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What should a godfather do in church. Is it possible to baptize a child without godparents, godmother, godfather, with one godfather? What should godparents have during christening

The baptism of a child is a responsible step. Parents should not only be sure that the baby needs it, but also choose the right godparents. After all, according to the purpose of the godparents, the upbringing of the child in faith and piety depends on this.

About the godfather

If women are more often more responsible for such an event as baptism, then men can let some details and moments take their course. It is not worth doing this, because every godfather must remember that for his deeds he will ultimately be responsible before God. Therefore, the godfather must first learn his duties well in order to know what to do in a given situation.

Preparation

They must remember that if they were offered such a responsible role, they cannot refuse, this is considered a bad sign. Having agreed to their new status as godparents, they should be clear about what they will need to do or not do in order to prepare for the ceremony. So, a few days before the baptism of the baby, the godparents must fast, not live sexually. It is also worth remembering that atheists, as well as married people, cannot be godparents. What should the godmother and the godfather understand? The duties entrusted to them must be strictly carried out, whether they like it or not. Previously, the child had only one godfather, of the same sex as him, but today this has changed a little, but the godparent who is the same gender as the baby is considered the main one. It is also worth remembering that the godparents must bear all the expenses for preparing the ceremony. A man buys a cross, and also pays for the services of the church (photographer), a woman buys a baptismal shirt and a towel - kryzhma. Also, the godmother should prepare treats for the guests who came to congratulate the child on such an important day as baptism.

Ceremony

The godmother must remember that you cannot wear makeup for the christening ceremony, that is, use any cosmetics. No jewelry is also welcome, but you can and even need to wear your own. The duties of a godfather at baptism do not imply anything difficult. You just need to hold the baby and do everything that the father says. It is also better to first learn the “Symbol of Faith” prayer, it will need to be said during the baptism ceremony. during the ceremony are the same.

Life

It is worth recalling once again that the main godfather for a child is the person who is of the same sex with him. If there was a godfather, his duties should be well understood. After all, it is he who will have to tell the baby who God is, what faith the child is and how to behave correctly during various church rites. Knowing the duties of a godfather, a man must lead an honest, pious life, because the child will also look up to him, look at his behavior. It is a misconception that godparents should only give gifts to the baby for numerous holidays, but this is not enough. It is the godmother and the godfather, whose duties are the spiritual upbringing of the child, who are responsible for what kind of person the child will become, how he will settle down in society in the future.

Baptism is one of important events in life Orthodox person. It is believed that he receives a certain pass to the Kingdom of God. This is the moment of the spiritual birth of a person, when his former sins are forgiven, and the 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 are in all of the above, must be worthy.

The role of the godfather in the life of a child

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

Set a good example for him with your life. This means that in the presence of the godson one should not drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes, and speak swear words. You have to be noble in your actions.
Prayers for your godson are obligatory, especially in difficult moments.
Visiting the temple with the child.
The spiritual upbringing of the godchild is obligatory (stories about God, teaching the Bible, etc.). If there are problems in life situations then provide assistance.
The duties of the godfather also include material support if necessary (if the parents a difficult situation with money or work).

What do you need to know when choosing godparents?

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

Of course, the decision on who will be the spiritual educator of the child throughout his life is made at the family council. If there are any difficulties in choosing, then consult with the priest or spiritual father. He will certainly suggest a suitable candidate, because this is a rather honorable duty.

It is very important that godparents do not get lost in life, so that they continue to spiritually nourish the child throughout life. Both the godmother and the godfather, whose duties and functions are described above, bear their responsibility before the Lord.

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

Who can't be a godmother?

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

Those who are going to become spouses in the future or already are such in the present.
Baby's parents.
Those who have taken monasticism.
Unbaptized people or unbelievers in the Lord.
You can not take as godparents people who have a mental illness.
Those who profess a different faith.

All this should be considered before a godfather is chosen. His duties are quite extensive, so the person who agreed to be him should be clearly aware of everything.

Necessary items for the ceremony

You should tell in more detail about what items are needed for this ceremony:

Kryzhma. This is a special towel on which a cross is embroidered or simply depicted. A child is wrapped in it during chrismation, and also when the prohibition prayers are read. Sometimes the name of the baby and the date of his baptism are embroidered on such a towel.
Baptismal diaper. It's not exactly a necessary attribute, but it should be when it's cold. This diaper wipes the baby after dipping into the font, and then again wrapped in kryzhma.
Clothes for christening. It can be a christening set (dress) for a girl or a special shirt for a boy. It is desirable that these clothes be purchased as a gift by the child's accomplice.
It is necessary to have a pectoral cross with you for a future Christian. Usually it is acquired by the godfather. The baptismal obligations for him, of course, are not limited to this acquisition, but they will be described below.
It is necessary to take an envelope for the cut hair of the baby with you.
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 the recipients before the ceremony?

You should also pay attention to the preparation for christening. The most correct step would be to turn to the confessor or priest for advice. However, you should know that it is usually necessary to confess and receive communion before the sacrament. Before that, 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 establishments at this time, and refuse to watch TV. All free time it is desirable to devote to prayer.

If you are in the role of a godfather for the first time, then it is advisable to familiarize yourself with how the sacrament goes, what prayers are read, what order of hymns. This is necessary because when you become a spiritual teacher little man, you need more than just a formal presence. Sincere prayer is needed, which should not stop even after the completion of the sacrament, because this is the essence of the formation of the cross.

More details about what duties the godfather has during the performance of this rite will be described below.

Present

Considering the question of the duties of the godfather at 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 present a gift to 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 agreed in advance with the parents, because something else may turn out to be more important at this moment.

There is one main gift that his godfather should present to the baby. The responsibilities at 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 becomes pectoral cross, which is baptismal. It must be bought and donated by the receiver.

For parents, especially for the mother of the baby, a good gift there will be a prayer book, where there will be the necessary prayers for the whole family.

How were christenings celebrated in ancient times?

Before, as now, christening was a very significant event in people's lives. This sacrament was performed necessarily no later than two months of the baby's birth, and sometimes even earlier, on the eighth day. This happened because there used to be a high mortality of babies, so it was very important for relatives to baptize the child before the irreparable happens, so that his soul goes to heaven.

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

Were traditional festive dishes. For example, a rooster baked in porridge for a boy or a chicken for a girl. There were also a lot of figured pastries, which symbolized wealth, fertility, longevity.

It was customary to invite a midwife to the table, who received the baby. They could also call the priest, who performed the rite of baptism. During the festival, numerous songs were sung, thus wishing the child all the very best. They saw off all the guests, presenting each with sweets.

How is the baptism? Responsibilities of a godfather

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

The duties of the godfather at the baptism of a girl are one, a boy is different (although they differ slightly). If the child is not yet a year old and he cannot stand on his own, then he is kept in his arms all the time. The first half of the ceremony (before dipping into the font) the godmothers hold the boys, and the fathers hold the girls. After diving, everything changes. Since the father is the main thing for the boy, it is he who takes the baby into the roof, and the mother takes the girl. And so it goes until the end of the ceremony.

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

The next step in the ceremony will be the blessing of the water in the font. Before immersing the person being baptized in it, he should be anointed with oil (back, chest, ears, forehead, legs and arms.) Only after this is immersion into the font. The priest reads prayers at the same time. This action symbolizes dying to the world and resurrection to the Lord. This is how the cleansing happens.

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 chrism.

So, now you know the duties of a godfather at the baptism of a boy and a girl. As you can see, they are slightly different.

Baptism at home

In addition to baptism in the temple, it will not be reprehensible to perform this sacrament at home, in the family circle. However, it is better to do it in the right place. This comes from the fact that after the baptism, the boys must be brought to the altar (the 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 christening is possible only if the baby is unable to endure the rite in the church. They are also performed when the child is mortal danger(disease, etc.). If the entire sacrament takes place at home, then the godfather has the same responsibilities for baptism as if the ceremony were performed in the temple.

New Christian Church Life

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

Special mention should be made of baptismal accessories. Kryzhma and special clothing (if you purchased it) should be stored separately and not used in everyday life. A baptismal shirt (dress) can be worn at times of illness of the child (or simply wrapped in it). The icon that was used during the sacrament should be placed near the baby's bed or on the home iconostasis (if any). A candle is used on special occasions and is also kept for life.

The duties 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 a child to the temple 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 does not understand something, you need to patiently explain difficult points.

This is how habituation and a beneficial effect on the human soul occurs. Church hymns and prayers soothe and strengthen. Difficult questions may arise as you grow up. If godparents or parents cannot give answers to them, then it is better to turn to the priest.

Conclusion

So now you know what a godfather's responsibilities 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 the baby, how to educate in the spiritual life and what kind of support to provide. Be careful, because from now on you and your godson are spiritually bound forever. You will also be responsible for his sins, so education should be treated with particular importance. By the way, if you are not confident in your abilities, then it is better to refuse it.

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

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

Requirements for recipients in Orthodoxy

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

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

Sources disagree on whether godfather and mother 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:

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

The duties of the godparents also include helping the godchildren in Everyday life: protection of godchildren from temptations and temptations, advice in choosing education and profession, spouse.

How are godparents chosen for a child? Who can't be baptized?

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

When should a baby be baptized?

The first and most important event in the life of a newborn is the rite of holy baptism. Regarding how many days after the birth of a baby, it should be done, there is no strictly established rule. 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 rite and in the further spiritual life of the newly baptized, an important role is played by the godparents appointed to him, who take upon themselves the obligation to educate him in the spirit of Orthodoxy. That is why the question of how to choose godparents for a child is of great importance, so that in the future they will be able to fully fulfill the mission entrusted to them.

Who can't be godparents?

It should be noted that there are certain restrictions on the appointment of godparents. This role cannot be played primarily by the child's parents themselves and, in addition, persons who are related. 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 for this is quite obvious. God-parents- these are people who are in spiritual relationship, and physical proximity between them is unacceptable.

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

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

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

On whom to opt for?

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

Before you stop your choice on someone, you should first of all think about whether they will pray all their lives for their godson or goddaughter, because this is one of their main duties. 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 grace-filled power and is heard.

Any relative of the child, regardless of the degree of kinship, a friend of his parents or simply someone whom they know and respect can become a godson. 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 better understand how godparents are chosen for a child, one should outline the range of responsibilities that are assigned to each of them. This will help to avoid in the future many disappointments and disappointments associated with the haste and thoughtlessness of the decision made.

According to existing tradition, godparents should go to church a day or two before the sacrament and confess and take communion there in order to remove from themselves the burden of earthly sins that can 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 “Symbol of Faith” is read, and if the rite is performed on a girl, then the godmother reads a prayer, and if on a boy, then the godfather. In this regard, it is important to carefully prepare, learn 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 of 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 performance of the sacrament, her presence is necessary, while the godfather can participate in it only in absentia.

The psychological aspect of choosing a godmother

It is also very important to take into account the fact that after bathing in the font the godmother takes the child in her arms, 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 had held him in her arms before, and her features were familiar to him. The same can be said about the godfather. In the whole range of issues related to how godparents are chosen for a child, this one occupies one of the main places.

Responsibility for the subsequent spiritual life of the child

According to church teaching, the connection of a child with those who took 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 unswervingly care for the spiritual growth of their godson.

This side of their duties to him and to the church includes not only conversations in religious themes, capable of expanding the knowledge of the godson in the field of Orthodoxy, but also introducing the child to attending church and participating in worship. And in order to achieve best result, godparents must steadily improve their own spirituality and be a living and convincing example for the child.

Replacing faith with ritual

It is very regrettable 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 the acquisition of the Kingdom of God, people hope to receive momentary earthly blessings by performing certain ritual actions.

If such naivety was excusable for the ancient pagans due to their ignorance, now that the Lord has given us the holy Gospel, it remains only to regret those who, when asked why they baptize a child, without hesitation, answer: "So that he does not get sick." And it's all! Not a word about the fact that they want him to unite in the Spirit of God with the Creator of the Universe and the possibility of inheriting Eternal Life by him.

How to choose godparents for a child if the parents are unbelievers?

Besides, in last years it has become fashionable to baptize children, and unbelieving parents often carry them to the holy font, 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 led his parents, although he wants them to take a more responsible approach to the holy sacrament, which is the spiritual birth of their little man.

That is why the question of how to choose godparents for a child is of particular importance, because it is they who, with their religiosity, can make up for what real fathers and mothers are not able to give. There can be no general advice in his decision, 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 the child embark on the path of spiritual growth.

A question born of superstition

Sometimes you have to hear pretty weird 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 primarily 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, whether it be weddings, christenings or other sacraments. The popular belief that it brings misfortune is the fruit of superstition and empty conjectures. Believers, on the other hand, should have in themselves only the fear of God and hope in His mercy, and not the fear of some signs.

Godfather: baptismal duties and functions in Orthodoxy

Baptism is one of the most important events in the life of an Orthodox person. It is believed that he receives a certain pass to the Kingdom of God. This is the moment of the spiritual birth of a person, when his former sins are forgiven, and the 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 are in all of the above, must be worthy.

The role of the godfather in the life of a child

Set a good example for him with your life. This means that in the presence of the godson one should not drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes, and speak swear words. You have to be noble in your actions.
Prayers for your godson are obligatory, especially in difficult moments.
Visiting the temple with the child.
The spiritual upbringing of the godchild is obligatory (stories about God, teaching the Bible, etc.). If there are problems in life situations, then provide all possible assistance.
The duties of the godfather also include material support if necessary (if the parents have a difficult situation with money or work).

What do you need to know when choosing godparents?

Who can't be a godmother?

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

Those who are going to become spouses in the future or already are such in the present.
Baby's parents.
Those who have taken monasticism.
Unbaptized people or unbelievers in the Lord.
You can not take as godparents people who have a mental illness.
Those who profess a different faith.

All this should be considered before a godfather is chosen. His duties are quite extensive, so the person who agreed to be him should be clearly aware of everything.

Necessary items for the ceremony

You should tell in more detail about what items are needed for this ceremony:

Kryzhma. This is a special towel on which a cross is embroidered or simply depicted. A child is wrapped in it during chrismation, and also when the prohibition prayers are read. Sometimes the name of the baby and the date of his baptism are embroidered on such a towel.
Baptismal diaper. It's not exactly a necessary attribute, but it should be when it's cold. This diaper wipes the baby after dipping into the font, and then again wrapped in kryzhma.
Clothes for christening. It can be a christening set (dress) for a girl or a special shirt for a boy. It is desirable that these clothes be purchased as a gift by the child's accomplice.
It is necessary to have a pectoral cross with you for a future Christian. Usually it is acquired by the godfather. The baptismal obligations for him, of course, are not limited to this acquisition, but they will be described below.
It is necessary to take an envelope for the cut hair of the baby with you.
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 the recipients before the ceremony?

If you are in the role of a godfather for the first time, then it is advisable to familiarize yourself with how the sacrament goes, what prayers are read, what order of hymns. This is necessary because when you become a spiritual guide for a little person, you need more than a formal presence. Sincere prayer is needed, which should not stop even after the completion of the sacrament, because this is the essence of the formation of the cross.

More details about what duties the godfather has during the performance of this rite will be described below.

Present

There is one main gift that his godfather should present to the baby. The responsibilities at 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, a pectoral cross, which is a baptismal one, becomes such a gift. It must be bought and donated by the receiver.

For parents, especially for the mother of the baby, a prayer book will be a good gift, where there will be the necessary prayers for the whole family.

How were christenings celebrated in ancient times?

The celebration of the introduction of a little man to the church was made with a large number of guests. This was especially noticeable in large villages. A lot of people gathered for such a holiday, who came with gifts and best wishes to the baby. At the same time, they brought mainly various pastries - kulebyaki, pies, pretzels. In the house where the little man lived, a magnificent 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 meals. For example, a rooster baked in porridge for a boy or a chicken for a girl. There were also a lot of figured pastries, which symbolized wealth, fertility, longevity.

How is the baptism? Responsibilities of a godfather

The duties of the godfather at the baptism of a girl are one, the boy is different (although they differ slightly). If the child is not yet a year old and he cannot stand on his own, then he is kept in his arms all the time. The first half of the ceremony (before dipping into the font), the godmothers hold the boys, and the fathers hold the girls. After diving, everything changes. Since the father is the main thing for the boy, it is he who takes the baby into the roof, and the mother takes the girl. And so it goes until the end of the ceremony.

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 chrism.

So, now you know the duties of a godfather at the baptism of a boy and a girl. As you can see, they are slightly different.

Baptism at home

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 christening is possible only if the baby is unable to endure the rite in the church. They are also performed when the child is in mortal danger (illness, etc.). If the entire sacrament takes place at home, then the godfather has the same responsibilities for baptism as if the ceremony were performed in the temple.

New Christian Church Life

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

Conclusion

God-parents

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. The upbringing of a person includes a huge number of components, because it is very important not only to teach a child to read and write, to give him an education, but to educate a worthy member of society with stable moral and spiritual values.

In many ways, the child's godparents should take over the spiritual upbringing of the child. Many people do not understand their task by christening a child. After all, it's not about the gifts that they will now give to their godson for 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 three times immersion in water, as a symbol of the three days when Jesus was in the tomb, after which his Resurrection took place.

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 on their shoulders.

It is difficult to say what motives parents are guided by when choosing godparents for their baby, but there are a number of restrictions that you need to know about in advance. So, for example, in the first place, parents themselves cannot be godparents for a child, and unbelieving people cannot take on such duties. 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 this ceremony as sponsors. A husband and wife who are married cannot be godparents of one child, but they may well christen their brother and sister (for example, a wife is a girl, and a husband is a boy).

In general, following the canons of the church, just one godparent is enough to conduct a christening. A godmother is required in cases where the baptized is a girl, and vice versa, a godfather is needed when a boy is baptized. However, we traditionally choose two parents, because this is absolutely not contrary to the church charter.

It is believed that it is the godfather who bears the cost 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 undertake the purchase of a baptismal set, which includes a hat, shirt and kryzhma (towel or diaper) - it is in it that the baby is wrapped after the font.

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

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

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

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

What does it mean to be a godmother?

I was invited by friends to be their son's godfather. Like this? And what does it mean?

Rain.

This is a big responsibility. And if you are not a believer, then it is better to politely refuse ... The cross is the same demand for raising a 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; they do not take into account their own parents at all. you and the godmother will have to accustom the baby to the church: take communion, take him to confession and much more. and in everyday life to be always there.

Just an angel

godparents answer about God, go for the spiritual education of the godson, go to church with him, etc. And of course they treat the child as if it were their own. it is a great honor that the godfather. you have been asked to become

Lighter

firstly, you must be a believer, because according to your faith they will baptize a child, 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 soul of the child

Christ.

After the baby is immersed in the baptismal font, the godfather takes him from the hands of the priest. Hence the Slavic name - recipient. Thus, for the rest of his life, he assumes the obligation to raise a child in Orthodox spirit, and the answer for this upbringing will be given at the Last Judgment.

At the Baptism of infants, the recipients pronounce (profess) instead of them the Symbol of Faith, pronounce vows and have care for teaching the faith and morality of those they have accepted ( ; , ).

The custom of having a sponsor at Baptism goes back to ancient Apostolic Tradition.

The presence of two recipients is a Russian tradition. According to the rules of the Church, one godfather is enough: a godfather for a boy and a godmother for a girl. In practice, gender mismatch is allowed.

In the Sacrament of Baptism, the godparents promise God to bring the baby to Him. It's important to remember this.

Who can be godfather

- The godfather (grandparent) must be Orthodox Christian. The godfather cannot be from the Church (who does not regularly take communion), a representative of another religion or an atheist. The recipient is required not only to know and read it at Baptism, but also the spiritual upbringing of the godson in the future, daily prayer for him.

- The godfather must be a churched person, ready to regularly take the godson to the temple and educate him in the Christian faith.

- After the Sacrament of Baptism is performed, the godfather cannot be changed, even if he is missing or has fallen away from the faith.

- Pregnant and unmarried women can be godparents to both boys and girls.

- The father and mother of the child cannot be godparents, and the husband and wife cannot be godparents for one child, other relatives - grandmothers, aunts and even older brothers and sisters can be godparents.

A person should only have one godparent. According to, only one godparent is considered necessary - a man for a male person being baptized or a woman for a female person. The presence of a second godfather is an unwritten, albeit ancient, custom of the Church.

– Monks and nuns are not allowed to receive reception.

- The rite of the Sacrament of Baptism assumes the full-time presence of the recipients during its commission. In extreme cases, Baptism of infants is allowed even without godparents, then the priest himself is considered a godfather.

- Marriages between the baptized and the recipient are forbidden: the recipient cannot marry his spiritual daughter, and the godfather cannot marry the widowed mother of his spiritual daughter ().

It is reckless to invite a non-church person as a godfather: what can one teach who does not know the subject himself? It's like choosing a guide on a dangerous journey, where the price of the issue is life (in our case, Eternal), a rogue who does not know the route.
Just as reckless church man take vows before God to bring up a child in the Christian faith, whose parents are not only outside the Church, but are not going to become churched, to instill their child in Christ the Savior.
If you are invited to be a godparent by parents who are not only not opposed to baptizing a child, but are themselves ready to become members of the church community, then it is reasonable, before taking your own vows, to take a vow from your parents to fulfill the Commandments, to pray daily for your children, come with them to the temple, try to take communion with them weekly. Ideally, it would be good to advise parents to go to Sunday school or to catechesis classes: after a couple of classes it will be clear whether they are serious about spiritual life, or consider Baptism as a magical rite.

According to an ancient church rule, during the baptism of infants, only one godfather was considered necessary - a man for a male person being baptized or a woman for a female person (Great Book of Books, ch. 5, “see”). The rule of “being at Baptism to one godfather” belonged to the first centuries of Christianity and was strictly observed in the Eastern and Western Churches until the 9th century. In our time, the custom has become widespread at Baptism to be two godparents: the godfather and the godmother.

Only Orthodox godparents or godparents have ecclesiastical significance. Their names are commemorated in prayers and are included in the baptismal certificates. Receiver " represents the face of the person being baptized and for him vows to God, creates, the Symbol confesses and is obliged to instruct the adopted son in the faith and law of God, which neither the ignorant in faith nor the infidel can do» (Book on the offices of parish presbyters, 80).
In accordance with the practice of the ancient Church, just as non-believers are never allowed to receive children, so it is indecent for an Orthodox person to be the recipient of children from non-Christian parents, except in cases where children are baptized into the Orthodox faith. The canons of the Church do not provide for such a case as participation in baptism as a recipient of a person.

The insane, completely ignorant of the faith, as well as criminals, obvious sinners and those who came to the temple in a state of intoxication cannot be godparents. For example, those who were not negligently at confession and Holy Communion long time they cannot give guidance and edification in the life of their godchildren. Minors (under 14 years of age) cannot be godparents, since they are still incapable of teaching and unsteady in understanding the faith and the power of the Sacrament (except in cases where it is absolutely impossible to have an adult godparent).

Ancient Russian did not know such a rule that would eliminate the monks from receiving. It is known that the godfathers of our Russian grand-ducal and royal children were mostly monks. It was only later that the monks were forbidden to receive, because it involves the monk in communication with the world (Nomocanon at the Big Trebnik). Parents cannot be godparents from the Baptismal font of their own children. It is inconvenient for a woman who is in the usual cleansing to be a recipient. In such cases, Baptism can be postponed or another hostess can be invited.

Church rules do not forbid a brother and sister, as well as a father with a daughter or a mother with a son, to be godparents of the same baby. At present, priests do not allow a husband and wife to receive the same baby together. In order to prevent violations of the existing rules regarding godparents, the priest usually finds out from the parents in advance who they want to have godparents for their children.

Prayers for godchildren

Prayer for children and for godchildren, father

Sweetest Jesus! God of my heart! You gave me children according to the flesh, they are Yours according to your soul. You have redeemed both my soul and theirs with Your priceless Blood. For the sake of Your Divine Blood, I beg You, my sweetest Savior, by Your grace touch the hearts of my children (names) and my godchildren (names), protect them with Your Divine fear, keep them from bad inclinations and habits, direct them to the bright path of life, truth and of good. Decorate their lives with everything good and saving, arrange their fate as you yourself want and save their souls with their own destinies! Lord God of our fathers! Give my children (names) and godchildren (names) a right heart to keep Your commandments, Your revelations and Your statutes. And do it all! Amen.

On the upbringing of children by good Christians: Prayer of parents to the Lord God

God, our merciful and heavenly Father!
Have mercy on our children (names) and godchildren (names), for whom we humbly pray to You and whom we commit to Your care and protection.
Give them strong faith, teach them to revere You, and make them worthy to love You, our Creator and Savior.
Guide them, O God, on the path of truth and goodness, so that they do everything for the glory of Your name.
Teach them to live piously and virtuously, to be good Christians and useful people.
Give them health of mind and body and success in their labors.
Deliver them from the cunning machinations of the devil, from numerous temptations, from bad passions and from all kinds of wicked and disorderly people.
For the sake of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, through the prayers of His Most Pure Mother and all the saints, bring them to the quiet harbor of Your eternal Kingdom, so that they, with all the righteous, always thank You with Your only begotten Son and Your life-giving Spirit.
Amen.

Prayer to the Lord God, compiled by the reverend

Lord, You are One in all weight, You can do everything and want to be saved by everyone and come to the understanding of Truth. Enlighten my children (names) with the knowledge of Thy truth and Thy Holy will, strengthen them to walk according to Thy commandments and have mercy on me a sinner.
Amen.
Merciful Lord, Jesus Christ, I entrust to You my children whom You have given me, fulfill my prayer.
I ask You, Lord, save them in ways that You Yourself know. Save them from vices, evil, pride, and let nothing that is contrary to You touch their souls. But grant them faith, love and hope for salvation, and may their life path be holy and blameless before God.
Bless them, Lord, that they strive every minute of their lives to fulfill Your Holy will, so that You, Lord, may always be with them by Your Holy Spirit.
Lord, teach them to pray to You, so that prayer would be their support, joy in sorrows and consolation of their lives, and so that we, their parents, would be saved by their prayer.
May your angels always keep them.
May my children be sensitive to the grief of their neighbors, and may they fulfill Your commandment of love. And if they sin, then vouchsafe them, Lord, to bring repentance to You, and You, in Your inexpressible mercy, forgive them.
When their earthly life ends, then take them to Your Heavenly Abodes, where let them bring with them other servants of Your chosen ones.
Through the prayers of Your Most Pure Mother Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary and Your saints (all holy families are listed), Lord, have mercy on us, for you are glorified with Your Beginningless Son and with Your Most Holy and Good and Life-giving Spirit, now and ever, and forever and ever.
Amen.

Does it really teach about the inadmissibility of marriage between godparents according to the 211th article of the Nomocanon?

Obstacles to marriage and reception at baptism. Grigorovsky S.P. Publishing Council of the Russian Orthodox Church. 2007. With the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II. pp. 49-51. Quote from there:

« At present, Article 211 of the Nomocanon [where it is pointed out that marriage between successors is inadmissible] has no practical value and should be considered canceled ... Since at baptism it is enough to have one godparent or one godparent, depending on the gender of the person being baptized, there is no reason to consider the godparents to be in any spiritual relationship and therefore forbid them to marry among themselves».

Prof. Pavlov, in his course on Church Law, comments on the problem of the spiritual kinship of the beneficiary and the gossip of one child and marriage between them:

“... several rules of apocryphal origin and strange content (for example, rule 211, which forbids a husband and wife to be godparents of the same baby, under pain of being separated from marital cohabitation). The Holy Synod, already in the first years of its existence, began to treat such rules with great doubt and often made decisions that were directly opposite to them, especially in matters of marriage.

In December 2017 at the Bishops' Council of the Russian Orthodox Church A document was adopted stating: Marriages between godparents can be performed with the blessing of the diocesan bishop (subject to the decree Holy Synod December 31, 1837)".

Can pregnant and unmarried women become godparents?

pregnant and unmarried women can be godparents for both boys and girls, there are no canonical prohibitions on this. All prohibitions apply exclusively to dense popular superstitions and have no power for Christians.

At what age is a godfather not needed?

Persons over 14 years of age.

How to baptize a child if one or more family members are against it?

“You should try to bring such people to a meeting with the priest. The main thing here is to understand what is inside a person, why he refuses to baptize his child. If people are atheists, it can be difficult to convince them and make them give up their views. But it is still possible to convince of the need for a calm and loyal attitude to the fact of the baptism of a child.

The role of the godfather in the life of a child

Set a good example for him with your life. This means that in the presence of the godson one should not drink alcohol and smoke cigarettes, and speak swear words. You have to be noble in your actions.
Prayers for your godson are obligatory, especially in difficult moments.
Visiting the temple with the child.
The spiritual upbringing of the godchild is obligatory (stories about God, teaching the Bible, etc.). If there are problems in life situations, then provide all possible assistance.
The duties of the godfather also include material support if necessary (if the parents have a difficult situation with money or work).

What do you need to know when choosing godparents?

Who can't be a godmother?

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

Those who are going to become spouses in the future or already are such in the present.
Baby's parents.
Those who have taken monasticism.
Unbaptized people or unbelievers in the Lord.
You can not take as godparents people who have a mental illness.
Those who profess a different faith.

All this should be considered before a godfather is chosen. His duties are quite extensive, so the person who agreed to be him should be clearly aware of everything.

Necessary items for the ceremony

You should tell in more detail about what items are needed for this ceremony:

Kryzhma. This is a special towel on which a cross is embroidered or simply depicted. A child is wrapped in it during chrismation, and also when the prohibition prayers are read. Sometimes the name of the baby and the date of his baptism are embroidered on such a towel.
Baptismal diaper. It's not exactly a necessary attribute, but it should be when it's cold. This diaper wipes the baby after dipping into the font, and then again wrapped in kryzhma.
Clothes for christening. It can be a christening set (dress) for a girl or a special shirt for a boy. It is desirable that these clothes be purchased as a gift by the child's accomplice.
It is necessary to have a pectoral cross with you for a future Christian. Usually it is acquired by the godfather. The baptismal obligations for him, of course, are not limited to this acquisition, but they will be described below.
It is necessary to take an envelope for the cut hair of the baby with you.
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 the recipients before the ceremony?

If you are in the role of a godfather for the first time, then it is advisable to familiarize yourself with how the sacrament goes, what prayers are read, what order of hymns. This is necessary because when you become a spiritual guide for a little person, you need more than a formal presence. Sincere prayer is needed, which should not stop even after the completion of the sacrament, because this is the essence of the formation of the cross.

More details about what duties the godfather has during the performance of this rite will be described below.

Present

There is one main gift that his godfather should present to the baby. The responsibilities at 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, a pectoral cross, which is a baptismal one, becomes such a gift. It must be bought and donated by the receiver.

For parents, especially for the mother of the baby, a prayer book will be a good gift, where there will be the necessary prayers for the whole family.

How were christenings celebrated in ancient times?

How is the baptism? Responsibilities of a godfather

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 chrism.

So, now you know the duties of a godfather at the baptism of a boy and a girl. As you can see, they are slightly different.

Baptism at home

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 christening is possible only if the baby is unable to endure the rite in the church. They are also performed when the child is in mortal danger (illness, etc.). If the entire sacrament takes place at home, then the godfather has the same responsibilities for baptism as if the ceremony were performed in the temple.