Christening shirt for the girl

The baptism of the baby is a very important stage not only in the life of the child himself, but also of his parents. Mom and Dad choose godparents, a temple in which the sacrament will be performed, as well as a baptismal outfit. By tradition, the choice of clothing for this event can be entrusted to the godmother or father.

The baptismal set for the girl must include a long shirt, an openwork cap or scarf, and a towel in which the child is wrapped after the font.

In today's article, we will tell you about the features and varieties of baptismal shirts for girls. You will learn how to choose the right shirt depending on the age of the baby, as well as how and when to wear it.

In children's clothing stores and church shops, you will come across different options for children's baptismal shirts. They differ mainly in style, method of decoration and "gender."

Here are the most popular types of baptismal shirts for girls.

The simplest and most sought-after option - this is exactly what shirts traditionally looked like in which children were baptized in Russia.

A model with a gathered bottom that resembles a fluffy skirt looks very cute and gentle and is suitable even for the smallest princesses.

Models that can be easily put on and removed without disturbing the baby are ideal for newborns, because they do not like clothes over their heads.

This model should be chosen if you are afraid to catch a baby after a font. The hood will protect your child from cool air and drafts.

For a long time, clothes for special occasions were decorated with embroidery, as this was the most affordable way of decoration. Today, shirts most often embroider a cross, floral ornaments or the name of the child and the date of baptism.

Models decorated with lace and ruffles are often purchased not only for girls, but also for boys. Girl's shirts are usually decorated more magnificent, and boy models are more concise.

If a mother or a future godmother is an experienced needlewoman, then the baby has the opportunity to receive a truly unique thing as a present, which no one else has in the world. A do-it-yourself baptismal shirt that retains the warmth and love of the person who made it.

For knitting an openwork shirt, it is better to choose a hook rather than knitting needles, since with it you can create more complex shapes and subtle patterns. You can create a shirt style yourself, or you can find a suitable pattern in knitting magazines.

Which pattern to choose depends on the imagination and experience of the needlewoman herself. For example, baptismal sirloin shirts with a thematic pattern are quite popular; it can be angels, crosses and other Christian motives.

There are no strict requirements for the appearance of the baptismal shirt for the girl, as such. Today, it is not even a mandatory element of christening. But, as a tribute to the tradition, most parents prefer to baptize the smallest children in special shirts.

Traditionally, a baptismal shirt should be:

1. Condition: Necessarily new - it is customary to store the baptismal shirt carefully throughout life; she is even credited with healing power.
2. Color: White, milk, ivory and other light shades. White color is associated with spiritual purity and cleansing from sins.
3. Length: Like any other clothing in which a woman (regardless of her age) comes to the temple, the baptismal shirt should be long enough - not necessarily to the floor, but such that it covers her knees.
4. In addition, the shirt for baptism should have sleeves, but the presence of embroidery and other decor is at your discretion.

In the Orthodox tradition, it is customary to baptize a child on the 40th day after birth, however today few people observe this rule. Many parents postpone the performance of the sacrament until a later time, so that the baby may have memories of him.

At the age from 2 to 4 years, the girl is unlikely to be able to understand the meaning of what is happening, but this is not a reason to postpone baptism for another few years.

The small sizes of baptismal shirts are in greatest demand, as older girls are often baptized in elegant white dresses.

If a newborn child is not baptized, instead of a bonnet, a lace scarf is selected for the shirt.

Older girls can choose their outfit for baptism if their parents correctly explain the meaning and significance of the sacrament. Sometimes it’s difficult to find a baptismal shirt of the right size, as shops buy more kits for newborns and very small children.

However, companies that manufacture baptismal accessories often provide custom tailoring services - you can order a shirt of any size not only for a child, but also for an adult.

For girls of primary school age, baptismal dresses are produced. They differ from shirts in a more complex cut, fitted silhouette and rich finish.But all the traditional elements of the baptismal shirt - color, length, sleeves - are preserved in such a dress.

Baptismal shirts for boys and girls differ mainly in decor. Decorating girlish models is usually given more attention. It can be not only traditional embroidery and lace trim.

Common methods for decorating baptismal shirts for girls also include:

• embroidery with metallic threads;
• embroidery with satin ribbons;
• openwork strapping of the edges with threads;
• trim with braid and ruffles.

When decorating a baptismal shirt, one must observe the measure. Decorative elements should not be evident, so try to adhere to a restrained color scheme. White, golden, silver, pale pink - these colors are usually preferred when decorating a baptismal shirt for a girl.

Preparing the baby for baptism, you can do just buy a shirt, or you can buy a ready-made baptismal set, which includes everything that is useful during the sacrament, as well as souvenirs.

A baptismal kit may include:

• kryzhma - the so-called diaper, in which the child is wrapped after being dipped in a font;
• a headdress - for very young children it’s a bonnet, and for older girls - a scarf or an openwork cape on the head;
• booties - not necessary, they can be replaced with simple socks, but things from one set will look much more beautiful;
• bib - needed to preserve the original whiteness of the baptismal outfit, preventing the appearance of various spots on it;
• panties under the diaper - you can don’t put anything on top of the diaper, however many parents prefer to cover it with white panties for the sake of aesthetics;
• hair bag - locks cut during the sacrament will be stored in it.

According to the Orthodox tradition, a baptismal shirt is worn immediately after the child is thrice immersed in the font (if the sacrament is performed with complete immersion). Moreover, the shirt must be new and clean - because it is a symbol of renewal and purification of the soul.

When very small children serving in temples are baptized, it is advised from the beginning of the ceremony to keep them simply wrapped in swaddling clothes. Then the child is dipped in a font and wrapped in kryzhma. After this, the godmother passes the baptismal shirt to the priest who performs the rite. The priest puts the baby in a shirt and this ordinance usually ends.

In the baptismal shirt, the child is after immersion in the font and until the end of the sacrament. After that, the shirt can be removed and the baby taken home in ordinary clothes. But some parents organize a photo shoot or family celebration after the ceremony, in which the convert is present in his baptismal outfit.