Congratulations at the birth of your child! May God bless the child on its life’s journey and the whole family as they welcome a new member, child, and sibling.

God loves your child and wants to welcome it into his family. As your church family, we want to encourage you to have your child baptised soon. In baptism, the child will receive its names. You will also find godparents who will stand by you as you raise the child and who will be close and safe adults that the child needs besides its own parents in various stages of life. They will also commit to support the child in its lifelong spiritual journey of faith.

Jesus commanded his disciples to make disciples of all nations by baptising people and teaching them to obey all that he had commanded them. He also welcomed the little children to be close to him, so that he could show his love to them and bless them.

Baptism is a sacrament of the Christian church. Jesus himself instituted it. In the sacrament the Word of God and the physical element of water together convey God’s gift of grace and salvation. The water symbolises life and cleansing. In baptism, God cleanses us from our sins and gives of life through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Baptism is also called Christening, because in baptism we become united with Jesus Christ. The Finnish name “ristiäiset” refers to the sign of the cross which the child receives on its forehead and its chest as a blessing during the baptism ceremony.

Who can receive baptism?

A child under the age of 12 can be baptised in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland if at least one of the parents is a member. The child’s guardians should both wish to have the child baptised. If they cannot agree, the mother (if she is a guardian) can decide alone on having the child baptised, if it is under one year of age and has not been joined to any other religious community. A child in the age of 12 to 15 years can be baptised and become a church member with the permission of its guardians, even if neither of them is member of the church.

When to baptise?

We recommend having your child baptised within two months from birth. If that is not possible, for example because of a health condition, you should register the child directly to the Digital and population data services agency (DVV).

Where to have the baptism?

In baptism, the child is joining the membership of the local church. Therefore, the most appropriate place is the parish church or chapel. In several parishes, it is possible and desirable to have the baptism as a part of the Sunday worship service, where the congregation can receive, bless, and pray for the child. More often, though, the baptism is held at a different time, mostly on Saturdays or Sundays, with only invited guests. The parish room adjacent to the sanctuary is then the preferred place to continue the celebration after the ceremony. If the family’s home allows or if only a very limited number of people are invited, it is possible to have the ceremony there. You can discuss the various options with a pastor from your local parish.

Who can be godparents?

The task to bring up your child in the Christian faith is one that parents or guardians need not take care of alone. The church and its members are there to provide Christian education and a spiritual home as well as to pray for your child. A special role is reserved for the godparents. They are adult “friends” invited by the parents to accompany the child on its journey through life. The godparents share in the responsibility of helping the child find its Christian calling in life.

A child should have at least two godparents. In exceptional cases where it is impossible to find two godparents, one may be enough. For this, the parish vicar needs to give special permission. At least two godparents should be baptised and confirmed members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Finland. If the child has more godparents, the others may also be chosen from the membership of other churches that recognise infant baptism such as Anglican, Roman Catholic, Orthodox, or Methodist churches. Godparents need not be Finnish citizens. It is not possible to have official godparents that are not confessing members of a Christian church or denomination, or that belong to a church that rejects infant baptism. Check here for more information the subject.

What happens at the baptism ceremony?

The baptism ceremony follows the basic structure of a worship service. It consists of hymns, prayers, Bible reading and exposition, and the actual baptism ritual. The parents and godparents are asked to commit themselves to their task in bringing up the child in the Christian faith after which the child is blessed with the sign of the cross on its forehead and chest. After the sermon, the Great Commission and the Creed are read followed by the baptism with water in the name of God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The baptism candle is lit, and the congregation prays for the child. The service closes with a benediction and a closing hymn.

You find a more detailed description of the ceremony here .