What to look for when choosing clothes for a child's baptism. What is needed for adult baptism? Why is a baptismal shirt needed?
- 03.08.2012
- 51067 views
One of the most important moments in a person’s life, his second, now spiritual birth. And every year more and more young parents baptize their children, according to their faith and primordial Russian traditions.
According to church tenets, it is advisable to baptize a baby on the 40th day of birth, however, increasingly, young families are postponing the sacrament of baptism a little so that the newborn gets a little stronger and grows up - after all, in the first weeks he is so fragile! But in any case, it is recommended to baptize babies in the first year of life.
If you want to follow all the rules, then it is better to start preparing for baptism in advance. A very responsible and serious step is to choose the right godparents for the baby. Of course, there is no point in conducting a ceremony without faith and repentance, therefore godparents must be baptized and believing people. Godparents undertake to help parents in everything related to the Christian upbringing of the child, pray for him, and instruct him spiritually. In general, for a boy it is enough to invite only his godfather, and for a girl only his godmother is needed, but according to tradition, both are invited. Before the ceremony, godparents must go to church to confess, repent and receive communion. At least one of the parents must know the “Creed” prayer by heart; it is read during the ceremony.
For young parents, it would be a good idea to first walk through the churches, listen to your feelings, talk with the priest, the novices - they will help you sort out the details and tell you how exactly the ceremony is carried out in this church. Each church conducts the baptism ceremony a little differently - it depends on the priest and the traditions of the temple, however, in Orthodoxy there are certain strict canons. So, christening can be roughly divided into three parts: the holy father’s appeal to the Lord (at this time the child is alternately in the arms of his godparents and blood parents), anointing the baby and washing in the font. Then - the final prayers, at the end of which your child will be reliably protected by the Lord and the guardian angel.
Parents should remember that christening is not a ten-minute event, but a solemn rite, consisting of many rules and rituals lasting about 40 minutes. And this is why the right “equipment” for a baby is so important: a well-chosen baptism kit will allow your baby to withstand the entire important procedure without tears or whims.
Usually godparents buy the outfit for the holy sacrament, however, if you don’t want “surprises,” you can still control this moment yourself. Now more and more parents are turning their attention to special baptismal sets. For example, baptismal sets of the Choupette brand absolutely comply with all Orthodox canons, because the brand’s specialists approached this issue very responsibly and consulted with representatives of the Orthodox Church. A christening outfit for a girl is a dress, complemented by accessories such as a bonnet (lace cap) and, if desired, a handmade commemorative sachet, in which it is convenient to put an icon, a cross, and then store the first cut curl there. For a boy, you can choose a laconic and sophisticated shirt, optionally complementing it with a sachet. An important point: a boy’s head, unlike a girl’s, remains uncovered during baptism. According to Orthodox canons, it is customary to dress girls and boys in long, toe-length clothes in traditional white or light cream shades, decorated with embroidery, lace, satin and silk ribbons.
Many parents are concerned about the following question: how elegant should the christening set be? There can only be one answer: an atmosphere of divinity and purity is always appropriate in a church. This is what you should consider when choosing a baptismal set. Previously, in Rus' there was a tradition of passing on baptismal clothes by inheritance to your children, so baptismal sets looked like a real family heirloom - truly luxurious! There was exquisite lace, silver embroidery, and precious stones... In the modern world, baptismal outfits for boys and girls are not passed down from generation to generation, however, they remain no less elegant - after all, this is such an important moment in life! In a christening set for a girl, embroidery, lace, satin, and silk ribbons (only in a harmonious combination) would be appropriate, but the outfit for boys should look somewhat more restrained, but no less elegant.
It is very important that the entire set fully meets the requirements for children's clothing: it is made from 100% natural, hypoallergenic materials that do not irritate the baby's skin, without rough seams or roughness. It is important to pay attention that clothes are easy to put on and take off, otherwise a long time of untying and tying can ruin the solemnity of the moment and (more importantly!) the child’s mood. Clothes that need to be put on over the head are also extremely uncomfortable for the baby. Since the baptism ceremony lasts quite a long time, it is better to prepare for various surprises, a favorite toy will help distract the child in time, food, a pacifier, changeable diapers - everything should be ready. You should be able to quickly dry and change your baby.
After the rite of anointing, there is a font, which symbolizes the cleansing of the baby; this moment, by the way, is one of the most solemn and important in the baptismal rite. After bathing, the baby is dressed in a white and always new baptismal shirt or baptismal towel. This is a sign of purity before heaven and the sight of God. Sometimes it happens that young parents buy bright clothes or a towel for christening so that the child looks smarter, but this is not true, according to church laws, only white and its shades, for example, cream, are the only correct ones. You should also not forget about a very important thing - the cross. It is better if the cross is made of light material; it is better to put off the chain for small children for later. It is safer to use a ribbon or rope made of natural material instead - it will not rub the baby’s delicate skin.
Clothing for baptism: what is it for?
Christenings are considered one of the most important moments in the life of any person. At christenings, a white shirt is usually worn, symbolizing the purity and innocence of thoughts before God. Before the start of the sacrament, old clothes are removed as a symbol of sin, and a new clean person comes out of the water and puts on a clean shirt, like a new soul received from God.
Anavolius, this is exactly what the baptismal shirt sounds like in Greek, has a straight, loose cut and is decorated with very symbolic embroidery.
Model overview
For adults
Women's baptismal shirt Traditionally, it has a loose fit, maximum length and is sewn from white fabric. The cut of the shirt includes sewn or one-piece sleeves and maximum coverage of the chest and shoulders. Women's anavolia are decorated with embroidery in the spirit of Christianity and thin lace.
A christening shirt is also necessary for men, since in it the immersion into the font takes place and the Sacrament of Baptism is performed. Men's models may be shorter than women's. Usually their length reaches the knee. In addition, men's models are more laconic than women's, less often decorated with lace inserts and resemble the clothes of a priest. A cross is traditionally embroidered on the back and chest of the shirt.
For teenagers
Teenage models are not much different from adults. They are usually smaller and shorter than adults.
Models for girls are more delicate, sometimes the style resembles a dress. Boys' shirts have a more formal design. Universal shirts for boys and girls are also made; they usually have a simple cut, embroidery and modest lace decoration.
For newborns
The baptismal shirt is the first thing the baby is dressed in after the ceremony. Incredibly beautiful and delicate clothes are made for little princes and princesses. They are usually decorated with a lot of lace and embroidery.
A christening outfit for newborns is a whole set of clothes, consisting of a shirt, a cap (for girls) and booties.
How to choose and what it should be
When choosing a baptismal shirt, you need to think, first of all, about comfort. The design of a shirt or dress should not restrict movement; it should be spacious and light. This is especially true for children's clothing.
An uncomfortable christening shirt can cause your baby or toddler to become cranky and in a bad mood. Shirts for newborns should be lined or have perfectly finished seams or outside seams.
The material from which the shirt is made should be pleasant to the body. Anavolia made from natural fabrics that do not irritate the skin and are well breathable are preferred. For sewing baptismal shirts, cotton, linen, viscose, and silk are used, which undergo a special softening treatment. All these fabrics are environmentally friendly and harmless to the health of adults and children.
Previously, decorating baptismal shirts was highly welcomed. Luxurious embroidery and luxurious lace adorning the hem of a long shirt meant a long and rich life. Over time, shirts became shorter and jewelry became more modest.
Nowadays christening shirts are decorated in a cute and tasteful way. Lace and satin ribbons are used as decoration.
Varieties
Despite the general features, lines and rules for sewing baptismal shirts, their range is quite wide and has many design features and design differences.
Hooded
This model is mainly used when sewing anavolia for children. These hooded shirts are not only beautiful, but also very comfortable. They are very quickly put on the body, and the hood goes over the head. This point is especially important when baptizing boys, for whom it is not customary to wear caps after the ceremony.
With a cross
The cross symbolizes the suffering of the Savior and his victory over death. The cross is made using various embroidery techniques, mainly with gold, silver or white threads.
The technique of appliquing a cross from Swarovski crystals is also known. As a rule, the cross is located in the center of the shirt on the front and/or back.
With smell
The christening shirt with a wrap has a special cut - its edges overlap each other. The halves are tied together with braid or ribbon. The cut lines of such a shirt are usually straight. The wrap style allows you to adjust the width of the shirt and usually fits several sizes.
What to do with her next
Orthodox tradition requires further storage of the baptismal shirt. It is believed that a shirt that retains traces of the world on itself has a beneficial effect during illness and disease.
Is it washable?
Taking care of baptismal clothing helps preserve it in its original form for the rest of your life. It is not customary to wash a baptismal shirt, since during anointing, droplets of the world fall on it. You can only wash the towel that was used at baptism and this must be done separately from other things.
Is it possible to wear
In everyday life, a baptismal shirt is not usually worn. It is taken out in case of illness and applied to the sore spot.
Brand overview
My pea
When sewing baptismal shirts, My Pea, as for its other products, uses only natural fabrics and, basically, the brand gives preference to 100% cotton fabrics. The seams of the baptismal shirts are very carefully processed and will not damage the baby’s delicate skin.
Seraphim and Seraphim
The brand produces baptismal shirts for true connoisseurs of tradition, style and beauty. The production uses high-quality natural fabrics and rich Italian lace. Satin ribbons are used as additional decoration.
The collection includes models with a hidden zipper at the back, which allows you to quickly put on and take off the shirt.
Tron plus
The brand offers baptismal shirts of various cuts for newborns. All products are made from 100% cotton and decorated with satin ribbons: white, pink or blue. The cut of the shirts is spacious and does not restrict the movements of children. The fabric is soft and pleasant to the touch, giving the child only a comfortable feeling.
My angel
Almost all models have elements of the old Russian style and are made of natural fabric - percale, which is the thinnest and thickest cotton fabric. The fabric is made from long-staple cotton fibers, which makes it strong, dense, but smooth and soft. The design of shirts often uses embroidery with gold and silver threads and Swarovski crystals.
The sacrament of baptism can take place at different ages. It depends on the wishes of the parents, if they have decided, or on the adult personality. Ideally, a person should choose faith himself, however, according to Christian tradition, parents should already on the 40th day of his life, since this is exactly what happened with Jesus Christ.
In the old days, this rule was strictly followed. In addition, the child was given a name by the priest in the church during the baptismal ceremony. Today everything has changed a little, now every family has the right to decide whether to baptize or not. Moreover, this is not done strictly on the 40th day, but when it is convenient for the parents.
What is needed for a child's baptism
To carry out the baptism ceremony, much is not required. We need a couple - a woman and a man, a baptismal towel (kryzhma), a pectoral cross.
You should also take care of clothes for your baby. You can purchase either a suit or a christening shirt for your child.
Baby christening clothes
According to Orthodox tradition, the godfather must buy a cross for a child. But the godmother usually buys a towel and baptismal shirt for a boy.
What should clothes be for? This can be either a regular nice suit of any color (preferably snow-white or just a light shade), or a special shirt. You can buy it at a church store or even a regular children's store.
What does a boy's christening shirt look like?
A baptismal shirt for a boy is no different from a similar shirt for a girl. If this clothing is not white, it may have a subtle blue tint. The shirt has a loose fit. It can be long, to the floor, or a little shorter, but not higher than knee level.
Clothes for a boy's baptism can be decorated with gold or silver ornaments, and there may also be an embroidered Orthodox cross on it. As for the material from which such an outfit is made, it should be natural, soft, and pleasant to the child’s body.
You can also create a baptismal shirt with your own hands; for this you will need to select patterns, sew and decorate the clothes yourself. In this case, it will become not only the most comfortable and soft, but also decorated the way the child’s godmother or birth mother would like.
Using a christening shirt for a boy
According to Orthodox custom, baptismal clothing needs to be worn only once in a lifetime, to be baptized. After this, it should simply be stored in a dry place. A baptismal towel can be used when a child is sick. People believe that if a child is wrapped in kryzhma, illnesses and illnesses will recede. But the shirt for a child’s baptism no longer needs to be taken out from a secluded place.
However, this does not mean that you should skimp on baptismal clothing. After all, it is much more pleasant and comfortable for a child when natural soft fabrics touch his body, rather than artificial synthetics.
The role of baptism in the life of every person is undeniable. For a child, this is the most important day in his life. Already today, all children are brought in without much persuasion, as if a second birth occurs during the sacrament of baptism. Choosing baptismal clothes can sometimes be so difficult. Some people prefer simple homemade ones, others prefer those bought in a specialized store. However, solemnity in clothing should still be present. What to give preference to is up to you. Let's take a look: what kind of clothes are there for the baptism of children, and what to look for when choosing them?
Choosing baptismal clothes
Before purchasing clothes for your child’s baptism, you must understand that you are buying not just clothes, but robes for the Great Sacrament. That is why all clothing, especially if it is bought for a baby, should be made strictly from natural and soft materials that absorb moisture. Pay attention to the cut of the finished product: it should be loose, not restrictive or constrict the baby’s movements, the sleeves should not squeeze the arms. It is also important that the clothes are soft and do not injure your baby's delicate skin.
Infants undergo baptism between 7 and 40 days from birth. For such babies, special baptismal clothes are sewn. Please note that traditionally the usual rompers and vests are not used for the sacrament of baptism. Properly tailored clothing should be easy to put on and easy to take off. That is why a loose cut is used.
So, let's look at the baptismal sets:
1. Christening sets for girls, first of all, you need to choose a dress with lace or other types of trim. This is what symbolizes the purity of the little man’s soul. The canons of the church do not establish the length of clothing for girls. That is why they choose a length to the toes or slightly below the knees. However, the child’s legs should not be completely covered, as the priest anoints them with Myrrh.
2. Baptism kits for boys are chosen 
embroidered baptismal shirts, in no way inferior to any other clothing. Please note that all shirts and dresses for children are worn over the head only. According to tradition, the priest himself puts on baptismal shirts.
The decoration of shirts and dresses can be embroidered with rhinestones, ribbons, elegant lace and other elements. All embroidery or ornament must strictly comply with the canons of the Orthodox Church, since any design carries a certain meaning. All clothes have delicate colors; white is traditionally used, since it is considered a symbol of purity and sinlessness. But peach, pink, light green or blue, as well as any pastel colors, can be used. All baptismal clothing carries a special purity and beauty.
For sewing baptismal sets, cambric fabric, satin, cotton, linen, lace fabric and lace or the finest silk are offered. Viscose thread is used for embroidery. Clothing made from these fabrics fits nicely to the child's body and does not cause any irritation. In any case, clothing that does not cause embarrassment is recommended. It is better to buy separate baptismal sets, which can be quickly changed after they get wet. You should not choose one-piece overalls; they are very difficult to change. There should definitely be warm clothes. It is put on after the bathing ceremony.
For the sacrament of baptism, not only shirts or dresses are used, but also elegant caps for boys and bonnets for girls. Booties should be worn on the feet; they are selected in such a way that the child is comfortable. You will also need two interesting sheets and a sachet where you put a strand of hair or a cross. Please note that one sheet (the second name is kryzhma) should be warm and with a hood, since wet clothes are completely removed, and the baby must be wrapped up. As a kryzhma, you can use a simple terry baptismal towel or an embroidered diaper trimmed with lace. In such a diaper, your baby will cause sincere tenderness.
Baptismal clothes and kryzhma must be kept in memory of the Great Sacrament. If you want to use these clothes, it is better to consult a priest about this, since according to tradition, baptismal sets are not washed or used in everyday life, but during illness you can cover your child with them.
We offer you different options for baptismal clothing for children!
The online store "Baptism" offers you children's clothing for different ages of the baby. All clothing is sold both individually and as ready-made baptismal sets. The presented assortment can be viewed on the store’s website. From us you can purchase a variety of baptismal shirts for boys and women's dresses at competitive prices this season. We have clothes for children up to 3 years old. If you want to get exclusive outfits for your child, then we offer you custom sewing services.
Your children will look absolutely irresistible in baptismal clothes from our Kreshcheniye.ru Store. Choose the same style and finish. Please note that simple vests, of course, are much cheaper. But your baby only has the sacrament of baptism once in his life. It's worth making sure it looks the part!
You don't have to go shopping and choose the right outfits for your baby or toddler. We have a wide range of children's christening clothes. All the clothes you choose are delivered exactly on time and at the specified time. We are also ready to please you with a flexible system of discounts.