A Beautiful Orthodox Tradition: 8th Day Naming Prayers for Your Newborn
One of the aspects I love most about the Orthodox Church is the way that children are invited, welcomed and embraced. Not only are our children included in the services, but from the moment they are born, they are prayed over and embraced as full members of the body of Christ. Before the child is baptized, did you know that there are 3 special times that the Church has allotted to pray over the newborn? In the Orthodox Church, the priest will come to you and pray for your newly born child on the day (or day after) they are born, on the 8th day for naming prayers, and on the 40th day for the Churching. In this blogpost, I’ll be sharing more about the 8th day naming tradition. For many parents, they may not know about these wonderful opportunities to invite Christ into their lives and their child’s lives, so I hope to shed some light on these practices so you can arrange with your priest to have him pray with you!
If you’re new here, I am Khouria Destinie, Orthodox Christian, married to an Orthodox priest, and together we have 5 children whom we are raising in the Church. My husband and I are both converts to Orthodoxy (former evangelical Protestants). We converted to Orthodox Christianity in 2012 and our lives have never been the same. Recently, I gave birth to our 5th child, our little Victoria. She is named after St Victoria of Carthage (celebrated Feb 12th). My husband did the naming prayers for us right outside the doors of the Church. But note: the priest may be invited to the home or the child is brought to the doors outside of the Church for prayer.
Our daughter ✨Victoria ✨ is officially named! During the naming prayers, the child is given his or her Christian name. Why does this significant event wait until the eighth day?
There are several important reasons:
Victoria with her Godmother
God revealed the eighth day as the day of naming in the Old Testament. Thus, our Lord Jesus Himself received His Name “Jesus” on the eighth day. “And when eight days were completed before His circumcision, His name was then called Jesus, the name given by the angel before He was conceived in the womb.” (St. Luke 2:21) This service of prayer on the 8th day also highlights the great importance of names and the process of naming in the Christian Faith. It is not the parents alone who give the child a name, but Christ Himself, acting through His priest, in the Naming Service.
From this moment on, the child’s name will always be associated with the Church, with a particular saint, and with a sense of belonging to God.It is important to note that in the Orthodox Tradition the godparents and the priest are intimately involved in naming the child. Traditionally, the godparents who hold the child during the naming service on the eighth day announce the child’s Christian name to the priest, by whose actions of naming on earth, the child is named in heaven.
Additionally, the service of naming highlights the fact that our children are not born Christians (“Behold, I was born in iniquity, and in sins my mother conceived me...” Psalm 50:5), but become Christians through the grace of God through their baptisms into Christ.
The 8th day naming is in essence the enrollment of the child as a catechumen of the Church in preparation for holy baptism.
We opted to do the prayers outside the doors of the Church so we could share this moment with our Church community, and my sweet girl is being held by her godmother! Since I gave birth at home, this was our first venture out since her birth, so it was very special that our first outing was Church. When I shared this event on social media, there was some confusion that I was returning to Church/services, but this is not the case. We didn’t enter the Church, but rather met outside the doors of the Church. The service itself is only 5 minutes long, so we were only there briefly.
There is something extra special about seeing my husband (Priest) praying over our children. Words escape me. It just fills me to the brim with thankfulness and joy. We are looking forward to our return to Church for the 40 day Churching, and soon afterwards, her baptism and reception into the Church!
What Parents Need to Know About the 8th Day Naming Prayers
1. This is when your baby receives their name before God
The 8th day naming prayers are when your child’s name is formally proclaimed and blessed in the Church. This name becomes your child’s Christian name, often connected to their patron saint.
2. It’s inspired by the Scriptures and Holy Tradition
This practice reflects the Old Testament tradition of naming on the eighth day, seen in Christ Himself (Luke 2:21). The Church continues this rhythm as a way of rooting our children’s lives in Christ from the very beginning.
3. It usually takes place at home (but can vary)
Many families have the priest come to their home to pray over the baby and mother, especially since this is still early postpartum. However, it can also be done at the church depending on your priest and circumstances.
4. You’ll want to choose your baby’s name ahead of time
Ideally, parents select a Christian name—often that of a saint—before the 8th day so it can be used in the prayers. This saint will become your child’s heavenly intercessor and a model for their life.
5. Include the Godparents
Unlike a baptism, this is typically a short and quiet service. There’s no big preparation required—you’ll just need to speak to your priest ahead of time to arrange it. But ideally, invite the Godparents to participate! It is traditional for the Godparents to hold the child and even tell the priest the child’s name. In some cultures, the Godparents even give the child a name!
6. It prepares the way for their reception into the Church
The naming prayers are part of a beautiful progression:
Day 1: Prayers for mother and child
Day 8: Naming prayers
Day 40: Churching and return to the parish
Together, these moments gently bring your child into the life of the Church.
7. Talk to your priest early
Every parish may handle timing a little differently, so it’s helpful to reach out during pregnancy (or soon after birth) to plan for these prayers and ensure your priest is available.
The 8th day naming prayers in the Orthodox Church are a beautiful and sometimes overlooked tradition that gently welcomes your newborn into a life centered in Christ. By understanding the meaning behind Orthodox naming prayers, choosing a saint’s name, and preparing for this simple yet powerful prayer service, parents can take an intentional first step in their child’s spiritual journey. Whether you are new to the Orthodox faith or simply learning these traditions for the first time, the 8th day naming prayers offer a meaningful way to invite God’s presence into your family from the very beginning.
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Discover the beauty and meaning of the Orthodox Christian 8th day naming tradition for newborns. In this post, we explore the three early prayers offered for infants in the Orthodox Church—including the first-day blessing, the 8th day naming prayers, and the 40th day churching—highlighting how each invites Christ into your child’s life from the very beginning. Learn the significance of naming your child on the eighth day, how to prepare, and how to coordinate with your priest to participate in this sacred and often overlooked tradition.