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What to do after the baptism of an adult. How does the Orthodox baptism ceremony for an adult take place?

Archpriest Alexy Mityushin

Baptism: what you need to know

The sacrament of baptism is the beginning of the life of a Christian. Preparation for this event should be as serious and meaningful as possible, both on the part of the person receiving baptism and on the part of his godparents and close people. We have collected the most important questions from readers about the sacrament of a person’s entry into Christian tradition And asked them to Archpriest Alexy Mityushin, rector of the temple Life-Giving Trinity in Kozhukhovo.

What do godfathers and godmothers need to know?

First of all, the godfather and godmother need to know the faith of Christ and, moreover, live by this faith. Because our faith is not so much in our words as in our deeds, in our very lives. If godparents do not live by faith, how can they reveal faith to their godson? In modern church practice, in most cases, godparents only have the opportunity to pray for their godchildren, and their parents raise them. Therefore, parents, like godparents, must be Christians in the full sense of the word. Before baptizing your children, you need to decide whether we are really Christians or whether we are on our own, we have our own “faith”, our own views on faith. If a person still has any doubts and stereotypes about faith and the Church, it is better to take a break and understand ourselves. Otherwise, you can deceive your children, your godchildren - baptize them, but not give them faith. This would be a profanation of the sacrament.

What is needed for Baptism?

What is needed for the baptism of a girl/boy?

For the baptism of a girl or boy, you need a new white shirt, for babies - a vest, which is either specially sewn for this event or purchased at the temple. You also need to take pectoral cross nick, a couple of towels. It is necessary to decide in honor of which saint the child will be named after baptism.

What should a godfather/godmother do before baptism?

The godfather and godmother must attend catechesis in the church, come to confession and communion before the baptism of their godson. This also needs to be done by the parents of the child who is going to be baptized.

Are godparents needed?

Do children/adults need godparents?

Of course, a person needs godparents; this is an ancient tradition of the Christian Church. Godparents are witnesses to the Church that a person will truly be raised in the Christian faith and will not only be externally called a Christian, but will also live by faith. Godparents are the spiritual father and mother for both the child and the adult. In the first centuries of Christianity, godparents acted as guarantors of the person who was brought to the Church. They were mentors to their godson. Therefore, even now you need to choose your godfather very carefully.

What prayers do you need to know for baptism?

The three main prayers that a person receiving baptism must know by heart are “Our Father,” “Virgin, Hail,” and “Creed.” In addition, before baptism a person needs to read and evening prayers, and morning. You can also read the canons, which a person will then read at the time of communion (the canon of the Savior, the Most Holy Theotokos, and the Guardian Angel).

For example, Emperor Constantine made Christianity the dominant religion of the Roman Empire and was baptized as an adult. However, before that, he lived a full church life: he prayed and went to church. Likewise, before baptism, every person must penetrate into the depths of Orthodox faith, try to read the prayer book yourself at home.

Our Father ()

Our Father, who art in heaven! Hallowed be Thy name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, as it is in heaven and on earth. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, just as we forgive our debtors; and do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Mother of God, Virgin, rejoice

Virgin Mary, Rejoice, O Blessed Mary, the Lord is with You; Blessed are You among women and blessed is the fruit of Your womb, for You have given birth to the Savior of our souls.

Creed ()

I believe in one God, the Father, Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, visible to all and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only begotten, who was born of the Father before all ages; Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, uncreated, consubstantial with the Father, to whom all things were. For our sake, man and for our salvation, who came down from heaven and became incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became human. Crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried. And he rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father. And the one who is to come will judge with glory the living and the dead, His Kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Life-Giving One, who proceeds from the Father, who is with the Father and the Son, we are worshiped and glorified, who spoke the prophets. Into one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. I hope for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the next century. Amen.

Why is baptism necessary?

In the Gospel of John we read the conversation of the Lord with His secret disciple, righteous Nicodemus, where Christ says: “Whoever is not born of water and the Spirit cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). Accordingly, we who have believed in the Savior need to be baptized in order to be with Christ forever, in order to be not just slaves, but children of God. This is why we accept baptism, in order to renounce everything sinful and enter into a holy life.

What is needed to baptize an adult?

An adult needs serious, unhurried preparation for baptism. Those who wish to be baptized should attend public conversations and talk with the priest. He will set a day on which you will need to come to confession, and will also tell you how to prepare for baptism, what to read - of course, the Gospel is obligatory. Also, it is advisable for a person who has decided to be baptized to begin attending services, because a baptized person becomes part of the Orthodox Church of Christ and a part of the parish that he chooses, in which he will live spiritually.

By observing a person before baptism, one can conclude whether after baptism he will truly live a Christian life. Unfortunately, sad suspicions are often justified - after baptism, a person’s spirit of joy very quickly disappears, everyday worries, work take over, and there is neither the opportunity nor the desire to come to church.

Before baptism, an adult needs to prepare very well and answer to himself all the questions that confuse him. Will he set him up? left cheek when they hit on the right? Why do priests go to expensive cars? Why are priests fat? Why are people angry in the temple? And for all the other “whys”. If a person does not find the answer to these questions before baptism with the help of temple catechists, priests or other parishioners, internal obstruction may subsequently occur. You should answer to yourself all the inconvenient questions, questionable questions.

In our world, when we open the Internet, watch TV or listen to the radio, we may encounter a lot of dirt, which sometimes comes even from Orthodox priests and very authoritative people. Such people really lead people away from Christ. Here it is important to enter the Church of Christ with a sober understanding and remember that only Christ is the ship of salvation that will lead us to the eternal Kingdom.

What kind of cross is needed for baptism?

Of course, a gold cross is better. Every child and even adult will be pleased to have such a cross. But seriously, any cross is suitable for baptism. The main thing is that it is durable and does not break. Regarding the size, pattern, precious metal and material, there is no difference. It is important that a person has reverence before baptism. The cross is purchased at the discretion of parents and godparents.

What clothes are needed for baptism?

Baptismal sets for both adults and children are sold in church shops. For a baby, you can just take a vest, which can be used as baptismal clothing. And for an adult you can buy a baptismal shirt, both women's and men's. All baptismal clothes white, because it symbolizes the purity of the soul and the light of the Kingdom of Christ. It also symbolizes the light of Tabor, on which Christ was transfigured.

What should you buy before baptism?

Before baptism, you need to buy a baptismal set of clothes and a pectoral cross. In the church you can buy candles for everyone who will participate in the sacrament: for parents, godparents, friends, everyone who came. These candles will be lit during baptism. You also need to purchase or take terry towels with you. Take with you an icon of the saint in whose honor the person is or will be named at baptism. Such an icon is usually given to a person by his godparents.

What should you take with you to baptism?

In addition to what is listed above, both adults and children must bring a birth certificate with them.

Are towels needed at a baptism?

Yes, towels are needed at baptisms. It is advisable to take a couple of terry, well-absorbing towels.

Is it necessary to confess and receive communion before baptism?

A person who receives baptism only needs to confess. But the parents and godfather of the child who is being baptized must both confess and receive communion. This is especially important for those who have not received communion for a long time, because it is the sacrament of the Eucharist and the sacrament of repentance that connects us with Christ and His Church.

Is communion necessary after baptism?

After baptism, it is necessary for an adult to receive communion, and for the parents of a baptized child to bring him to the cup of communion for the first time. And after that, try to take communion regularly. Best of all, every week, every Sunday.

Is it necessary to fast before baptism?

Of course, it is advisable to fast before baptism. Every person is different physical health, so it’s better to ask this question to the priest who will baptize you. He can become your spiritual father. Therefore, when choosing a priest who will baptize you, be careful and find your spiritual father before baptism.

What should you do after baptism?

After baptism, every person needs to be and remain a Christian. Multiply your good deeds. Grow and strengthen in faith. And by the example of your life, lead other people to God, preach the faith of Christ.

If we talk about practical actions, then immediately after baptism a person needs to take communion. After regularly receiving communion and confession, find yourself a spiritual father, read the Holy Scriptures and spiritual books, and make pilgrimages to holy places.

People are accustomed to the fact that the Sacrament of Baptism is modern world pass in infancy. But there are those who, for some reason, have never joined the Orthodox Church and the Lord through this spiritually cleansing rite. Wanting to convert to Orthodoxy, many at first do not know what is needed for the baptism of an adult and how to prepare for it. The main thing is a conscious desire to follow the Savior, and organizational issues will not take so much time and effort.

Spiritual cleansing

Baptism is not only entry into the Orthodox Church, but also a symbol that a person is ready to become a faithful ally and servant of God. It entails mutual obligations. For his part, those who wish to accept the rite of Baptism must be fully aware that they are doing this of their own free will. With this step, a person renounces the world’s petty vanity, evil and service to Satan. Heresy, superstition and occultism are the strictest prohibitions for a Christian believer.

When preparing to be baptized, adults are obliged to be aware of their actions, because from the moment they accept the rite, they must be ready to reconsider their life principles in favor of the Laws of God.

You cannot perform the Sacrament of Baptism because of third-party considerations: the desire to improve your health, financial situation, or hopes of changing your destiny for the better. Coming to the Lord and faith in Him is not a guide to a simple and carefree existence. It is always a struggle with one’s physical and base needs in favor of a righteous, godly existence.

To fully understand the significance of such a decision and entering into the true faith, it is very good to read New Testament, dogmatic teachings about the Holy Trinity, Lives of the Saints. It is necessary to know the basic prayers that are the stronghold of the faith of an Orthodox person, namely: “Our Father”, “Rejoice to the Virgin Mary”, “Symbol of Faith”, “Alive in Help”. Positive influence communicates with churchgoers, that is, with those who long ago came to God through the Christian faith and keep fasts, attend church, pray and repent of their sins.

Before Baptism, so-called church public conversations are always held - mandatory visits to church 3-4 times a month to talk about the dogmatic essence of the Creed. Moral aspects may also be affected in the process. human life. It all depends on the people gathered at the conversation, their answers to the questions asked by the priest and the interests of those who came to him. This is a kind of introductory course into the spiritual life of a person who follows the Lord, and into the basis of Orthodox dogma.

Without undergoing public conversations, a person wishing to be baptized will not be admitted to the Sacrament, because missing them testifies to the frivolity and fragile conviction of a person to follow God and live according to His commandments. Typically, clergy keep strict records of attendance at such events.

But all this helps more precisely to spiritually tune in to accept the rite of Baptism. What needs to be done for physical cleansing, and what stages must be completed?

Physical cleansing and practical preparation

Usually, before performing this Sacrament, a person keeps a strict fast for three days. You cannot eat animal food, drink recreational drinks, smoke, curse (this is taboo for a believer at any time) and have marital relations, much less engage in fornication. It is advisable to stop watching TV and using the Internet. If you had quarrels with someone, you must definitely forgive these people with all your heart and, if possible, make peace. All this time a person must pray.

On the eve of Baptism or on the same day, it is advisable to confess and receive communion, although today this point is not considered mandatory, since the Sacrament itself washes away all sins from a person, both the original and those committed already in conscious life. If a decision has been made about confession, then nothing can be hidden from the priest. Of course, first of all, the person being baptized must admit all sins to himself and realize that they cannot be committed in a subsequent righteous life. And a frank conversation helps you look deeper inside yourself.

For an adult over 18 years of age, there is no need to have godparents, since he himself is ready to bear responsibility for himself and his decisions, and he makes the choice of the path to follow the Lord consciously.

For the Sacrament itself you will need new light-colored clothes and shoes, a white baptismal shirt (shirt with sleeves), pectoral cross and a large towel. Also, the person being baptized should know that the procedure itself is still paid. If you have any doubts about the cross or what kind of towel you need for baptism, it is better to consult with the priest. The most detailed recommendations there are special church brochures that tell about step-by-step preparation for any of all existing Sacraments. The questions can be answered by the priest with whom the person is going to be baptized.

You cannot come to the ceremony with cosmetics or jewelry. A woman can receive the Sacrament only after the end of the natural monthly cycle of cleansing the body. It is worth remembering that Baptism is performed only once in a lifetime, since this is the birth of the human soul, and it happens once.

The Sacrament of Baptism: sequence and features of the process

The process begins with naming the person being baptized according to the calendar. If, for example, a girl’s name is Victoria, then during the ceremony she receives a Christian Nika. Then begins the renunciation of Satan and union with the Lord. The priest pronounces incantatory prayers against the devil and asks the person if he is ready to serve God. As a sign of his consent to follow the Savior, the person being baptized reads the Creed (it is advisable to know it by heart) and bows three times towards the altar. This completes the first stage - the “rite of announcement”.

Next begins the Sacrament of Baptism itself. The priest blesses the water by first pooping on it, and then adds oil to it and anoints the person being baptized with it. This stage is called “anointing with sacred oil.” It has long been believed that it gives strength for liberation from the shackles of Satan and his troops.

By this time the person remains in underwear. Women are allowed to wear a white one-piece swimsuit if they are immersed in the plunge pool three times. But in most cases, adults are not completely immersed in holy water, but only poured from a ladle onto their heads. This process empowers the baptized person with the power of the Holy Spirit to subsequently combat temptations. dark side. After leaving the water, he is put on a cross and a baptismal shirt (for a man) or a shirt with long sleeves (for a woman), and given a lit candle in his hands.

Next, Confirmation occurs with fragrant oils, through which the priest transfers the grace of the Holy Spirit to the newly baptized. A person walks around the font three times against the movement of the sun as a sign of entering into an alliance with the forces of light. This is called the "procession of the cross."

The priest reads some passages from the Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Romans and the Gospel of Matthew, revealing the essence of the ritual being performed. This is followed by prayers for the newly baptized person, washing off the fragrant oil and cutting off a lock of hair.

The last stage is churching, which consists of leading the woman to the iconostasis and leading the man to the altar. It is considered a symbol of joining faith, church and God.

In a few days you need to take communion. An adult should discuss all the nuances of preparation with the priest. Communion symbolizes complete cleansing through eating bread and wine and uniting with the risen Jesus Christ in spirit and flesh.

Every year on this day, a believer must mark the date of his new spiritual birth by coming to church for confession and communion. In addition, a baptized Christian is obliged to regularly come to church for services and observe fasts. If it is not possible to attend church once a week, then he should do so at least once a month or on established holidays. Fasting implies not only abstinence from food, but also, first of all, spiritual cleansing. If your health does not allow you to fast according to all the rules, then you need to limit yourself to something that you especially like to eat. You can eliminate bread and sweet tea or completely give up chocolate and baked goods. Consultation with the priest or churchgoers will help clarify some unclear and controversial issues.

Not so long ago, some 15 years ago, in many churches, especially large urban ones, almost every Sunday one could observe an amazing picture: the rite of mass Baptism. Sometimes up to 100 people were baptized at a time. People came to the temple with whole families. This could only be seen in the first centuries of Christianity, with only one “small” difference: then people understood well what they were doing. In our time, as is usually the case, people made the decision to be baptized spontaneously, for company, and simply as a tribute to fashion.

Although today you probably won’t see mass Baptism, unfortunately, little has changed in the attitude towards the Sacrament itself. Not everyone knows what it really is. For many, this is still just a ritual that supposedly has some magical effect or simply identifies by nationality: baptized means Russian. But it’s gratifying that not everyone approaches this the most important issue so frivolous. This is evidenced by the constant flow of questions coming to our diocesan website. It only remains to remind you that answers to many questions have already been posted on it, and before asking your own, you need to look to see if someone has already asked about something similar.

Why do you need to be baptized?

The Sacrament of Baptism is one of the main Sacraments Orthodox Church. A person’s Christian life begins with him. The Lord Himself established the sacrament of Baptism: Anyone who is not born of water and the Spirit cannot enter the Kingdom of God(In. 3 , 5). The importance of this event is also evidenced by the fact that in Rus' spiritual birth was considered more important than physical birth, so many did not even remember when they were born, and celebrated not their birthday, but the day of the angel, or name day - the day of remembrance of the saint whose name the person received at Baptism.

By accepting the Sacrament of Baptism, a person is freed from original sin and becomes a full member of the Church, that is, he receives it prayer help. This is especially necessary, of course, for infants, since they are the least protected in our unstable times. But the main thing in this Sacrament is that a person is born for eternity, it becomes possible for him to inherit the Kingdom of Heaven in the future life. For a believer, physical death is no longer death, but a sleep (that’s why those who died in Christ are called asleep).

When is the Sacrament of Baptism performed?

The Charter of the Orthodox Church allows the Sacrament of Baptism to be performed on any day of the year. However, each church has its own schedule of services, in which a strictly reserved time may be reserved for Baptism. certain time. Therefore, a few days before the expected date of Baptism, you should go to the temple where you are going to perform this Sacrament in order to find out everything that is necessary for this.

How can an adult be baptized and what is needed for this?

For an adult, the basis for receiving Baptism is faith. You need to prepare for Baptism, decide for yourself even before accepting it very important, in fact, the most important questions in life: do you personally need it, are you ready? Those who come to the baptismal font should not look here exclusively for earthly goods: health, success, or solutions to family problems. The purpose of Baptism is union with God.

However, Baptism is only a generous guarantee of our salvation. After the Sacrament has been performed, a person must begin a full-fledged church life: regularly go to church, learn about divine services, pray and study the path of approaching God with the help of the works of those who walked this path - the holy fathers. That is, to learn life in God. If this does not happen, then Baptism will have no meaning.

In ancient times, Baptism was preceded by a sufficient long period(from forty days to several months, or even years) of public conversations - instructions in faith. The person was gradually prepared to make a decision. Now in most churches, for those who are preparing for the Sacrament of Baptism, preparatory conversations are held, during which you can find out what the doctrine of the Orthodox Church is. If this practice is not followed in the temple, you can and should talk to the priest about your decision, and he will be able to at least briefly talk about the essence of the Sacrament, answer questions, and advise what to read on this topic.

Before Baptism, it is advisable to start visiting the temple (but not to stay at the liturgy after the words “Catechumens, go forth”) are said: there you can not only see how the services are held, but also meet believers who will help in acquiring necessary knowledge. We need to try to learn as much as possible about this Sacrament and start reading Orthodox literature. But first of all, you need to read the Gospel, best of all - from Matthew, since the Gospel is the law that you vow to fulfill during Baptism. Read Creed- this prayer is in any prayer book, try to study it, as it contains a confession of faith of an Orthodox Christian.

And one more thing: we must bring repentance for our entire life. Such confession is not essentially a Sacrament, but it is an ancient practice that makes it possible to comprehend, understand one’s mistakes and try not to repeat them.

To perform the Sacrament of Baptism you must have blessed cross on a chain (it is better to consecrate it in advance), a baptismal shirt (a new long one) white shirt, which must subsequently be preserved as a home shrine) and a towel, which will be needed after leaving the water.

When is the best time to baptize a newborn child? And how is a newborn given communion?

The ceremony of naming the name, which begins the Sacrament of Baptism, is usually performed on the 8th day after the birth of the baby. However, the Charter does not prohibit doing this on any of the previous days. Since the time of purification of the child’s mother continues until the fortieth day, and she can enter the temple only after this period (subject to reading a special, so-called “fortieth” prayer), the Sacrament is usually performed on the fortieth day or a little later. Baptism should not be postponed for longer late date, since the sooner a newborn baby becomes a member of the Church, the more he will be protected from the sin that surrounds him and the evil that comes from sin.

The Orthodox Church believes that a newborn can and should be given communion, and as often as possible. The Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ is not food in usual meaning this word. A person receives communion not to satisfy his flesh, but solely to establish an essential connection with the Lord. The Charter provides for the communion of infants only with the Blood of Christ, which is why they can be given communion only in full Divine Liturgy, but not at the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, which is served on Wednesdays and Fridays during Lent.

The reality of communion does not depend on the number of Holy Gifts offered to the communicant. Therefore, the entire fullness of Divine grace becomes the property of the child, who is communed with the Blood of Christ, served under the guise of such an insignificant amount of wine that it will not harm his health in any way.

How to choose a name for a child?

The name of a Christian is holy. Naming establishes a special connection between the baptized person, that is, the person who has joined the Church, and the saint whose name is chosen. This saint becomes the heavenly patron of the baptized. To him, after the Lord Jesus Christ and Mother of God, most often a believer prays. The Orthodox Church does not impose any restrictions on the choice of a name for a child, as long as it is the name of a saint revered by the Church. Lists of saints, called calendars, will help you choose a name. They are usually printed at the end of church calendars.

It may happen that the name you chose was borne by several saints. In this case, it is useful to read their lives and choose the name of the saint whose life touched you most.

In the past, there was a tradition according to which a child was named after a saint, whose memory is celebrated on the child’s birthday or on one of the days closest to it. This tradition is good because rare, sometimes almost forgotten names became alive and loved again.

If the child has already received a name that is not in the calendar, at Baptism he will be given another, most often consonant with the secular one.

Is it possible to baptize a child at home and how much does it cost?

In churches there is no price for performing the Sacrament of Baptism; there is a recommended donation amount. And if people who want to receive Baptism do not have the necessary means, then this Sacrament, of course, must be performed free of charge. As for Baptism at home, it is justified and possible only when we are talking about seriously ill person, who himself cannot get to the temple. Children are brought to church by their relatives, and if the child does not have any life-threatening diseases, then he must be baptized in the church.

How to prepare a child preschool age to the Sacrament of Baptism?

At the age of 5–6 years, a child can easily learn what the meaning of the Sacrament of Baptism is. Before performing Baptism, the child should be introduced to the main content of the Gospel, at least in the volume of the children's Bible, tell him about the earthly life of Christ, about His Theanthropic dignity, about His commandments.

It is advisable that before the Sacrament of Baptism is performed, the child repeatedly visits Orthodox church, including during worship. The child must be gradually accustomed to the life of an Orthodox Christian so that he loves the temple, understands the purpose of the icons, knows who is depicted on them, what the candle placed in front of the icon means. The child must learn to pray for himself, for his parents, for his friends and loved ones, for deceased relatives. Immediately before performing the Sacrament of Baptism, you need to learn a few simple prayers with it: Jesus Prayer, Our Father, Virgin Mary, Rejoice...

They say that parents should not attend their child's christening. Is this true?

There are no rules prohibiting parents from attending the christening of their child. The opinion that parents should not be present at the Baptism of an infant probably arose for the following reasons: Baptism is a spiritual birth, and since at this spiritual birth there are recipients who become the child’s spiritual parents, there is no need for carnal parents to be here. In addition, previously a child was baptized almost immediately after birth, so the mother could not attend the christening “according to the ordinary law of purification.”

Marina Novakova


Since ancient times, the Orthodox Church has had a custom, dating back to apostolic times, of having recipients at Baptism. They became the spiritual parents of the child and the spiritual relatives of his parents. Until relatively recently, the godfather and godfather were practically a member of the family; their presence was mandatory during all significant family events. It is gratifying that nepotism in the good sense of the word is being actively revived today.

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 recipients 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, after performing simple actions during the Sacrament and having eaten all kinds of dishes for festive table, rarely remember their responsibilities, 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 don’t be afraid if, when agreeing to become a godfather, you are not in to the fullest meet these high requirements. This event can be a wonderful occasion for self-education.

The Church considers spiritual kinship to be as real as natural kinship. Therefore, in the relationship between spiritual relatives, the same features exist 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 VI Ecumenical Council: marriages between godchildren and their godchildren, and 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 peculiarities church calendar, about the power of grace miraculous icons and other shrines. Godparents should teach those they received from the font to visit 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, give advice in choosing education and 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 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 can a child 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 of spiritual education of a child can 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 the boy being baptized, this is the recipient ( godfather), for a girl - a successor ( godmother).

But since the duties of godparents are numerous (so, in special cases, godparents replace physical parents his 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?

You can find out what you need to purchase in advance at the church where you will baptize your child. 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. Roman Catholic Church separated from the plenitude Universal Church in 1054, lost and distorted many doctrinal principles; therefore it cannot be considered the true 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 in no case 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.

Marina Novakova


Baptism of infants under 7 years of age.

For infants, the Sacrament of Baptism is performed:

Saturdays at 12.30

Sundays at 14.00

Mandatory 2 public conversations are held with godparents. On Saturday at 12.00 and on Sunday at 13.30. Without these conversations, the Sacrament of Baptism will not be performed.

Blessed cross (in the church shop all the crosses are blessed)

Two large bath towels

Baptismal shirt (can be purchased at the church store)

Birth certificate

Certificate of Baptism issued

On holidays, changes in the schedule of the Sacrament are possible.

Inquiries by phone: 421-71-41

Baptism of adults and children after 7 years.

The interview is held on Fridays at 19.00 in the temple. A total of 5 public conversations are held. After this, with the blessing of the priest, the Sacrament of Baptism is performed.

The time is appointed by the priest

For Baptism you must have:

Blessed cross

Christening shirt

Birth certificate

Towel or sheet

Slippers

After the Sacrament is performed, a Certificate of Baptism is issued.

To photograph the Sacrament of Baptism, the blessing of the priest performing the Sacrament is taken.

What is baptism and why is it performed on a person?

Baptism is a sacred act in which a believer in Christ, through triple immersion of the body in water with the invocation of the name of the Holy Trinity, is washed from original sin, as well as from all the sins committed by him before Baptism, spiritually dies to a carnal, sinful life and, being born again, clothed with the grace of God for a holy life, according to the Gospel. The Apostle says: ≪ We were buried with Him through baptism into death, so that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.≫ (Rom. 6:4).

Without Baptism you cannot enter the Church of Christ and become a partaker of the grace-filled life.

How many times can you be baptized?

Baptism is a spiritual birth, which, like carnal birth, cannot be repeated. Just as at physical birth, the external appearance of a person is laid down once and for all, so Baptism puts an indelible stamp on the soul, which is not erased, even if the person has committed countless sins.

What should a person do who does not know whether he has been baptized and has no one to ask?

If an adult who wishes to be baptized does not know for sure whether he was baptized as a child or whether he was baptized by a layman, but it is not known whether it was done correctly, then in this case he should receive Baptism from a priest, warning him of his doubts.

What is needed for Baptism?

To receive Baptism, an adult requires a voluntary and conscious desire to become a Christian, based on strong faith and heartfelt repentance.

How to prepare for Baptism?

The preparation for Holy Baptism is true repentance. Repentance is an essential condition for Baptism to be accepted in a worthy manner, for the salvation of the soul. Such repentance consists of recognizing one’s sins, regretting them, confessing them (in a confidential conversation with a priest, which is held immediately before baptism), leaving a sinful life, and realizing the need for a Redeemer.

Before Baptism, you need to get acquainted with the basics of the Orthodox faith, with the “Symbol of Faith,” with the prayers “Our Father,” “Virgin Mother of God, rejoice ...” and try to learn them. Public conversations for those wishing to be baptized, which are held daily in our church, will also help. It is advisable to read the New Testament, the Law of God and the Catechism. It is important to accept the teachings of Christ with all your heart and mind, and then at the appointed time come to the temple on an empty stomach, having with you a cross, a white shirt and a towel.

When should a child be baptized? What is needed for this?

Specific time for performing the Sacrament of Infant Baptism church rules not installed. Orthodox Christians usually baptize their children between the eighth and fortieth day of life. Postponing the baptism of children after their fortieth birthday is undesirable; this indicates a lack of faith among parents who deprive their child of the grace of the Church Sacraments.

Are godparents required?

For children under 12-14 years of age, godparents (fathers) are obligatory, because the children themselves cannot consciously profess their faith, and godparents vouch for the faith of those being baptized. According to the rules of the 7th Ecumenical Council (787), from the moment of baptism, a child becomes a relative of the same sex as a recipient. Therefore, for the baptism of an infant, one godfather is required, two are not necessary. Adults can be baptized without godparents.

Where does the custom of having godparents come from?

During the times of persecution of Christians, when Christians gathered in a secret place to celebrate the Liturgy and prayers, a convert was accepted into the community only if he had a guarantor who prepared him for Baptism.

Who can be godfather?

All baptized and churchgoers, except for parents and other close relatives.

Who can't be a godfather?

Godparents cannot be:

1) children (the foster child must be at least 15 years old, the foster child must be at least 13 years old);

2) people are immoral and insane (mentally ill);

3) non-Orthodox;

4) husband and wife - for one person being baptized;

5) monks and nuns;

6) parents cannot be the guardians of their children.

Can a godfather marry a godfather?

According to the decrees adopted in the Russian Orthodox Church, which in turn are based on the decrees of the VI Ecumenical Council: marriage is impossible between the godfather, the goddaughter and the parents of the person being baptized. All other cases are permissible.

Can his mother be present at the Baptism of a baby while she is a month old?

He can be present, but in this case the ritual of churching the baby will not be performed, which consists of reading prayers relating to the mother and baby and bringing the baby to the throne or the royal doors (depending on gender), as if before the face of the Lord Himself. To be churched means to be introduced into the church assembly, to be numbered among the assembly of the faithful. Such inclusion is accomplished through the Sacrament of Baptism, in which a person is reborn to new life and becomes a full member of Christian society; churching is a special expression of this inclusion; it can be compared to an official act by which the new rights of a new member of society are secured and by which he is introduced into the possession of these rights.

Can parents be present at the Baptism of their child?

The customs existing in some places of not allowing father and mother to attend Baptism have no ecclesiastical basis. The only requirement is that parents must not participate in the Sacrament of Baptism (that is, they do not hold the baby in their arms, do not receive him from the font - this is done by godparents), and parents can only be present at Baptism.

Who should hold the child at Baptism?

During the entire Sacrament of Baptism, the baby is held in the arms of the godparents. When a boy is baptized, the child is usually held by the godmother before immersion in the font, and by the godfather after that. If a girl is baptized, then first the godfather holds her in his arms, and the godmother receives her from the font.

Isn't it better to postpone Baptism until the time when the child can consciously say that he believes in God?

Since God gave parents a child who has not only a body, but also a soul, then they should take care not only of his physical growth. The sacrament of Baptism is a spiritual birth, which is the first and irreplaceable step on the path to eternal salvation. In Baptism, the grace of God sanctifies human nature, washing original sin and giving the gift of eternal life. Only a baptized child is able to fully participate in holy things, be a partaker of the Eucharist, and generally perceive grace, which will protect him from many temptations and vices during the period of growth and maturation. And whoever postpones the Baptism of a child leaves the little soul exposed to the influence of the sinful world. Of course, a small child cannot yet express his faith, but this does not mean that parents should neglect his soul. The wishes of young children on many issues important to them are not always taken into account. For example, some children are afraid and do not want to visit the hospital, but their parents, even against their wishes, treat them. And the Sacraments of the Church, the first of which is Baptism, are spiritual healing and that spiritual nutrition that children need, although they do not yet realize it.

Is it possible to be baptized at 50 - 60 years old?

You can be baptized at any age.

On what days is Baptism not performed?

There are no external restrictions for performing the Sacrament of Baptism - neither in time nor in the place where it is performed. But in some churches the Sacrament of Baptism is performed according to schedule certain days, for example, due to the busyness of the priest.

Is only a priest able to perform Baptism?

In exceptional cases, for example, when mortal danger for a newborn baby or an adult, when it is impossible to invite a priest or deacon, it is allowed for Baptism to be performed by a lay person - that is, anyone who has been baptized Orthodox Christian who understands the importance of Baptism.

In case of mortal danger, how can a person be baptized without a priest?

To do this, it is necessary to consciously, with sincere faith, with an understanding of the importance of the matter, accurately and correctly pronounce the formula of the Sacrament of Baptism - the sacramental words: “ The servant of God (servant of God) (name) is baptized in the name of the Father (first immersion or sprinkling with water), amen, and the Son (second immersion or sprinkling with water), amen, and the Holy Spirit (third immersion or sprinkling with water), amen.”. If a person baptized in this way remains alive, then the priest must complete the Baptism with the prayers and sacred rites prescribed in the rite, and if he dies, then he can have a funeral service, order memorial services, write his name in church notes

Can a pregnant woman be baptized?

Pregnancy is not an obstacle to the Sacrament of Baptism.

Do I need to bring a birth certificate to Baptism?

To perform the Sacrament of Baptism, a birth certificate is not required; it is only needed to make an entry in the temple archive - who baptized whom and when.

What word does the word “baptism” come from? If from the word “cross,” then why does the Gospel say that John “baptized” with water even before the Savior suffered on the cross?

In all European languages, “baptism” means “baptizo,” that is, immersion in water, washing in water. Initially, this term was not associated with the church Sacrament, denoting any washing with water, immersion in it. The Slavic language, which arose already in the Christian era, emphasizes precisely the Christian meaning of Baptism as co-crucifixion with Christ, dying in Christ and resurrection for a new life of grace. Therefore, when the Gospel speaks of the baptism of John, it means the symbolic immersion of people coming to him into water for the remission of sins; The origin of the name Sacrament from the word “cross” is a philological feature of our language.

About the Creed

Hwhat is the Creed?

The Creed is a brief and precise statement of the main truths of the Christian faith. It consists of twelve members (parts). Each of them contains the truth of the Orthodox faith. The 1st member speaks about God the Father, the 2nd-7th members talk about God the Son, the 8th - about God the Holy Spirit, the 9th - about the Church, the 10th - about baptism, the 11th and 12th - about resurrection of the dead and eternal life.

How and why was the Creed composed?

Since apostolic times, Christians have used so-called “articles of faith” to remind themselves of the basic truths of the Christian faith. The Ancient Church had several short creeds. In the 4th century, when false teachings about God the Son and the Holy Spirit appeared, the need arose to supplement and clarify the previous symbols.

At the First Ecumenical Council the first seven members of the Creed were written, at the Second - the remaining five. The First Ecumenical Council took place in the city of Nicaea in 325 to confirm the apostolic teaching about the Son of God against the incorrect teaching of Arius. He believed that the Son of God was created by God the Father and therefore is not the true God. The Second Ecumenical Council took place in Constantinople (Constantinople) in 381 to confirm the apostolic teaching about the Holy Spirit against the false teaching of Macedonius, who rejected the Divine dignity of the Holy Spirit. For the two cities in which these Ecumenical Councils took place, the Creed is called Nicene-Constantinopolitan.

What is the meaning of the Creed?

The meaning of the Creed is the preservation of a single confession of the immutable truths (dogmas) of the faith, and through this the unity of the Church.

The Creed begins with the word “I believe,” so saying it is a profession of faith.

When is the Creed said?

The symbol of faith is pronounced by those receiving baptism (“catechumens”) during the Sacrament of Baptism. At the baptism of an infant, the Creed is pronounced by the recipients. In addition, the Creed is collectively sung by believers in church during the Liturgy and read daily as part of the morning prayer rule. Every Orthodox Christian should know it.

How do we understand “I believe in one God the Father, Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, visible to all and invisible”?

This means believing in one God the Father, in the fact that God contains everything in His power and authority, controls everything, that He created heaven and earth, visible and invisible, that is spiritual world, to which the Angels belong. These words express the confidence that God exists, that He is one and there is no other besides Him, that everything that exists, both in the visible physical world and in the invisible, spiritual world, that is, the entire vast universe was created by God and nothing can be without God. A person accepts this faith with his heart. Faith is confidence in the real existence of God and trust in Him. God is one, but not lonely, because God is one in essence, but trinity in Persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit - the Trinity is consubstantial and indivisible. The unity of three persons who endlessly love each other.

How to understand “and in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only begotten, who was born of the Father before all ages, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not created, consubstantial with the Father, in Whom all things were”?

This means believing that the Lord Jesus Christ is the same One God, the second Person of the Holy Trinity. He is the Only Begotten Son of God the Father, born before the beginning of time, that is, when there was no time yet. He, like Light from Light, is as inseparable from God the Father as light is from the sun. He is the True God, born of the True God. He was born, and not at all created by God the Father, that is, He is one being with the Father, Consubstantial with Him.

The Son of God is the second Person of the Holy Trinity according to His Divinity. Called Lord because He exists true God, since the name Lord is one of the names of God. The Son of God is called Jesus, that is, the Savior, this name was given by the Archangel Gabriel himself. The prophets called Him Christ, that is, the Anointed One - this is how kings, high priests and prophets have long been called. Jesus, the Son of God, is so called because all the gifts of the Holy Spirit are immeasurably imparted to His humanity, and thus to Him belong in the highest degree the knowledge of a Prophet, the holiness of a High Priest, and the power of a King. Jesus Christ is called the Only Begotten Son of God because He is the one and only Son of God, born from the being of God the Father, and therefore He is of one being (nature) with God the Father. The Creed says that He was born of the Father, and this depicts the personal property by which He differs from the other Persons of the Holy Trinity. It was said before all ages, so that no one would think that there was a time when He did not exist. The words of Light from Light in some way explain the incomprehensible birth of the Son of God from the Father. God the Father is eternal Light, from Him is born the Son of God, Who is also eternal Light; but God the Father and the Son of God are one eternal Light, indivisible, of one Divine nature. The words of God are true from God are true, taken from Holy Scripture: The Son of God came and gave people light and reason so that they could know the true God and abide in His true Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life (see 1 John 5:20). The words begotten, uncreated were added by the holy fathers of the Ecumenical Council to denounce Arius, who wickedly taught that the Son of God was created. The words consubstantial with the Father mean that the Son of God is one and the same Divine being with God the Father.

“In Whom all things were” means that everything that exists was created by Him, as well as by God the Father, the Creator of heaven and earth. God the Father created everything by His Son as His eternal wisdom and His eternal Word. This means that the world was created by One God - the Holy Trinity.

How to understand “for our sake man and for our salvation came down from heaven, and became incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became human”?

This means believing that Jesus Christ, for the salvation of the human race, appeared on earth, was incarnated by the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became human, that is, he took on not only the body, but also the human soul and became a perfect man, without ceasing at the same time to be God - became a God-man.

The Son of God, according to His promise, came to earth to save not just any people, but the entire human race. “He came down from heaven” - as He says about Himself: “No one has ascended into heaven except the Son of Man who came down from heaven, who is in heaven” (John 3:13). The Son of God is omnipresent and therefore always abides in heaven and on earth, but on earth He was previously invisible and became visible only when He appeared in the flesh, became incarnate, that is, took upon Himself human flesh, except for sin, and became Man, without ceasing to be God . The Incarnation of Christ was accomplished with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, so that the Holy Virgin, just as she was a Virgin, remained a Virgin after the Nativity of Christ. The Orthodox Church calls the Virgin Mary the Mother of God and honors Her above all created beings, not only people, but also angels, since she is the Mother of the Lord Himself.

The word becoming human was added so that no one would think that the Son of God took on only flesh or body, but so that in Him they would recognize a perfect Man, consisting of body and soul. Jesus Christ was crucified for all people - He death on the cross He saved the human race from sin, curse and death.

How do we understand “who was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, who suffered and was buried”?

This means believing that the Lord Jesus Christ during the reign of Pontius Pilate in Judea (that is, at a very specific historical moment) was crucified on the cross for the sins of people for the sake of the salvation of the entire human race. He Himself was sinless. He really suffered, died and was buried. The Savior suffered and died not for His sins, which He did not have, but for the sins of the entire human race, and did not suffer because he could not avoid suffering, but because he voluntarily wanted to suffer.

How do we understand “and he who rose again on the third day according to the Scriptures”?

This means believing that Jesus Christ rose again on the third day after His death, as predicted in Scripture. Jesus Christ, by the power of His Divinity, rose from the dead in the same body in which He was born and died. In the Scriptures of the Prophets Old Testament It was clearly predicted about the suffering, death, burial of the Savior and His resurrection, therefore it is said: “according to Scripture.” The words “according to Scripture” refer not only to the fifth, but also to the fourth member of the Creed.

Jesus Christ died in Good Friday about three o'clock in the afternoon, and rose after midnight from Saturday on the first day of the week, called from that time "Sunday". But in those days, even part of a day was taken as a whole day, which is why it is said that He was in the tomb for three days.

How do we understand “he who ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father”?

This means to believe that the Lord Jesus Christ, on the fortieth day after His Resurrection, ascended into heaven with His most pure flesh and sat down at the right hand (on the right side, in honor) of God the Father. The Lord Jesus Christ ascended into heaven with His humanity (flesh and soul), and with His Divinity He always remained with the Father. The words “sitting on the right hand” (sitting on right side), must be understood spiritually. They mean that the Lord Jesus Christ has the same power and glory with God the Father.

By His ascension, the Lord united the earthly with the heavenly and showed all people that their fatherland is in heaven, in the Kingdom of God, which is now open to all true believers.

How do we understand “and the one who is to come will judge with glory the living and the dead, whose Kingdom will have no end”?

This means believing that Jesus Christ will again (again, again) come to earth to judge all people, both living and dead, who will then be resurrected; and that after this Last Judgment the Kingdom of Christ will come, which will never end. This judgment is called terrible because the conscience of every person will open before everyone, and not only the good and evil deeds that someone has done throughout his life on earth will be revealed, but also all the words spoken, secret desires and thoughts. According to this judgment, the righteous will go into eternal life, and the sinners into eternal torment - because they did evil deeds for which they did not repent and which they did not make amends for. good deeds and correction of life.

How to understand “and in the Holy Spirit, the Life-giving Lord, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who spoke the prophets”?

This means believing that the third Person of the Holy Trinity is the Holy Spirit, the same true Lord God as the Father and the Son. To believe that the Holy Spirit is the Life-Giving Spirit, He, together with God the Father and God the Son, gives life to creatures, including spiritual life to people: “unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God” (John 3: 5). The Holy Spirit deserves worship and glorification equal to the Father and the Son, therefore Jesus Christ commanded to baptize people (all nations) in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (see Matt. 28:19). The Holy Spirit spoke through the prophets and apostles, and all the Holy books were written by His inspiration: “Never was prophecy made by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke, being moved by the Holy Spirit” (2 Pet. 1:21).

It also talks about the main thing in the Orthodox faith - the mystery of the Holy Trinity: One God is the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit revealed itself to people in a visible way: at the Baptism of the Lord in the form of a dove, and on the day of Pentecost He descended on the apostles in the form of tongues of fire. A person can become a participant in the Holy Spirit through right faith, church sacraments and fervent prayer: “if you, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him” (Luke 11:13).

“Who proceeds from the Father” - Who proceeds from the Father; “He who is with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified” - Who should be worshiped and Who should be glorified equally with the Father and the Son. “Who spoke the prophets” - who spoke through the prophets.

How to understand “into One Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church”?

This means believing in the Church founded by Jesus Christ through the Apostles: one, Holy, Catholic (which includes all the faithful, its members). This speaks of the Church of Christ, which Jesus Christ founded on earth for the sanctification of sinful people and their reunification with God. The Church is the totality of all Orthodox Christians, living and dead, united by the faith and love of Christ, the hierarchy and the holy sacraments. Each individual Orthodox Christian is called a member, or part of the Church. When talking about faith in the one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, then the Church means all the people who are faithful to it, who profess the same Orthodox faith, and not the building where they go to pray to God and which is called the temple of God.

The Church is one because “there is one body and one spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all” (Eph. 4:4-6).

The Church is Holy, because “Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for her (i.e., for all believers - members of the Church) in order to sanctify it (having sanctified every Christian with baptism), cleansing it with the washing of water through the word (i.e., baptismal water and with the sacramental words of baptism), in order to present her to Himself as a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and without blemish” (Eph. 5:25-27).

The Church is Catholic, or Catholic, or Ecumenical, because it is not limited to any place (space), nor time, nor people, but includes true believers from all places, times and peoples.

The Church is Apostolic because it has continuously and unchangeably preserved since the time of the Apostles both the teaching and the succession of the gifts of the Holy Spirit through consecrated ordination. True Church also called Orthodox or True Believer.

How do we understand “I confess one baptism for the remission of sins”?

This means recognizing and openly declaring that for spiritual rebirth and forgiveness of sins one only needs to be baptized once. Baptism is a Sacrament in which a believer, by immersing his body three times in water, with the invocation of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, dies to a carnal, sinful life and is reborn from the Holy Spirit into a spiritual, holy life. Baptism is one, because it is a spiritual birth, and a person is born once, and therefore is baptized once.

The Creed only mentions Baptism because it is the door to the Church of Christ. Only those who have been baptized can participate in other church sacraments. A sacrament is such a sacred action through which the real power (grace) of the Holy Spirit is secretly, invisibly given to a person.

How do we understand the “tea of ​​the resurrection of the dead”?

This means expecting with hope and confidence (tea - I expect) that a time will come when the souls of dead people will again unite with their bodies and all the dead will come to life through the action of the omnipotence of God. The resurrection of the dead will follow simultaneously with the Second and Glorious Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. At the moment of the general resurrection, the bodies of dead people will change; their bodies will be essentially the same, but their quality will be different from the current bodies - they will be spiritual - incorruptible and immortal. The bodies of those people who will still be alive at the Second Coming of the Savior will also change. According to the change of man himself, the entire visible world will change - from perishable to imperishable.

How to understand “and the life of the next century. Amen"?

This means expecting that after the resurrection of the dead, the Judgment of Christ will take place, and for the righteous there will come the endless joy of eternal bliss in unity with God. The life of the future century is the life that will be after the Resurrection of the dead and Universal Court Christ's. The word "amen" means confirmation - truly so! This is the only way the truth of the Orthodox faith can be expressed and it cannot be changed by anyone.

About naming and names

Are name days and Angel's Day the same thing?

Sometimes name day is called the day of an angel, because the saint and the guardian angel come so close in their service to man that they are even designated by a common name, although they are not identified.

Each person has his own Guardian Angel, he is given by God at Baptism. The Guardian Angel is a disembodied spirit; he has no name. And the saints, in whose honor people are given names, are also people who pleased God with their righteous lives and were glorified by the Church. The day of remembrance of the saint whose name a person bears is a name day. One saint can be the patron saint of many people with the same names.

Angel Day is the day of a person’s Baptism, and Angel Day can also be called the day of remembrance of all Heavenly Powers ethereal (November 21, new style).

But in the popular consciousness, these holidays have merged together, and on name day people congratulate them on Angel’s Day.

How to choose a name for a baby?

In the Russian Orthodox Church there is a custom to name a baby in honor of saints (according to the calendar). The baby is usually named after the saint, whose memory is celebrated by the Church on the birthday itself, on the eighth day after his birth, or on the day of Epiphany. But you can choose the name of any saint whose memory is celebrated shortly after the baby’s birthday. Sometimes a child is named after a saint who was chosen in advance and prayed to even before the child was born.

How to correctly determine who your saint is?

You need to find in the month book (at the end of the Orthodox church calendar) the saint of the same name, and if there are several of them, then choose the one whose memorial day comes first after his birthday or the one you especially reverence. You can also rely on the priest’s choice of name at baptism.

How to determine the name day?

Name day, the day of the namesake, is the day of remembrance of the saint of the same name, closest after your birthday, or the one in whose honor the priest named you when performing the Sacrament of Baptism.

How should you spend your name day?

On this day you need to go to Church, take communion, submit notes about the health and repose of your relatives, and order a prayer service to your patron saint. The best thing to do On the day of the name day one should read the life of one’s saint and other spiritual books, as well as perform deeds of piety. A festive meal for relatives and friends without any excesses in “eating and drinking” is also not forbidden.

Is it possible to name a child after the father?

It is possible if this name is in the Orthodox month book.

What to do if the child does not have Orthodox name?

If the name under which the child is registered is not in the Orthodox calendar, this does not mean that his name should be changed at Baptism. It is quite possible that, out of ignorance, the parents gave the child an Orthodox name, but in its Western European or local form. In this case, the priest usually translates it into the Church Slavonic form and baptizes under this name, having previously informed it to the parents of the person being baptized or to himself.

Here are examples of such translations: Angela - Angelina; Zhanna - Joanna; Oksana, Aksinya - Ksenia; Agrafena - Agrippina; Polina - Appolinaria; Lukeria - Glyceria; Egor - Georgy; Jan - John; Denis - Dionysius; Svetlana - Fotina or Fotinia; Martha - Martha; Akim - Joachim; Korney - Cornelius; Leon - Leo; Thomas - Thomas.

In the case where it is not possible to establish such a correspondence (for example, names such as Elvira, Diana do not have them), the priest recommends that the parents or the person being baptized choose an Orthodox name (preferably close in sound), which will henceforth be his church name.

What to do if a person with a non-Orthodox name does not remember the name with which he was baptized?

You can raise the archive in the church where the person was baptized. If this is not possible, you need to contact a priest. The priest will read a naming prayer and name the Orthodox saint.

Is it possible to change the Orthodox name given at birth to another Orthodox name at Baptism? For example, should Vitaly be baptized with the name Vyacheslav?

If at birth the baby was given a name contained in the Orthodox calendar, this name should not be changed to another when naming. Sometimes people who wish to be baptized ask to be given a name that is different from the one given at birth. In most cases, this is not due to the desire to radically change the way of life, as happens when accepting monasticism, but with a superstitious desire to avoid the influence of sorcerers, those who know the name person.

The baptism of a child is a crucial period in the life of both the baby and his parents. If in church ceremony While the baby is only required to be present, baptism for an adult is a significant event in life. Not everyone was baptized as children, but it is never too late to become a full member of the Church.

How baptism works - preparation for the child

For children you will need:

  • Christening shirt. You can replace it with a white dress. The girl will need a cap;
  • Kryzhma. This is a white towel or a clean piece of light-colored fabric;
  • Cross. Buy from a temple or store. The priest will bless the shop cross;
  • Church candles. They will be needed for the sacrament.

Choose a godfather and godmother for the baby. It is desirable that these people be believers or at least have an understanding of the sacrament.

How baptism works - preparation for an adult

For adults you will need:

  • Women. Prepare a long, modest dress; it is recommended to choose white clothing. Don’t forget about the headscarf; women are not allowed to enter the temple without a headscarf or perform baptism during menstruation. Please note that the fabric of the clothing will become wet in the water and may be see-through. To avoid feeling awkward, wear a swimsuit instead of underwear.
  • For men. Prepare a white shirt and classic dark trousers.

Discuss all the nuances about clothing with the priest. A baptismal shirt for an adult may also be required. Also, men and women should prepare open slippers and a cross, take a towel with you. Before the ceremony begins, buy church candles for the people accompanying you and for a donation.

How children are baptized

It takes from forty minutes to 1.5 hours to carry out the sacrament, it all depends on the number of children. The ceremony is carried out either in the temple or in a separate room with a font. The godparents approach the font with a naked baby wrapped in kryzhma. Further process:

  • The godparents stand with their godson and with candles in their right hands near the font. The girl is usually held in the arms of the godfather, and the boy is held by the godmother;
  • The priest walks around the font with a censer and prayers;
  • The godparents repeat all the words that the priest tells them. They read the “Creed”, renounce evil forces three times and promise to adhere to all the commandments of the Lord;
  • The priest sanctifies the water and lowers the baby into the font three times with prayers. In some cases, the priest sprinkles water on the baby’s head;
  • The priest puts a cross on the baptized person, and the godparents put on a shirt. As a sign of submission to the Lord, the priest will cut a lock of the baby’s hair with a cross. The baby is given a church name;
  • With the child in their arms, the godparents walk around the font three times. The girl is then brought to the icon of the Mother of God near the altar, and the boy is carried into the altar by the priest.

After baptism, the priest conducts the ritual of anointing the baby. Then communion is celebrated. Parents receive a Baptismal Certificate, which will be recorded in a special church book.

How does adult baptism work?

The first stage is a conversation with the priest. Consciously approach the sacrament and understand that your life must change for the better. You must tell the priest what brought you to church and why you want to become baptized. Learn the prayers “Our Father,” “Creed,” and “Rejoice to the Virgin Mary.” You will have to fast not less than a month before the sacrament and not to participate in fun parties. Make peace with everyone with whom you were in a quarrel.

Adult baptism process:

  • Father chooses church name. You will receive heavenly patron- The saint whose name you will be named;
  • The priest conducts a prayer service. He blows on your face three times, blesses you three times and reads prayers;
  • The believer renounces serving evil spirits. Answer all the words of the priest and read the “Creed”;
  • The mystery begins. The priest sanctifies the water in the font and oil and anoints the believer, and then the person immerses himself in the font three times. If there are godparents, they stand next to the lit candles. But adults can be baptized without them. They put a cross on you, and you and the priest walk around the font three times.

Baptism is a cleansing for an adult of old sins and the beginning of a new life. The life of the baptized person, regardless of his age, is now forever connected with God.