The baptism of a boy is the beginning of his pure spiritual life. Parents of a child with all responsibility and seriousness should approach the fulfillment of this important sacrament. Before performing the baptismal rite, it is important to think over all the details of baptismal sets for the boy, stock up with the necessary attributes and choose the most worthy godparents.
How do parents prepare for the rite?
Some time before the baptism of the child, the godparents and relatives talk with the priest. It’s good if they confess and partake before the christening. It is also advisable to fast three days before the event. Father will tell the mother of the child about a special prayer read about the children. Having passed through the sacrament of baptism, parents repeat the rite of communion, but now they do it with their son. Godfathers can also go through communion and confession.
Who can be the godparents of the baby
To fulfill such an important and high spiritual mission, you need to choose godfathers from the circle of relatives or friends of the child’s parents. Usually they become people a few years younger than their parents or of the same age. People chosen for the role of godparents will play the role of spiritual mentors in the life of the boy. They will also pray for the well-being of their godfather. The request to be godparents is always considered a very pleasant duty and very honorable. Refusing her is an unforgivable insult to both the parents themselves and the child. Therefore, when you are asked to become the spiritual parent of the baby, happily agree. This means that you are trusted and offered to become related in this way.
With the purchase of a set for the baptism of a boy, do not rush. You should be well prepared so as not to make any mistakes. The fact is that church canons prescribe certain rules in accordance with which one should buy clothes and other accessories.
What is included in the baptismal set of a boy
Shops and church shops currently offer a wide selection of baby baptism kits. These kits are not much different from one another. The most basic difference in baptismal accessories is the quality and quality of the materials, the shades of the embroidered and other elements.
Children's baptismal kits for boys in most cases consist of the following things:
- spacious shirt;
- diapers;
- baptismal hats;
- booties;
- a cross of a body;
- towels.
Set for the baptism of a boy you need to choose from natural materials. It can be linen or cotton fabric without bright patterns and patterns. Although embroidery is acceptable, but it must comply with Slavic motifs. The main thing is to maintain balance and not overdo it with the decor. Of course, this clothing is exclusively festive, but everything needs a measure. Well need to inspect the seams of the baptismal set for the boy. There should be no rude, irritating and hard elements on clothes and booties. Extra buttons, fasteners and knots should also be absent. A simple cut of the baptismal shirt will allow the godparents to quickly undress and clothe the baby during the sacrament, and the child himself will experience less stress. The shirt must have a white color - a symbol of an innocent, clean and open soul.
Elements of clothing for baptism can be purchased separately, and only then add a baptismal set of them.
Try to buy a towel larger than average. You will be pleased with your foresight when the child is dipped three times in the font.
Who pays for the celebration
In the process of preparing for the rite, many parents wonder about the purchase of a baptismal kit. The one who buys a baptismal set for christening the boy is also worried about them.
There is no definite answer and probably cannot be. The fact is that parents themselves can buy clothes if they do not want to burden future godparents with this task. But most often godparents try to buy clothes and a cross.
The boy’s parents can choose a temple for the ceremony. It is worth visiting the church in advance and discussing with the clergyman all the subtleties associated with the rite. It is also worth knowing the size of the donation in advance.
Which cross to buy
The pectoral cross is the most important attribute in the rite of baptism. It can be silver, gold or ordinary. The main condition for buying it is that the cross should not have sharp corners. According to the Orthodox canons, the pectoral cross should be with smooth lines.
If the godfathers are well enough financially, then they are not forbidden to buy a gold or silver pendant. A cross bought in a store must be consecrated some time before the baptism of the child. If you have acquired this attribute in a church shop, then it is already consecrated and ready for its mission.
The future godfather buys a body cross for the boy.
Chain or ribbon
The question of what the cross will be attached to should also be taken seriously. Small children, as a rule, put on a cross on a ribbon or ribbon. This will prevent dangerous moments that may await a young child when wearing a chain.
Of course, if the godparents presented a cross and a chain, at first it would be better to remove the chain. When the boy grows up, he will get it for his use.
This name is my favorite!
Consider using a baptismal kit for the boy when using baptism. This is a standard set of things with the name of your child, decorated according to the Orthodox canons. The set will remain after the baptism as a keepsake.
Variations of things in baptismal sets for a boy
- Choosing a towel in a baptismal kit, do not be scared if it has a hood or lace. Often it can have Orthodox embroidered designs. These minor modifications are not prohibited by the church.
- A shirt in some baptismal kits for a boy can be replaced with a jumpsuit or suit consisting of pants and a shirt. The shirt is sometimes oar or can be worn over the baby’s head.
- The diaper can be both thin and terry. It is better to take the kit in which she will have a good absorbent layer. Decoration with embroidery, ruffles and lace is allowed.
During the sacrament, little boys do not have to dress in a bonnet. In some cases, the priests are very categorical in this matter and may completely prohibit the hat.
Baptism Feast
Some godparents and parents of the baby, wanting to note the baptism, in addition to the baptismal set for the boy, also pay for the cake. An original and beautiful dessert on the day of such a joyful event will always be welcome.
Cake for the boy is usually made in blue tones, for decoration they use figures of angels and symbols associated with this day, or inscriptions corresponding to the solemn event.