freaking out about upcoming baptism

My babies will be baptised June 10th. This will be a Greek Orthodox baptism. For those of you who are not familiar with this it means babies are naked given to the godmother lathered in oil and dunked into the water three times. after they are dressed in underwear type clothing given back to the godmother where they are walked in a circle 3 times then they are given back to the mother dressed in fancy clothes and then given back to the godmother and then it's done. this all together will take about 20'. after that we get the babies back and we're having a cocktail party in the churchyard.
I was hoping they would at least be familiar with the godmothers but one lives far away and has not managed to get here to spend time with the babies (I am very angry about this but I can't change it). the other one promised to visit alot the week before the event and bond with them. my babies to not like to be held by anyone except me or their father. we have been very isolated so they are not used to other people holding them. they freak out and cry and turn all red and will not stop till they're back in our arms. so that is my one fear. that they will cry and something terrible will happen to them from too much crying. my other fear is that Iris is all wiggly and will slip out of the priests hand when she is all oiled. they'll never fogive me for letting them cry for so long in other peoples arms.
dh is practicing the dunking in the water when they take their baths. iris laughs and nefeli cries but even if they both get used to it it will be different with a long bearded priest dressed in black! i'll try to get them to church the days before so they can get used to it as a place as well.
is there anything else I can do to prepare them for this no doubt traumatic event? will they be ok after? anyone else done an orthodox baptism? any words of wisdom?

 

:hug99: No experience, but I do understand your concern, they will most likely cry! I am sure though, that it won't be the first or last time that a baby cries during a baptism! They will forgive you! They will be just fine when they are given back to you! As far as the oil and slipping out of the priests hands..I would like to believe that he wouldn't let that happen!! I am not sure there is anything that you can do to prepare them, since everything and everyone will be so new and different to them. It WILL be ok! :hug99: s, try not to stress momma, they can feel your stress, and it can make it worse! Let us know how it goes! :hug99:

 

Thanks for your kind post Becky I need all the reassuring I can get!

 

Hey there,
I just had my twins baptized in a Catholic church, so they just pour holy water on the back of their heads. Well my aunt made these absolutely beautiful outfits and my babies were so warm in the outfits, that they cried a LOT. Brenden cried the ENTIRE time and I was in tears before the ceremony even started!! My Dad kept saying to me, that is what babies do, don't worry about it! And I felt better I guess, but I had this ideal view of what I wanted the Baptism to be and it just wasn't coming to fruition! I got Natalie calmed down and just was diggin' it after a while, watching the Priest and everything. But the priest was totally cool and making a few jokes about Brenden crying, which lightened up the mood. But you just can't control how your babies will react. The important thing to remember, is that babies will cry and everyone knows that and won't think anything of it. Your babies will be fine even though it sounds like your Baptism will be a little more involved. I don't think that your babies will be traumitized at all. And like the PP said, try not to stress out too much, they are better if you keep your cool. Good luck and enjoy this joyous event!

 

QUOTE
No experience, but I do understand your concern, they will most likely cry! I am sure though, that it won't be the first or last time that a baby cries during a baptism!


My thoughts exactly.

Can't wait to hear how it goes.

 

It sounds like a great ceremony. Try to relax so you'll be able to absorb and enjoy it all. Even if they do cry -- that just means they're normal and healthy and love their mama and daddy. I've seen babies in similar situations become so mesmerized by the sights that it's like they're hypnotized!

Is the oil a full body annointing?

 

We are having a Greek orthodox Christening as well in July. I have also had some of the same concerns regarding the dunking and the babies crying. I can only say that I just have to trust that the preist would not let anything happen to them, as I am sure being a preist they care so much about our babies well being and also, that is a major law suit on their hands. And as far as the crying goes, like the others have said, I am sure it happens all the time.

Here is a question for you though, what are you getting as gifts for the godparents? I have no idea what to get.

 

Yes its a full body annointing and I can't imagine trying to hold an oiled up unhappy baby :lol:
ilyse to answer your question- here it is customary to ask the godparents if they have a preference of a gift. one wants a digital camera. the other one is leaving it to me and i will have a painting made for her with flowers etc on which written on in calligraphy will have the following (from the bible):
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

I've heard of others giving a good pen, a piece of jewerly, something for the house but I guess it depends where you are and what your customs are.

 

My babies were baptized Orthodox. They cried a little when they were dunked but not too much. At the time of the baptism, they were not very familiar with their godparents and it was fine. I think the chanting mesmorized them and also looking at all the people. Best of luck! I am sure it will be a beautiful day!

ilse- I got them a waterford cross that could be placed on a shelf.

 

We haven't had the babies baptised yet (we are actually in the process of looking for a new church), but I actually assume that all babies will cry during a baptism and if one doesn't, well, then that's more against the odds! We just went to my cousin's baby's Lutheran baptism and she didn't cry, but plenty of babies do and you just expect it. I kind of feel sorry for the babies, they have no idea what's going on, strange people are holding them, all these people are staring at them, then someone gets them all wet? I'd cry too!!! :lol:

 

Nicole, thanks for your happy baptism story! Hope ours goes as smooth!

 

I understand what you are saying, but know that your babies will NOT even remember this, nor will they hold it against you. Also, babies can't get harmed by crying too much. I am sure that the baptism will be beautiful. Try not to worry too much -- they will be just fine.