Greek Orthodox Christening photographer and Videographer North London

Planning a Greek christening can be time consuming and challenging for parents and god parents. Understanding all of the Greek baptism traditions is a very important part of planning a Greek baptism in the Greek Orthodox church. We’re here to help with advising and suppliers recommendations.

For the sacrament of Baptism, one of the godmother/godfather must be an Orthodox Christian and must bring the following to church:

1 small white or ivory towel (to be used by the priest and godparent to wipe their hands after the baptism)
1 large white or ivory towel (to wrap the baby in)
1 large white or ivory oil sheet (used with the towel to wrap the baby)
1 set of baptismal undergarments – These garments are brought by the godparent to dress the infant immediately after the immersion in Baptism. In Orthodoxy, these garments are considered sacred and must be kept safely.

All of the above are called Ladopana-Baptismal Underwear Set and they are a 6 piece set.
1 small bottle of olive oil (for the priest to pour into the baptismal water)
1 bar of soap (for the priest and godparent to wash their hands with after the baptism)
3 white candles (which they light after the baptism when they walk around the baptismal font) – 1 large candle and 2 smaller matching ones

A baptismal outfit, shoes and socks

Martirika-Christening Witness Pins (that will be pinned on the guests attending the ceremony)

A gold cross on a chain (for the baby to wear after the Christening)

A baptismal box to put all of the above inside and carry them to the Church.

The baptismal day is one of the most important days in the life of an Orthodox Christian. The sacrament of Baptism usually occurs within the first year of a baby’s life after the forty day blessing. The sacrament begins in the Church Narthex where the parents hand the child over to the godparent. At that point, the godparent speaks on behalf of the child and denounces Satan and recites the Creed. Then, the priest, the parents and the godparent walk towards the front of the church where a woman (usually the grandmother) takes the baby to undress and wrap him/her in a large towel. The priest blesses the water in the baptismal font, and adds to it the oil that the godparent brought. Then he takes the baby and rubs him/her with the oil and water. Then he immerses the baby in the font three times symbolizing the three days that Christ spent in his tomb. While immersing the baby in the font, the priest is pronouncing the baby’s name along with the name of the Trinity, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. The priest then takes the baby out of the water and gives him/her to the godparent in who is holding the white sheet and towel. What follows is the sacrament of Chrismation where the priest anoints the baby with “myrrh” (oil that has been blessed by the Patriarch) and cuts three locks from the baby’s hair. The priest also blesses the baby’s clothes and then usully a grandmother will dress the baby in the Christening outfit. After that, the priest places the gold cross and chain on the baby and the godparent takes the baby and lights the big candle and the small candles. The small candles are usually given to kids to hold. They all then walk around the font three times symbolizing the dance of joy. The baby then receives Holy Communion for the first time. When the ceremony is over, the parents kiss the hand of the godparent and receive their baby and all relatives and friends wish them “Na sas zisi” which means “life to him/her”.