On the day of the baptism, the child is dressed from home by the parents, prepared and given to the godparents. Godparents have an important role on the day of baptism, they take the child from home and bring him only after the baptism service. In the old days, parents didn’t even go to church, they just sent godparents.
At the church, the priest says the service, while the godparents hold the child in their arms. For baptism, the godparents do not necessarily have to be married (opposite to the wedding, where it is mandatory for the godparents to be married).
During the service, the priest asks the parents to undress the baby, then he takes the baby and sinks him 3 times in the water. After that, he gives the baby to the godmother, to take him to the table, where the baby will be touched with holy oil on the forehead, shoulders, hands, feet. After that, the godmother together with the midwife dresses the child in a new set of clothes, bought by the godparents.
After the service, the godparents take the child home and hand it to the parents over the door, saying the lines “You gave me a pagan, I give you a Christian”. In the old times, the parents were supposed to kiss the godparents’ hands.
After the service, a party is organized, where the guests are seated.
The next day, the godparents and the midwife bathe the baby in a tub with hot water, holy oil from the church, rose petals and money.
Baptism traditions in the Maramures area
Baptism is one of the most important events in the life of a child and his family in the Maramureș area. This is considered a particularly important moment, marking the child’s entry into the religious community and the social life of the village.
Here are some of the traditions and customs specific to baptism in the Maramureș area:
1. Before the baptism, the child’s parents organize a meal for relatives and friends where traditional Maramures dishes are served (sarmale, belly soup, traditional sweets, etc.)
2. On the morning of the baptism ceremony, the priest comes to the parental home and says prayers.
3. Before arriving at the church, the child’s godparents are subjected to a “test” that involves breaking a thread of wool to prove that they are worthy to become godparents.
4. At the church, the baby is baptized in holy water, and the priest says specific prayers. After the baptism, the child receives a gold or silver cross from the priest, and the child will wear it for the rest of his life to protect him from evil.
5. After the baptism ceremony is over, the guests return to the parents’ house where the meal is served. During all this time, the godparents must take care of the child and offer him traditional gifts, such as red eggs, bread and honey.
6. Another custom is “sieving”, which consists of placing the child on the table, covering him with a sheet and then “sieving” him with flour. This habit has the role of protecting the child from evil spirits.
