Godfather (« godfather"), and also godmother (« godmother") - spiritual parent ( receiver or recipient) in the Christian tradition, who, during the sacrament of baptism, accepts responsibility before God for the spiritual education and piety of the baptized ( godson or goddaughters).

Church rules provide for one godparent (of the same sex as the person being baptized), but since the 15th century in Russia it has been accepted that there should be no more than two godparents (of both sexes).

Requirements for recipients in Orthodoxy

The responsibilities of recipients are such that not every person can be admitted to perception from the font baptized Church rules eliminate this:

1. Parents of the person being baptized and persons related by blood (this prohibition is not absolutely binding)
2. Monks, since the monastic order is associated with complete renunciation of the world (historically, monastic authorities and monks of non-communal monasteries are successors).
3. Underage.
4. Gentiles, and not only non-Christians, but even heterodox ones. In some cases in the past, due to political circumstances, non-Orthodox recipients were allowed, but with the condition that they read the creed as it is read in the Orthodox Church.

Sources differ on the question of whether godfathers and mothers can marry each other: pre-revolutionary church law did not prevent this, many modern sources claim the opposite.

Responsibilities of recipients

In Orthodoxy, recipients are obliged to:

• teach godchildren to access the sacraments of the church (confession and communion)
• give them knowledge about the meaning of worship and the features of the church calendar
• teach to attend church services and fast

The responsibilities of the godparents also include helping the godchildren in everyday life: protecting the godchildren from temptations and temptations, providing advice in choosing an education and profession, or a spouse.

How are godparents chosen for a child? Who shouldn't be a godfather?

The question of how to choose godparents for a child’s christening is one of the most important in the days leading up to this great sacrament. The path of spiritual growth that the child has to go through largely depends on how successful the choice of the child’s parents is. Therefore, we will try to fully understand this issue and, if possible, avoid mistakes.

When should a baby be baptized?

The first and most important event in the life of a newborn is the rite of holy baptism. There is no strictly established rule regarding how many days after the baby is born it should be performed. But taking into account the spiritual significance of the sacrament, it is recommended not to postpone it for a long time without serious reasons, and to try to have the sacrament performed in the first year of the child’s life.

Both in the process of performing the ritual and in the further spiritual life of the newly baptized, an important role is played by the godparents assigned to him, who take upon themselves the responsibility of raising him in the spirit of Orthodoxy. That is why the question of how to choose godparents for a child so that in the future they can fully fulfill the mission entrusted to them becomes important.

Who can't be one of the godparents?

It should be noted that there are certain restrictions when appointing godparents. First of all, the child’s parents themselves and, in addition, persons who are related, cannot play this role. Also, church rules prohibit entrusting this to people who are married to each other or intend to enter into it after some time. The reason here is quite obvious. Godparents are people who are spiritually related, and physical intimacy between them is unacceptable.

Continuing the conversation about how godparents are chosen for a child, it is necessary to emphasize that they cannot be all kinds of people of other faiths, including even Christians of other denominations (Catholics, Protestants, Lutherans, etc.). And, of course, this should not be trusted to people who are not believers at all or who declare their faith, but are not baptized and do not attend church.

As for the age restrictions imposed on possible candidates, girls can be godparents from the age of thirteen, and boys from the age of fifteen. It is believed that, subject to correct and proper religious education at this age, they are already able to understand the responsibility entrusted to them and, over time, become spiritual mentors of their godson.

And finally, from the number of possible candidates, persons suffering from mental illness should be excluded, since they cannot be held responsible for their actions, and those who lead an immoral (from the church and universal point of view) lifestyle. Monks and nuns also cannot be godparents.

Who should you choose?

However, the question of how godparents are chosen for a child is not limited to just the list of those who are not suitable for this role. Something else is much more important. You should know who can be chosen as godparents for a child, and in this regard there are no clearly defined boundaries, but only recommendations based on the life experience of previous generations of Orthodox Christians.

Before you choose someone, you should first of all think about whether they will pray all their lives for their godson or goddaughter, because this is precisely one of their main responsibilities. This is especially important in the first years after baptism, since the child is still small and cannot turn to the Creator in prayer. In addition, it is generally accepted that the prayer of those who received the baby from the holy font has a special power of grace and is heard.

Any relative of the child can become a godson, regardless of the degree of relationship, a friend of his parents, or simply someone whom they know and respect. But at the same time, it is necessary, first of all, to be guided by whether the chosen one will be a good adviser and a good spiritual educator of the child.

In order to more fully understand how godparents are chosen for a child, it is necessary to outline the range of responsibilities that are assigned to each of them. This will help to avoid in the future many griefs and disappointments associated with haste and ill-conceived decisions.

According to existing tradition, godparents must go to church a day or two before the sacrament and confess and receive communion there in order to remove the burden of earthly sins that could interfere with the establishment of spiritual unity with the godson. Directly on the day of baptism, they impose a voluntary fast on themselves, excluding both eating and performing marital duties.

During the sacrament, the “Creed” is read, and if the ritual is performed over a girl, then the godmother reads the prayer, and if over a boy, then the godfather. In this regard, it is important to prepare carefully, memorize the text and ask the priest in advance when to read the prayer and how.

Choosing the right godparents for a child is extremely important in relation to the help that is expected from them during the ceremony itself. And first of all, this applies to the godmother. She, among other things, must take care of the gift for the child and the various things necessary for performing the sacrament, such as a baptismal shirt, a towel and, of course, a pectoral cross that will be worn on him. By the way, it should be noted that during the sacrament her presence is necessary, while the godfather can only participate in it in absentia.

Psychological aspect of choosing a godmother

It is also very important to take into account that after washing in the font, the child is taken into the arms of his godmother, and here it is necessary to take care that this does not cause stress for the baby. It is highly desirable that the candidate for this role has held him in her arms before, and he is familiar with her features. The same can be said about the godfather. In the entire range of issues related to how godparents are chosen for a child, this occupies one of the main places.

Responsibility for the subsequent spiritual life of the child

According to church teaching, the child’s connection with those who received him from the holy font is considered even closer than with the real parents who gave him life. They will have to answer for him at the Last Judgment, and therefore it is their duty to constantly take care of the spiritual growth of their godson.

This side of their responsibilities to him and to the church includes not only conversations on religious topics that can expand the godson’s knowledge of Orthodoxy, but also introducing the child to attending church and participating in divine services. Moreover, in order to achieve the best result, godparents must steadily increase their own spirituality and be a living and convincing example for the child.

Replacement of faith with ritual belief

It is very unfortunate that today the true Christian faith is often replaced by the so-called ritual faith. Leaving aside the foundations of the teachings of Jesus Christ, who preached humanism, sacrifice in the name of one’s neighbor and repentance as an indispensable condition for acquiring the Kingdom of God, people hope to receive immediate earthly blessings by performing certain ritual actions.

If such naivety was excusable to the ancient pagans due to their ignorance, now that the Lord has given us the Holy Gospel, we can only regret those who, when asked why they baptize a child, without hesitation, answer: “So that he doesn’t get sick.” And that's all! Not a word about the fact that they desire his unity in the Spirit of God with the Creator of the Universe and the possibility of his inheriting Eternal Life.

How to choose godparents for a child if the parents are non-believers?

In addition, in recent years it has become fashionable to baptize children, and they are often carried to the holy font by unbelieving parents, doing this only in order to keep up with others. Despite this, the church welcomes the baptism of a newborn, regardless of the reasons that guided his parents, although he wishes them to take a more responsible approach to the holy sacrament, which is the spiritual birth of their little person.

That is why the question of how to choose godparents for a child acquires special importance, because it is they who, with their religiosity, can make up for what the real father and mother are not able to give. His decision cannot contain any general advice, since in each case it is individual and depends on the environment of relatives and friends in which the young parents live. It is among these people that one should look for those who, with their faith, are able to help a child take the path of spiritual growth.

A question born of superstition

Sometimes you hear a rather strange question about how to choose godparents for a child in a leap year and, in general, is it possible to perform this sacrament in a year that has February 29 in its calendar? This question is strange, first of all, because, according to the clergy themselves, in the Orthodox Church there is no such thing as a leap year, and therefore there are no restrictions associated with it, be it weddings, christenings or other sacraments. The popular belief that it brings misfortune is the fruit of superstition and empty speculation. Believers should have in themselves only the fear of God and hope in His mercy, and not the fear of some signs.

Godfather: duties at baptism and functions in Orthodoxy

Baptism is one of the important events in the life of an Orthodox person. It is believed that he receives some kind of pass into the Kingdom of God. This is the moment of a person’s spiritual birth, when his previous sins are forgiven and his soul is cleansed. Particular attention should be paid to the choice of godparents for the child, since they have an influence on the spiritual life and salvation of the believer. Therefore, the godfather, whose duties and responsibilities include all of the above, must be worthy.

The role of a godfather in a child's life

Now let's take a closer look at what role the godfather plays in Orthodoxy, whose responsibilities include not only gifts for holidays. The most important thing he must do is to provide assistance in the spiritual life of his godson. So, let's look at the responsibilities in order:

1. Set a worthy example for him with your life. This means that in the presence of a godson you cannot drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, or speak swear words. You need to be noble in your actions.
2. Prayers for your godson are obligatory, especially in difficult moments.
3. Visiting a temple with your child.
4. Spiritual education of the godson is mandatory (stories about God, teaching the Bible, etc.). If there are problems in life situations, then provide all possible assistance.
5. The responsibilities of the godfather also include financial support if necessary (if the parents have a difficult situation with money or work).

What do you need to know to choose godparents?

So, how to choose a godfather or godfather? What should you be guided by? Firstly, you should know that in the spiritual life of a child, the most important thing is a godfather of the same sex (for a boy - a godfather, for a girl - a godmother). However, according to established tradition, two are chosen as godfathers.

Of course, the decision about who will be the child’s spiritual educator throughout his life is made at the family council. If there are any difficulties when choosing, then consult with your priest or spiritual father. He will probably suggest a suitable candidate, because this is quite an honorable duty.

It is very important that godparents do not get lost in life, that they continue to spiritually care for the child throughout his life. Both the godmother and the godfather, whose duties and functions are described above, have their own responsibilities before the Lord.

Based on all this, Christians who are over fourteen years old are suitable for the role of spiritual parents. They take responsibility for the future spiritual life of the child, praying for him, and then teaching him to live in the Lord.

Who can't be a godfather?

When choosing a godfather or mother, you need to know who cannot be for your child:

• Those who are going to become spouses in the future or are already such in the present.
• Parents of the baby.
• Those who accepted monasticism.
• Unbaptized people or non-believers in the Lord.
• You cannot take as godparents people who have mental illness.
• Those who profess a different faith.

All of this should be taken into account before a godfather is chosen. His responsibilities are quite extensive, so the person who agreed to be him must be clearly aware of everything.

Necessary items for the ceremony

You should talk in more detail about what items are needed for this ritual:

• Kryzhma. This is a special towel on which a cross is embroidered or simply depicted. A child is wrapped in it during anointing, as well as when prayers of prohibition are read. Sometimes the baby's name and the date of his baptism are embroidered on such a towel.
• Baptismal swaddling cloth. This is not an entirely necessary attribute, but it should be there when it’s cold. This diaper is used to wipe the baby after dipping into the font, and then wrap it again in the kryzhma.
• Clothes for baptism. This could be a christening set (dress) for a girl or a special shirt for a boy. It is advisable that these clothes be purchased as a gift by the baby’s successor.
• It is necessary to have a pectoral cross with you for a future Christian. Usually it is acquired by the godfather. Responsibilities at baptism for him, of course, are not limited only to this acquisition, but they will be written about them below.
• It is necessary to take with you an envelope for the baby's cut hair.
• You should also purchase icons for the child and make a donation to the temple (this is an optional condition).

Is there any special preparation for recipients before the ceremony?

You should also pay attention to preparing for christening. The most correct step would be to contact your confessor or priest for advice. However, you should know that usually before the sacrament it is necessary to confess and receive communion. Before this, you need to fast (the priest should tell you about the number of days). You may need additional actions, such as reading prayers, spiritual literature, etc. It is also advisable not to attend noisy parties, various entertainment venues, or watch TV at this time. It is advisable to devote all your free time to prayer.

If this is your first time in the role of godfather, then it is advisable to familiarize yourself with how the sacrament is performed, what prayers are read, and what the order of chants is. This is necessary because when you become a spiritual educator of a little person, you need more than just a formal presence. Sincere prayer is necessary, which should not stop even after the completion of the sacrament, because this is the essence of becoming a godparent.

More details about what responsibilities the godfather has during this ritual will be discussed below.

Present

Considering the question of the duties of a godfather at a christening, it should be said that on this day it is customary to give gifts, both to the baby and to the godfather. If desired, you can give a gift to your parents.

It is appropriate for a child to give both an educational toy and something more important for spiritual life, such as a Bible for children with pictures. By the way, the gift can be discussed with the parents in advance, because something else may turn out to be more important at this moment.

There is one main gift that his godfather must give the baby. The responsibilities during baptism are not only to hold the baby, but also to show the first example of honoring the Lord. After all, children understand everything from birth at the level of feelings. In addition to reading prayers, such a gift is a pectoral cross, which is baptismal. It must be bought and presented by the recipient.

For parents, especially for the baby’s mother, a good gift would be a prayer book containing the necessary prayers for the whole family.

How were christenings celebrated in ancient times?

Previously, as now, christenings were a very significant event in people's lives. This sacrament was necessarily performed no later than two months after the baby was born, and sometimes earlier, on the eighth day. This happened because there used to be a high infant mortality rate, so it was very important for loved ones to baptize the child before the irreparable happened, so that his soul would go to heaven.

The celebration of the little man's joining the church was celebrated with a large number of guests. This was especially noticeable in large villages. Many people gathered for such a holiday, who came with gifts and best wishes for the baby. At the same time, they brought mainly various pastries - kulebyaki, pies, pretzels. In the house where the little man lived, a sumptuous table was laid for the guests, and there was practically no alcohol (there could only be red wine in very small quantities).

There were traditional holiday dishes. For example, a rooster baked in porridge for a boy or a chicken for a girl. There were also a lot of shaped baked goods, which symbolized wealth, fertility, and longevity.

It was customary to invite the midwife to the table, who would receive the baby. They could also call the priest who performed the baptismal ceremony. During the celebration, numerous songs were sung, thus wishing the child all the best. They saw off all the guests, presenting each with sweets.

How is baptism performed? Responsibilities of a Godfather

Now let's look at how the ceremony itself takes place, what should be done at this time and what responsibilities each of those present has. In our time, this sacrament usually occurs on the fortieth day after birth. Parents or future godparents must go to the chosen temple in advance and sign up for the chosen date, as well as agree on the process itself. After all, you can hold individual christenings or general ones.

The responsibilities of a godfather during the baptism of a girl are the same, and that of a boy are different (although they differ slightly). If the child is not yet a year old and cannot stand on his own, then he is held in his arms all the time. For the first half of the ceremony (before immersion in the font), boys are held by their godmothers, and girls by their fathers. After the dive, everything changes. Since the main thing for a boy is the father, it is he who accepts the child, and the mother accepts the girl. And this continues until the end of the ceremony.

The service itself lasts about forty minutes (more time is required if there are many people). It begins after the celebration of the liturgy. The performance of the sacrament begins with the laying on of hands on the person being baptized and the recitation of a special prayer. After this, you should renounce Satan and his works. Adults are responsible for a child who cannot speak.

The next step in the ritual will be the consecration of the water in the font. Before immersing the person being baptized into it, he should be anointed with oil (back, chest, ears, forehead, legs and arms.) Only after this does immersion into the font occur. The priest reads prayers. This action symbolizes dying to the world and resurrecting to the Lord. This is how a kind of cleansing occurs.

Then the child is handed over to the godfather, he is wrapped in kryzhma (as mentioned above, the boy is handed over to the father, and the girl to the mother). Now the baby is anointed with myrrh.

So, now you know the responsibilities of a godfather when baptizing a boy and a girl. As you can see, they are slightly different.

Baptism at home

In addition to baptism in the temple, it would not be reprehensible to perform this sacrament at home, with your family. However, it is better to do it in the right place. This is based on the fact that after baptism, boys must be brought into the altar (girls simply venerate the icons).

After the ceremony is completed, the little man becomes a full member of the church. This can be felt most strongly only in the temple. Therefore, home christenings are possible only if the baby is unable to withstand the ceremony in church. They are also committed when the child is in mortal danger (illness, etc.). If the whole sacrament takes place in a home environment, then the godfather has the same responsibilities for baptism as if the ceremony was performed in a temple.

Church life of new Christians

You should know that after baptism a person’s spiritual life just begins. The first acquaintance with church rules begins with the prayer of one’s own mother and godmother. This is how, invisibly, the word of God is instilled in the baby. And in the future, when he sees everything for himself, you can slowly introduce him to family prayer, explaining its value.

Special mention should be made about baptismal accessories. Kryzhma and special clothing (if you purchased it) should be stored separately and not used in everyday life. A christening shirt (dress) can be worn when a child is ill (or simply wrapped in it). The icon that was used during the sacrament should be placed near the baby’s crib or on the home iconostasis (if there is one). The candle is used on special occasions and is also kept for life.

The responsibilities of a godfather at baptism are just beginning. In the future, when the child grows up, he will need to go to church with him, take communion and attend services. Of course, this can be done with parents, but it is better if it is a godfather. By the way, you need to take your child to church from an early age. It is there, in the bosom of the church, that he will be able to realize all the greatness of God. If he doesn’t understand something, you need to patiently explain the difficult moments.

This is how addiction occurs and has a beneficial effect on the human soul. Church chants and prayers calm and strengthen. As you grow older, difficult questions can arise. If godparents or parents cannot answer them, then it is better to turn to the priest.

Conclusion

So now you know what the responsibilities of a godfather are. They need to be taken seriously from the very beginning, as soon as such an offer is made to you. If necessary, consult with the priest about what you should do for your child, how to educate him in the spiritual life and what support to provide. Be careful, because from now on you and your godson are spiritually connected forever. You will also be responsible for his sins, so upbringing should be treated with special importance. By the way, if you are not confident in your abilities, then it is better to refuse this.

Godparents

The birth of a child is an important event in the family, but parents have to face a huge number of difficulties before they can breathe a sigh of relief. Raising a person includes a huge number of components, because it is very important not just to teach a child to read and write, to give him an education, but to raise a worthy member of society with stable moral and spiritual values.

In many respects, the child’s godparents should take upon themselves the spiritual upbringing of the child. Many people do not understand their task by baptizing a child. After all, it’s not about the gifts that they will now give to their godson on birthdays, name days and other holidays; now they are responsible for the baby’s faith, his Christian upbringing.

The sacrament of baptism is considered one of the most important events in a person’s life and symbolizes purification and spiritual birth. The procedure itself requires immersion in water three times, as a symbol of the three days that Jesus spent in the tomb, after which his Resurrection occurred.

Godparents, or, as they are also called, godparents, vouch for the baby and are now his second parents, so the responsibility for Christian upbringing lies squarely on their shoulders.

It is difficult to say what motives parents follow when choosing godparents for their baby, but there are a number of restrictions that you need to know about in advance. So, for example, first of all, the parents themselves cannot be godparents for the child, and non-believers cannot take on such responsibilities. The mentally ill and morally fallen should not stand at the font with a baby in their arms, and young children are not allowed to participate in this ceremony as recipients. A husband and wife who are married cannot be godparents of one child, but they may well baptize their siblings (for example, the wife - a girl, and the husband - a boy).

In general, following church canons, just one recipient is enough to carry out a christening. A godmother is required in cases where the person being baptized is a girl, and vice versa, a godfather is needed when a boy is baptized. However, we traditionally choose two parents, because this absolutely does not contradict the church charter.

It is believed that it is the godfather who bears the costs of Baptism. He must also buy a gift and a cross for his goddaughter or godson. If the child is still very small, then it is best to put the cross on a wide ribbon so that the baby does not damage the delicate skin on the neck.

The godmother must take upon herself the purchase of a baptismal set, which includes a cap, a shirt and a kryzhma (towel or diaper) - this is what the baby is wrapped in after the font.

However, in modern realities, godparents do not always have the financial ability to pay for all the arrangements; the main thing is their presence and acceptance of responsibility for the further spiritual education of the child. Each church may require its own mandatory set, which the baby must have at baptism.

Usually, the recipients buy a gift for a child’s christening together, the same cross and a chain made of silver or gold.

If you are among the invited guests to such a family holiday, then traditionally you can give a blanket for the baby, diapers, vests, clothes, etc. as a gift.

It is worth saying that when choosing adoptive parents for a child, it is necessary to give preference to those people who will subsequently be able to give the child proper spiritual education and surround him with care and love. Parents should not seek material gain in choosing godparents, guided by the level of financial security of the applicants. Godparents are, first of all, mentors who will help the child choose his own path and decide on priorities and life values.

What does it mean to be a godfather?

My friends suggested that I become their son's godfather. How is this? And what does this mean?

Rain.

This is a big responsibility. And if you are not a believer, then it is better to politely refuse... The godfather is in the same demand for raising his son as with his own father. Spiritually, the godfather is even more responsible...

From the point of view of the church, godparents are the parents of the child; natural parents are not taken into account at all. you and the godmother will need to accustom the baby to church: take communion, take him to confession and much more. and in everyday life to always be there.

Just an angel

Godparents are responsible, talk about God, go to church for the godson’s spiritual education, go to church with him, etc. and of course they treat the child as if they were their own. It's a great honor to be godparents. you were offered to become

Lighter

firstly, you must be a believer, because according to your faith the child will be baptized; secondly, the main duty of the godfather is to pray for the godson and introduce him to the faith. But in material terms, this is your whim, if you want, you can help.
you will be responsible for the child's soul

Baptism is one of the important events in the life of an Orthodox person. It is believed that he receives some kind of pass into the Kingdom of God. This is the moment of a person’s spiritual birth, when his previous sins are forgiven and his soul is cleansed. Particular attention should be paid to the choice of godparents for the child, since they have an influence on the spiritual life and salvation of the believer. Therefore, the godfather, whose duties and responsibilities include all of the above, must be worthy.

The role of a godfather in a child's life

Now let's take a closer look at what role the godfather plays in Orthodoxy, whose responsibilities include not only gifts for holidays. The most important thing he must do is to provide assistance in the spiritual life of his godson. So, let's look at the responsibilities in order:

1. Set a worthy example for him with your life. This means that in the presence of a godson you cannot drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, or speak swear words. You need to be noble in your actions.
2. Prayers for your godson are obligatory, especially in difficult moments.
3. Visiting a temple with your child.
4. Spiritual education of the godson is mandatory (stories about God, teaching the Bible, etc.). If there are problems in life situations, then provide all possible assistance.
5. The responsibilities of the godfather also include financial support if necessary (if the parents have a difficult situation with money or work).

What do you need to know to choose godparents?

So, how to choose a godfather or godfather? What should you be guided by? Firstly, you should know that in the spiritual life of a child, the most important thing is a godfather of the same sex (for a boy - a godfather, for a girl - a godmother). However, according to established tradition, two are chosen as godfathers.

Of course, the decision about who will be the child’s spiritual educator throughout his life is made at the family council. If there are any difficulties when choosing, then consult with your priest or spiritual father. He will probably suggest a suitable candidate, because this is quite an honorable duty.

It is very important that godparents do not get lost in life, that they continue to spiritually care for the child throughout his life. Both the godmother and the godfather, whose duties and functions are described above, have their own responsibilities before the Lord.

Based on all this, Christians who are over fourteen years old are suitable for the role of spiritual parents. They take responsibility for the future spiritual life of the child, praying for him, and then teaching him to live in the Lord.

Who can't be a godfather?

When choosing a godfather or mother, you need to know who cannot be for your child:

• Those who are going to become spouses in the future or are already such in the present.
• Parents of the baby.
• Those who accepted monasticism.
• Unbaptized people or non-believers in the Lord.
• You cannot take as godparents people who have mental illness.
• Those who profess a different faith.

All of this should be taken into account before a godfather is chosen. His responsibilities are quite extensive, so the person who agreed to be him must be clearly aware of everything.

Necessary items for the ceremony

You should talk in more detail about what items are needed for this ritual:

• Kryzhma. This is a special towel on which a cross is embroidered or simply depicted. A child is wrapped in it during anointing, as well as when prayers of prohibition are read. Sometimes the baby's name and the date of his baptism are embroidered on such a towel.
• Baptismal swaddling cloth. This is not an entirely necessary attribute, but it should be there when it’s cold. This diaper is used to wipe the baby after dipping into the font, and then wrap it again in the kryzhma.
• Clothes for baptism. This could be a christening set (dress) for a girl or a special shirt for a boy. It is advisable that these clothes be purchased as a gift by the baby’s successor.
• It is necessary to have a pectoral cross with you for a future Christian. Usually it is acquired by the godfather. Responsibilities at baptism for him, of course, are not limited only to this acquisition, but they will be written about them below.
• It is necessary to take with you an envelope for the baby's cut hair.
• You should also purchase icons for the child and make a donation to the temple (this is an optional condition).

Is there any special preparation for recipients before the ceremony?

You should also pay attention to preparing for christening. The most correct step would be to contact your confessor or priest for advice. However, you should know that usually before the sacrament it is necessary to confess and receive communion. Before this, you need to fast (the priest should tell you about the number of days). You may need additional actions, such as reading prayers, spiritual literature, etc. It is also advisable not to attend noisy parties, various entertainment venues, or watch TV at this time. It is advisable to devote all your free time to prayer.

If this is your first time in the role of godfather, then it is advisable to familiarize yourself with how the sacrament is performed, what prayers are read, and what the order of chants is. This is necessary because when you become a spiritual educator of a little person, you need more than just a formal presence. Sincere prayer is necessary, which should not stop even after the completion of the sacrament, because this is the essence of becoming a godparent.

More details about what responsibilities the godfather has during this ritual will be discussed below.

Present

Considering the question of the duties of a godfather at a christening, it should be said that on this day it is customary to give gifts, both to the baby and to the godfather. If desired, you can give a gift to your parents.

It is appropriate for a child to give both an educational toy and something more important for spiritual life, such as a Bible for children with pictures. By the way, the gift can be discussed with the parents in advance, because something else may turn out to be more important at this moment.

There is one main gift that his godfather must give the baby. Responsibilities during baptism are not only to hold the baby, but also to show the first example of honoring the Lord. After all, children understand everything from birth at the level of feelings. In addition to reading prayers, such a gift is a pectoral cross, which is baptismal. It must be bought and presented by the recipient.

For parents, especially for the baby’s mother, a good gift would be a prayer book containing the necessary prayers for the whole family.

How were christenings celebrated in ancient times?

Previously, as now, christenings were a very significant event in people's lives. This sacrament was necessarily performed no later than two months after the baby was born, and sometimes earlier, on the eighth day. This happened because there used to be a high infant mortality rate, so it was very important for loved ones to baptize the child before the irreparable happened, so that his soul would go to heaven.

The celebration of the little man's joining the church was celebrated with a large number of guests. This was especially noticeable in large villages. Many people gathered for such a holiday, who came with gifts and best wishes for the baby. At the same time, they brought mainly various pastries - kulebyaki, pies, pretzels. In the house where the little man lived, a sumptuous table was laid for the guests, and there was practically no alcohol (there could only be red wine in very small quantities).

There were traditional holiday dishes. For example, a rooster baked in porridge for a boy or a chicken for a girl. There were also a lot of shaped baked goods, which symbolized wealth, fertility, and longevity.

It was customary to invite the midwife to the table, who would receive the baby. They could also call the priest who performed the baptismal ceremony. During the celebration, numerous songs were sung, thus wishing the child all the best. They saw off all the guests, presenting each with sweets.

How is baptism performed? Responsibilities of a Godfather

Now let's look at how the ceremony itself takes place, what should be done at this time and what responsibilities each of those present has. In our time, this sacrament usually occurs on the fortieth day after birth. Parents or future godparents must go to the chosen temple in advance and sign up for the chosen date, as well as agree on the process itself. After all, you can hold individual christenings or general ones.

The responsibilities of the godfather during the baptism of a girl are the same, and that of a boy are different (although they differ slightly). If the child is not yet a year old and cannot stand on his own, then he is held in his arms all the time. During the first half of the ceremony (before immersion in the font), boys are held by their godmothers, and girls by their fathers. After the dive, everything changes. Since the main thing for a boy is the father, it is he who accepts the child, and the mother accepts the girl. And this continues until the end of the ceremony.

The service itself lasts about forty minutes (more time is required if there are many people). It begins after the celebration of the liturgy. The performance of the sacrament begins with the laying on of hands on the person being baptized and the recitation of a special prayer. After this, you should renounce Satan and his works. Adults are responsible for a child who cannot speak.

The next step in the ritual will be the consecration of the water in the font. Before immersing the person being baptized into it, he should be anointed with oil (back, chest, ears, forehead, legs and arms.) Only after this does immersion into the font occur. The priest reads prayers. This action symbolizes dying to the world and resurrecting to the Lord. This is how a kind of cleansing occurs.

Then the child is handed over to the godfather, he is wrapped in kryzhma (as mentioned above, the boy is handed over to the father, and the girl to the mother). Now the baby is anointed with myrrh.

So, now you know the responsibilities of a godfather when baptizing a boy and a girl. As you can see, they are slightly different.

Baptism at home

In addition to baptism in the temple, it would not be reprehensible to perform this sacrament at home, with your family. However, it is better to do it in the right place. This is based on the fact that after baptism, boys must be brought into the altar (girls simply venerate the icons).

After the ceremony is completed, the little man becomes a full member of the church. This can be felt most strongly only in the temple. Therefore, home christenings are possible only if the baby is unable to withstand the ceremony in church. They are also committed when the child is in mortal danger (illness, etc.). If the whole sacrament takes place in a home environment, then the godfather has the same responsibilities for baptism as if the ceremony was performed in a temple.

Church life of new Christians

You should know that after baptism a person’s spiritual life just begins. The first acquaintance with church rules begins with the prayer of one’s own mother and godmother. This is how, invisibly, the word of God is instilled in the baby. And in the future, when he sees everything for himself, you can slowly introduce him to family prayer, explaining its value.

Special mention should be made about baptismal accessories. Kryzhma and special clothing (if you purchased it) should be stored separately and not used in everyday life. A christening shirt (dress) can be worn when a child is ill (or simply wrapped in it). The icon that was used during the sacrament should be placed near the baby’s crib or on the home iconostasis (if there is one). The candle is used on special occasions and is also kept for life.

The responsibilities of a godfather at baptism are just beginning. In the future, when the child grows up, he will need to go to church with him, take communion and attend services. Of course, this can be done with parents, but it is better if it is a godfather. By the way, you need to take your child to church from an early age. It is there, in the bosom of the church, that he will be able to realize all the greatness of God. If he doesn’t understand something, you need to patiently explain the difficult moments.

This is how addiction occurs and has a beneficial effect on the human soul. Church chants and prayers calm and strengthen. As you grow older, difficult questions can arise. If godparents or parents cannot answer them, then it is better to turn to the priest.

Conclusion

So now you know what the responsibilities of a godfather are. They need to be taken seriously from the very beginning, as soon as such an offer is made to you. If necessary, consult with the priest about what you should do for your child, how to educate him in the spiritual life and what support to provide. Be careful, because from now on you and your godson are spiritually connected forever. You will also be responsible for his sins, so upbringing should be treated with special importance. By the way, if you are not confident in your abilities, then it is better to refuse this.

", published by the Sretensky Monastery Publishing House, provides in an accessible form the initial knowledge necessary for those who are preparing for the Sacrament of Baptism or are just beginning to live an Orthodox life. The book presents the main provisions of our faith, talks about the Sacraments, the commandments of God and prayer.

When I have to baptize an adult, most often I perform the sacrament of Baptism without godparents. Because godparents, or godparents, are necessarily needed only for children. When an adult is baptized, he himself can say that he believes in the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior and wants to accept Holy Baptism in order to save his soul. He himself can answer the priest’s questions and promise fidelity to Christ. Of course, it is good when next to the adult person being baptized there is an Orthodox church person who can become his successor and help him take his first steps in the temple and teach him the basics of faith. But I repeat, for an adult it is not necessary to have godparents.

Why are receivers needed at all? Godparents are those people who, due to the minority of their godchildren, make vows of Holy Baptism for them, a promise of fidelity to God. For their spiritual children, they renounce Satan, unite with Christ and confess their faith, reading the Creed for them. We baptize most people in infancy, that is, at an age when the child does not yet have conscious faith and cannot answer how he believes. His godparents do this for him. We baptize children according to the faith of their recipients and according to the faith of their parents as the closest people. Therefore, both bear a huge responsibility. Godparents are not just family friends, they are not some kind of “wedding generals” standing at the sacrament with an “Honorary Witness” ribbon, as happens at weddings. No, godparents are very responsible persons; they become guarantors before God for the souls of their godchildren. At the moment of baptism, together with their parents, in front of the Cross and the Gospel lying on a lectern, they make a promise to God Himself. What promise? That they will make every effort so that the newly baptized baby grows up to be a believer, an Orthodox person. Their duty now is to pray for their spiritual children, teach them prayers, instruct them in the Orthodox faith and take them to church to receive communion, and then, after seven years, to confess. So that when their godson reaches adulthood, he already knows how to pray to God, knows what we believe in and why we go to church. Of course, the greatest responsibility for the Christian upbringing of children lies with the parents, but godparents can also greatly influence their godchildren and become their spiritual teachers and mentors.

Many parents approach the Baptism of their children quite formally and choose godparents in the same formal manner.

Now a little about the sad things. Most modern godparents are very poorly prepared. Unfortunately, many parents approach the sacrament of Baptism of their children completely formally and choose godparents in the same formal manner. After all, a godfather must be not just a good person, with whom we enjoy communicating, our friend or relative - he must be an Orthodox person, a churchgoer and knowledgeable of his faith. How can we teach someone the basics of faith if we ourselves don’t even know the very basics, haven’t read the Gospel, don’t know prayers? Indeed, in any field, if a person knows something well, for example, knows how to drive a car, work on a computer, solve mathematical problems, do repairs, he can teach this to others, pass on his knowledge. And if he himself knows nothing in this area, who can he teach?

If you are godparents and feel a lack of knowledge in the spiritual field (and none of us can say that he has fully studied the Orthodox faith, for it is an inexhaustible reservoir of spiritual wisdom), it is necessary to fill this gap. You need to educate yourself. Believe me, there is nothing complicated about this, especially now, when no one forbids us to read any spiritual literature and when books, brochures, and CDs telling about the Orthodox faith are sold in all churches and bookstores. The Lord reveals himself to everyone who turns to Him, at any age. My grandfather was baptized at the age of 70 and then mastered the basics of the Orthodox faith so well that he could even teach and mentor others.

You need to start spiritual education with the very beginning, basic books, such as “The Law of God”, “First Steps in an Orthodox Church” and others. You definitely need to read the Gospel; you can start with the “Gospel of Mark”, it is the shortest, only 16 chapters, and was written specifically for new pagan Christians.

The godfather must live according to the commandments of God, pray to God and receive communion

The recipient must know the Creed and read it at baptism; this prayer book briefly outlines the Orthodox doctrine, and the godfather must know what he believes. And of course, the godfather must live according to God’s commandments, pray to God and receive communion. According to church canons, a child is entitled to one godfather, of the same gender as the person being baptized, but our Russian tradition presupposes two godparents - a man and a woman. They must not be married to each other. Godparents then cannot marry or marry their godchildren. The child's father and mother cannot be his godparents, but other relatives: grandparents, uncles and aunts, brothers and sisters may well become godparents. Recipients, preparing for the sacrament of Baptism, must confess and partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.

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 your baby after immersion in the font. Traditionally, a pectoral cross is bought for a boy 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 shouldn’t 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 upbringing of a 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 that which you assume upon 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 benefits 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.

Instructions

Before the Sacrament of Baptism, the future godparent must confess and receive communion. To do this, you need to fast for three days. During this period of time, you should give up marital duties, food of animal origin, and also protect yourself from irritability and foul language.

The recipient must not only be present and wear a cross, but also know the prayers, regularly attend church, receive communion and confess. As the child grows up, he should pray for him, bring the Gospel with him, introduce him to prayers, take him to Sunday school, tell stories about fasting and church services, and, if possible, travel on pilgrimage trips.

Do not forget that during the Sacrament of Baptism you renounced Satan before God for the fool whom you held in your arms. According to church canons, the recipient will have to answer whether he raised his godchildren as his own children.

Please note

The Orthodox Church allows you to be a godparent from the age of 15. A close relative (grandfather, brother, uncle) can become a recipient. A husband and wife cannot baptize the same child.

Useful advice

At christenings, it is customary to give a child a cross.

Being a godparent is an honorable and very responsible mission. But before taking responsibility before God for a child, a person needs to objectively evaluate himself and decide whether he can become a good godfather.

In what cases is it better to refuse to be a godfather?

There is an opinion that one cannot refuse an offer to be a godparent - supposedly this is a sin. However, godparents are responsible, first of all, for the morality of the godson, and therefore must take responsibility for the spiritual upbringing of the child.

Godparents must be Orthodox people with high moral qualities. Giving gifts to a child is not the only and not the main function of godparents. While spending time with the godson, godparents should talk with him about goodness, love, and moral values. They should introduce the child to the church: visit the temple with him, take him to communion, teach him prayers, talk about God. According to church ministers, godparents must have faith and repentance and are called upon to pass them on and teach them to their godson.

When thinking about the offer to become a godfather, ask yourself the question - will you pray for this child as for your own?

If you realize that you do not meet these requirements, or do not feel strong enough to help parents in the religious education of their child, do not place an unbearable burden on your shoulders. Being a bad godfather is worse than refusing to be one.

How to refuse an offer to be a godfather

If you have fully realized that you are not ready for the responsibility that falls on godparents and do not feel the desire to take care of your godson, but you are afraid by your refusal to ruin your friendly relationship with the baby’s parents, prepare to talk with them.

You can assume that when friends have a baby, you will be offered to become a godfather, because a good friend is, as a rule, a potential godfather. Knowing this in advance, do not immediately respond to their offer. Let the baby's parents understand that you are very pleased that they want to entrust the spiritual education of their child to you. Explain that you take the sacrament of baptism very seriously and know what a good godfather should be. Ask them for time to think. By doing this, you will prepare your friends for the fact that your answer may not only be positive. At the same time, explain to them what functions godparents should perform. Young parents may not know about them. Hint that you do not fully possess some of the qualities necessary for the religious upbringing of a child.

When refusing to become a godfather, honestly tell the parents that you will not be able to provide sufficient attention to their child, you are not ready to teach him morality, but at the same time you love their child and will communicate with him, even without becoming a godfather.

Parents want the best for their child and will no doubt understand your refusal, and it will not affect your friendship in any way.

Advice 3: Can a goddaughter inherit the fate of her godmother: Orthodox view

Currently, there is a practice of baptizing infants with godparents. Many physiological fathers and mothers are very careful in choosing godparents. However, sometimes some superstitions regarding godparents and godchildren can interfere with the choice.

There is an opinion that you cannot choose a godmother who is a widow for a female baby. Otherwise, the fate of the godmother may be transferred to the goddaughter herself. The Orthodox Church clearly gives its vision of this issue - there is no transfer of “curse” and “fate” from recipients (godparents) to.

In Orthodox theology there is no concept of “fate” as such. Therefore, it makes no sense to talk about fate as something independent directly from man and from the Divine will (in the context of Christian doctrine). Orthodox people do not believe in rock. Moreover, there is no need to talk about the transfer of fate from to goddaughter. This is an absurd, completely unorthodox opinion. Indeed, in the sacrament of baptism there is some spiritual kinship between godparents and godchildren, but this does not mean a connection of “fates.”

The Orthodox Church gives clear instructions regarding who can be godparents and who cannot. Nothing is said about widowers and widows. This category of people does not fall under the prohibition of being godparents. In accordance with the Christian worldview, it is necessary to remember that godparents should not be married to each other (godmother and father), physiological parents, atheists, sectarians, and representatives of heterodoxy cannot be godparents; It is undesirable to choose even baptized, but unchurched people as godparents. The Orthodox Church advises choosing as godparents those people who are aware of the doctrine of the Church, because the godparents have the responsibility of raising the child in the Orthodox faith.

Thus, an Orthodox person should not pay attention to superstitions associated with the transfer of “fate” from godchildren to godchildren.