Church Sacrament: the rules of the baptism of children

The baptism of a child is one of the Sacraments of the Orthodox Church. It is necessary for him to save the soul and for the possibility of spiritual life. After all, it is believed that God so bestows his grace and protection.

The most important rules for the baptism of children prescribetheir parents to be Orthodox and believing people. Baptizing their child, they from the very childhood endow him with love for the Most High, granting faith. Let's take a closer look at this process.

1. Any child is baptized not earlier than on40th day after his birthday. The fact is that until this time the Church can not accept the worldly mother of the baby within its walls, since it considers it impure. If there is an extreme need for baptism, then it can be done without it. At the end of this period, a prayer for the mothers is read over the mother, after which she has the right to participate in church activities.
2. There is a lot of controversy around onean ambiguous rule for the baptism of children - the prohibition of baptism in Lent. So, is it possible to conduct a rite during the main post? Of course yes! One of the favorite periods for the Sacrament is the Day of the Angel (or Saint), in honor of which the baby was given a name.
3. There are several prescriptions about the fact,who should consent to the baptism of a child at one or another age. Before your child is seven years old, permission can only be obtained from the parents. When the child grows up (age from seven to fourteen years old), consent to this church rite is asked both from the parents and from the child himself. When he turns fourteen, no permission from the mother and father is required.
4. Before the sacrament, it is advisable for the secular (present) and spiritual (future) parents of the child to confess and receive communion.
5. The rules for the baptism of children prescribe the presence ofthe obligatory order of a christening white shirt and a new towel. After the end of the Sacrament, the parents take these things home and keep them. It is said that in everyday life the baptismal towel calms and heals the baby from any illness (if it is wrapped in it).
6. A silver cross and an icon for the baby are given by his future godparents.
7. Before the beginning of the Sacrament it is necessary to take care of the presence of several candles.
8. There are special prayers for baptismthe child that the priest reads during the Sacrament. It is the reading of prayers, as well as the triple immersion of the child in the font are the main moments in the fulfillment of this church procedure.
9. The heads of women at the ceremony should be covered with a handkerchief, and they themselves are dressed in a skirt or a dress. Those who have a menstrual cycle are not admitted to this ceremony at all.
10. After the Sacrament, it is necessary to continuecelebration in the house where the child lives. Parents cover the table, invite relatives, close friends and, of course, godparents and mother, who, by the way, leave the holiday last. It is believed that the child after baptism is under the protection of the Lord himself, so in no case should you drink alcohol, overshadowing a great event. Remember, baptism should carry the joy and spiritual development of all its participants!