Greek Baptism Wishes: What to Write in the Card

At a Greek baptism, the baby's name is often a surprise. Some families keep it secret until the priest says it out loud, and then the children run out of the church to tell the mother, who rewards them with a few coins (συχαρίκια). Which makes writing the card in advance a little tricky.

If you're wondering what to write in a Greek baptism card, here is the short answer: the card is mostly for the parents, the right Greek wish is «Να σας ζήσει», and the most meaningful part is something the child can read years from now. Below you'll find wishes to copy, sorted by your relationship to the family, with pronunciation for the Greek lines and a few customs worth knowing before you arrive.

TL;DR: Wish the parents well, write one line for the child to read later, and put your full name under it.

• To the parents: «Να σας ζήσει!» (na sas ZEE-see), "may the child live long, for you".
• About the child: «Να ζήσει!» (na ZEE-see).
• To the godparent: «Να σας ζήσει το βαφτιστήρι!» (to vaf-tee-STEE-ree).
• If you don't know the name yet, write "little one" and add the name after the service.

Greek baptism wishes, with pronunciation

The language school Omilo glosses «Να σας ζήσει» as "may your child live a long and healthy life", which is what it carries. You will hear it a hundred times on the day, after the service, over lunch and on the way out.

Pro tip: If you are going to a Greek baptism for the first time, practise «Να σας ζήσει» in the car. Said to a grandmother at the church door, it lands better than any card.

Baptism card messages for every relationship

From the godparents

The godparent's card is the one that gets kept. Some godparents write two things: a short card for the parents, and a sealed letter for the child to open at 18.

"Να ζήσει! Thank you for trusting me with this little person. I'll be there for every scraped knee and every big decision."

"Today I made a promise to you, Alexander. I intend to keep it for the rest of my life."

"To my goddaughter: you cried for exactly one second in the font. Everyone else cried all day. Να ζήσεις!"

"May you grow up brave, kind and a little bit stubborn, like your mum."

A letter for the child, to open later

This is the idea we love most. Write it that evening, once you know how the day went, seal it, write "to open on your 18th birthday" on the envelope, and give it to the parents in the days after.

"Today was 14 September, and it was 31 degrees in Kalamata. Your grandmother cried before the service even started. You were baptised with the name of your great-grandmother, and when the priest said it, your cousins ran out to tell your mum and collect their coins."

"When you read this you'll be taller than me. I want you to know how loved you were on a day you won't remember."

To the parents, from friends

"Να σας ζήσει! Watching you two become parents has been the best thing this year."

"Welcome to the world properly, little one. You picked a brilliant family."

"Here's to a lifetime of noise, laughter and very little sleep. Congratulations!"

"May your little one grow up with as many cousins around the table as there were today."

From grandparents, aunts and uncles

"Γερό και δυνατό. Our hearts are full today."

"May you always know that your family is behind you, all of us, loudly."

"To our first grandson: you have no idea how many people love you already."

From colleagues, or when you don't know the family well

"Warmest congratulations on your child's baptism. Wishing your family every happiness."

"Να σας ζήσει! With best wishes from all of us."

For a boy

"Να ζήσει ο μικρός! May he grow up healthy, happy and kind."

"To a little man with a big future. Να σας ζήσει!"

For a girl

"Να ζήσει η μικρή! May she always be surrounded by love."

"To a little girl who already has her whole family wrapped around her finger."

For twins

"Double the joy, double the noise. Να σας ζήσουν!" (plural: na sas ZEE-soon)

"Two names, one day, twice the love. Congratulations!"

Religious wishes

"May God bless and protect your little one, today and always."

"May the light of this day stay with you all your life."

If you're not Orthodox yourself, there's no need to borrow a prayer. A warm line about the family is more honest, and the parents will feel it.

A few customs to know before you go

The name. In many Greek families, the baby's name is officially given at the baptism, and it may not be announced before. If your card is written in advance, leave a space and add the name later.

The μαρτυρικό. At the end, each guest is usually given a small keepsake, often a pin or bracelet with a ribbon (blue for boys, pink for girls is common). It marks you as a witness to the baptism. Wear it or keep it, both are fine.

The envelope. Guests often bring cash in an envelope for the child, or a gift. As at a wedding, the card is the parents' only clue to who gave what, so write your name in full. For the amount itself, see how much money to give at a Greek baptism. Our guide to what to write in a wedding card covers the envelope etiquette in more detail.

The day itself. A baptism usually means a church service followed by lunch or a party, and the godparent traditionally takes on several of the costs. Our complete baptism planning guide explains how the day runs and who usually pays for what.

If you're the parents, or planning a baptism and wedding together

Guests will ask you the same things: what time the church starts, where lunch is, whether to bring a gift or an envelope, and what the baby will be called (you don't have to answer that one). Putting the answers on one page saves a lot of phone calls. A simple baptism website and invitation keeps the order of the day, the address and the replies together.

Plenty of Greek couples combine the wedding and the baptism on the same day, which doubles the questions. Our combined wedding and baptism guide covers what changes, and the wedding and baptism page shows how one invitation can carry both events.

One link for the church time, the lunch and the replies

A baptism guest list grows on WhatsApp, and so do the questions: which church, what time, is it lunch or dinner, do the kids come. The aunt who asks for the address a third time deserves an answer that doesn't need you to pick up the phone.

A WhiteClover baptism invitation keeps the schedule, the map and each guest's reply together on one page you can drop into that chat. Create your baptism invitation and see who's coming as they answer.

FAQ

What do you say at a Greek baptism?

To the parents, grandparents and godparents, say «Να σας ζήσει!» (na sas ZEE-see). About the child, «Να ζήσει!». When you hear «Και στα δικά σας» in reply, it means "and to yours".

What do you write in a godchild's baptism card?

Something personal they can read when they're older: the date, the place, a moment from the day and a promise from you. A lovely extra is a sealed letter, written that evening, for them to open at 18.

Do I write the baby's name in the card?

Only if you're sure of it. In many Greek families the name is announced at the ceremony itself, so leave a space or write "little one".

Should I write in Greek or English?

Either is fine. One Greek line, such as «Να σας ζήσει», plus your message in English is a lovely mix for a Greek family.

Do guests give money at a Greek baptism?

Often, yes, in an envelope with the card. A gift for the child is also common. Sign your full name so the parents know who it came from.

Recommended

• Baptism Planning: A Complete 2026 Guide for Greek Families
• Combined Wedding and Baptism 2026: A Complete Planning Guide
• Multi-Event Save the Date for Weddings and Baptisms
• What to Write in a Wedding Card (Greek + English)
• Invite Friends to Wedding, Baptism or Party