Should I wash my christening gown after baptism?

Can a baptismal gown be washed after the baptism? Many people ask this question. Priests never discuss these matters during the sacred ritual. Let's turn to Orthodox traditions to understand what to do with the garment after the church ceremony.

Preparing vestments for the sacred ceremony

The set of accessories required for the baptism ritual is virtually identical for boys and girls. Both require a shirt, a diaper, and a towel. Young ladies also need a headdress—a headscarf or bonnet.

The baptismal gown should be loose-fitting so that the priest can touch the baby's chest, arms, and legs during the ritual. It is placed on the baby after immersion in the font. A towel is needed for drying the baby.

If the sacrament of baptism takes place during the cold season, it is permissible to wrap the baby in a blanket or throw rather than a swaddling cloth. A baptismal set can be purchased at church shops or Orthodox stores. Sewing the outfit yourself is also permitted.

What to do with the shirt after the sacrament?

Orthodox traditions emphasize the need to preserve the baptismal garment. All items used during the sacred ritual are wrapped in cloth or placed in a box. These items are of great value to believers. The shirt is especially treasured, as it retains secular marks.

Coming home after the sacred ceremony, people wonder whether they can wash their christening gown after the baptism or whether it's best to store it as is. On the one hand, they want to put the clean garment away in the closet for years to come, but on the other, they're likely to risk the water and washing powder washing away all the preciousness. What should they do in this situation?

Orthodox Christians are inclined to believe that the baptismal gown should not be washed after the ritual – this will give it greater value.

According to legend, a baptismal robe can protect a person throughout their life. For example, if you place the box containing the robe next to a child during illness, they will recover more quickly. Usually, the shirt is not washed after baptism, but is put away for storage in its original form. Christians think that in this case drops of holy myrrh will remain on the item.

Recycling a shirt

Church law does not prohibit baptizing a child in clothing that has already been used for the sacrament, especially if the shirt is shared by siblings. In this case, it is said that the children will be more friendly and united. However, many consider this saying superstitious.

Of course, if possible, priests recommend purchasing a separate baptismal set for each child. This is necessary so that the baby will retain a personal "amulet" for life. However, there are no strict prohibitions in Orthodoxy, so it is perfectly acceptable to use a shirt worn by another child at baptism.

If your shirt gets dirty during service or has yellowed over time, you can wash it. It's usually made of pure cotton, so there are no washing restrictions. You can throw the christening outfit into the washing machine along with other white clothes.

Baptismal towel and other things

In addition to the shirt placed on the baby after immersion in the font, other items are also used during the ritual: a diaper, a towel, a festive outfit, etc. All of these items are permitted to be used after the sacred rite—the church does not prohibit this.

The towel and swaddle are washable and ironable. Many people place the swaddle in their baby's crib, believing it will protect them from harm. As the child grows, the swaddle is kept as a keepsake, along with the christening gown.

When washing a baptismal towel and diaper, you need to be careful, taking into account the material from which the product is made.

For example, cotton or linen items are safe for high temperatures and machine washing. If a towel or diaper is made of satin or silk, it's best to hand wash them. Items with a lot of embellishment are also hand-washed.

The garment for the sacrament of baptism should be white. This color represents innocence. After immersion in the font, the godmother receives the baby in a swaddling cloth. Priests recommend purchasing a cloth measuring one meter by one meter—this will allow for complete coverage of the baby from head to toe.

As for fabric, it's best to choose christening sets made of natural cotton or linen. Satin gowns and swaddling clothes are impractical – they don't absorb moisture well, and the baby may become cold, especially if the service takes place in winter. Christening items are often very ornate, decorated with bows, lace, ribbons, embroidery, the baby's initials, fringe, and so on. Therefore, these items should be washed with extreme care.

   

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