In Greece almost all children are baptised in the Orthodox Church, usually between six months and two years old. Until baptism the child has no official church name: the family calls them bebis or beba, "baby". Baptism is also a big family celebration.
Godparents
The nonos (godfather) or nona (godmother) plays a central role: providing the white clothes, the gold cross, oil and candles, and above all promising to guide the child in the faith. By tradition the godparent speaks the child's name during the rite. Names often follow an old rule: the first son takes his paternal grandfather's name, the first daughter her paternal grandmother's, the second children those of the maternal grandparents. So in many Greek families names repeat every generation.
The rite step by step
- At the church entrance the priest says prayers of exorcism; the godparent renounces Satan on the child's behalf, facing west, and professes the faith by reciting the Creed.
- Blessing of the water: the font is filled with warm water, which the priest blesses with prayers and oil.
- Anointing: the undressed child is anointed all over with blessed oil, like ancient athletes before a contest.
- Immersion: the priest immerses the child in the font three times, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, speaking the child's name.
- Chrismation: straight afterwards the child is anointed with holy myron on forehead, eyes, ears, mouth, hands and feet. In the Orthodox Church confirmation is not delayed as in the Catholic Church.
- Dressing: the child is dressed in white, symbol of new life, and receives the cross.
- Cutting the hair: the priest snips three small locks in the shape of a cross, the child's first offering to God.
- Procession: the priest and godparent with the child circle the font three times while hymns are sung.
- First communion: the child receives the Eucharist at once and may take communion from then on.
Gifts and party
Guests receive martyrika, small pins or ribbons that bear witness to their presence, and favours with sugared almonds. After the ceremony there is a lunch or dinner, often in a taverna. Traditionally the child is not bathed for three days, to keep the holy myron. The bond between godparent and family, koumbaria, lasts a lifetime.
See also Easter in Greece and festivals and traditions.