life he will need to see not only the example of the life of his parents, but also other people who visit the temple and try to live according to God’s commandments.

Is it possible to baptize a godfather's child?

Become a godmother or godfather possible for any child, unless, of course, he is your own. There is even a pious tradition in Orthodox families baptize each other's children: this makes it easier to maintain connections and communicate with godchildren.

Is it possible for godfathers to baptize a child?

Of course, people who become godparents for one child can become godparents for another, there are no obstacles to this.

Is it possible to baptize a child at home?

It is advisable that the baby be baptized in a church, because after baptism there is still a prayer for churching: the boy is brought into the altar, the girl is placed on the soleya, from where her mother receives her.
There are times when a child is sick or there is no temple nearby, and it is not possible to take the child far away. You can invite a priest to your home, then the priest will read the prayers for churching when the baby is brought to church. Bringing the child to church after baptism and giving him communion is the responsibility of the godparents and birth parents.

Is it possible to baptize two children?

Yes, if a family is baptizing two or more children at the same time, you can ask the same people to be their godparents. It will be even better this way, because two children have the same natural parents and will also have the same godparents.

Is it possible for spouses to baptize a child?

This question cannot be answered affirmatively. There is such a thing as spiritual kinship between godparents; it is impossible in the presence of a marital relationship. Therefore, a husband and wife cannot baptize a child.

Is it possible for a couple to baptize a child?

Godparents must have a spiritual relationship with each other, therefore, even if a couple lives in a civil marriage and they are not registered as husband and wife, they cannot be the child’s godparents.
If young people do not have a marital relationship, but intend to get married in the future, they will also not be able to become godparents of one child.

Is it possible for relatives to baptize a child?

A child can be baptized by any relatives, except for the mother, father and relatives who are spouses, since spouses cannot be godparents.

Is it possible to refuse to baptize a child?

If you have many godchildren and you know that you will not be able to properly care for the new godchild, you are in another city or another country, and you do not know the child’s family well, it is better to refuse to baptize the baby. But if there is a possibility that the child will not be baptized at all because of your refusal, it is better to agree and ask God for help.

Is it possible to baptize several children?

If parents are baptizing several of their children, then it will be very desirable that the same people be godparents. Then the children will have the same godparents, just like their relatives. It will be easier for godparents to take care of raising all the children together. It is possible to baptize several children at the same time - not siblings.

Is it possible to baptize a child twice? Is it possible to baptize a child a second time?

Such questions are rare, but still asked in the Church. The Sacrament of Baptism itself is performed on a person only once. After all, the meaning of this sacrament is a person’s acceptance of the Orthodox faith and his recognition as a member of the Church. But there are several cases when such a question may arise:
If children do not know whether they were baptized or not. This happens if a child has lost his natural parents, or there is a possibility that the child was secretly baptized by one of his relatives. In this case, it is necessary to inform the priest about this, then the sacrament of Baptism is performed according to a different rite. The priest says the words: “The servant of God (name) is baptized (if not baptized) in the name of the Father. Amen. And the Son. Amen. And the Holy Spirit. Amen".
If the child was urgently baptized by a layman. Such baptism is performed if there was a danger to the child’s life, but he later recovered. Then you need to come to Church and complete the sacrament of Baptism with Confirmation.
If the child was baptized in a different faith. The Orthodox Church recognizes the sacrament of Baptism in other denominations as valid in cases where the sacrament of Baptism is performed according to a similar rite and if in this denomination the institution of the priesthood and apostolic succession in the ordination of priests have been preserved. Only Catholicism and the Old Believers can be classified as such confessions (but only that direction where the priesthood has been preserved). After baptism in the Catholic faith, you need to complete the sacrament of Baptism with confirmation, since in Catholic Church Confirmation is performed separately from baptism at a later age (about 15 years).

Is it possible to baptize a sick child?

If a child is seriously ill, then baptism is necessary; it can even be performed in a hospital or at home. If the baby’s life is in danger, then, as a last resort, he can even be baptized by a layman.

Is it possible to baptize a child in absentia?

Baptism, like any sacrament, is a sacrament in which the invisible grace of God is communicated to the believer under a visible image. The sacrament of Baptism requires the physical presence of the person being baptized, the priest and the godparents. A sacrament is not just prayer; performing a sacrament in absentia is impossible.

Is it possible to baptize a child during Lent?

IN Orthodox Church There are no days when a child cannot be baptized. The baptism of a child can be performed on any day agreed upon with the priest and godparents. Usually the question of whether it is possible to baptize a child during Lent arises due to the fact that the sacrament of weddings in the Church is not performed during Lent. Fasting is a time for repentance and abstinence from fasting food and marital intimacy, therefore there are restrictions for weddings, but not baptism. Is it possible to baptize a child during Lent? Of course, yes, and on any day of Lent, and on holidays, and on the eve of fasting days and holidays.

Is it possible to baptize a child on Saturday?

Sunday services are held in all churches, urban and rural. Therefore, most often baptism is performed on Saturday: after baptism, you can participate in the service and give the child communion the next day on Sunday.

Is it possible to baptize a child at Epiphany?

IN Ancient Church due to the spread large quantity In the case of heresies, baptism was preceded by a long period of instruction in the faith, which lasted up to 3 years. And the catechumens (learners) received baptism on the Epiphany of the Lord (at that time this holiday was called Enlightenment) and on Holy Saturday before Easter. The celebration of Baptism these days was a great holiday in the Church. If you decide to baptize a child on Epiphany (Epiphany), then not only will you not violate the canons of the Church, but you will also follow the ancient Christian tradition.

Is it possible to baptize a child with menstruation?

The days of a woman’s purification in the Church are called impurity; many restrictions for women in the Old Testament are associated with these days. Today, it is not appropriate for a woman in uncleanness to touch sacred objects (icons, crosses) or to receive sacraments. Therefore, when choosing the day for a child’s baptism, it is advisable to take this circumstance into account. However, baptism is performed on the child, and not on his godmother or birth mother; a woman in uncleanness, if necessary, can be present at the sacrament, but should not touch the shrines.

Is it possible to baptize a child under a different name?

There is a belief that the baby should be baptized under a different name, and no one should know his baptismal name, otherwise the child’s energy will be spoiled. These are all rumors that have nothing to do with Holy Scripture and Sacred Tradition. The child can be baptized with another name, but most often this is done if the child’s real name is not in the list of names of Orthodox saints (see Choosing a name according to the calendar).

Why does a child need godparents and who can become godparents?

A child, especially a newborn baby, cannot say anything about his faith, cannot answer the priest’s question whether he renounces Satan and unites with Christ, cannot understand the meaning of the Sacrament that is taking place. However, it is impossible to leave him outside the Church before he becomes an adult, since only in the Church there is the grace necessary for his correct growth, for the preservation of his physical and spiritual health. Therefore, the Church performs the Sacrament of Baptism over the baby and itself assumes the obligation to raise him in the Orthodox faith. The church is made up of people. She fulfills her obligation to properly raise a baptized child through those whom she calls godparents or godparents.
The main criterion for choosing a godfather or godmother should be whether this person can subsequently help in the good, Christian upbringing of the person received from the font, and not only in practical circumstances, as well as the degree of acquaintance and simply the friendliness of the relationship.
Concern for expanding the circle of people who will seriously help the newborn child made it undesirable to invite closest physical relatives as godfather and godfather. It was believed that they, due to natural kinship, would help the child. For the same reason, they tried to prevent brothers and sisters from having the same godfather. Therefore, natural grandparents, brothers and sisters, uncles and aunts became recipients only as a last resort.
Now, when getting ready to baptize a child, young parents often do not think about who to choose as godparents. They do not expect their child’s godparents to seriously participate in his upbringing and invite people who, due to their lack of roots in church life, cannot fulfill the duties of godparents to be godparents. It also happens that people become godparents who are completely unaware that they have received a truly great honor. Most often, the honorary right to be godparents is given to close friends or relatives who, having performed simple actions during the Sacrament and eaten all kinds of dishes at the festive table, rarely remember their duties, sometimes completely forgetting about the godchildren themselves.
However, when inviting godparents, you need to know that Baptism, according to the teachings of the Church, is a second birth, that is, “birth of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5), which is described as necessary condition Jesus Christ spoke of salvation. If physical birth is a person’s entry into the world, then Baptism becomes entry into the Church. And the child is accepted at his spiritual birth by his adopters - new parents, guarantors before God for the faith of the new member of the Church they have accepted. Thus, only Orthodox, sincerely believing adults who are capable of teaching a godson the basics of faith can be godparents (minors and the mentally ill cannot be godparents). But do not be alarmed if, when agreeing to become a godfather, you do not fully meet these requirements. high requirements. This event can be a wonderful opportunity for self-education.
The Church considers spiritual kinship to be as real as natural kinship. Therefore, in the relationship between spiritual relatives there are the same features as in relation to natural relatives. Currently, the Russian Orthodox Church, on the issue of marriages of spiritual relatives, adheres only to the 63rd rule of the VI Ecumenical Council: marriages between godchildren and their godchildren, godchildren and the physical parents of a godson and godchildren among themselves are impossible. In this case, the husband and wife are allowed to be the adoptive parents of different children in the same family. Brother and sister, father and daughter, mother and son can be godparents of the same child.
Pregnancy of the godmother is a completely acceptable condition for participation in the Sacrament of Baptism.

What are the responsibilities of godparents?

The obligations that recipients assume before God are very serious. Therefore, godparents must understand the responsibility they take on. Godparents are obliged to teach their godchildren to resort to the saving Sacraments of the Church, mainly Confession and Communion, to give them knowledge about the meaning of worship, the features of the church calendar, and the power of grace miraculous icons and other shrines. Godparents must teach those received from the font to attend church services, fast and observe other provisions of the Church Charter. But the main thing is that godparents should always pray for their godson.
Their responsibilities also include taking care of protecting their godchildren from all kinds of temptations and temptations, which are especially dangerous in childhood and adolescence. Godparents, knowing the abilities and character traits of those perceived by them from the font, can help them determine their path in life and give advice in choosing an education and a suitable profession. Advice in choosing a spouse is also important; According to the custom of the Russian Church, it is the godparents who prepare the wedding for their godson. And in general, in cases where natural parents do not have the opportunity to financially provide for their children, this responsibility is primarily assumed not by grandparents or other relatives, but by godparents.
A frivolous attitude towards the duties of a godfather is a grave sin, since the fate of the godson depends on it. Therefore, you should not thoughtlessly agree to the invitation to become a godson, especially if you already have one godson. Refusal to become a godfather should also not be taken as insult or neglect.

Is it worth agreeing to be a godfather if the child’s parents are not churchgoers?

In this case, the need for a godfather increases, and his responsibility only intensifies. After all, how else will a child be able to come to Church?
However, while fulfilling the duty of a foster parent, one should not reproach parents for their frivolity and lack of faith. Patience, Forbearance, Love and Continuous Work spiritual education the child may turn out to be irrefutable proof of the truth of Orthodoxy for his parents.

How many godfathers and mothers can a person have?

Church rules provide for the presence of one godparent (godparent) when performing the Sacrament of Baptism. For a boy being baptized, this is his godfather; for a girl, he is his godmother.
But since the responsibilities of godparents are numerous (for example, in special cases godparents replace the physical parents of their godson), and the responsibility before God for the fate of the godson is very great, the Russian Orthodox Church has developed a tradition of inviting two godparents - a godfather and a godmother. There cannot be any other godparents besides these two.

How should future godparents prepare for the Sacrament of Baptism?

Preparation for the Sacrament of Baptism involves studying the Gospel, the foundations of Orthodox doctrine, and the basic rules of Christian piety. Fasting, confession and Communion before Baptism are not formally obligatory for godparents. A believer must adhere to these rules constantly. It would be good if during baptism at least one of the godparents could read the Creed.

What things should you bring with you to Baptism and which godparent should do it?

For baptism you will need a baptismal set (the candle shop will recommend it to you). Mainly this is a baptismal cross and a baptismal shirt (no need to bring a cap). Then you will need a towel or sheet to wrap the child after the bath. According to established tradition, the godfather buys a cross for a boy, and the godmother for a girl. It is customary to bring a sheet and a towel to the godmother. But it won’t be a mistake if one person buys everything you need.

Is it possible to become a godfather in absentia without participating in the Baptism of an infant? ?

Church tradition does not know “absentee-appointed” godparents. The very meaning of succession shows that godparents must be present at the Baptism of the child and, of course, give their consent to this honorary title. Baptism without any recipients at all is performed only in special circumstances, for example, when the child’s life is in serious danger.

Can representatives of other Christian denominations, in particular Catholics, become godparents?

The Sacrament of Baptism makes a person a part of the Mystical Body of Christ, a member of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. Such a Church, founded by the apostles and preserving the dogmatic teaching of the Ecumenical Councils intact, is only the Orthodox Church. In the Sacrament of Baptism, the recipients act as guarantors of the faith of their godson and accept the responsibility before God to raise him in the Orthodox faith.
Of course, a person who does not belong to the Orthodox Church cannot fulfill such duties.

Can parents, including those who adopted a child, be godparents for him?

During Baptism, the person being baptized enters into a spiritual relationship with his recipient, who becomes his godfather or godmother. This spiritual kinship (1st degree) is recognized by the canons as more important than kinship in the flesh (53 canon of the VI Ecumenical Council), and is fundamentally incompatible with it.
Parents, including those who have adopted a child, can under no circumstances be the adopters of their own children: neither both together, nor each individually, otherwise such a close degree of kinship would form between the parents that would make the continuation of their marital cohabitation impermissible.

Name day. How to determine the name day

How to determine the name day- This is the question asked by every person who has at least once thought about the meaning of his name.

Name day- this is not a holiday of a name - it is a day of remembrance of the saint in whose honor the person was named. As you know, in Rus' the child’s name was given according to the calendar - the church calendar - and the parents prayerfully hoped that the child would live his life worthy of the name of the saint who became the baby’s patron. Over the years of atheism in Russia, the meaning of tradition has been forgotten - now a person is first given a name, and then, growing up, he seeks church calendar to find out when the day of his memory is, when to celebrate name day. The word name day comes from the word “namesake”, “namesake saint” - the modern “namesake” comes from the same word. That is, name day is the holiday of a saint bearing the same name.

Often parents choose a name for the child in advance, having a special love for one or another saint, then the day of the Angel is no longer associated with the birthday.

How to determine your name day if there are several saints with this name?

The name of the saint whose memory follows your birthday is determined by the calendar, for example by Orthodox calendar. As a rule, the name day is the day following the birthday of the saint whose name the Christian bears. For example, for Anna, born on November 20, Angel's Day will fall on December 3 - the day following her birthday, when St. Anna, and her saint will be St. mts. Anna of Persia.

You should remember this nuance: in 2000, at the Council of Bishops, the new martyrs and confessors of Russia were glorified: if you were baptized before 2000, then your saint is chosen from the saints glorified before 2000. For example, if your name is Catherine, and you were baptized before the glorification of the new martyrs, then your saint is St. Great Martyr Catherine, if you were baptized after the Council, then you can choose St. Catherine, whose memorial date is closer to your birthday.

If the name you were given is not in the calendar, then at baptism the name that is closest in sound is chosen. For example, Dina - Evdokia, Lilia - Leah, Angelica - Angelina, Zhanna - Joanna, Milana - Militsa. According to tradition, Alice receives the name Alexandra in baptism, in honor of St. passion-bearer Alexandra Feodorovna Romanova, who before accepting Orthodoxy bore the name Alice. Some names in the church tradition have a different sound, for example, Svetlana is Photinia (from the Greek photos - light), and Victoria is Nike, both names mean “victory” in Latin and Greek.

How to celebrate name days?

On Angel's Day, Orthodox Christians try to confess and partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ. If the day of the angel falls on a day of fasting or fasting, then celebrations and feasts are usually transferred to non-fasting days. On non-fasting days, many invite guests to share the bright joy of the holiday with relatives and friends.

Anna It so happened that I had to give birth at a new place of residence. We don’t have any friends in this city yet, but we need to baptize the child. Is it possible to baptize children without godparents?

Orthodox priests claim that in order to carry out the Sacrament of Baptism, a child must have a godparent of the same sex. The baby's mother and father choose the second godfather or godfather at their own discretion. This is explained by the fact that the baptismal rite for infants is carried out according to the faith of his godparents. However, there are still exceptions to the rules - when a sick child in intensive care is baptized, the presence of godparents is not necessary.

In the Orthodox Church there is also such a concept as “absentee baptism.” In this case, christenings are carried out without the presence of godparents, but the names of godfathers are recorded on the child’s baptismal certificate. Meanwhile, not all priests agree to conduct baptisms in absentia, explaining their position by the fact that the absence of godparents at the Sacrament of Baptism is a sin before God.

If parents want to baptize the baby, but have not found people who can become godparents for their child, then the role of the church father can be played by the priest himself. The main thing is that the godfathers are baptized and religious people.

It happens that one of the church parents cannot attend the christening. In such a situation, the rite of baptism can be performed with the permission of the priest.

The clergy argue that it is not at all necessary to take acquaintances or girlfriends to play the role of church parents. They can be close relatives - a brother, a sister from the husband's side, nephews, aunts, uncles, and even grandparents. Therefore, if a family was forced to move to another city where there are no relatives, then close relatives can still come to the christening. Plan a celebration for the day when your chosen godfathers can attend the christening. If relatives refuse this role, then ask the priest who will conduct the baptism ceremony to be godfather for your child. Orthodox clergy will not refuse this request.

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To answer the question whether it is possible to baptize a child without godparents, it is enough to read the sequence of the sacrament of Baptism, then a lot will become clear to us. The sequence is compiled for adults, that is, it contains places where the person being baptized says prayers and answers questions to the priest. When we baptize a child, the godparents are responsible for him and read his prayers. Therefore, it is obvious that the sacrament of Baptism of a child cannot take place without adults. But an adult is able to profess his faith himself.

Is it possible to baptize a child without one of the godparents?

The question of whether it is possible to baptize a child without a godmother can be answered in the same way as the question of whether it is possible to baptize a child without a godfather. If it was not possible to find a person capable of taking over the father, it is possible to perform the sacrament of baptism without one of the parents. In this case, it will be more important for a girl if she has a godmother, and for a boy - a godfather.

Is it possible to baptize a child without godparents?

In this case, baptism can only be performed under the following circumstances:

1. The child's life is in danger, he is in serious condition. At such a moment, baptism can be performed by a priest or any layman by pouring holy water on the baby’s head three times and saying the words: “God’s servant (me) (name) is baptized in the name of the Father. Amen. And the Son. Amen. And the Holy Spirit. Amen". If after baptism by a layman the baby survives and recovers, then you need to turn to the Church and complete the Sacrament of Baptism with Confirmation.
2. If no godfather is found for the child, the priest can take over and say prayers for the child himself. If the priest knows the baby, then he will be able to take care of him and instruct him in the faith, but if not, then he will remember the godson in prayer at every service. Not all priests take on such responsibility, so in different churches the question of whether it is possible to baptize a child without godparents is answered differently.

And yet, it is better to try so that your child has two godparents, just like two relatives. After all, in later life he will need to see not only the example of the life of his parents, but also other people who visit the temple and try to live according to God's commandments.

Is it possible to baptize a godfather's child?

You can become a godmother or godfather for any child, unless, of course, he is your own. There is even a pious tradition in Orthodox families of baptizing each other’s children: this makes it easier to maintain connections and communicate with godchildren.

Is it possible for godfathers to baptize a child?

Of course, people who become godparents for one child can become godparents for another, there are no obstacles to this.

Is it possible to baptize a child at home?

It is advisable that the baby be baptized in a church, because after baptism there is still a prayer for churching: the boy is brought into the altar, the girl is placed on the soleya, from where her mother receives her.

There are times when a child is sick or there is no temple nearby, and it is not possible to take the child far away. You can invite a priest to your home, then the priest will read the prayers for churching when the baby is brought to church. Bringing the child to church after baptism and giving him communion is the responsibility of the godparents and birth parents.

Is it possible to baptize two children?

Yes, if a family is baptizing two or more children at the same time, you can ask the same people to be their godparents. It will be even better this way, because two children have the same natural parents and will also have the same godparents.

Is it possible for spouses to baptize a child?

This question cannot be answered affirmatively. There is such a thing as spiritual kinship between godparents; it is impossible in the presence of a marital relationship. Therefore, a husband and wife cannot baptize a child.

Is it possible for a couple to baptize a child?

Godparents must have a spiritual relationship with each other, therefore, even if a couple lives in a civil marriage and they are not registered as husband and wife, they cannot be the child’s godparents.

If young people do not have a marital relationship, but intend to get married in the future, they will also not be able to become godparents of one child.

Is it possible for relatives to baptize a child?

A child can be baptized by any relatives, except for the mother, father and relatives who are spouses, since spouses cannot be godparents.

Is it possible to refuse to baptize a child?

If you have many godchildren and you know that you will not be able to properly care for the new godchild, you are in another city or another country, and you do not know the child’s family well, it is better to refuse to baptize the baby. But if there is a possibility that the child will not be baptized at all because of your refusal, it is better to agree and ask God for help.

Is it possible to baptize several children?

If parents are baptizing several of their children, then it will be very desirable that the same people be godparents. Then the children will have the same godparents, just like their relatives. It will be easier for godparents to take care of raising all the children together. It is possible to baptize several children at the same time - not siblings.

Is it possible to baptize a child twice? Is it possible to baptize a child a second time?

Such questions are rare, but still asked in the Church. The Sacrament of Baptism itself is performed on a person only once. After all, the meaning of this sacrament is a person’s acceptance of the Orthodox faith and his recognition as a member of the Church. But there are several cases when such a question may arise:

1. If children do not know whether they were baptized or not. This happens if a child has lost his natural parents, or there is a possibility that the child was secretly baptized by one of his relatives. In this case, it is necessary to inform the priest about this, then the sacrament of Baptism is performed according to a different rite. The priest says the words: “The servant of God (name) is baptized (if not baptized) in the name of the Father. Amen. And the Son. Amen. And the Holy Spirit. Amen".
2. If the child was urgently baptized by a layman. Such baptism is performed if there was a danger to the child’s life, but he later recovered. Then you need to come to Church and complete the sacrament of Baptism with Confirmation.
3. If the child was baptized in a different faith. The Orthodox Church recognizes the sacrament of Baptism in other denominations as valid in cases where the sacrament of Baptism is performed according to a similar rite and if in this denomination the institution of the priesthood and apostolic succession in the ordination of priests have been preserved. Only Catholicism and the Old Believers can be classified as such confessions (but only that direction where the priesthood has been preserved). After baptism in the Catholic faith, you need to complete the sacrament of Baptism with confirmation, since in the Catholic Church, confirmation is performed separately from baptism at a later age (about 15 years).

Is it possible to baptize a sick child?

If a child is seriously ill, then baptism is necessary; it can even be performed in a hospital or at home. If the baby’s life is in danger, then, as a last resort, he can even be baptized by a layman.

Is it possible to baptize a child in absentia?

Baptism, like any sacrament, is a sacrament in which the invisible grace of God is communicated to the believer under a visible image. The sacrament of Baptism requires the physical presence of the person being baptized, the priest and the godparents. A sacrament is not just prayer; performing a sacrament in absentia is impossible.

Is it possible to baptize a child during Lent?

In the Orthodox Church there are no days when a child cannot be baptized. The baptism of a child can be performed on any day agreed upon with the priest and godparents. Usually the question of whether it is possible to baptize a child during Lent arises due to the fact that the sacrament of weddings in the Church is not performed during Lent. Fasting is a time for repentance and abstinence from fasting food and marital intimacy, therefore there are restrictions for weddings, but not baptism. Is it possible to baptize a child during Lent? Of course, yes, and on any day of Lent, and on holidays, and on the eve of fasting days and holidays.

Is it possible to baptize a child on Saturday?

Sunday services are held in all churches, urban and rural. Therefore, most often baptism is performed on Saturday: after baptism, you can participate in the service and give the child communion the next day on Sunday.

Is it possible to baptize a child at Epiphany?

In the Ancient Church, due to the spread of a large number of heresies, baptism was preceded by a long period of instruction in the faith, it lasted up to 3 years. And the catechumens (learners) received baptism on the Epiphany of the Lord (at that time this holiday was called Enlightenment) and on Holy Saturday before Easter. The celebration of Baptism these days was a great holiday in the Church. If you decide to baptize a child on Epiphany (Epiphany), then not only will you not violate the canons of the Church, but you will also follow the ancient Christian tradition.

Is it possible to baptize a child with menstruation?

The days of a woman’s purification in the Church are called impurity; many restrictions for women in the Old Testament are associated with these days. Today, it is not appropriate for a woman in uncleanness to touch sacred objects (icons, crosses) or to receive sacraments. Therefore, when choosing the day for a child’s baptism, it is advisable to take this circumstance into account. However, baptism is performed on the child, and not on his godmother or birth mother; a woman in uncleanness, if necessary, can be present at the sacrament, but should not touch the shrines.

Is it possible to baptize a child under a different name?

There is a belief that the baby should be baptized under a different name, and no one should know his baptismal name, otherwise the child’s energy will be spoiled. All these are rumors that have nothing to do with Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition. The child can be baptized with another name, but most often this is done if the child’s real name is not in the list of names of Orthodox saints