How is the sacrament of infant baptism

In the Orthodox teaching there is a special rite - the sacrament of the infant's baptism, in which the child departs from the sinful life ("dies") and is reborn from the Holy Spirit into a spiritual, bright world. This custom is performed only once, because birth can not be repeated. Many people do not understand its seriousness, do it for the sake of not being different from others. Let's figure out why this rite is needed, how it happens and how to prepare for it.

Why it is necessary to be baptized

The sacrament of infant baptism liberates from the ancestral sin, that is, from the guilt of Adam and Eve, who violated the prohibition of God, succumbed to the temptation of the Devil to eat a forbidden apple. Thus, a person becomes a member of the Temple and can receive help in prayers. There is a desire to live not for oneself, but for God and other people. Becoming a Christian should keep the commandments of the Lord. The main thing in the sacrament is that the believer is born for eternity, that is, after death passes into the Kingdom of Heaven.

Preparing for the sacrament of infant baptism

First of all, it is necessary to determine who will be godparents. If only one person is suitable, then this is permissible. In extreme cases, if there are no suitable people, the ministers of the Church conduct a rite without godparents. The elect must believe in God and go to church, especially before baptism. They need to pray, confess and receive communion, know the Symbol of Faith.

To conduct this solemn custom, you will need a baptismal set, which you can buy in the church. It includes a white shirt (can be embroidered) and a cross. You should also buy a towel or a sheet to wrap the child after bathing.

How does the sacrament of the child's baptism take place?

You can conduct this celebration right after delivery. However, many mothers would like to be present at this festival, but they are forbidden to enter the temple for 40 days. After that they can visit the Church.

The sacrament of the infant's baptism begins as follows: three candles are lit, and the priest reads prayers and bypasses the temple. At this time the godparents hold a child in his arms wrapped in ordinary diapers or a blanket. After reading, the followers will be asked to turn to the west, since symbolically there is Satan. The priest will make appeals to the godparents, to which they should sincerely and confidently answer in place of the child. First he will ask: "Do you renounce Satan, his pride and from serving him?" The answer is: "I renounce". Then he will say: "Dun and spit upon him." This action is considered the true contempt of the devil. After that, he asks to turn to the east and asks the question: "Do you combine Christ?", Which should be answered: "I am combined." This means that the godmothers give the word to God about the faithfulness of the baby to God. Then the recipients recite the learned Symbol of Faith by heart . Then the priest reads the prayer petition, sanctifying the oil and water, in which the child will bathe. Then he anoints the baby with holy oil, then takes it, crosses it, bathes it, pronouncing a prayer speech.

Now, from the hands of the priest, the child is transferred to one of the godparents in a diaper with laces (baptismal kryzhma). It must be wiped off from moisture, then put on a christening shirt and a cross. After that, the sacrament of chrismation is held, where the priest anoints the child with the Holy world, performs tonsure, while reading prayers. The sacrament of infant baptism ends with the blessing to leave the Church with the need to kiss the cross.