In principle, baptism has always been considered the most important and necessary ritual in the life of every Russian person. Although there were cases when, for one reason or another, the child was not baptized or the christening was postponed. When did this happen?
Christening rules
In Christian Russia, it was customary to baptize children within forty days after birth. If the baby was weak and sick, and there was a possibility that he would not live long, they tried to baptize him as soon as possible - on the third or eighth day of life, or even immediately after birth. The godfather and mother were present during the ceremony. Subsequently, they were to exercise spiritual leadership over the newly baptized.
At the same time, in some extremely rare cases, children were not baptized. What was the reason for this?
The child was born dead or died after birth
A living child, having been baptized, received divine grace. And what grace does a dead person need? For the stillborn and dead immediately after the birth of children, special prayers were offered, but it was strictly forbidden to baptize them: "May the ignorance of the presbyters not move forward in baptizing the dead" (Canon 26 of the Carthaginian Council).
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A child with a physical or mental disability
The baptism of such a child depended on the priest. If the priest believed that baptism was possible, then the ceremony was performed. If the child was too ugly, he could be declared a "child of the devil," and the priest could refuse to baptize him. The same thing happened if there were signs of demonic possession (the child behaved inappropriately, looked possessed). But the refusal to baptize an inferior child was the exception rather than the rule.
The child fell ill at the time of baptism
If there is a threat to life, then the child is recommended to be christened as soon as possible. If he just got sick - caught a cold and so on, then it is better to postpone the day of the christening.
Twins
Twins can be baptized, but not at the same time. At the same time, they may have the same godparents.
Children whose parents or godparents are not Orthodox
There are some caveats here. For example, people baptized into Orthodoxy must be selected as recipients. At the same time, the blood parents of the child may not belong to the Orthodox faith, but should not be against the baptism of the child: “Infants are baptized according to the faith of their parents and recipients, who are obliged to teach them the faith when they come of age” (Extensive Catechism, p. 289). In Ancient Russia, children of pagans were denied baptism: "If a priest baptizes a turchina of offspring … let it erupt" (rule 203 of the Nomokanon at the Great Trebnik). Now, according to the rules, parents can belong to any denomination, but they should not be unbelievers. Baptism of a child is unacceptable if his parents perceive it as a magical rite aimed at improving the life and health of the baby (which often happened during early Christianity).
Children whose godparents do not conform to church canons
The Church forbids atheists and people who preach religions other than Orthodoxy to become godparents; monks; people with mental disorders; suffering from alcohol or drug addiction; leading a hectic lifestyle; adolescents (girls under 13 and boys under 15); spouses or people who have sex with each other; brothers or sisters; women who have their period or who gave birth less than 40 days before christening.
In general, there are not so many circumstances in which the baptism of children is not allowed. And in most cases they are surmountable.
Irina Shlionskaya