The baptism of an adult has a number of features, both spiritual and organizational.

The most important thing is that there must be an understanding of why Baptism is accepted. Before the Sacrament, public conversations are required. Moreover, it is not so much the godparents who should listen to them, but the person being baptized himself.

By the way, it is not necessary for an adult to look for godparents, because there is no need to vouch for him before the Lord; he himself understands the fullness of responsibility that the life of a Christian implies. However, if there are church-going friends who will help you take your first steps in Orthodoxy, no one will object.

An adult must definitely prepare for the Sacrament of Baptism: fast for at least three days. This means not eating meat, dairy, not drinking alcohol, not smoking. It is necessary to make peace with those with whom you were in a quarrel. Try to abstain from entertainment activities, and also from marital relations.

The person being baptized needs to know the basic prayers: “Our Father”, “Creed”, “Virgin Mother of God”. It is also desirable to follow the rites of the Sacrament in order to understand the meaning of what is happening.

Christening robe for adults

If we talk about the “external” part of Baptism, then for an adult you will need:

• baptismal clothing (for men it is a long white shirt, for women it is a long white shirt and headscarf)
• a large (if Baptism is by immersion) and/or a small towel (for the hair or if Baptism is by dousing the head)
• spare underwear for Baptism through immersion in the font
• slippers, clean or new
• cross on a long string

Let us draw your attention to the fact that in different churches there are different traditions of conducting the rite of Baptism itself. For example, there is a practice when the person being baptized is immersed in the font immediately wearing baptismal clothes. After which he can dry himself with a towel and throw a small sheet over his shoulders. Until the end of the Sacrament, a person does not change into ordinary clothes. (As an option, in this case, it is allowed to take with you another set of baptismal clothes to take off the wet ones and change into dry ones. Subsequently, the person keeps both baptismal shirts, as a “shrine” in which he received Baptism).

In other churches, the person being baptized is immersed in the baptismal font in linen, and is blocked by a screen. After a person leaves the font, he wipes himself with a towel and puts on baptismal clothes. There are parishes in which Baptism occurs through pouring of the head. Therefore, you need to find out in advance how Baptism will be carried out in your temple.

In any case, you will need baptismal clothes. It must be white. This is a symbol of purity, coming to the Lord and faith.

A large towel will also come in handy for drying off after the bath. And also small. It can be used by women who have long hair to gently place on your shoulders without getting your clothes wet.

Do not forget that during Baptism a person must have “free access” to his feet so that the priest can anoint them with holy oil, so the option of slippers is very convenient.

As for the pectoral cross, you can purchase it in advance. Not necessarily in this temple. You can go to any church shop or store. The main thing is that the cross is Orthodox. If it is not consecrated, inform the priest about this before Baptism. He will be able to consecrate it before the ceremony.

And yet, the most important thing when preparing for the Baptism of an adult is the understanding that Christian life after Baptism is just beginning for you!

Women's Christening Shirts

A woman in the temple must have her head covered and without makeup: kissing the cross with lipstick on her lips is prohibited. Clothes must be modest, clean, and tidy. After the font, you will need a baptismal shirt - a loose-fitting ankle-length shirt with sleeves below the elbow. In many temples, the immersion itself is also carried out in it, so it is important to choose products from non-transparent fabric.

The shirts presented in our online store "Krestilnoye" and our showroom in Moscow are always available in sizes from 38 to 56. For the bathtub, we recommend choosing models made from softened linen blend, which has good density, is not see-through, is pleasant to the body, and allows the skin to "breathe" freely.

Among the linen products, the “Lily” shirt stands out noticeably. Decorated with floral lace inserts on the sleeves and hem. The neckline on the chest is decorated with a white and peach ornament with lilies, and on the back there is an embroidered cross with curly lily flowers. You can pair your shirt with a linen scarf with lilies embroidered in the same color scheme.

Budget model made of calico (100% serfs) - “Lyudmila” shirt. The design of the shirt is completely made in white: on the chest with an equilateral cross and floral patterns. The edge of the sleeve and hem is decorated with openwork cotton lace. The color of the embroidery can be any, except for gold and silver, which additionally need to be covered with a lining. When wet, the fabric becomes see-through, so we recommend wearing underwear or a long T-shirt.

Men's Christening Shirts

A man should dress modestly in the temple, maintaining a calm color range. T-shirts, shorts, tracksuits are not allowed. Traditionally, after the holy font, the man dresses in a long, loose-fitting white baptismal shirt.

We offer models made from natural suit linen and calico (100% cotton). The fabrics absorb moisture well, are pleasant to the body, and do not cause irritation to the skin. Shirts are available in sizes from 46 to 56. A custom tailoring service is also available, tailored to your individual parameters.

Among the linen models, the “Vladimir” shirt is popular. It is decorated with a vine pattern on the chest and a flourishing cross-vine is embroidered on the back. Colored embroidery with smooth viscose thread looks expressive and harmonious on a white canvas. You can add the “Flourishing Cross” terry towel to the set.

An economical option made from calico - the “George” shirt. The neckline is decorated with Orthodox embroidery with a climbing vine in beige and green tones. A cross entwined with a vine is embroidered on the back. Combines with the “Twisted Cross” terry towel. You can additionally embroider the name or date of christening on the towel under the cross.

The life of society does not stand still; it undergoes certain changes. They influence each individual person. Nowadays people have begun to pay more attention to their own spirituality, and then they are drawn to faith. But not everyone went through the rite of baptism in childhood, when these issues were taken lightly and relegated to the background. Now many are trying to catch up. And if the baby is only required to be present during the ritual, then the baptism of an adult is a completely different matter. What is needed for this, how to arrange everything? Let's figure it out.

The meaning of coming to God

People want to undergo the ritual for various reasons. Everyone has their own path, so to speak. However, there are some features that it is advisable to consider before going to the temple. First of all, the rite of baptism for an adult imposes serious responsibility on the individual. After all, this trust from the Lord is given to the baby, so to speak, in advance. This means that his godparents will raise him in virtue and instill in him the rules of behavior of a true Christian. When a person is at a meaningful age, he should strive for this himself. After all, belonging to any religion imposes certain responsibilities on the individual. When considering adult baptism, what should you do before making a decision? You should concentrate on the goal. And this is almost impossible without studying the foundations of Orthodoxy. An ordinary person will think: “Why do I need such difficulties?” This will be answered from the depths of conscience: “What is the ritual for?” You see, there are people who do not go to God, but follow fashion trends. It is not right. Therefore, there are some features that accompany the baptism of an adult. What should you consider if you want to join the Temple of God?

The first step to the ritual

Surely you know that the ceremony does not take place just like that. The first thing that is done, regardless of the age of the future parishioner, is a conversation with the priest. Everything is very simple. You need to go to the temple, wait for the end of the service, ask the clergyman to listen to you. He should state the essence of his case. Namely, to say that you need to undergo the rite of baptism of an adult. The age should be specifically indicated so that there is no misunderstanding. After all, the priest will need to plan his schedule and allocate time for interviews. That's right, there will be more than one conversation. People won’t be allowed into the church just like that. Therefore, a new member of the community should carefully consider his own decision. As a rule, the first conversation with the priest is conducted by one of the godparents. He is entrusted with informing the person about how the baptism of an adult is organized, what needs to be learned, prepared, and how to behave. If a new member of the community has not yet found godparents, it’s okay. The priest will select them from among the parishioners.

Preparatory stage

You know, a lot of people pay attention to the little things. People care about how much baptism costs, how to dress, and so on. This is probably also important, I mean, it’s good that people want to emphasize the solemnity of the moment. But the essence lies in a completely different area. You need to prove first to yourself, and then to your spiritual father, that you are ready to be baptized. This means that you understand the depth of religion, are ready to accept responsibilities, and go to God openly and sincerely. Father will definitely ask you about everything. Not because he doesn't trust. He must understand what brought the person to the temple. These are his responsibilities to the community and the Lord. Therefore, his questions should be answered without concealment. Understand that there is no sin in making a mistake. It can be fixed. But the desire to appear better than one really is is not welcomed by the church. After all, the Lord said that sincere prayer is dearer to him. He came into our world in order to turn sinners into righteous people. That is, I am glad to anyone who reaches out to faith from the depths of his heart.

What should you learn before your first conversation with your spiritual father?

You shouldn’t expect that in the temple they will reveal common truths to you and teach you everything from the very beginning. If you think so, you may be disappointed. Most likely, the first conversation with the priest will seem strict and unpleasant. He will need to find out what brought you to the temple. This is the reason for all sorts of questions, sometimes incomprehensible or annoying. Don't get lost, open up to your spiritual mentor. First of all, he will want to know why you were not baptized in the church earlier. Tell it like it is. Everyone has their own life circumstances. Next comes the most important question about why you came. It is asked in order to determine whether you understand the essence of Christianity, what information you have. To answer correctly, knowledge is required. Before going to church for an interview, read the commandments of Christ. A person interested in how to undergo baptism as an adult must not only know them, but also accept them. Of course, there is much more to understand. But the commandments are the most important thing at the first stage. If the priest realizes that you are unfamiliar with them, he will doubt the sincerity of your desire to undergo the ceremony, and therefore will not allow you to participate in it.

How many times will you have to talk with the priest?

In fact, there are no strict rules governing the number of interviews. Each servant of God determines this at his own discretion. But there are psychological norms that say that it is difficult to discern a person the first time. Any priest is a specialist. But he is careful not to make decisions right away. After all, he will bear responsibility before the community and the Lord for the newly converted. Therefore, it is common practice to conduct at least three interviews. These are leisurely conversations about God, his place in life, the habits and worldview of the person himself, his aspirations, and so on. You should not immediately ask how much baptism costs. By the way, some churches have price lists. Everything is written there. In others, you can find out this delicate issue from the ministers or from the priest himself. But this is not done immediately, but when he decides that the person can be baptized. Then, by the way, ask what clothes should be for baptism. Unless, of course, you yourself figure out the spirit of the conversations.

Prayers required for the ritual

The baby does not yet know how to speak and does not realize the solemnity and responsibility of the moment. His godparents vouch for him. They say the prescribed prayers. The baptism of an adult is a different matter. He comes to God consciously. Consequently, it is necessary to pronounce the prescribed words yourself, accepting the responsibilities of a member of the community. You need to know two prayers by heart: “Our Father” and “Virgin Mother of God.” Father will tell you when to read them. In general, the applicant learns in advance how the baptism of an adult takes place during the interview process. Sometimes it is not a priest who tells him about this, but a spiritual guarantor, a mentor.

Clothes for baptism

According to the rules, people in provocative outfits are not allowed into the temple. Clothing should be modest and simple. Women need a dress with a long hem. It is desirable that its color correspond to Christian morality. You shouldn't choose anything flashy or ultra-modern. But shabby toilets won't do either. After all, baptism is a celebration of communion with God. You should try to combine modesty with the solemnity of the day. It is often recommended to choose a white outfit. According to the rules for the ceremony, it is necessary to dress in this color, symbolizing purity, to dress the newly converted. This is not always done. You need to discuss everything with the priest in advance. Men should also choose a toilet that does not violate the rules of decency. Regular ones will do classic pants dark color and white shirt. If you usually wear jewelry, it is recommended to remove it.

Female characteristics

Girls and ladies should know that they are supposed to enter the temple with their heads covered. This is a generally accepted tradition. Almost all churches have scarves and headscarves for the forgetful. In addition, baptism for an adult woman is not performed during her period. You should talk about this with the priest separately in order to determine the upcoming day in advance. Every woman strives to decorate herself and present herself in a favorable light. It is recommended to forget about this rule for the period of the ceremony. God doesn't care what you look like, He cares about your soul. So leave short skirts and low-cut dresses at home. Try to find simple and modest clothing. It is also better not to wear jewelry.

The cross is a symbol of faith

People sometimes make mistakes when trying to show off in front of their friends. We are talking about purchasing a pectoral cross. They try to pick it out of gold, thinking about everything except faith. In addition, people often go to a jewelry store to get a cross. This is mistake. After all, decoration and a symbol of faith are two different things. Here it is also recommended to consult with a spiritual mentor and read literature so as not to get into trouble. And it’s even better to buy a cross there, in the temple. It will correspond to Orthodoxy in form and essence. That is, you will avoid an annoying but common mistake.

Fasting before baptism

You should prepare for the ritual at all levels. Not only intellectually and spiritually, but also physically. An adult is recommended to fast for at least a month. It is forbidden to eat meat, milk, eggs. This is done, on the one hand, to cleanse oneself physically, and on the other hand, as a voluntary demonstration of humility. Alcohol and tobacco should be completely avoided at this time. It is also advisable to limit your participation in entertainment events, avoid noisy parties, and refuse to watch films containing scenes of aggression, violence, or erotic content. It is better to take this time by studying spiritual literature.

Before baptism, you should realize that life is changing dramatically. By becoming a member of the Christian community, you accept responsibilities for fulfilling the commandments of the Lord. This will make adjustments to the usual way of life. Just don’t think that they will only become a burden and ruin your life. Not at all. There is a lot of light and joy in Christianity. Some habits will have to be abandoned, others limited. This is why the path to baptism for an adult is longer than for an infant. After all, he has experience, has a certain daily routine, and is accustomed to it. Changes will have to be made of your own free will. And you have to find it in yourself and show it so that the priest allows you to join the church. If you cope with everything described, you will become happier and more harmonious.

Baptism is the first and one of the most important Christian rites.

If for some reason a person was not baptized in infancy, then at a conscious age he may be faced with questions: how does the baptism ceremony of an adult take place, what needs to be done for this, what rules exist.

What is baptism

First you need to figure out what kind of ritual this is. This is a sacred sacrament in which a believer, with a call addressed to the name of the Holy Trinity - to the Lord, Son and Holy Spirit, through threefold immersion in water, is washed from all the sins that he committed before Baptism, as well as from original sin (the sin of his forefathers ). The meaning of the Sacrament is that through this sacred action a person dies to a sinful and carnal life and is reborn to a spiritual one.

It is important to remember that the reason for baptism should be a pure intention to live life according to Christian customs, and not an attempt to find luck, solve personal problems or gain some earthly blessings. To receive the Sacrament, a person must have the right faith, the desire to voluntarily and consciously live as a Christian, and also sincerely repent of his sins.

Adult baptism in church

It is worth saying that a person is considered an adult from the age of 14, and a person can be baptized at any age. In ancient times, a period of catechumen was established for people who wished to be baptized, and they were declared catechumens. Before being baptized, an adult had to diligently prepare for the ritual: study the basics of Christianity, read a lot and, before passing a kind of exam on knowledge of religion, attend services without fail. Thus, the catechumens were introduced to the life of the church, and only the priests decided whether the catechumen was ready for Baptism. Today, the rules for conducting the Sacrament are different from those that were before.

Godparents are not needed when baptizing an adult. Since an adult makes the choice to take the path of Orthodoxy independently and consciously, he must, of his own free will, expand his knowledge about Orthodoxy. And also during the Sacrament of baptism, a person himself is able to answer the priest’s questions and read prayers. However, if the person being baptized has the opportunity and desire to invite experienced mentors to the Sacrament who will help him in churching, in the form godparents, this is not prohibited.

The ceremony can take place on any day, including during Lent.. But from a technical point of view, it is not always possible to carry out baptism during Lent. Due to the fact that Lenten services on weekdays are quite long, in some churches during Lent baptisms are performed only on Saturdays and Sundays. In any case, when planning baptism, it is worth discussing whether it is possible to baptize during Lent, in the church where the ceremony will be performed.

All close families, including unbaptized ones, can attend the ceremony. The only question that arises is: why? If unbaptized people themselves have not accepted Christ into their hearts, how can they help and inspire someone who enters the Orthodox faith?

All The baptism ceremony takes on average 1-1.5 hours. The time may vary depending on the specific temple and the priest who will perform the sacrament, therefore, how long baptism lasts in a specific temple can again be clarified when planning the Sacrament.

The ceremony can take place both in church and at home. There are no special canons in the Orthodox Church that would prohibit baptism at home. A few centuries ago, the Sacrament took place much more often at home. This had its reasons: peasant families mostly had large families, with 9–15 children in families, and the mother’s body simply did not have time to recover after childbirth. This led to younger children being born weak and often unviable. In such cases, when the road to the temple could lead to a deterioration in the condition or death of the child, the priest was invited home.

Preparation for the ceremony

First of all, you need to talk to the priest in the church. It is best to wait until the end of the service and ask the clergyman to speak with you. It is necessary to prepare for the meeting: read the Gospel in order to learn about the life of Christ, be sure to memorize the basic prayers (“Our Father”, “Hail the Virgin Mary” and “Creed”), study Christian teaching and understand its essence.

Most likely, there will be several meetings with the priest. The priest must make sure that your intentions are serious and that you are ready to be baptized. There are no rules governing how many meetings there should be. But, like a real psychologist, the priest understands that it is difficult to discern a person the first time, so, as a rule, at least three audiences are held. During the audiences, you can ask all the questions you are interested in about Christianity, talk about God and his role in life, and find out how baptism takes place. It is important to be sincere and answer questions honestly.

It is worth asking how much baptism costs only after the priest has made a decision. You can ask either the priest himself or in the church shop; some churches also have a price list. In most churches this service is free and only donations are accepted; in other cases the cost is on average (in Moscow) 2-4 thousand rubles.

Before baptism, it is necessary to observe fasting, which involves abstaining from meat and dairy products, eggs, alcoholic and tobacco products within from three days up to a month. And also during fasting it is necessary to abstain from fun and intimate relationships, make peace with everyone with whom you were in a quarrel, and confess. On the eve of baptism, you cannot eat or drink water from midnight.

Both men and women must have for Baptism:

• A baptismal shirt (it should be white; a baptismal shirt for men resembles a long shirt, for women it resembles a dress). The shirt cannot be washed or worn after the ceremony. Everyday life. It is believed that it can be worn during a serious illness to aid recovery.
• A towel (it should also be new, white and preferably large).
• Flip-flops or open-toed slippers (feet must be exposed).
• Pectoral cross IR on a chain or rope. It is important to remember that after the sacrament of baptism it cannot be removed only on the basis of medical indications.

The baptism of women also occurs according to the following rules:

The practice of adult baptism may vary from church to church. In some churches, the font is surrounded by a screen, and in this case the immersion takes place without clothes, and the clergyman sees only the head of the person being baptized. While planning your baptism, you can find out all the details of the ceremony in the church shop.

How does the Sacrament happen?

The process for adult baptism is as follows:

After the Sacrament of Baptism, the usual life of a Christian must change. This means that a person must begin to fulfill the commandments of the Lord, live correctly, give up certain habits, think about his actions, change his attitude towards others.

Rebaptism

Baptism can be performed on a person only once in a lifetime, since it was already mentioned above that baptism corresponds to birth, and a person can be born only once. People wonder whether it is possible to be baptized a second time because they believe in completely absurd and occult things, for example, that a second baptism will help remove damage, a curse, or the evil eye. With the help of a repeated ritual, they want to solve family or life problems. Sometimes people think that if they cross themselves into a different name, then ill-wishers will not be able to spoil them. These terrible superstitions are instilled in people by sorcerers and psychics who cover up their atrocities with Orthodoxy.

The desire or action to be baptized a second time - great sin and blasphemy, and from the standpoint church canons unacceptable. In addition, it will not save a person from problems, will not protect him from ill-wishers and will not bring good luck, but rather the opposite, since a sinful action never adds happiness.

The meaning of preparatory rites

The Russian Orthodox Church is going through a unique historical stage. Today, as in the ancient Christian Church, mature, mature individuals come to Baptism. That Sacrament, which over the past several centuries, before the tragedy of the 20th century, was performed almost exclusively on infants, at the turn of the 20th-21st centuries became the lot of adults.

In this regard, according to the logic of things, the institution of catechumens, that is, persons consciously preparing to join the church, should be restored. Indeed, in the ancient church, those who were preparing to accept were gradually introduced into its life. They are for a long period of time, which in different years ranged from 40 days to three years, they studied the truths of faith, read the Holy Scriptures, and took part in common prayers. It is noteworthy that the bishop, to whom the person wishing to be baptized came, tested his moral qualities and the sincerity of his desire to become a Christian.

It is clear that much of this practice of the early Christian church is impossible to implement in modern conditions for various reasons. But catechetical conversations before Epiphany, reading Holy Scripture, Orthodox literature, participation in divine services, general prayers in church, are not only available, but should also be mandatory.

The sacrament of Baptism should not be profaned and become an ethnographic rite performed for purposes that have nothing to do with the essence of Christianity. Moreover, the preparatory rites, which were of significant importance for the early Church, and compiled specifically for the Baptism of adults, did not disappear and did not subsequently become “infantile” (due to the age of those brought to Baptism), but to this day they have retained the “adult” rite. , which has always been an integral part of this Sacrament.

Consequently, the Baptism of an adult must be preceded by preparation, which, in essence, will be his gradual entry into church life.

Before Epiphany

An adult who wishes to be baptized must have an understanding of the most important components Orthodox faith. Must read New Testament, and also know the main part of the dogmatic teaching about the Holy Trinity, About the Incarnation of the Son of God, His Sacrifice on the Cross and Resurrection, about the Church of Christ, About the Sacraments - Communion, Baptism, Confirmation.

In many churches, public conversations are held, and those who sign up for Baptism are required to attend them. If the temple does not have such a practice, you can talk to the priest and find out everything you need about the rite of Baptism. You will need to study the basics of Orthodox doctrine on your own. In addition, those who wish to be baptized must know by heart the most important Christian prayers - the Creed, the Lord's Prayer “Our Father”, and “Virgin Mother of God, Rejoice”. These prayers are in any prayer book.

For an adult, it is advisable, if possible, to prepare for the rite of Baptism by fasting for three days, that is, by refusing to eat meat, dairy, eggs, alcoholic beverages, or smoking. Before proceeding to the Sacrament, Christians, according to the word of Jesus Christ, must make peace with everyone with whom they were in a quarrel. Fasting also means giving up entertainment and watching entertainment television. Married persons must renounce marital relations during this period.

Adult Baptism Rite

The service of the Sacrament of Baptism consists of the rite of announcement, the subsequent Holy Baptism, which includes several rites: the consecration of water, the consecration of oil, Baptism and the vesting of the newly baptized in white baptismal robe. After Baptism, the Sacrament of Confirmation is performed.

Announcement

Before reading the clarification prayers, the priest performs the following sacred rites: he blows three times into the face of the person being baptized, this is symbolically connected with the moment of the creation of man, when God took man created from the dust of the earth, and breathed into his face the breath of life, and man became a living soul (Gen. 2; 7).. Then the priest blesses the person being baptized three times, and placing his hand on his head, begins reading prayers.

After reading prohibitory prayers (prayer for banning evil spirits), a ritual of renunciation of Satan is performed. The person receiving Baptism turns his face to the west - a symbol of darkness and dark forces, the priest will ask him questions, and he must consciously answer them. After renouncing Satan, the baptized person confesses allegiance to Christ (is united with Christ), now facing the east, just as in the previous rite, and answers questions repeated three times. Then the catechumen reads aloud the Creed - one of the main Christian prayers, containing in brief, all Orthodox faith. This prayer must be known by heart. After reading the prayer, questions from the priest follow, this is repeated three times. Now the catechumen is ready to receive Holy Baptism.

The process of Baptism begins with the blessing of water. Before this, the priest dresses in white robes, a symbol of the new life brought to earth by Jesus Christ. Candles are lit if godparents participate in the ceremony, which is also acceptable for adults; candles are also given to them. The consecration of the water is followed by the consecration of the oil; the person being baptized is anointed with it: his forehead (forehead), chest, back between the shoulder blades, ears, arms and legs, this is the meaning of anointing. to sanctify a person’s thoughts, desires and actions. entering into a covenant with God.

After anointing, baptism is performed by three times immersion in the font, with the utterance of the secret words, that is, the baptismal prayer. But upon leaving the font, the new church member is clothed in white clothes from baptismal set - a symbol of purified, renewed human nature.

For men - this is a baptismal shirt, for women - a long shirt, like a nightgown, always with sleeves, or a baptismal dress. Baptismal clothing must be new, pure white.

The priest puts a pectoral cross on the newly baptized person’s neck, saying a special prayer. After this, the Sacrament of Confirmation is performed. Then the priest with the newly baptized person walks around the font three times, which is a symbol of eternity. After the solemn chants, the Epistle of the Apostles and the Gospel are read. At the end, the ceremony of cutting hair takes place, this is a sign of the Christian’s surrender to the will of God.

What is needed for the Baptism of an adult?

To participate in the rite of Baptism, you need to buy a baptismal set in advance: a baptismal towel - a new, white towel, large enough to wipe yourself dry after the font, a baptismal shirt. pectoral cross, several candles and slippers (flip-flops), since at a certain moment of the Sacrament a person must be without shoes, without socks, stockings, etc. - for anointing with holy oil.

Practice of committing Adult Baptisms differs in different temples. In some churches, when baptizing women and girls, the font is surrounded by a screen. then the immersion is performed without clothes, the priest sees only the head of the person being baptized. In other churches, women are baptized wearing chemises or long shirts. Women, in all cases without exception, must wear a scarf or other headdress in the temple. When registering for Baptism, you can find out in the candle shop all the details of the Sacrament in this temple.

The online store “Kreshcheniye.ru” is pleased to offer clothes for Epiphany different sizes, for adults and teenagers, as well as all the necessary accessories: terry towels, scarves, holiday candle sets. You can also buy a pectoral cross from us, gold or silver, made of white or blackened 925 sterling silver.

Clothes for Baptism can be purchased at a church store, or you can sew them yourself; traditionally there is embroidery on the back of the baptismal shirt. Orthodox cross, the baptismal towel can also be decorated with Orthodox symbols. Baptismal clothing is not used in everyday life and, as a rule, is not washed.

It is advisable that everything necessary for Baptism be prepared in advance; you will be much calmer on the day of the Sacrament, since at the last moment the church store may not have shirts of the required size or crosses that are suitable in shape and size.

Believers wear a pectoral cross throughout their lives, without removing it, except in special circumstances (at the request of a doctor, etc.)

In Orthodox society, it is customary to baptize newborn babies. Materials about this ritual are presented everywhere. The situation is completely different with adults. Such a topic as the baptism of an adult, what is needed for it and how it is carried out, still raises questions, so we suggest considering its features in relation to adults.

The baptism of an adult is inextricably linked with why and how one should be baptized. This topic is interpreted from several perspectives, namely:

• the underlying reasons for undergoing this ritual;
• rules and necessity of using the sign of the cross.

The sacrament is considered to be the starting point for involving a person in Orthodox Church. After the ritual, an adult is allowed to take part in church sacraments and worship. The baptism of an adult allows loved ones and relatives to submit notes to the church on his behalf.

During the baptismal act, human sins are forgiven, for which the clothes of the person being baptized are washed. It is believed that the soul becomes as snow-white as the baptismal robe. To save the soul it is necessary to participate in the life of the Church. This will ensure spiritual growth and purity of intentions.

It is based on an understanding of how important and necessary it is to be baptized. The main purpose of the ritual is the atonement of sins. It is not only adult sins that are taken into account. Newborn babies are also considered sinners. Taken into account original sin. It is passed on to members of the human race by inheritance.

One of the reasons for using the sign of the cross is the desire to imitate the Lord God. Initially, Jesus Christ plunged into the waters of the Jordan. Then he accepted all the sins of humanity. Jesus subsequently gave his life as payment for human sins. This happened as a result of the Lord's suffering on the cross.

There is a disappointing tendency to perform a ritual without understanding the importance of the Sacrament. Such representatives of society are driven by imitation of the opinion of the majority. At the same time, people do not think about the true meaning of the ritual. The main reason for its implementation should be faith and an irresistible desire to become part of the divine unity.

Preparation for the Sacrament

The main impulse for performing the Sacrament of baptism on a mature person should be true Christian faith. Only the desire to reunite with the Lord God is considered a criterion of spiritual purity and sincerity. That is why, before undergoing the Sacrament, a person needs to decide how ready he is to gain faith. After the ceremony, the newly baptized person must live immersed in the church atmosphere. This means that you need to systematically visit the temple, know and read prayers, and comprehend the divine service. If church life is ignored, the Sacrament has no meaning.

Note! The baptismal ritual is carried out regardless of the person’s age at any time of the year.

Performing the ritual for an adult is inseparably linked to the question of what is needed for baptism. For a mature person to go through the ritual, not only faith in the Divine is necessary. Understanding and awareness of Orthodox beliefs is important. The postulates of religion are given in the Gospel.

It is inappropriate to seek earthly goods through ritual, or to resolve problems in the family and at work. The sacrament should not act as a tool for achieving success. The main condition for performing the ritual is the desire to live according to Christian beliefs.

Direct preparation for baptism consists of several stages:

Catechesis includes conversations with a clergyman, presented in the form of a “12 conversations” program. It consists of such topics as the foundations of Orthodox dogma, the duties of every Christian, and the way of life of a believer. Helps the believer find answers to existing questions, involves reading the Gospel, studying the Lord's Prayer and the text of the Creed. It is associated with confession, the announcement of sins, bad thoughts and inclinations to the baptized person. It takes from 1 week to a year (depending on the chosen temple).

Informative!: is it possible to be a godfather to several children?

Collection of ritual items, the list of which includes a pectoral cross, a chain, a baptismal shirt, a towel, and open slippers. An exact list of necessary items for the Sacrament is issued in the church where the ritual will be held. Items can be purchased at the church store directly on the day of the Sacrament or in advance; there is an option for purchasing through the online store.

Choice of godparents

Among what an adult needs for the baptismal ceremony is the choice of godparents. It is important to understand that such people should be role models. They will be the support of a newly-made Christian in hours of doubt and ordeal. The responsibilities of a godfather include:

• spiritual education of the godson;
• teaching the basics of Christian life;
• instruction in accordance with Orthodox teaching.

When choosing a godfather, you should pay attention to the following qualities:

• responsibility;
• reliability;
• responsiveness;
• high moral principles.

The spiritual recipient for a female representative is a woman, for the stronger sex - a man. According to church regulations, it is enough to choose one godfather. However, often both a godfather and a godmother are selected. It is not prohibited to invite a relative to act as a successor. This will only strengthen Orthodox ties within the clan.

Note! After the ceremony you cannot change godparents.

The difference between the baptism of an adult and a child is the right to refuse godparents. A mature person independently makes a decision about the need for a godfather. People who should not be invited as godparents include:

• parents of the person being baptized;
• non-believers in the Orthodox faith;
• unbaptized or supporters of a different faith;
• monks/nuns;
• legally married people;
• a bride and groom or a couple in a relationship with each other;
• people with neurological diseases and mental disorders;
• people of low moral principles;
• children (girls under 13 years of age, boys under 15 years of age).

It must be taken into account that the rite of baptism for an adult is somewhat different for mature men and women. The following features should be taken into account:

During the ceremony, the fabric of the baptismal shirt becomes see-through. To prevent awkward situations, the fair sex is recommended to wear a swimsuit underneath. It is important to take a spare pair of underwear with you.

During the ritual, the person's ankles must be open. The pectoral cross must be consecrated. The cross can be bought at any church store, regardless of the location of the ceremony. It is not recommended to purchase a gold cross: it is believed that gold is the metal of sinners; it is necessary to give preference to silver.

To carry out the ritual you will need several candles. Before the ceremony, you should buy candles for those accompanying the person being baptized.

Informative! What you need: main rules and signs

Preparation includes meeting the following conditions:

• The person being baptized and the godparents must be smartly dressed.
• Representatives of the fair sex must cover their heads with a scarf.
• Women are prohibited from wearing bright lipstick, wearing trousers, or wearing short skirts or dresses.
• Men are not allowed to visit the temple wearing shorts.

The order of the Sacrament

Over the centuries, the regulations on how to baptize an adult have remained unchanged. The Church determines how baptisms are performed. One of the conditions for the baptism of an adult is the presence of the clergyman, the person being baptized, and his godparents. The ritual for an adult occurs in the following sequence:

1. Assigning a name to the baptized person. The name is assigned on Christmastide. The new name is associated with the Saint, who will be the heavenly patron of the baptized person.
2. Laying on of the hand of a clergyman. The gesture invisibly represents God's hand. The act represents the blessing of Christ, the imposition of God's protection and protection of the believer.
3. Reading a prayer service (or rite of announcement). Prayer prohibits action evil spirits. The holy text puts protection against the machinations of the devil and his minions, they are expelled;
4. The baptized person's renunciation of evil spirits. Involves a ban on unclean spirits. The prayer is read facing the west.
5. The renunciation of spiritual recipients from the actions of the minions of the devil.
6. Confession of allegiance to God. The godparents answer the clergyman's questions by facing the east. Requires mandatory reading of the Creed prayer.
7. Anointing with water and oil. The water and oil participating in the ritual are consecrated in advance. The clergyman must wear white robes. During the prayer speeches of the clergyman, the oil is lowered into holy water three times. The godparents are given candles. During the ritual, 3 candles are lit in the eastern part of the font.
8. Confirmation. While reading the prayer, the person being baptized is anointed in the area of ​​the eyes, forehead, cheeks, arms and legs.
9. Hair cutting. The priest cuts off a lock of hair from the head of the person being baptized. After the ceremony, the hair remains in the temple as a sacrifice to the Divine.
10. Reading a prayer to those being baptized. A believer is illuminated by the grace of the Holy Spirit, is associated with a person’s physical and spiritual change, and represents the “second human birth.” All sins are forgiven, a Guardian Angel is assigned to protect the soul.

Meal before the Sacrament

Often on the eve of the Sacrament the question arises whether it is possible to eat any food before baptism. The answer to whether it is possible to eat before the Sacrament is clear. Eating before this ritual is not prohibited. There is an exception to the rule. Eating before the ceremony is prohibited if a person alternately undergoes the sacraments of Baptism, Communion or the Eucharist. The person's age is taken into account. The ban applies to persons over a 3-year period.

Note! It is forbidden to eat any food not before Baptism, but before Communion. The time period after 12 o'clock at night before the ritual is taken into account.

In addition to general restrictions, a person sets his own rules for eating. This condition often arises from ideological considerations and is of an individual nature. A person excludes fast food from the diet a couple of days before the Sacrament. On the morning before the ritual, any food intake is skipped.

It is necessary to listen to the needs of not only the soul, but also the body. In case of illness or illness, it is recommended to refrain from strict restrictions.

Cost of the ritual

In preparation for the Sacrament, a person involuntarily wonders how much baptism in the church costs. It should be understood that the ritual does not have a regulated cost. This is due to the non-profit activities of temples. The notional value represents a donation. At the same time, the fee for an adult is no different from a child.

The answer to how much it costs to be baptized in a church lies in the specific temple. Donation amounts vary. The size of the contribution is influenced by the city where the Sacrament is held, the location of the temple, and the established internal donations of the temple. So, in Moscow donations amount to 2-4 thousand rubles, and in the Moscow region - 1 thousand. On average, the fee for the ritual is 1–3 thousand rubles.

The cost depends on the order of the ritual. It is possible to order an individual ceremony. In this case, only relatives and friends of the person being baptized will be present at the Sacrament. In some situations, no fee is established. The person himself decides how much he is willing to donate. In case of financial insecurity of the person being baptized, the ceremony is carried out free of charge.

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Let's sum it up

Baptism is an important stage in a person's life as a Christian. Carrying out the ritual requires moral readiness and preparation. Studying the order of the Sacrament will allow a person to freely begin the right path in life.