How to word a Greek Orthodox christening invitation in English

The church and the venue are booked. What is left is the wording, which looks like the easiest part and usually takes the longest. If your family is Greek but many of your guests read English, or you live in the UK, the US, Canada or Australia and the christening is in Greece, you need words that sound natural in English and still respect the sacrament. Below are 25 wordings we wrote from scratch, grouped by tone, with the Greek customs that shape them. Copy the one that suits you and change the details in square brackets.

What a christening invitation should say

Before you pick a wording, check that nothing is missing. A complete invitation has:

• The day, date and time of the service.
• The full name of the church and the town or island.
• Where the reception is held and what time it starts.
• The names of the parents and of the godparent.
• A date by which you would like guests to reply.
• Optionally, a discreet way for anyone who wishes to send a gift. There is a separate guide to the wording: how to share bank details on an invitation, politely.

Three Greek customs that shape the wording

The name is often a secret until the font. In many Greek families the child is called "baby" until the christening, and guests hear the name for the first time when the priest says it during the service. This is why many wordings below say "our little one", "our daughter" or "our son". If the name is not a secret, add it.

The godparent is part of the invitation. The godfather (nonos) or godmother (nona) sponsors the child, holds them during the service and often hosts alongside the parents. It is common to name them on the invitation, and in some families the invitation comes from the godparent and the parents together. "Sponsor" is the formal term some English-speaking parishes use; "godparent" is the one your guests will understand.

The reception is a real party. A Greek christening is usually followed by a lunch or dinner with music, sometimes as large as a small wedding. Say so on the invitation, so guests from abroad do not expect tea and cake.

Classic christening invitation wording

For families who prefer a traditional tone, with respect for the sacrament and few flourishes.

By the grace of God, we will baptise our child on Sunday [date] at [time] at the Greek Orthodox Church of [church name], [town]. [Godparent's name] will be the godparent. Your presence would honour us. After the service, please join us at [reception venue]. With love, [parents' names].

Together with godmother [name], [parents' names] request the pleasure of your company at the Holy Baptism of their daughter on Saturday [date] at [time], at the Church of [church name], [town], and afterwards at [reception venue].

Our family is growing and we would like to celebrate with you. On [date], at [time], our little boy will receive Holy Baptism at the Church of [church name]. We would be so happy to see you there, and afterwards at [reception venue].

[Godparent's name] and [parents' names] invite you to the christening of their little girl on Sunday [date] at [time], at the Greek Orthodox Church of [church name]. Kindly reply by [date].

Christening invitation wording for a girl

A little softer, for themes with flowers, butterflies or rainbows. For the styling, see the christening themes for a girl.

Our little girl is getting ready for her first big day. On [date], at [time], at the Church of [church name], she will receive her name. Come and give her your blessings with us. With love, [parents' names].

A little butterfly has opened her wings in our home, and it is time you met her by name. Join us for her christening on [date] at [time], at the Church of [church name], and afterwards at [venue].

A few kilos, many smiles and a curiosity that never tires. This is our daughter, who will be baptised on [date] at [time], at the Church of [church name]. Her godmother will be [name]. We would love you to be there.

She arrived in spring, and our home has smelled of milk and flowers ever since. We celebrate her christening on [date] at [time], at the Church of [church name], with lunch to follow at [venue].

Christening invitation wording for a boy

For themes such as sailing, aeroplanes, teddy bears or the jungle. More ideas in the christening themes for a boy.

Our little captain is setting sail. Before he heads out to sea, he wants the whole crew with him: [date], [time], Church of [church name]. Afterwards we drop anchor at [reception venue].

Our son is growing faster than we expected, and the day has come for him to receive his name. Please join us for his christening on [date] at [time], at the Church of [church name]. His godfather will be [name].

First he stole our sleep, then our hearts. Now our little boy will receive his name as well. Join us on [date] at [time] at the Church of [church name], and then at [venue] for food and dancing.

Our little hero will be baptised on Sunday [date] at [time], at the Church of [church name]. We have told him you will all be there.

Christening invitation wording for twins

When two children are baptised together, the wording can play with the number two.

Double the joy and double the blessings. Our twins will be baptised on [date] at [time], at the Church of [church name]. Their godparents will be [names]. Join us on a day with room for two names.

They arrived together, they are growing up together, and now they will receive their names together. Come to our children's christening on [date] at [time], at the Church of [church name], and afterwards to [venue] to celebrate.

One boy, one girl and a family who would love you close. The christening will take place on [date] at [time], at the Church of [church name]. With love, [parents' names].

Playful wording in the baby's voice

If most guests are friends and the mood is relaxed, a wording "written" by the baby brings a smile.

Hello. I am still "the baby", but not for long. On [date] at [time], at the Church of [church name], I finally get a name. I may cry a little in the font, and then I promise to smile for the photos.

My parents say it is an important day. All I know is that there will be lots of people, cake and cuddles. Come on [date] to the Church of [church name] at [time], and then to [venue]. I will bring my own milk.

Announcement: after months of nicknames such as "baby", "little one" and "who is the cutest", I am getting a proper name. Ceremony: [date], [time], Church of [church name]. Let me know by [date] if you are coming, so I can save you a seat.

My godfather has already bought the candle, my parents have forgotten what sleep is, and I am ready. We look forward to seeing you at my christening on [date] at [time], at the Church of [church name].

Christening wording with a verse

Grandparents love a short rhyme. Put the practical details underneath.

A little star has come into our lives,
and we would love to celebrate with you.
With holy water, prayers and blessings,
she will receive the name she will carry all her life.
[Date], [time], Church of [church name]

A little captain with smiling eyes
is raising his sails for the open sea.
But before he sets off on the waves,
he wants you all beside him at his christening.
[Date], [time], Church of [church name]

With butterfly wings and a child's laugh,
our little one receives her name in a small white chapel.
Come and fill her day with blessings,
a day we will talk about for years.
[Date], [time], Church of [church name]

Short messages for WhatsApp, Viber or text

When the invitation goes out as a link, the message that goes with it needs two sentences.

We are christening our little girl on [date] and we would love you to be there. Details, maps and the reply form are here: [link]

Our little boy is being baptised on [date]. Have a look at the invitation and let us know if you can come: [link]

We would love to see you at our baby's christening, [date], [time]. Church, reception and reply form at the link: [link]

For more on sending invitations by message, see how to send invitations on WhatsApp.

When your guests read both Greek and English

Many diaspora families have grandparents who read Greek and friends who only read English. Squeezing both languages onto one card usually makes both harder to read. Two versions of the same invitation work better:

• Write each version for its own reader. The Greek text can be more formal and mention the Holy Sacrament of Baptism; the English one can explain what guests should expect.
• Keep the facts identical. Same date, same times, same church, same deadline. Check numbers twice.
• Write names as the family uses them. A child baptised Konstantinos may be Constantine or Dino to English friends. Choose one spelling and keep it on every page.
• Add one or two lines for guests new to a Greek christening: the service lasts about an hour, the baby is fully immersed in the font, and the name is revealed during the service.

Godparent etiquette at a Greek christening

If you are a godparent for the first time, or your English-speaking friend is, these are the customs most families follow. They vary by region and by family, so ask the parents.

• The godparent must usually be an Orthodox Christian. The parish will ask, and may need a certificate from the godparent's own church.
• The godparent traditionally provides the large decorated candle (lambada), the white outfit the child wears after the font, the towels and oil set (ladopana) and a small gold cross. Many also give the martyrika, small favours pinned on guests as "witnesses".
• At the service, the godparent holds the child, says the Creed on the child's behalf and, in many churches, tells the priest the name.
• After the christening, the godparent stays close to the child for life. In Greece the bond between godparent and family is taken seriously.

Before you send it

1. Match the tone to the guests. If you have both audiences, keep a classic wording for the invitation and a playful one for the message to friends.
2. Set an RSVP deadline. The venue will ask for numbers, and a specific date stops guests putting it off.
3. Check the names. One wrong letter in the church or the godparent's name cannot be fixed on a printed card.
4. Check the date with the parish. Some periods are closed for christenings with a party. See the 2027 dates.

Your wording on a Day2Remember invitation

Once you have chosen your words, we put them on your own page, at an address such as orestis.day2remember.gr. Guests see a countdown and reply through a form that arrives in your email. From Gold up there are maps for the church and the reception and the IBAN with a copy button. With the bilingual extra (€19, included with Atelier), guests switch between English and Greek on the same invitation, so you only send one link. If you prefer, we write the text for you. See the christening invitation designs, such as Blush hot-air balloons, Moon & fox and Two little ducks for twins, and the prices, from €59.

Questions parents ask

Do you say christening or baptism on a Greek Orthodox invitation? Both are correct. "Christening" is more common in the UK and Australia, "baptism" in the US. "Holy Baptism" sounds more formal and suits a classic wording.

Should the godparent's name be on the invitation? In Greek families it usually is, and sometimes the godparent invites together with the parents. It is a courtesy, not a rule.

When should christening invitations be sent? About 4 to 6 weeks before, with the RSVP deadline about two weeks before. If guests are flying in, tell them the date months earlier.

Can I write the baby's name if it is meant to be a secret? Then leave it out and use "our daughter", "our son" or "our little one". Guests will hear the name in church.