Christening is an important Christian ceremony. It indicates the washing away of sins, and the start of a renewed life. Christening or baptism is the most important ritual in the Christian religion. Most churches consider christening to be the main ceremony signifying a person's entry into the Christian community. Godparents make the statement on behalf of infants. "I baptize you in the name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Infants are christened during the baptism ceremony. Christening also refers to baptism itself. Churches believe that baptism should follow a voluntary, public statement of faith in Jesus Christ as saviour. Some Christian groups oppose the baptism of infants. According to them, baptism should be an immersion (dipping under water) in adulthood.

Nearly every child is christened in Slovakia. A child is christened when (he or she) is 2 or 3 weeks old. But some people are christened when they are adults. If you want to accept other sacraments such as Holy Communion, confirmation or a wedding ceremony at church you must be christened. Children must have godparents but godparents don't have to be family members. All family and close friends go to church. A priest christens a child during a normal mass when he makes the cross on the child's head with holy water and oil. Parents bring you white long candle and white little shirt with child's name, birth date and christening data.
Then all invited guests go to reception, where they have a big sit-down meal, some drinks, cakes and fruit. The reception usually ends in the evening.