Congratulations on your newest spiritual milestone: becoming a Greek Orthodox Godparent!
One of life’s greatest blessings is expanding your family through the Holy Sacrament of Baptism. Stepping into the role of a Nouno or Nouna is a beautiful, lifelong commitment to guiding a child in the Orthodox faith—a journey meant to be celebrated with immense joy daily!
As you prepare for this sacred day, your biggest question is likely: “What do I need to buy for a Greek Orthodox baptism?” To help you prepare with confidence, we’ve broken down the essential Greek Orthodox baptism checklist below.
Understanding the Archdiocese & Your Local Parish
In America, the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese provides unified guidelines for our sacraments. However, every community is unique! Each parish priest has specific customs, traditions, and preferences for how they conduct the service.
Pro-Tip: Before you begin shopping, always connect with your local priest and the child's parents to review this list and ensure you are perfectly aligned with your specific church's principles.
🌟 1. Core Linens & Clothing (The Traditional "Ladopana" Set)
The Ladopana set includes the sacred textiles that directly touch the holy oil and the baby.
- 1 Large White Bath Towel: Used to wrap and dry the baby immediately following their immersion in the holy baptismal water.
- 1 Small White Hand Towel: Provided for the Priest to dry his hands during the sacrament.
- 1 Twin White Sheet (Sivano): Placed over the Godparent's arms to lovingly catch the baby right out of the font and absorb the initial holy oil.
- Oil-Absorbing Undergarments: A plain white onesie or shirt, paired with a bonnet or cap. Worn immediately after immersion, these keep the holy anointing oil close to the child's skin. (Note: This layer is worn underneath the formal outfit and is typically included in baptism sets).
- The Orthodox Baptism Outfit: A brand-new, completely white baptismal dress or suit symbolizing a fresh spiritual beginning. Don’t forget matching white socks and baptism shoes!
✨ Click here to customize your embroidered Greek Orthodox Ladopana set with us!
🕊️ 2. The Sacrament Essentials
These functional and sacred items are required by the church to perform the ceremony.
- The Orthodox Baptismal Cross: A beautiful necklace (traditionally gold or white gold) selected and gifted by the Godparent, placed on the child by the priest during the service.
- Holy Oil (Pure Olive Oil): A small, elegant bottle of pure olive oil, which the priest blesses and uses to anoint the child.
- A Bar of Unscented Soap: Used by the priest and godparents to wash the holy oil from their hands immediately following the immersion.
- 1 Large Baptismal Candle (Lambada): A grand, beautifully decorated white candle held by the Nouno or Nouna during the procession around the font.
- Small Matching Candles: 1 or 2 smaller, coordinated decorated candles carried by children who help lead the family as they walk around the table during the ceremony.
🎁 3. Witness Pins & Keepsakes (Martyrika & Favors)
- Witness Pins (Martyrika): Small, custom ribbon bows or pins featuring a tiny cross or religious icon. The Godparent or family pins these onto the lapels of guests as they arrive, welcoming them as official witnesses to the sacrament.
- Koufeta & Boubouniere (Baptism Favors): Traditional candy favors featuring sugar-coated almonds. While families often collaborate on these, the expense traditionally falls to the Godparent. It’s best to discuss choices together!
💼 4. Presentation & Church Protocol
- Letter of Good Standing: A letter from your home parish to be sent to the church that the baptism will take place. Please note that you may need more paperwork like your baptismal certificate if out of state or out of the country - check with the front office!
- The Baptismal Tote or Box: A large, beautifully decorated box, heirloom chest, or custom canvas tote bag used to transport all the linens, candles, and outfits safely and neatly to the church.
- Parish Fees & Honorariums: Honorariums for the priest, chanters, and sexton vary greatly by parish. Depending on your location, this can range from $10 to $100+ per individual. We highly recommend discussing this with the parents in advance so everyone knows how church fees will be handled.
Check out our Nouno/Nouna Accessories here!
Download Your Free Printable Greek Orthodox Baptism Checklist
To make your journey into godparent-hood completely stress-free, we’ve created a free printable baptism planning guide. Download it below to stay perfectly organized as you count down to this joyful day!
Wishing you a lifetime of love, faith, and blessings on this beautiful journey.
For custom embroidered linens, bespoke gifts, or personalized planning advice, click here to explore options or reach out directly via email at oneiroblue@gmail.com. We would love to help you create memories that last a lifetime!