Who are godparents according to the law? Who can be godparents and who can't

Since ancient Rus', our country has had a tradition of baptizing children, without giving them the opportunity to choose another faith.

Thus, in Russia, the majority of citizens adhere to the Orthodox faith.

In order to baptize a child, it is necessary to choose godparents. And the Orthodox Church strictly sets the requirements for who can be godparents, so it is important to know and follow these rules.

The sacrament itself is performed directly in the church. There are no age restrictions for joining Orthodoxy, so this ritual can be performed by a person at any age.

But according to Russian customs, parents of newborns try to baptize their children in the first year of life. Thus, they place their baby under the protection of the Almighty.

Godparents must be present during the baptism ceremony. They are considered to be people who are in spiritual closeness with their godson. They should be the child's mentors in the future.

At the same time, it is believed that it is not at all necessary that there be two parents. One is enough, but for boys there must be a godfather, and for girls a godmother.

The presence of the parents in the church is not necessary, but if the child is small, then it will be much calmer for him to be close to his family in an unfamiliar place.

During the baptism process, the godparent must hold the child and be constantly with him. If the baby is small, then he is completely immersed in holy water.

If a person is already an adult, then he simply must plunge his head three times into holy water. After bathing the child, the godparent must pick him up, dry him and put on new clothes.

Before choosing godparents for your child, as well as agreeing to become a godfather for someone, it is important to understand the very essence of this rite and your further responsibilities towards the godson.

You cannot simply attend the ceremony and then forget about the responsibility to the child that is assigned by faith.

Baptism itself is called the second birth of a person. At this moment his spiritual world is born. Since faith implies that the life of the soul does not end after death, being in a human body, it should not accumulate sins within itself.

That is why the church imposes the following responsibilities on godparents:

The problem of many families in the modern world is that their children undergo the rite of baptism, but in fact they do not see the embodiment of Christian ideas in the family.

If the family is not involved in the faith, and even more so if the basic commandments are violated, it will be much more difficult for the child to perceive life in accordance with these commandments.

Most churches now do not perform the baptism ceremony until the godparents have completed special courses.

This measure was created so that people are aware of the full responsibility of this step and are able to refuse before they assume their responsibilities to the Almighty.

After completing the courses, people become truly ready for the sacrament, and they understand what they should do after baptism throughout their lives.

Knowing all the responsibilities assigned to godparents, you need to choose those people who are most suitable for fulfilling them.

But it is also important to consider certain points:

1. The religion of the godparents themselves.
2. Family connection with the future godson.
3. The family connection between the godparents themselves.
4. Special periods for women.
5. Age of godparents.

To take these features into account, you need to know who cannot be godparents according to church laws:

The question also often arises about whether it is possible to be pregnant at the sacrament of baptism? The Church does not prohibit the entry of women carrying a child under their hearts, and also does not prohibit becoming a godmother.

Knowing all these features, as well as your close circle of friends and family, it can be quite difficult to choose someone.

Very often it turns out that among the possible options for godparents there are the same people for many relatives and friends.

Therefore, it turns out that the same person is often offered to become godfather several times for different children.

And two main questions arise:

This is why courses for godparents, now organized by many churches, are important. Because, despite the fact that in 2019 it is becoming increasingly fashionable to baptize a child, as well as assign him influential godparents, the most important thing is forgotten, this is the essence of baptism itself.

The financial status of the appointed godparent is not so important as his lifestyle, which must comply with biblical covenants.

The godparent must be a spiritual mentor and show his godson by example how to live and what spiritual principles must be observed in any situation.

It is also important to know that you cannot change godparents after baptism.. Chosen parents become parents for life. Sometimes it happens that after baptism the godparent greatly changed his lifestyle for the worse.

But in this case, the godson himself and his parents must pray for the godparent’s deliverance from sins and try to put him on the right path.

No one has the right to refuse such a godparent. It is impossible to re-baptize. Therefore, it is very important to choose reliable godparents for your children.

However, in cases where the godparent renounced Orthodoxy, accepted another faith, or became an atheist, then such a sacred union will be considered dissolved.

Similarly, we can evaluate those cases when the godparent has sunk to the most forbidden sins, which are prohibited by the Testaments.

In this case, it is implied that this person does not want to live according to the precepts of the Bible, and also does not want to be an example for his godson.

In this case, the natural parents can ask other godly people to take charge of their child's spiritual lifestyle. It is imperative to inform the holy father about this situation before the ceremony itself.

Many godparents like to pamper their godchildren with expensive gifts in order to win their favor and bring them closer spiritually.

But you need to understand that this is not the purpose of godparents. Parents should not choose godparents based on the size of their wallet.

The best gifts that the church mentions are:

This is exactly what gifts from godparents to their godchildren should look like. But besides this, the church does not prohibit giving other gifts that will delight the child. But still, the main emphasis should be placed on the spiritual education of the godson.

It is also believed that the most important date for giving is the name day of the godson’s guardian angel. During the sacrament of baptism, a person who converts to Orthodoxy receives a second name.

It may coincide with his real name, if this name is in the Orthodox book of names. And if the name is missing, then the child will be assigned a different name from this book.

Each such name has a name day date. If the selected name has several dates during the year when name days are celebrated, the date closest to the Orthodox person’s birthday is selected. It is on this date that godparents must give gifts to their godson.

Knowing all the nuances of the sacrament, as well as the requirements of the church for godparents, it is important to approach the choice of a godparent very responsibly.

It is better to make them a responsible relative than an influential family friend. Because financial values ​​in this case are not as important as spiritual ones.

Video: Godparents. Responsibilities of a godfather. Baptism in church

The sacrament of Baptism is the second birth of a person to life, birth from water and the Spirit, which the Savior speaks of as a necessary condition in order forinherit eternal life. If carnal birth is the coming of a person into the world, then Baptism is his entry and joining to the Church of Christ. And the newly baptized person is accepted into his spiritual birth by his godparents, who vouch before God for the faith of the new Orthodox Christian they have accepted.

It is more useful for the godfather and godmother to begin preparing for the Sacrament of Baptism long before the sacrament itself. First of all, this preparation consists of studying the Holy Scriptures, the foundations of the Orthodox faith and the main rules of Christian piety.

Formally, the godfather does not have to fast, confess and receive communion before the sacrament, however, if you are a believer and are connected to the Church not only by your own baptism, then most likely you adhere to these rules constantly, and it will not be difficult for you to confess and receive communion in advance.

After you have agreed to become a godfather, do not put off the immediate preparation for the sacrament. First of all, visit the temple in which it was decided to baptize the baby. The priest who will baptize the baby will conduct an interview with you before Baptism and tell you what you need to buy for the Sacrament. This is a baptismal set consisting of a baptismal cross and a baptismal shirt. In addition, you will need a sheet or towel to wrap and dry the baby after immersion in the font. Traditionally, a cross for a boy is bought by the godfather, and for a girl - by the godmother, who also brings a towel. But if only one godfather buys everything you need, it’s okay. In fact, this does not have any special meaning.

The priest, godparents and child are the main participants in the sacrament. The child’s natural parents only observe the sacrament and pray along with those invited.

The duties of the godfather at Baptism include holding the baby in his arms if a boy is baptized. The godmother is standing nearby at this time. If a girl is baptized, then everything happens the other way around. Before performing the sacrament, the priest in white vestments walks around the baptismal or temple, reading three prayers. After this, he asks the godfather and godson to face west and asks the person being baptized several questions. If the person being baptized is an infant, then the godfather answers these questions for him. In addition, during baptism, godparents read the Creed aloud instead of the baby and pronounce vows of renunciation of Satan on his behalf. Try to learn the Creed by heart. It is in any prayer book that you can purchase at any church store. The boy is taken from the font by the godfather, and the girl by the godmother. The second godparent helps dry the baby and put on his baptismal shirt.

The responsibilities of the godmother and godfather, among other things, include the question of what to give the godson for christening.

Responsibilities of a godfather after Baptism

The responsibilities of the godfather, which he assumes in the Sacrament of Baptism, are very serious, so you must clearly understand what is required of you in the future.

The godfather is obliged to give spiritual education to his godson, bring to the child’s attention the main canons of the Orthodox faith, teach the child to resort to the saving sacraments of Confession and Communion, help parents in raising and caring for the godson, and bear responsibility for the upbringing and life of the child in the event that something will happen to his parents. But, of course, the main responsibility of the godfather is prayer for the godson.

The responsibilities of godparents also include guarding the godson from various temptations and sinful temptations, which pose a particular danger in childhood and adolescence. The godfather, knowing the character, talents and desires of the godson, can help him with the choice of education, future profession and even a spouse.

Remember that the fate of your godson will largely depend on how well you fulfill your duties as a godfather, so a frivolous attitude towards them is simply unacceptable.

Now you understand why you should not thoughtlessly agree to an invitation to become a godfather, especially if you already have a godson. Think about whether you have enough strength, patience, wisdom and love to cope with such a serious responsibility as the spiritual education of your child.

The godfather must be aware of the responsibility for his duties

Unfortunately, basically the duties of a godfather now boil down to buying a pectoral cross for the future godson, paying for the sacrament, drinking to the godson’s happiness and saying goodbye to him until an unknown date, regularly marking his godfatherhood with toys or a bill in an envelope. However, for the Orthodox Church the duties of a godfather are not at all like that.

In the Sacrament, instead of the baby, you renounce the devil, his pride and his service, and express your complete readiness to marry Christ for the baby. Try to raise your child in such a way that you yourself will not be ashamed of your guarantee in the future.

Remember that there is no responsibility higher, more sacred or more terrible than those you assign to yourself by becoming a godfather. Of course, it is difficult to lead others along the difficult path of life if you yourself are constantly stumbling, but this must be done because you yourself agreed, took on this and are now endlessly responsible for the one you vouched for.

You may think that even your own father is unable to fulfill such duties. But that is precisely why the Church gave you to help him. You must help each other in the difficult task of raising a child. In addition, you, as a godfather, are obliged to monitor even the baby’s natural parents. Remember, there are so many families in which parents do not care at all about the spiritual and moral upbringing of the child. There are so many dads who don’t consider it their responsibility to raise a child. There are so many mothers who give their children to nannies so as not to burden their lives and not give up their usual pleasures. This is where your field of spiritual activity as a godfather lies. It is here that you must take the floor and remind the father of his family duty to raise and teach his baby, and remind the mother, burdened by maternal responsibilities, of her duty.

If it seems to you that these tasks are very difficult and impossible, then think about the hallowed dignity of the title of godfather and the activity that gives you the right to be the earthly guardian angel of a little person; think about what blessings the Heavenly Father prepares for those who teach and educate a person in the Love of God.

In addition, for you personally, the activities of your godfather will not be useless. If you understand the need for the spiritual education of your godson, but you yourself are not very strong in this science, then, by all means, study it yourself together with your child.

If you yourself do not often attend church, then now, no, no, go with your child. If you like to chat or discuss someone's actions, then you will have to think a hundred times before saying something, because your little godson or goddaughter is spinning around you. It’s both pleasant for you and good for the child.

Now, if God has brought or will lead you to become a successor for someone, then you will agree to this not headlong, but having thought it over and prepared for everything thoroughly, and you will become a true godfather for your godson.

The sacrament of baptism is a sacred rite performed on a newborn baby 40 days after birth. A child is baptized once in his life, so this issue should be taken seriously. Parents must decide who can be godparents to their child. After the ceremony, the baby receives God's protection and two, sometimes one, spiritual mentor in the person of godparents.

Important questions for parents

Parents who are planning to baptize their child in church face many different questions. To do everything right and avoid mistakes, it is better to get advice from the church where you decided to baptize your child, after talking with the priest. The most common questions that parents of an unbaptized baby face:

Deadlines for baptism

There are no strictly established rules regarding the age of an infant for the sacrament of baptism. It is recommended to baptize a baby in the first year of his life, but not earlier than 40 days after birth. According to the church charter, during this period, the mother of the child is considered “unclean.” After the forty-day period has expired, the woman is purified and, after a prayer of permission said over her, can attend the christening of her son or daughter. And also the period of 40 days is connected with the fact that Jesus was also brought to the Temple on the fortieth day to be dedicated to God.

There’s no point in delaying baptism either. . After all, after this sacrament the baby will receive God's grace and a guardian angel who will protect him from the evil eye and other misfortunes. The child will have two mentors and assistants in the person of a second mother and father.

On the other hand, it happens that sometimes adults are also baptized. This is due to the fact that in childhood they were not baptized for some reason. There are supporters of the opinion that a child cannot be baptized, because he cannot consciously choose which religion is most suitable for him. But it is more logical to assume that if the parents have a Christian faith, then the child will most often be based on the tenets of Christianity in his daily life. Therefore, the choice of religion for a newborn is made by his parents.

At baptism, infants tend to behave more calmly than older children. After all, they may be frightened by what is happening and throw a tantrum. It’s good if the child already knows his mentors by sight. After all, after bathing in the font, the priest hands the girl into the arms of a woman, and the boy into the arms of a man. In the hands of a familiar person, the baby will behave calmer.

Having decided who can be the godparents of a boy or a girl, it is a good idea to discuss all organizational issues in advance. So that everything necessary for the baptism ceremony is prepared in advance. As a rule, these are candles, a towel for the priest, with which he wipes his hands after washing the baby, clothes for the baby, a kryzhma, a cross with a ribbon. At home you will also need to take the baby's birth certificate.

Your chosen receivers will have to visit the church for conversations with the priest. He will remind them of their spiritual responsibilities that will confront them, perhaps asking them to learn the words of the “Creed” prayer. It will remind you that before baptism they will have to fast for 3 days, after which they will confess and receive communion.

Choosing second parents

When choosing godparents for their child, most often parents give preference to people they know well, best friends, as well as relatives (their sisters, brothers, parents). In these people they must be sure, should completely trust them with the upbringing of their child. The chosen second father and mother become the child’s spiritual mentors. They must teach him to live in accordance with the norms of morality and faith, to live in harmony with the world around him, and not to violate the laws of God.

Requirements for candidates

Since ancient times, people at the time of baptism had only one of the mentors. And now at the girl’s baptism it is enough to have a godmother, for a boy - only a godfather. Sometimes the baptism ritual is carried out without godmothers and fathers. In this case, the priest who conducts the ceremony can become the spiritual recipient of the baby. This point needs to be discussed in advance in the church of your choice. But you need to take into account that the priest will not be able to spend time together often, communicate, or raise his godson.

basic requirements for godparents:

• must be baptized;
• must have the same faith as the godson;
• the girl must be over 13 years old;
• the godfather must be at least 15 years old.

The age limit is quite logical. A minor will not be able to be fully responsible for another child, either by law or by the level of education and personal development. Therefore, by decree of the Holy Synod, such recommendations are given on the age of godparents.

Often relatives act as godparents: the baby’s grandparents, siblings or cousins ​​of parents, uncles and aunts, nephews. This choice is good because that these people will have the opportunity to see the baby often, and from the bottom of their hearts will help him in all his endeavors.

It happens that the baby’s relatives or half-brother or sister can act as godparents. This is not forbidden by the church. On the other hand, the youngest child in the family will imitate his older brother or sister in everything. And if he sets a good example to follow, he will be good as a godfather. But it is worth considering that the mentor’s young age does not give him much life experience and does not give him much responsibility.

It is a common belief that a pregnant woman cannot become a godmother. The ritual will not harm the expectant mother and her child, it will only impose new responsibilities on her. Some superstitions say that a pregnant woman cannot enter a church or participate in the sacraments. But there is no common sense in this. Church rituals will only benefit the expectant mother.

Reasons for the ban

In some cases, people who are pleasant to parents cannot baptize their child. It is forbidden to become godparents:

Those who agree to become godparents should understand that in the future they cannot have intimate relationships. Godparents should only have a spiritual connection. For this reason, some priests recommend taking godparents so that there is less temptation.

The godfather and godmother become spiritual relatives among themselves and with the child’s parents. This connection is considered very strong. They become godfathers for each other. Godmother is godfather, father is godfather.

Responsibilities of godparents

Godparents must not only be present at the Sacrament of Baptism. They must help their recipient throughout their lives. This means not only giving gifts for the holidays, but also educating, teaching morality, goodness and teaching to love God and follow his faith. If they are unable to see their godson often, they should pray for his well-being and health. After all, it is the prayer of spiritual mentors that has very great power.

The godfather buys a cross and a chain or ribbon for his godson, and also takes on all the costs of the baptism. The godmother presents the baby with baptismal clothes and kryzhma. It is desirable, but not necessary, if she purchases a personalized icon of the saint in whose honor the baby is named.

Kryzhma is a baptismal towel; it must be new. The baby is wrapped in kryzhma after he is dipped into the font. In the future, it can be used as a strong amulet, applied to the child’s body during serious illnesses.

For the baptism of girls, a set of clothing is required, consisting of a cap or headscarf, baptismal shirt or dress. For a boy's baptism, a headdress is not required. In the modern world, we are used to buying baptismal clothes and towels in the store. Many people order baptism kits from craftswomen, when, at the request of the parents, any cross, ornament, name and date of the baby’s baptism can be embroidered on clothes and towels. In the old days, sewing and decorating baptismal paraphernalia was done by the mother or godmother, doing everything with her own hands.

The Church does not prohibit being a spiritual mentor to several children in one family, or being a second mother/father of completely different children. The question is to have so much strength, desire and time that is enough for everyone. Therefore, if a person is aware that he takes responsibility for the spiritual and moral education of several children, he can have as many godchildren as he pleases. The Church answers positively the question whether it is possible to baptize each other’s children. Baptizing the children of your godfathers will only bring spiritual kinship closer.

Failure Cases

Often those who have been offered to be godparents have doubts. According to an incorrect statement, it is believed that it is a sin to refuse to baptize a child. However, according to clergy, failure to fulfill one’s obligations is a sin.

If a person agrees to become a godfather, it means he is ready to become a child’s spiritual mentor and help him in difficult life situations. He will pray for him, go to church with him, teach him to live with dignity. The godfather must be involved in his upbringing, devote time to him not only on major holidays, and take responsibility and care for the godson if anything happens to his parents.

Those who agree to become godparents without realizing the full responsibility, just so as not to offend their parents with their refusal, are doing it wrong. If a person cannot take on such a responsible role, then it is much better to immediately refuse baptism. And this is not considered a sin. Let it be better for the child to find someone who will truly become his assistant on the path of spiritual development.

The choice of your child’s spiritual mentors should be taken very seriously. Since the baptism ritual is performed only once. The child surrenders to the faith chosen by his parents and follows it all his life. It is no longer possible to choose other, more worthy mentors, to baptize the baby, since the ritual of “baptism” does not exist. Even if godfathers do not have the opportunity to see their godson often, they can simply pray for him in difficult moments of his life’s journey. If the parents had a fight and stopped communicating with their godfathers, this is also not a reason to look for new mentors to rebaptize the child.

Baptism is the most significant event in the life of every Orthodox person. And of course, you need to take a responsible approach to choosing godparents. After all, they are second parents and play an important role in a person’s life. There are many superstitions about godparents. And many people wonder: who can be a godfather and who cannot. Let's try to answer the most frequently asked questions on this topic.

Can children be godparents?

According to church rules, children from the age of seven already bear full responsibility for their actions. They are no longer allowed to take communion without confession. Therefore, if a child is sufficiently churched, he can become a godfather. But when choosing a child as godparent, think carefully. The godmother or father must raise their godson in the Orthodox faith, and the child himself is still just learning the basics of Orthodoxy. Still, it is better to choose an adult, accomplished person as godparents. After all, if something happens to the child’s blood parents, the minor will not be able to take responsibility for the godson. If you nevertheless decide to take a minor as godparents, it is better that this is a child who has reached the age of 15.

Can there be one godfather?

There are situations when a christening has already been scheduled, an agreement has been made with the priest and guests have been invited, but one of the godparents cannot attend the baptism. Or you couldn’t find a second receiver at all. What to do in such a situation? The Church allows baptism with one godparent. The second one can be recorded in absentia on the baptismal certificate. But there is one important point here. When a girl is baptized, a godmother must be present, and for a male infant, a godfather must be present. During the sacrament, the godfather (of the same sex as the child) will pronounce on behalf of the baby a vow of renunciation of Satan and union with Christ, as well as the Creed.

Can a sister be a godmother?

If the sister is a believer, an Orthodox person, she can become a godmother. But it is desirable that the godmother is already quite an adult, because she will have to bear responsibility not only for herself, but also for her godson. Many who have adult sisters take them as godparents. After all, no one will take care of a godson like a loved one.

Can an ex-husband be a godfather?

It's more of a moral issue. If you have excellent friendly relations with your ex-husband, and he is not the natural father of your child, he can become a godfather. But if your ex-husband is the child’s natural father, then he cannot be the adopter, since natural parents cannot be the adopter of their child. Well, again, the godfather becomes practically a relative, so discuss with your current husband whether he will be against your such a close relationship with your ex-husband.

Can the godfather's wife be a godmother?

The godfather's wife cannot be a foster child if we are talking about the same baby, since the church prohibits spouses from being foster children of the same child. During the sacrament, they acquire a spiritual connection, which means that there cannot be an intimate relationship between them.

Can a brother be a godfather?

A sibling or cousin can become a godfather. The Church does not prohibit close relatives from being godparents. The only exceptions are the child's parents. Grandmothers, brothers, aunts and uncles can be godparents. The main thing is that these people are Orthodox, baptized, and take a responsible approach to fulfilling the duties of godparents. That is, to teach a child the basics of Orthodoxy and raise him to be a believer, an honest and decent person.

Can husband and wife be godparents?

During the baptismal ceremony, a woman and a man become spiritual relatives, which means they cannot be married. Because marriage implies physical intimacy, which cannot exist between spiritual parents.

If the godmother and godfather are spouses, they are prohibited from participating in the sacrament of baptism of one child. Moreover, a man and woman cannot baptize the same child if they are just planning to get married. If they do become godparents of one baby, they will have to give up close relationships in favor of raising a godson.

A husband and wife can baptize children from the same family. A man can become the godfather of one child, and the wife can become the godmother of another baby.

If a husband and wife unknowingly become the adoptive parents of the same child, the spouses need to contact the ruling bishop. As a rule, there are two ways out of this situation: recognition of the marriage as invalid, or the spouses will be given penance for a sin committed out of ignorance.

Who definitely cannot be a receiver?

Before choosing godparents for your baby, you need to know whom the church clearly prohibits from taking as godparents:

- the child’s blood parents;

- spouses;

- not baptized and atheists;

- people of other religions;

- monks;

- mentally retarded people;

- sectarians.

Choosing godparents is a very important point. And here you need to be guided primarily by the interests of the child, and not by your own. Often, best friends or “necessary” people are chosen as godparents, without really delving into how much the person belongs to the church.

If you want your child to be raised in the Orthodox faith, choose only believers who know prayers and regularly attend church services. If people do not visit the temple and believe, as they say from time to time, then great doubt arises about their serious attitude to the sacrament and their duties.

It often happens that people's paths diverge, and the godfather cannot take part in raising the godson. But he is still responsible for this child, so the recipient must pray for his godson or goddaughter all his life.

Responsibilities of the godfather during the ceremony

Responsibilities of a Godfather much more serious than many people think. Godparents are not just a formal status, they are a great responsibility for the godson throughout his life. And if parents are not chosen, then the choice of godfather and mother is perhaps the most important step in the spiritual development of a child. Of course, it all begins with the sacrament of Baptism, during which godparents become full participants in the second birth of a person. Birth, which helps to inherit eternal life and symbolizes joining the Church of Christ. After the ceremony, godparents are responsible before God for the faith of their godson.

Before Epiphany

As soon as you have received an offer to become a godfather or mother, you can and should begin preparing the ceremony itself. Whatever your beliefs, it would be a good idea to read the Holy Scriptures and at least briefly become familiar with the foundations and rules of the Christian faith.

It should be noted that the godfather does not have to undergo any special preparatory ceremonies. You may not fast, not confess, and not receive communion. However, if the future godfather is a believer, all of the above points will be observed even without special recommendations. In any case, it is better to follow certain canons, even if this is not a prerequisite.

The godfather will have to take part in the preparation of the ceremony itself. If you have the honor of becoming a godfather, go to the temple where the Baptism is to take place and talk to the priest. There they will tell you in detail what exactly you need to buy for the ceremony.

As a rule, a baptismal set and a towel are required for the Sacrament. The set includes an elegant children's shirt and a cross, and the baby will need a towel after diving into the font. According to a long-standing tradition, the godmother buys a cross for a goddaughter, and the godfather buys a cross for a godson. But this is not at all a necessary condition. One of the godparents can buy everything you need.

Responsibilities of the godfather during Baptism

The direct participants in the Sacrament, as a rule, are the priest, godparents and the baby himself. The natural father and mother are destined for the fate of passive observers. They pray on the sidelines with other invitees.

If they are going to baptize a boy, then the godfather should hold him in his arms during the ceremony, the mother just stands nearby, and if the main participant in the Sacrament is a girl, then she is in the arms of the godmother, the godfather is near them.

The ritual begins with the priest walking around the temple and reading prayers. The godparent and godson then face west, and the person being baptized answers a few questions from the priest. If the child is too young, his godfather gives answers for him. During the Sacrament itself, the godparents read the “Creed” prayer and, on behalf of the godson, pronounce a vow of renunciation of Satan. After washing in the font, the child is taken into his arms by the godfather if a boy was baptized, or by the godmother if a girl was baptized. Then the baby is dried and dressed in a christening shirt.

One of the most pleasant moments of any christening is the giving of pre-prepared gifts from the godmother and godfather.

After Baptism

After Baptism, during which you voluntarily take on the difficult responsibilities of spiritual and moral education and accompaniment throughout the life of a little person, you will be required to strictly follow certain rules.

If natural parents are obliged to love, feed, care for and protect their child, and this is their parental duty, then the godfather is obliged to give the child the most complete spiritual education. In addition to accompanying his moral development, the godfather is obliged to help the parents in socializing the godson and caring for him.

The Godfather is an earthly Guardian Angel, ready at any moment to accept the baby as his own child if something happens to his parents. And his main task is to pray for his godson.

What is spiritual accompaniment and how to understand it? The godfather must in every possible way protect the child from temptations and sinful temptations, to which almost all children are exposed during adolescence. He will take on some of the worries about setting up his godson in the professional field, helping him decide on the choice of his future field of activity. And, of course, give wise advice before the godson enters into marriage, thereby taking responsibility for the future happiness of the young.

Having such a wide range of responsibilities, you cannot perceive them as a formality, because, ultimately, it is now largely up to you how successful the little person’s life will be. Therefore, it is necessary to carefully consider the offer to become a godfather, and you should agree to it only if you feel the strength to meet high requirements.

Conscious choice

Don’t think that your godfather’s worries will be limited to buying a cross and regular name day gifts. This is not the responsibility of a godfather. During Baptism, you renounce before God everything devilish and all mortal sins for your godson. You are vouching for the child, which means you yourself must meet the high standard that you have set for your ward.

Besides the heavy burden of responsibility, there are many benefits to being a godfather. So, for example, you have a wonderful opportunity to put everything in its place in your own life. By rethinking all your actions and desires, you will become even closer to the image of a real godfather that the Church paints for us.

You shouldn’t give up the chance to make your life more harmonious, because your godson’s worldview depends on your calmness, prudence and success. Try to become a real example for him.

Concern for the moral character of the godson’s real parents may also fall on your shoulders. If there is no mutual understanding in the family, and the child is perceived as a burden, it is you who must help the parents realize the full significance of their duty to the child. Try to become a Guardian Angel not only for the baby, but also for his family. Grow spiritually with him, develop. You will be able to comprehend the full depth of worldly wisdom that has developed over centuries, and become a significant part of the life of a little person.