A Sacred Celebration: Christenings at Hagia Sofia Cathedral

I adore shooting Christenings at Hagia Sofia Cathedral. Hagia Sofia Cathedral or Saint Sofia Greek Church as it is also referred to, is located on Moscow Road in London’s Bayswater. Hagia Sofia Cathedral is the latest building of several that have serviced the spiritual needs of London’s Greek community since the late 17th century (the original church being located on today’s Greek street in Soho). Its present site on Moscow road began work in June 1877, with the first liturgy being held two years later upon completion.

Hagia Sofia Christening Photography

A selection of photography of my last Christening at Hagia Sofia Greek Cathedral (Ayia Sofia Greek Church)..

Hagia Sofia Cathedral really has to be seen to be believed. Its iconography is encased in oak and dark green marble from the Greek island of Tinos adorns its walls. But for me the most breathtaking is the mosaic work in the dome and on the floor, in the traditional Byzantium style. Further mosaics have been commisioned over the years and in 1896 a large three-dimensional silver cross covered in ruby lamps was erected.

There are so many beautiful areas of Hagia Sofia that without doubt, add an extra layer of beauty and spiritual significance to your Baby’s Christening Day.

You can see more of my Christening Photography HERE

Holy Cross and St Michael's Greek Church Christening Photography

The Holy Cross and St Michael’s Greek Church or The Greek Orthodox Church of The Holy Cross & Archangel Michael to give it its full name, is situated on the Golders Green Green road in North London. Popular with the Greek community of North London it holds many Orthodox religious services such as weddings, Christenings and funerals. As a Greek Christening Photographer it is always a joy to shoot here.

Christening Photography at The Holy Cross and St Michael’s Greek Church

More Christening Photography..

SEE MORE CHRISTENINGS HERE

3 Tips for Choosing a Photographer for your Greek Christening | Christine Constantine Photography

CHOOSING A PHOTOGRAPHER FOR YOUR BABY’S CHRISTENING

In the life of a Greek Orthodox Christian, the Christening is a very important milestone. It not only brings family and friends together in celebration, but it also marks the official beginning of the child’s lifelong spiritual journey.

Obviously most people don’t remember their Christening because they were too young. Photographing the event ensures these memories can be preserved, not only for the Christened child, but for future generations to come.

As a Greek Christening Photographer in London I can share some tips that will help you find the best professionals for your baby’s Baptism and some questions that are worth asking. As a Greek Cypriot myself I have lots of experience with Greek and Greek Cypriot families and baptism traditions!

ALL IMAGES BY: CHRISTINE CONSTANTINE PHOTOGRAPHY

Greek Christening Photography

Does you Photographer have Greek Orthodox Christening Experience? 


Does your Christening photographer have experience with Greek Orthodox Christenings? The ceremony is fairly unique and it takes knowledge of all the crucial parts to understand the important moments that require a photo or a close-up. Not only that, but without prior knowledge they may get in the way of the priest during crucial moments of the Christening. They should also have respect not just for their clients but for the priest and other members of the church. They shouldn’t interfere with the service, but just quietly observe taking natural pictures along the way.

If you want a photographer who has never worked a Greek Christening before they should be briefed in detail about what is expected of them to photograph. For example, they may not realize that after the baby is submerged in the water and dressed in their Christening outfit, or when they have their hair cut that this part actually has significance and should be photographed. Make sure they know what is important well before the actual day so you don’t need to worry about them missing those moments when they happen!

Do I need a Videographer too?

Most people who hire both are very pleased because they not only have beautiful photographs to capture the moment but they also have a video to watch again and again. Having a video is especially nice because you can show it to your child as he/she gets older, although it can increase the cost substantially. Videographers also have several packages so make sure you discuss this with your chosen videographer before the event so you know exactly what to expect for your investment.

Another major decision you need to make is whether or not you would like to hire the videographer and photographer as a package deal. Some larger companies have teams that work together and this can save you some money. However, you may compromise a bit of quality if you choose this route. Some parents like to choose them individually as a way to control the quality.

Hiring both a videographer and photographer for your child’s Greek Christening offers a great way to preserve the occasion for the future. Since the child likely won’t remember the Christening, this is also a great way to share the moment with them as they get older.

Do I feel comfortable with my Christening Photographer?

Lastly, your photographer is present in a very special and intimate part of the Christening day and it is essential that you feel comfortable with having them around. Choose a photographer you feel at ease with! One you trust and can communicate well with. And also one who respects the nature of the day and its significance.

ALL IMAGES ABOVE ARE BY: CHRISTINE CONSTANTINE PHOTOGRAPHY

Leopold's Christening Photography | Deutsche Evangelische Christuskirche | Knightsbridge | London

The German Protestant church Deutsche Evangelische Christuskirche is located on Montepelier Place in the heart of Knightsbridge and has been described as the most significant German Church in London. (In 1946 its congregation were largely German refugees fleeing the Nazi occupation).

Leopold’s Christening ceremony included readings from each of the Godparents, and traditional German hymns sung by the choir. So as a Christening photographer I had some beautiful moments to capture!

German Protestant Christening Photography

Christening gown inside the Deutsche Evangelische Christuskirche in Knightsbridge.

Christening candle inside the Deutsche Evangelische Christuskirche in Knightsbridge.

Mother, Father and Christened baby inside the Deutsche Evangelische Christuskirche in Knightsbridge.

Choir singing inside the Deutsche Evangelische Christuskirche in Knightsbridge.

Congegation singing inside the Deutsche Evangelische Christuskirche in Knightsbridge.

Mother, Father and Christened baby inside the Deutsche Evangelische Christuskirche in Knightsbridge.

Mother, Father and Christened baby inside the Deutsche Evangelische Christuskirche in Knightsbridge.

Outside the Deutsche Evangelische Christuskirche

Nine Steps to a Greek Orthodox Christening | Christine Constantine Photography

GREEK CHRISTENING TRADITIONS

A Greek Christening is a very important part of a baby’s introduction into the spiritual world. As a Christening photographer, I shot many Greek Orthodox Christenings before I began to understand the symbolism of each and every tradition, so I put together this blog to make things easier for you to understand by going through some of the traditions and the meanings behind them.

An Orthodox Christening is essentially two elements. Baptism and Chrismation. Baptism is the immersion into the Holy water by the priest and Chrismation follows the baptism whereby the child is anointed with holy oil. This is made up of olive oil and sweet smelling ingredients. The priest anoints the child by placing the oil on several parts of the body - the head, chest and feet. The child is now a Christian and a part of God’s people.

Below is a list of all components of the day as they occur chronologically:

ALL IMAGES ARE BY: CHRISTINE CONSTANTINE PHOTOGRAPHY

The Exorcisms

The prayer is followed by three Exorcisms and yet another prayer, the prayer of acceptance. After the Priest, summing up, asks God to drive out and banish from the baby any evil spirit which may be hiding in its heart and make him a member of the holy flock of Christ, a member of the Church, and a child and heir of God’s kingdom.

The Godparent, holding the child, is asked to face west and renounce the devil and all his works in a question and answer form (three times). He will then be asked to blow on the devil. In this case ‘west’ represents a place of darkness where the devil himself lives.

The Confession of Faith

Then the Godparent, holding the child, will face east again and affirmatively answer the Priest who will ask them (three times) if they have pledged their allegiance to Christ.

After doing so, the Godparent will recite the Creed, the Symbol of Faith (‘To Pistevo’ in Greek) which is a summary of the Orthodox teachings,

The Blessing of the Oil and Anointing

Once the priest has blessed the water in the font, the Godparent will offer a small bottle of olive oil over which a prayer for the banishment of evil is read.

The priest then pours three times in the shape of a cross, on the water in the Font, in order to render the consecration of the water complete.

The Godparents are now required to undress the baby who will then be anointed with the holy oil on the forehead, nose, ears, mouth, chest, legs, feet, hands and back. The Godparent will then anoint the child, to prepare him.

The Immersion

Now the baby will be immersed three times in the Font which represents the ‘Tomb of Christ, symbolically being ‘buried’ with Christ, then ‘raised’ with Christ.The baby is then removed from the Font and placed in the arms of the Godparent who is waiting for them with a white sheet. The truth of baptism lies in this profound action and is reflected in many of the prayers during this rite. The truth is that the candidate for baptism has chosen to die and be reborn for Christ. The newly baptized child is now a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven.

The Chrismation

Holy Chrismation is the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit which marks all baptized persons with a seal that sets them apart as possessions of Christ. The Holy Spirit thus embraces them and protects them like a shield to enable them to live the faith into which they have just been baptized. This is why Chrismation is also known as the Sacrament of the Holy Spirit. In fact the priest will recite "The seal of the gift of the Holy Ghost" (in Greek: Σφραγὶς δωρεᾶς Πνεύματος Ἁγίου) everytime he makes the sign of the cross on the baby with the oil. He makes the signs of the cross in the same parts of the body as the anointing prior to the baptism.

The sacrament of Chrismation is an extension of the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Ghost was poured out on the Apostles. It is by Chrismation that a person becomes part of the people of God.

The Tonsure

Tonsure is the practice of cutting or shaving some or all of the hair on the head as a symbol of religious devotion or humility. After the Baptism and Chrismation, the Priest will tonsure the child by cutting some of his hair crosswise to signify that Christ will be the head of the child from now on and that he will reject other allegiances.

The Vesting and Procession

The Priest now blesses the child and places a “garment of righteousness” on it. The child will then be taken by the Godparents to be dressed in fresh, clean garments and the Priest will read additional prayers.

The child the returns to the front of the church fully dressed and is prayed over with a symbolic washing away of the oil, receiving the blessing of Christ. The Priest then places a cross around the child’s neck as a sign of protection.

The Godparent, holding the infant, and followed by a child holding the baptismal candle (lambada), will then be led three times around the baptismal font. This is an act of rejoicing with the angels in heaven and with the other Christians present at the addition of one more member into the flock of Christ.

The Procession, conducted in the form of the Cross around the Font, is a joyous occasion and the Priest and Chanter sing “As many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Alleluya”.

The Readings

Bible readings follow, from the Epistle of St Paul to the Romans (6: 3-11) where Paul makes the comparison between the immersion and emersion with the Burial and Resurrection of Christ, and from the Gospel according to St. Matthew (28: 16-20) where the Divine Institution of Baptism was established. The Priest then reads the Conclusion prayers.

Holy Communion

The child is then given its first Holy Communion, its first taste of the Body and Blood of Christ. Just as a mother physically nourishes her newborn infant with milk, so too the Grace of God offers as spiritual food, Holy Communion to its newest member, just born through baptism.

For at least the next three Sundays after the Baptism, the Godparent will be expected to take the child to Church to receive further Holy Communions.

The mother of the baptized child will then be called by the Priest to make the sign of the Cross and kiss the Icon of Christ thanking Him for the great blessing of rendering her child a member of His Church. The service is now concluded and the baby and lambada is passed back to the parents. They will then be asked to kiss the hand of the Godparent as a sign of respect and gratitude for taking on the high responsibility of assisting in the spiritual development of the child throughout its life.

ALL IMAGES ARE BY: CHRISTINE CONSTANTINE PHOTOGRAPHY

Zaria's Christening | St John the Apostle Church | Whetstone | London

Zaria was Christened in Anglican Church St John the Apostle in Whetstone, North London A family-friendly church situtated on 1163 High Rd, London N20 0PG. The Christening was a very sweet and special ceremony; and afterwards a small celebration took place with just close friends and family. Here are a few images from the day..

St John the Apostle Church, Whetstone

To see more Christenings click here : www.christineconstantine.co.uk/christenings