Baptism of a child without godparents. Is it possible to baptize a child without godparents? Preparing supplies for baptism

The baptism of a baby is an important stage in a person’s life, and this Sacrament should be approached with all seriousness.

Many delve into the details, everyday trifles in this matter, but it is necessary to remember the main purpose of performing the Sacrament of Baptism.

New parents need to be explained and instructed before this important step. For this purpose, many parishes hold conversations before Baptism, during which priests or other persons blessed for this explain the meaning of the Sacrament and other important points. Let's talk about this in more detail.

What is the Sacrament of Baptism

There are 7 Sacraments in Orthodoxy:

The laity go through some of them several times during their lives (for example, confession, communion), some they are granted only once or not at all (ordination).

When the Sacrament of Baptism is performed, the birth of a person’s soul occurs from the old life to the renewed one. It is said about this in the Gospel that a person must be born of water and spirit, and thus enter the Kingdom of Heaven. In this case, the person is given a name, which is chosen according to the calendar. The saint whose name was given to a person is his patron in this earthly life and a prayer book for him. You need to pray to this saint all your life.

The name is given to a person at baptism once for the rest of his life; it cannot be changed.

It should also be remembered that the Sacrament of Baptism can be performed on a person only once!

Some argue that a person can be “rebaptized”, i.e. re-baptize. This is a big misconception. At the Sacrament of Baptism, a person is immersed in blessed water, at the same time important words are pronounced:

“The servant (or servant) of God (name) is baptized in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen."

Then the Sacrament of Confirmation is performed on the person being baptized. During it, the priest will anoint parts of the person’s body with holy oil. This represents the grace of the Holy Spirit.

Usually It is customary to baptize newly born babies, Therefore, sometimes it happens that a child gets sick, and his life can suddenly end. And without the Sacrament of Baptism there is little hope that a person will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, but, of course, much here depends on the will of God.

It is customary to baptize on the 3rd or fortieth day after birth. But still, you should not tempt God, but it is better to baptize the child immediately after birth. Some baptize the baby on the 40th day, some on the 3rd. Special There are no regulations regarding the age at which a person should be baptized.

The rite of Baptism includes a mandatory condition - renunciation of Satan and his works and confession of faith.

Because the earlier Epiphany adults were already passing through, having independently chosen Orthodox faith who could renounce the devil and his works and profess the Orthodox faith, then the course of the ritual was compiled specifically for adults.

But babies cannot utter the words of renunciation themselves, nor can they read the creed. That is why a person is needed who could do this for him.

Such a person is called a godfather. He receives the child from the font, reads the creed for him and denies all the works of Satan.

The godfather is the guarantor for this child before God. He seems to be making a promise that this child, when he grows up, will become a true believer, will keep the commandments of God and avoid sin. This is such a serious role for godparents, so the choice of godparents must be approached seriously.

Many people ask whether it is possible to perform the Sacrament of Baptism without godparents? This question cannot be answered unambiguously.

Opinions are for

Of course, if there is no godfather, then who will pronounce the words of rejection of the devil for the child and read the creed? It would seem that the Sacrament cannot be performed without these conditions being met. But in some cases you can do without godparents.

These are the cases when you can do without godparents:

In these cases, the priest who conducts the Sacrament can become the godfather. He himself pronounces the words of renunciation for the child. evil spirit and reads the creed for him. If the priest refuses to do this, you can ask another priest. Even the deacon who concelebrates with the priest at baptism can pronounce these words.

Opinions - against

Of course, it is better that everything is done according to the rules of the church. If the presence of a godfather is required, who must make vows to God for the child, then he must be there. The charter cannot be violated. Therefore, it is better to think everything over in advance, carefully select godparents, and discuss with them all the details and nuances (even unforeseen situations). That's why some choose several godparents, as they say, just in case. If one cannot attend the Sacrament, there is another.

Advice for parents who cannot find or select godparents

Since the choice of godparents is a very important matter, it must be entrusted to God. Before asking a person to become godfather for his child, you need to pray and be blessed by the priest. Maybe the priest will even recommend someone from the parishioners.

The question of whether it is possible to baptize a child without godparents worries many mothers and fathers. After all, this church sacrament very important for all people. It symbolizes the second birth of a person - spiritual.

The Holy Fathers say that baptism allows you to open your heart to the Lord, the Church and take the first step on the path to the Kingdom of Heaven. Next, we will talk about the rules for choosing a spiritual father and mother, and answer the question of whether it is possible to baptize a child without godparents.

Is it allowed to baptize a child without the presence of godparents?

In most cases, baptism takes place during infancy. The child does not yet realize his faith and cannot make a promise before God. That’s why godparents are needed, who, until the baby grows up, take on the role of a godparent. They must say prayers for the child, represent the baby's interests before the Lord, and make a promise to Him.

Therefore in childhood there must be a godparent. Moreover, it must be of the same gender as the baby. Only the parents decide whether a second recipient will be present. The main thing is that the boy’s godfather is a man, and the girls’ godfather is a woman. This rule is very important.

Is it possible to baptize a child without godparents, and what do priests say about this?

In general, until the age of 7, the presence of one recipient (of the same sex) is mandatory. But there may be exceptions to the rules. This is a case when the ritual must be performed immediately. Situations may vary. Most often this happens when the baby is sick and is unable to attend church.

Then the sacrament is carried out within the walls of the hospital. The holy father conducts it.

Is it possible to baptize a child without godparents and add them later? Yes. After the child’s recovery, the ceremony can be carried out in the presence of spiritual recipients, in compliance with all rules and church traditions.

But even while in a hospital ward, parents can invite a nurse to play the role of godfather. This also happens often.

Some priests argue that the child is not to blame for the fact that the parents could not find a suitable person to act as a foster child. Therefore, in some cases, the baptism ceremony can be carried out without them. The baby has the right to in this case accept faith without spiritual parents.

However, according to Church canons, this is contrary to the rules of baptism. Therefore the presence of one spiritual parent necessary. The main thing is that he is of the same gender. In any case, before making a decision to baptize a baby without godparents, it should be discussed in advance with the priest who will perform the sacrament.

Parents should discuss all issues with him in absentia. And only with the permission of the priest can the ceremony be performed without spiritual parents.

But if the child is an adult, then he may not need a receiver at all. After all, he is already aware of his faith, can independently pray and make a promise before the Lord. Also, adult children are quite capable of answering the priest’s questions and saying oaths. Therefore, in most cases, outside help is not needed.

Rules for choosing godparents

When asked whether it is possible to baptize a child without godparents, according to Orthodox canons, we have already answered. What are the rules for selecting receivers?

There is no point in choosing just anyone to play the role of godparent. This issue must be approached with full responsibility. In the church there are rules for choosing children, which parents must take into account.

People who are in civil marriage. The fact is that the church considers relationships not registered in the registry office or church to be a sin.

Also, the child’s parents cannot become adoptive parents. People who were not baptized Orthodox Church, you cannot attend the sacrament of baptism. The same applies to atheists, that is, those who do not believe in God, or worship other deities, practice magic, witchcraft.

People who are in a relationship with each other intimate relationships, are also not suitable for the role of godparents. The reason is obvious. Receivers should be close only spiritually, but not physically.

Children cannot be godparents - boys under 15, girls under 13. The Church believes that at this age they already understand what responsibility is entrusted to them.

Priests, nuns and monks cannot be chosen for the role of successors. It is also prohibited to invite people who have mental illness, since they are not responsible for their actions.

You need to choose the person you trust, because he will be the child’s second parents throughout his life. It will no longer be possible to refuse this role, even if the recipient has taken the wrong path. All that remains for parents is to pray for their baby’s godfather, so that the Lord will show him the right path.

You need to weigh all the pros and cons in advance, so as not to be upset later because of the wrong choice or haste. Parents also need to insist that the prospective godparents take communion and confess in church, so that before the ceremony they cleanse their souls and hearts from sins and earthly dirt.

It’s great if the intended recipient fasts for several days, reads the Gospel, or Holy Bible, will pray.

You should also abstain from intimacy for several days. Godparents will need to read the “Creed” during the sacrament. Therefore, the prayer must be read in advance, or better yet, memorized.

If parents do not know whether it is possible to Orthodox rules If you want to baptize a child without godparents, you can look at the forum dedicated to the issues of administering the sacrament.

It’s best to go to church in advance, talk to the priest and get an accurate answer to your question.

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 “ baptism in absentia" 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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Orthodox believers know about 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 the 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 may affect the timing of baptism 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 baby is an infant, he sleeps in the arms of 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 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 church name Only the mother and father, the priest and the successors can know.

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

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 baby 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.

You can choose your mother’s or father’s sister or brother, a close friend or family friend, or the baby’s grandmother or grandfather as your godfather.

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 on 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 child's adoptive parents should come to church with their pectoral crosses on the neck. 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 baptizing a newborn child and preparing 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 recover. It should be stored in a place hidden from prying eyes, since it is believed that through it it can be used to damage the baby.
• Preparation. People appointed as spiritual parents are obliged to prepare themselves for the baptism ceremony of a small child. 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 ritual, then first the godmother holds the boy, and after bathing in the font, the 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.

Clinical and perinatal psychologist, graduated from the Moscow Institute of Perinatal Psychology and Psychology of the Reproductive Sphere and the Volgograd State Medical University clinical psychologist by specialty