Christening
The customs at the christening were almost the same in the whole Pontos.
Religion and tradition
The baptism at the Pontos was considered one of the greatest, if not the most important, of all the other mysteries. It was doctrine that the original sin, for the most part, ensured eternal life in the other world.
Especially for the young children, they believed that if they happened to die baptized, before they grew up and began to sin, it was absolutely assured that heaven would, if they happened again to die unbaptized, or soul them would be damned to eternity. That’s why the most serious care just born a child was to baptize it.
They trembled not to die before he could be baptized. In such a case the mortal sin tipped-ed the grandparents, according to tradition, because the parents of the child, as younger, had no experience of life -they are tzachal (unlearned,). To prevent such a possibility hasten the baptism, where It was usually 15 – 40 days after childbirth.
Godparents
From an established habit the first child of a couple was obliged to baptize his best man, the one who crowned them. Their other children were baptized by relatives and friends. The parents, before the child was born, did not say anything to anyone, only enough to say: let them be free or let them be free with a good one and continue to let them be free or let them go first with the good and then see..
All the prospective godparents were watching, just be born the kid to send milk to the mother. Whoever went or sent the milk first, he acquired the right to baptize it. If parents, for whatever reason, wanted to make someone without a request, then, regardless of any other candidates, when he was born, his child would send a candle and a silk scarf to the mother who told him: who said to him: send the candle to you … to baptize the child or the baby , The midwife for her trouble was tipping the money (pachsoys).
If anyone wanted and with every sacrifice to be preferred and to ensure fully the consent of the parents to baptize them the child, then straight after the birth had to send a glass of oil. The parents were obliged to accept it. Neither they could use the candle, as I said above. .
All the children who baptized the godfather they called brothers and sisters spiritually and did not have the right to be love or married between them That’s why sought everyone baptized only boys or just girls.
Invitation
The invitation to the christening was also from the child’s parents ‘ side and from the godparent’s side. They sent a child to their familiar and friendly homes and invite them to the baptism, either on the same day, or a day earlier. In this child the guests they tip money (pachsoys).
Also, the parents and the godfather everyone they met in the previous days gave them a speech about the baptism and invited them.
Christening Clothes
The Godfather was obliged to procure for small underwear either sewn, or in fabric Chasedenio. Also wool or silk cloth for clothes. In the last few years there were all ready in boxes, and so purchased. He even took a cross with keychain or silk ribbon, the sugared almonds, and candles to carry the guests. Besides, on the day when it was done or christening, it also sent sweets: pitched — doughnuts — Porek etc.
The big candle for the christening was taken by the mother of the child and sent to her future best man.
Christening
The baptism could be done either at home or in the church. Mother didn’t go to the mystery she stayed home, and if the christening was there, go to another room.
In the church the godfather with the child in the arms, or in the arms of midwife, waited on the entrance of the church where the priest read the exorcisms and the sound. Once the godfather said the child’s name, they immediately ran the children to the house and brought the news to his mother.
For reward they give them money. If the christening was at home, then the kids go to inform the mother from room to room. .
After the preliminary exorcist and resounding wishes in the narthex, the priest drove the contractor with the child in the middle of the church, where he was set up or font, and all around the relatives and the guests. Everyone gave candles that lit that time. Priests and chanters gave candles. It continued like this or baptism in the well-known order and the typical of the church. The contractor, besides all the expenses of the Church, gave a tip to midwife.
Names
It was a habit to put the names of the grandparents even when they were dead. If they lived, they did it in bad – from prevention – to put their names. Some grandparents, however, preferred the grandchildren to their grandchildren, who would succeed in their lives. They also prefer to place the names of any dead siblings of the child’s parents. However, in order to enter these names, the godfather had to agree with the veto (last word). Usually the godfather did not disagree. But he could have his own opinions and would prefer to put a name out of his preferences or his own relatives and loved ones. If there was no serious preference for the choice of name, then other ancillary agents were involved:
If the child was born on a journey, Eustratius Eustratia – Stratis was called it. If they were born the day or the eve of any celebration, they preferred the name of the saint where they were celebrating and if the mother had a difficult birth they would then say how Saint released her mother and saved the child. If the parents did not keep children, they preferred to call them Stylianos or Stylianis, Eustace or Stability.
At home
The beginning of the church for the house was made with a ritual procession. The godfather keeps the neophyte in his hands and the candle in his hand. The guests followed. The priest and the psalters all along the road screamed. Once she was at home or the mother of the child in the presence of the priest, she made three tilts and crosses in front of the godfather, kissing his hand and taking the child by saying: Always worthy.
Afterwards, they relished their relatives and friends, sweets and cognacs, appetizers, fruits, drinks, toasted tea, cheese, olives etc. At the end they also give the almonds bonbons.
After the christening
Next week or two weeks, the neophyte’s parents sent to the godfather and his own gifts. Usually gave to the godfather: a silk shirt, a silk scarf, a pair of socks and a pair of embroidered slippers. In Godmother: A linen shirt with woven silk all around.They also invite for Sunday dinner with his wife. If he was single, they invite him more often at lunches and dinners.
Duties and rights
The contractor was considered the child’s spiritual father after his seven years. By the time he grows up, he doesn’t cease to show his interest. He took care of his education and in general his prosperity, and parasteke him at every stage of his life, especially when he happened to be orphaned by a father or a mother. He especially cared to watch it if he goes regularly the church and if he is pious. This custody continued as a child’s marriage. The little one when he started talking he called his godfather Dexamene (Godfather) and his godmother Dexamentsa or Noona.The child respect his godparents as well as his parents.
The big celebrations, Christmas, Easter, on their holidays e.t.c They went and kisseded their hand, taking the relevant gift, or tipping money.