A Soviet man could hardly have a desire to become baptized in adulthood, or baptize his children, for whom this would mean the fate of an outcast in the society of those years. However, in the post-Soviet years there has been a sharp increase in interest in how the rite of baptism takes place. Either a holy faith suddenly woke up in people, who was dozing all Komsomol years, or this can be called a new trend of fashion. In principle, all this is not so essential, the main thing is that today we live in a very religious society, where now no baptism causes surprise to others.
For example, there are states that proclaim themselves not secular, but Christian. So, for example, Argentina - in the country's constitution it is written that this is a Catholic country. More than 90% of the inhabitants of Argentina are really Catholics, children are sent to Catholic schools, and not in public you will be told that in order to get here a normal job, one must be baptized into Catholics.
So, we must be baptized for the sake of our faith or as a tribute to fashion. Let's see how the baptism of an adult passes.
Baptism of an adult
We must immediately note that the rite of baptism of children and the baptism of adults are completely different things from the point of view of religion. If a child is attached to faith "up front", then in order for an adult to become baptized, he needs about a year to study all Christian dogmas and doctrines in the church with a church minister.
An adult who is admitted to the Christian rite of baptism must memorize the two most important prayers - "Our Father" and "Theotokos of Devo", must possess the catechetical foundations, religious teachings. And, most importantly, the rules of conduct and the way of life of a righteous Christian.
To the rite of baptism, an adult should be prepared in a special way. This is, first of all, a week strict post - without meat, eggs, milk, and also without smoking and alcohol. You also need to refrain from carnal pleasures, anger, aggression, quarrels, lies. Before the baptism you need to ask forgiveness from those whom you have offended, to make amends, to repent, and to forgive your offenders.
If we are talking about the baptism of an "adult" child - a schoolboy who is in a conscious age, baptism should be carried out only by his consent, and also with the consent of his parents.
Day of Baptism
On this important day, the priest conducts a rite of purification of man from his worldly sins. Further, the rite of baptism in the church, both adult and small, presupposes the denial of Satan to all present, as well as their recognition of a single god.
After that, the priest lights the water with a special candle - Easter (Easter candle), reading special prayers. The head of the one who is baptized is immersed in water (or washed by it) thrice, and the priest at this time utters the words of baptism in the name of God and the holy spirit.
And in the end, white clothes are put on the baptized person, which symbolize divine purity, give a lighted candle in hands. The priest paints a cross on the forehead of a baptized with oil, which means that he, now, is really baptized. This cross symbolizes the struggle with the devil and evil spirit.
It should be noted that after the baptism, any sin is perceived even stronger than the former, because an adult who has gone independently on his own will to the church to be baptized must realize that the way of life
Do we need godparents?
Perhaps the last thing that can make it difficult to think about how the baptismal ceremony is going is the need for godparents. According to church customs for children under 12 years of age, the presence of the godparents is necessary, because they themselves can not yet profess faith, that's for them and are entrusted to the godparents.
But for an adult, this is not something that is not necessary, it is wrong. As we have already written, adults are preparing for baptism, studying what a righteous way of life is . Therefore they are able to stand before the face of God independently.