Question about Churching at Baptism

[Anthony Stokes]

Our second daughter was baptized yesterday, and a non-Orthodox friend of ours was looking at the pictures today and has asked my wife why the priest lays the child on the ambon at the end of the service instead of just handing the baby to the mother. Can anyone give a clear explanation of the significance of that act that we can tell our friend?

Thanks,
Sbdn. Anthony

[Fr Raphael Vereshack]

Our second daughter was baptized yesterday, and a non-Orthodox friend of ours was looking at the pictures today and has asked my wife why the priest lays the child on the ambon at the end of the service instead of just handing the baby to the mother. Can anyone give a clear explanation of the significance of that act that we can tell our friend?

Thanks,
Sbdn. Anthony

This is the instruction as found in the Trebnik.

As for its significance- I haven't read anything about this elsewhere and other clergy can comment: But I have always felt when I leave the child on the amvon that since the churching is the offering of the child to the Christ and the Church that it is then only right that it is not me returning the child to the parents but rather Christ and the Church.

In Christ- Fr Raphael