Godparents and godchildren: how to choose a godfather, how to raise a godson. The duties of a godfather

How to choose the right godparents for a child, and who cannot become a godparent? What requirements does the Orthodox Church make for them, and what do the godparents need to know before the ceremony? How not to make a mistake with the choice of spiritual mentors for a child? Let's figure it out.

Baptism is not an ordinary tradition passed down through the ages. This is a sacrament, a special rite that marks the second, spiritual birth of a person. It is believed that grace descends on the one who is baptized, and from that moment on, the Christian acquires a guardian angel, under whose protection he will be all his life.

Who are godparents?

Baptism like others Orthodox rites, requires compliance certain rules, the main among which is the choice of godparents. Many try to baptize a child in infancy. Usually, the ceremony is performed after 40 days have passed since birth, but for sick or weak babies, the church makes an exception and allows them to be baptized at any time.

Without godparents, only one who is 18 years old can undergo the sacrament of baptism, this is not forbidden by the church. But for children under this age, they are required. Godparents become the child's spiritual mentors, commit themselves to being close to the godson and supporting him throughout his life. If the blood parents pass away, it is the godparents who must take responsibility and care for the child. How to choose those who can be entrusted with such serious responsibilities?

Baptism of a child: who cannot be appointed a godfather

When choosing from friends or relatives the one who will accept this honorable duty, it is necessary to take into account the rules adopted by the Orthodox Church, which do not allow everyone to the rite of baptism.

1. There is a decree Holy Synod, according to which a girl over 13 years old can become a godmother, and a young man who is 15 years old can become a godfather.
2. They cannot become godfather and mother of the spouse.
3. Such duties cannot be delegated to non-believers or people of other faiths.
4. It is unacceptable that those leading an unrighteous lifestyle become godparents: alcoholics, drug addicts, reckless women, insane personalities.
5. Real parents cannot act as godparents.
6. By folk beliefs they do not take pregnant women as godmothers, although Orthodox canons do not forbid this.
7. Another popular sign is that the godson and the godfather should not have the same name.

Ideally, each should have two heirs. But if it happened that it was impossible to choose a couple, then it is assumed that there will be one godfather: the girl has a woman, the boy has a man. According to signs, it is better for an unmarried girl to baptize a boy first.

The people chosen for these responsible roles must be very close to his real parents, and the degree of their relationship is not important. Grandmother, grandfather, aunt or uncle - all of them are not forbidden to baptize a relative. But sisters or brothers are most often not appointed to this role.

It is believed that it is impossible to refuse the title of godfather, therefore, before offering to accept this role at christening, it is better to find out whether the applicants wish to take on the honorary duty themselves.

Responsibilities of Godparents

They not only have to participate in christenings, their main duty is to help the godson throughout their lives, not only to meet with him periodically and give gifts, but also to teach him goodness, morality and love.

After the end of the ceremony, the godparents receive a certificate-memo, which says that they should become assistants, teachers and mentors to the godson or goddaughter.

If the godparents do not have the opportunity to often meet with their godson or daughter, they should pray for the child. Ideally, Orthodox heirs should attend churches, live the church life and observe fasting, but this condition is by no means obligatory.

What should godparents have during christening?

After the future godparents are determined, you need to choose a child church name, date of christening and temple. Usually children in the church are baptized on Saturdays, but this can be done on any other day, fasting also does not prevent baptism.

Before baptism, the godparents come for the godson, "pick up" him. Before that, in the godson's house, they should not sit down. Everyone goes to church together: parents with a baby and godparents.

Before the baptismal ceremony for the baby, the godparents buy things, a list of which is usually given in the church:

1. pectoral cross traditional form- buys Godfather;
2. an icon, preferably (but not necessarily) of the saint whose name the child will be baptized, is bought by the godmother;
3. the godmother also buys kryzhma - the material necessary for the sacrament, maybe with decorations, but more often ordinary white fabric;
4. a baptismal shirt, and the girl still has a scarf or cap - it is not necessary to buy, you can replace it with a clean vest and a handkerchief from the existing wardrobe.

To appearance there are no special requirements for godparents during christenings, the usual rules for visiting church are observed. Both godparents should be wearing pectoral crosses, the man without a headdress, and the woman with a covered head, with covered shoulders and elbows and in a skirt or dress below the knees.

Comment on the article "How to choose the right godparents for a child"

Based on the fact that spiritual kinship is established between godparents and parents. But it’s only about the fact that spouses are not allowed, and I’m not going to call my spouse to church, well, that is, he ...

Discussion

We were allowed without any problems :) I am very happy, now my girls are baptized and I am their mother!

We will only have a baptism, I choose from my parish. All of them are believers and will instruct if they can help, but the main criterion is, God forbid, what happens to us, so that they can take the child for themselves and prevent him from staying in the house. If the godfather, in principle, is not ready for this, then I don’t see the point in such a godfather.
For those to whom I am a godmother, God forbid, I’ll take it right away, this is a certain obligation, so I agreed to be a godmother only 2 times in my life.

What's with the godparents? After all, godparents are responsible for spiritual education) By the way, it is important for the Church that godparents are not a couple with each other (for example, husband and wife) ...

Discussion

Eldest daughter I was baptized by a college friend and family friend who was a witness at our wedding. Our paths diverged from the godmother, we have not seen each other for five years, although we live in the same city. The godfather is not a church person, but takes an active part in the life of his daughter, they are with her Good friends. He has no family of his own, so our daughter is very dear to him.
The younger ones were baptized this weekend. My godparents have become brother and his wife, as well as my girlfriend whom we have known since the first grade of school and a family friend. All godparents simply adore babies and actively participated in their lives without knowing that they would be godparents. This active help from them gave me the idea to make them godparents. My husband and I are not particularly religious people and we do not place any hopes for the active churching of our children by godparents. It is important for us that they love them as their own or almost as their own, and this will be enough.
So I approached the place of baptism thoroughly and we baptized children not in the city, where it is directly felt that money is important there. We baptized outside the city in monastery, everything is very poor, simple, but the atmosphere is such that even I, a person far from the church, was spiritualized. Father is wonderful kind person, the whole ceremony of baptism, he smiled at the girls, and they smiled at him, everything was very touching.
Below I give a link where I read about the rite of baptism, everything is very accessible, there are prayers and explanations for them, read it.

"And it is important for me that the godparents are part of the life of my children. To be part of the family. And they want to be"

Pompous as it sounds. And gifts should be given by dear ones?
I liked the answer of one priest - "Godparents should pray for the godson. That's all."

All my friends chose according to the principle "To be richer" - expensive gifts are needed.
And so many claims and demands for godparents are terrible. They have to buy everything for baptism and give gold crosses, otherwise the sour mine of parents - "They are godparents !!! THEY SHOULD!

Tell me about the choice of the godfather. My husband and I can’t choose a godfather, I already found a godmother, she’s my close friend, she loves Grisha, she’s a believer (of course, without fanaticism) ...

Discussion

and how much he is a believer - a friend of her husband? godparents are needed to take care of the soul and spiritual upbringing of the baby! mention your godchildren in your prayer.
for example, I can’t visit my goddaughter, because I live in another country, but I always mention her in my health notes in the church and light candles

Now, if I had a good friend at work and I _decided_ to call her godmother, and my husband would tell me that he did not agree ... I would not understand my husband.
On the other hand, I am my godmother last time I saw it on my tenth birthday (it was my mother's friend) .... therefore, all my children's godparents are relatives :)

God-parents. Christening. A child from birth to one year. Care and upbringing of a child before A question for them: how do you choose godparents for a child and what from them in the future ...

Discussion

I don't expect anything. I treat them as a mandatory part of the program :)
I myself am godmother to my daughter's friend and it began to strain me terribly, because it turned out that my friend assumed that I would play some special role in their lives, and, to be honest, I have enough entertainment with my two girls. so I see my goddaughter once a year and I'm a little upset for my friend that she made a big mistake with the choice of godmother (that is, me).

I'll tell you.
The eldest, in his youth, was called by his good friends.
For me, the association with my godmother is a pleasant person with gifts, which, even after many years, always comes to the rescue. Feeling of a secure rear. What will always help-prompt.
So for the child I dreamed of the same.
Bottom line: the godfather said - I do not understand anything about this. Happy birthday does not congratulate. No gifts needed. You can make a phone call.
The godmother seems to be a believer, but she learned from the priest that the godfather is more important for the boy and ... also disappeared. She called me with this good news and that's it - not a phone call, nothing.
Very disappointing.
I want to sit down with Temochka the other day and sign postcards from NG for them, let him draw something there, write a couple of words together.
Therefore, for Sofyushka, she called her sister to be godparents - they only became closer. But she didn’t call her godfather, for some reason she was categorically set up that she needed only her own. Although now I think that you could still call someone.
Such a story.
I expect from godparents - so that my child knows that there are other people in the world, besides parents, to whom he can turn.

Godparents - how are they chosen? I understand this - that it's not only that people should be close to me (mom-dad), they also have to love the child, right?

Discussion

It’s really impossible to take a husband and wife as godparents at the same time, because. it is forbidden by the church charter. This will tell you in any Temple. All other questions from the area folk signs, but if you are interested, it is believed that: a woman should be the first to baptize a boy (since if she is the first to baptize a girl, she will give her her female happiness), and a man should be the first to baptize a girl; about the fact that the godchildren should alternate for the first time I hear, in my opinion, it does not matter; as for close relatives, when I baptized my children, the priest in the Temple told me that close relatives will always love the child more than strangers, even if they are very good friends, therefore it is POSSIBLE to take close relatives as godparents for sure; As for the number of children that you can become a godmother, then there are no restrictions 3 or more or less. Simply, if a person has many godchildren, then he is unlikely to be able to fully fulfill his duties as a godfather. From this point of view, you should have as many godchildren as you can actually participate in (this participation, of course, does not include birthday gifts, etc.). From that moment on, you are responsible before God for the soul of the child, becoming a godfather, you take on the responsibility of helping parents raise a child in the spirit of Orthodoxy. The godfather is responsible before God for each of his godchildren, therefore it is better to have one godson, but fulfill his duties in full, than several, but apart from gifts and congratulations, do not burden yourself with anything else. If a person is not sure that he will cope with the role of a godfather, then it is better to refuse than to become a godfather just for show. Sorry it's long. If you have any other questions, you can ask by e-mail.

Guide your own through life, teach spirituality, lead to church and pray for him. For parents child godparents should be very close people. It should not just be relatives or close friends, godparents - these are the people to whom you can entrust your baby. They are for child- Second parents.

You can not take as godparents people who lead an unrighteous lifestyle. That is, those who suffer from drug addiction and alcoholism. Do not invite riotous women as godmothers. Think, after all, such people will show a child a bad example from infancy, and not teach spirituality.

You can’t call for godparents, it is believed that this way you can shorten the life of a child. It is not recommended to take as godparents and married couple, since the godparents after the ceremony will be connected by spiritual kinship, which does not imply intimate relationships. According to folk, an unmarried woman should be the first, otherwise she may have major problems in her personal life. Also, if you follow the signs, the name godfather should not coincide with the name of the godson.

And most importantly, godparents must fulfill their duties. There are a lot more of them than you might imagine. Godparents are not only those people who give gifts and periodically play with the child. Godparents should always maintain friendly relations with the parents of their godchild, teach him prayers, teach him love, morality, and goodness. It is believed that if you are offered to become a godfather, then you cannot refuse. Therefore, to begin with, unobtrusively ask your candidates if they would like to become godparents for your child and whether they will be able to carry out the duties assigned to them. And then make your final decision.

note

How to choose a godmother for a child? It's not easy at all. Parents of the baby should responsibly approach the choice of godparents, including the godmother. How to choose a godmother? There can be no godmother: unbeliever or other faith, girls under 13 years old, d

Useful advice

How to choose a godmother and a godmother. Oddly enough, many moms and dads prefer not to puzzle over the answer, so they offer to take on the responsibility of becoming the second parents of work colleagues or, at all, their own bosses. It is not surprising that in most cases, there is zero sense from such godparents to the child.

Sources:

• how to choose godparents

The baptism of a person is an important and responsible step on the path of spiritual development. Being baptized into the Christian faith, an adult makes a promise (vow) to keep the commandments and canons of faith, renounce evil, love everyone around and please God. For a baptized baby, such vows are given by godparents, who throughout the life of their godchild are responsible for his actions before God and conscience. Therefore the choice godparents parents extremely important.

Instruction

The second selection criterion is the ratio of the future godparent (successor) to. An atheist is likely to refuse your offer, but a wanderer who does not visit regularly and does not find it necessary to observe

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 takes upon himself the obligation to educate the child in the 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 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 picking a conductor in dangerous journey, where the price of the issue is life (in our case, Eternal), a rogue who does not know the route.
It is just as unreasonable for a church person to take vows before God to raise a baby 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 catechism 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).
According to practice ancient church Just as non-Christians are never allowed to receive children, so it is indecent for an Orthodox person to be the recipient of children from parents of other faiths, 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 drunk. 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 for the most part 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. To prevent violations existing rules As regards sponsors, the priest usually finds out from the parents in advance who they want to have sponsors 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. By blessing 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 of the Holy Synod of 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.

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:

1. 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.
2. Prayers for your godson are obligatory, especially in difficult moments.
3. Visiting the temple with the child.
4. 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.
5. 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?

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 - 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, 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 they will necessary prayers for the whole family.

How were christenings celebrated in ancient times?

Before, as now, christenings were 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 large 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 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 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). The candle is used in special occasions and also keep 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. During adolescence, there may be difficult questions. 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.

The Sacrament of Baptism is the second birth of a person for life, a birth from water and the Spirit, which the Savior speaks of as necessary condition toinherit eternal life. If the 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 in his spiritual birth is received by the godparents, who vouch for the faith of the new Orthodox Christian they have accepted.

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

Formally, the godfather does not have to fast, confess and take communion before the sacrament, however, if you are a believer and are connected with 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 take communion in advance.

After you have agreed to become a godfather, do not postpone the immediate preparation for the sacrament on the back burner. 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 christening shirt. In addition, you will need a sheet or towel in order to wrap and dry the baby after diving into the font. Traditionally, a godfather buys a pectoral cross for a boy, and a godmother for a girl, who also brings a towel. But if only one godfather buys everything you need, it's okay. In fact, it does not have any special meaning.

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

The duties of the godfather at Baptism include holding the baby in his arms if the boy is baptized. The godmother at this time stands nearby. If a girl is baptized, then everything happens the other way around. Before the celebration of the sacrament, the priest in white robes goes around the baptismal or temple, reading three prayers. After that, he asks the godfather and the godson to turn their faces to the west and asks the person being baptized a few questions. If the baby being baptized, then the godfather answers these questions for him. In addition, during baptism, the godparents read aloud the "Symbol of Faith" 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 shop. The godfather perceives the boy from the font, and the godmother perceives the girl. The second godparent helps dry the baby and dress him in a christening gown.

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

Duties of a godfather after baptism

The duties 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, to bring to the attention of the child the main canons of the Orthodox faith, to teach the child to resort to the saving sacraments of Confession and Communion, to help parents in raising and caring for the godson, and to bear responsibility for the upbringing and life of the child if something happens to his parents. But, of course, the main duty of the godfather is to pray for the godson.

The duties of godparents also include guardianship of the godson from various temptations and sinful temptations, which are especially dangerous in childhood and adolescence. The godfather, knowing the nature, talents and desires of the godson, can help him with the choice of education, future profession and even a wife.

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

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

The godfather must be aware of the responsibility for his duties

Unfortunately, the main duties of the godfather now come down to buying a pectoral cross for the future godson, paying for the sacrament, drinking for the godchild’s happiness and saying goodbye to him before the unknown date, regularly celebrating 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 ministry, and express your complete readiness to be united to Christ for the baby. Try to raise the baby in such a way that you yourself would not be ashamed of your guarantee in the future.

Remember that there is no duty higher, more sacred and more terrible than those that you impose on yourself by becoming a godfather. Of course, it is difficult to lead others through difficult life path, if you yourself are constantly stumbling, but it is necessary to do this, because you yourself agreed, took up this and now have an endless answer for the one you vouched for.

You might think that such duties and father unable to fulfill. 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 watch even the baby's own parents. Remember, there are so many families in which parents do not care about the spiritual and moral upbringing of the child. How many dads who do not consider it their duty to raise a baby. How many mothers who give their children to nannies, so as not to simply burden their lives and not give up their usual pleasures. It is here that your field for the spiritual activity of the godfather is located. It is here that you should take the floor and remind the father of his family duty to educate and teach his baby, remind the mother, who is weighed down by maternal duties, of her duty.

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

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

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

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