PRAYER FOR THE DEDICATION OF A CHILD HAVING A NAME ON THE EIGHTH DAY AFTER BIRTH
/MODLITBA NA ZASVÄTENIE DIEŤAŤA PRIJÍMAJÚCEHO MENO NA ÔSMY DEŇ PO NARODENÍ/

Stefan SAK

associate professor, Faculty of Orthodox Theology, University of Presov, Masarykova 15, 08001 Presov, Slovakia, stefan.sak@unipo.sk, 00421517724729

Abstract

Many people in today's world who profess the Church identify giving the name to the holy mystery of baptism because of ignorance and lack of information. The corresponding prayer reveals the sealing and naming of the child on the eighth day after birth. The Church, as a good and caring mother, takes the child under her protection in the name of Jesus Christ and marks him with the sign of the cross, the sign of Christ's victory and power, and prepares him for the baptism and subsequent incorporation into the Church. However, we can say that this ceremony has fallen into almost complete oblivion and is rarely used. Today, no one brings a child to the Church on the eighth day, and they do not name the child on that day. In this paper, we will try to look at the content of prayers and the Church Tradition, as this ceremony was commonly performed in practice.

Keywords

Holy mysteries, eternal life, baptism, prayer, salvation, God's Kingdom

SUMMARY

The baby's naming takes place on the eighth day after birth. This eighth day, the symbol of God's kingdom, is beyond the borders of this world, in which we become participants through holy baptism and anointing with holy chrism (myrrh) (holy chrismation). Therefore, the whole service is fully dedicated to these holy mysteries. Eternal life is on the horizon of this service. The Church, which welcomes a child created for eternity, turns his eyes beyond the borders of this world. The meaning of the name is a sign of his personality, the personality in Christ, because the moment he is brought to the temple, he introduces himself as a child who is brought to Christ. It is an image and at the same time an example of leaving the vanity of this world and also a sign of the rebirth of the catechumen in Christ. The naming is associated with the Church's eschatological view of the resurrection and the hope of eternal life. Returning to good practice, as well as to a correct understanding, requires some effort, a lot of systematic work, as well as coordination of individual activities, special education of the clergy and special catechesis of the believing people.

(Language: slovak)

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