When to baptize a child in 2023 and at what age is it better to do it – we answer difficult spiritual questions.

When to baptize a child in 2023 / photo ua.depositphotos.com

All Orthodox parents sooner or later think about baptizing their children. Baptism gives the child spiritual protection, without which he will be vulnerable to evil and will not be able to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Also, the unbaptized cannot participate in other rites of the church, such as communion and weddings.

At baptism, the child receives a church name in honor of the saint who will protect the person throughout his life. Many parents leave the child’s worldly name at baptism, if it is among the saints.

When can you baptize a child in 2023

The Church does not establish prohibited days for baptism. Any priest will be happy to perform baptism on any day of the week, as well as during fasting and Christian holidays. You can baptize a child on Christmas, the Baptism of the Lord, or Easter.

The date of baptism should be approached from a practical point of view: on holidays there are often long queues, and the priest simply will not have time to perform the ceremony. Therefore, it is better to postpone the baptism on a day with few people. It is also convenient to baptize a child on the weekend, as church services last less.

At what age to baptize a child

The Bible commands to conduct the sacrament at a conscious age, so that a person understands its essence. For example, many Christian saints were baptized in adulthood, and Jesus performed the rite at the age of 30. Modern churches baptize babies.

It is customary to baptize a child in the church at least 40 days after birth. It is not advisable to baptize a baby before this age, unless he is seriously ill. Children older than 40 days can be baptized at any age. The Church will not refuse baptism to a teenager or an adult either.

When can you baptize a child / ua.depositphotos.com

Who can and cannot be a godfather

The godfather undertakes to become the spiritual mentor of his godchild, to educate him in the church faith and guide him on the right path. Some requirements for godparents are clearly defined by the church, while others are disputed. In Orthodoxy, it is permissible to have both two baptized children, and one (of the same sex as the child).

The following cannot be baptized:

• parents of the child;
• monks;
• minors;
• non-Christians and non-Orthodox.

Optional requirements for the baptized:

• it is desirable that the godparents are blood relatives of the child;
• godfather and mother cannot be spouses, otherwise there will be spiritual incest between them.