Baptism is a very important event in the life of Orthodox believers. You can only be baptized once in a lifetime, because the rite of baptism is the spiritual birth of a new person. The memory of this event is kept all my life.
The most important thing for a baby’s baptism is the godparents. The choice of godparents (they are also called recipients) should be approached with all seriousness. Their duty is to help the parents of the child in all that relates to his Christian upbringing, to pray for him. This is a big responsibility, a lot of effort must be given to this. Not every person can be a real godfather, but not a formal one, who is indifferent to his godson and does not pay attention to him. Moreover, the failure of the godparents to fulfill their duties is a sin.
There are quite a few requirements for godparents. Godparents must be baptized and Orthodox, parents cannot be godparents of their child, husband and wife cannot be godparents of one child. Also, children cannot be godparents, as they are not yet able to give an account of their faith. Mad due to illness they are not able to vouch for the faith of the godson, nor teach him faith.
Ask the church what you need to prepare for the baptism of the baby. You will definitely need krizhma - a piece of canvas made of white fabric, into which the baptized baby is swaddled after the end of the sacrament, a towel (in order to wipe the baby immediately after the font). The boy needs to prepare a new white shirt, for girls - a dress, a bonnet or a scarf.
A consecrated cross is also needed. Traditionally, the recipient gives it to the godson. Any Orthodox believer is supposed to wear a cross after baptism without removing it, the same applies to infants. It is better if the cross is made of light metal, and instead of a chain, use a soft tape made of natural material that will not rub the baby's skin. Then, when the child grows up, the tape can be replaced with a chain.
The baptismal rite lasts quite a long time, so stock up on everything that you usually take, say, for a walk: replaceable diapers, a nipple, a bottle of water, food, diapers. Be sure to grab a second set of baby clothes, a towel. You need to be able to wipe and change the baby, if necessary.
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