Orthodox Christening Checklist

There are so many important items required for an Orthodox Christening and our Orthodox Christening Checklist may assist you in the planning of your child's special day. At Very Special Celebrations, we specialise in Greek christenings so this checklist is particularly designed with Greek christenings in mind, but we can assist customers from other Orthodox backgrounds too!

Things to do...

- Choose ceremony location - which church?
- Contact the church and discuss a suitable date and time with the priest.
- Select the godparent. The godparent must be a person of Orthodox Christian faith.
- Select and book your reception venue. You will also need to consider the food and drink to be served, decorations and a christening cake.
- Work on your guest list and send the invitations (at least one month before the date)
- Bomboniere - the godparent traditionally organises these, along with all the other important items for the church ceremony (details below). At Very Special Celebrations, we ideally require at least two weeks notice for bomboniere orders. We can assist with more urgent orders but your options may be more limited.
- Consider your photography and videography options for the christening day.

Essential items for the ceremony...

Usually provided by the godparent, these items are all available to purchase at Very Special Celebrations
- Christening Gown or Suit
- Christening Shoes and Socks
- Undergarments for baby including nappy (either disposable or cloth is acceptable in most Greek churches) and white singlet or bodysuit - this is very important, as the priest blesses this garment. You may also want to consider a nappy cover of some sort. We can assist with options.
- Bottle of Olive Oil (blessed by the priest and applied to the child)
- Bar of Soap to be used by the priest and godparent to remove oil from hands
- Large Bath Sheet. This is a king size bath towel used by the godparent when receiving the baby after immersion. It protects the godparent's clothing and is then used to wipe the baby dry.  
- Cot Sheet (used with the bath sheet)
- Hand Towel (may be used to wipe the baby's brow after immersion, but is more commonly used by the priest and godparent after washing the oil from their hands).
- Large Decorated Candle - 'Lambatha'
- Christening box, basket or other large item suitable for carrying everything to church. We can assist with options.
- Gold Cross and Chain

Optional Extras...

- Toys or Gifts for baby
- Small icon with depiction of Mary and Christ, or depiction of the saint whose name the child takes.
- Oil Cap (worn under the main bonnet/hat to protect it from oil and water)
- Baby hairbrush
- Witness Pins - 'Martyrika'. These are small lapel crosses with ribbon, given to each guest as they leave the ceremony.
- Christening Bib
- Another more comfortable outfit for the baby to wear after the ceremony
- The godparent may wish to include additional outfits in the christening box, whether it be pyjamas, everyday wear or special occasion wear, as an additional gift to the child.
- Guest book or Signature Bear