Do I need to wash my baptismal shirt after baptism?

Is it possible to wash a baptismal shirt after baptism? Many people ask this question. These moments are never voiced by the priests during the sacred ritual. Let's turn to Orthodox traditions to understand what to do with clothes after the end of the church ceremony.

Preparing the robe for the sacred ceremony

The set of accessories that need to be prepared for the baptism ritual is almost the same for boys and girls. Both need a shirt, a diaper and a towel. For young ladies, an additional headdress is prepared - a scarf or cap.

The baptismal shirt should be loose-fitting so that the priest has the opportunity to touch the child’s chest, arms and legs during the ritual. It is put on the baby after he is dipped into the font. A towel is needed to dry the child.

If the sacrament of baptism occurs during the cold season, it is permissible to wrap the child in a blanket or blanket rather than in a swaddling blanket. You can purchase a baptismal set in church shops or in Orthodox stores. You can sew an outfit with your own hands, this is not forbidden.

What to do with the shirt after the sacrament?

Orthodox traditions speak of the need to keep the baptismal attire. All things that were involved in the process of the sacred ritual are wrapped in cloth or placed in a box. For believers, these items are of great value. The shirt is especially taken care of, as worldly traces remain on it.

Coming home after a sacred ceremony, people wonder whether they can wash the baptismal shirt after baptism, or whether it is better to put it away for storage in this form.On the one hand, you want to put a clean item in your closet for many years, on the other hand, it is likely that water and powder will “wash away” all the value from the outfit. What to do in such a situation?

Orthodox Christians are inclined to believe that the baptismal shirt should not be washed after the ritual - this way it will be of greater value.

According to legend, a baptismal outfit can protect a person throughout his life. For example, if you place a box with clothes next to a child when he is sick, he will recover faster. Usually the shirt is not washed after baptism, but is stored in its original form. Christians think that in this case drops of the holy myrrh will remain on things.

Recycling a Shirt

Church laws do not prohibit baptizing a child in attire that has already been used for the sacrament. Especially if the shirt is shared between siblings. In this case, it is said that children will be more friendly and united. However, many consider this statement to be superstition.

Of course, if possible, the priests advise buying your own baptismal set for each child. This is necessary so that the baby retains his personal “amulet” for life. However, there are no strict prohibitions in Orthodoxy, so it is quite acceptable to use a shirt in which another child was already baptized.

If during service the shirt gets dirty, or turns yellow over time, you can wash the item. Usually the product is made of pure cotton, so there are no restrictions on washing. You can throw the baptismal outfit into the machine, along with other white things.

Christening towel and other items

In addition to the shirt that is put on the baby after immersion in the font, other things are used during the ritual: a diaper, a towel, a festive suit, etc. All this is allowed to be used after the sacred ceremony - the church does not forbid it.

The towel and diaper may be washed and ironed. Many people place a diaper in a baby's crib, believing that it will protect him from adversity. When the child grows up, the product is kept as a memory along with the baptismal shirt.

You need to wash the baptismal towel and diaper carefully, focusing on the material from which the product is made.

For example, cotton or linen products are not afraid of high temperatures and machine wash. If the towel or diaper is made of satin or silk, it is better to wash it by hand. Also, things with a lot of decor are processed by hand.

Clothes for the sacrament of baptism must be white. This shade is a sign of innocence. After dipping into the font, the mother-godmother receives the baby in a diaper. Fathers recommend purchasing a product measuring one meter by one meter - this way you can wrap your baby from head to toe.

As for fabric, it is better to give preference to baptismal sets made of natural cotton or linen. Satin shirts and diapers are impractical - they do not absorb moisture well, the child may be cold, especially if the service takes place in winter. Baptism items often look very elegant; they are decorated with bows, lace, ribbons, embroidery, baby's initials, fringe, etc. Therefore, items should be washed with extreme care.

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