It is one of the most important in the days preceding the performance 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 is. Therefore, we will try to fully understand this issue and, if possible, avoid mistakes.
When should a baby be baptized?
The first and most important event in the life of a newborn is the rite of holy baptism. There is no strict rule regarding how many days after the baby is born it should be done. 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 ritual and in the further spiritual life of the newly baptized, an important role is played by those assigned to him. God-parents who take upon themselves the responsibility to educate him in the spirit of Orthodoxy. That is why important The question arises of how to choose godparents for a child, so that in the future they can fully fulfill the mission entrusted to them.
Who can't be one of the godparents?
It should be noted that there are certain restrictions when appointing godparents. First of all, the parents of the child themselves and, in addition, persons who are related, cannot play this role. Also, church rules prohibit entrusting this to people who are married to each other or intend to enter into it after some time. The reason here is quite obvious. - these are people who are in a spiritual relationship, and physical intimacy between them is unacceptable.
Continuing the conversation about how godparents are chosen for a child, it is necessary to emphasize that they cannot be all kinds of people of other faiths, including even Christians of other denominations (Catholics, Protestants, Lutherans, etc.). And, of course, this should not be trusted to people who are not believers at all or who declare their faith, but are not baptized and do not attend church.
As for the age restrictions imposed on possible candidates, girls can be godparents from the age of thirteen, and boys from the age of fifteen. It is believed that, subject to correct and proper religious education at this age, they are already able to understand the responsibility entrusted to them and, over time, become their godson.
And finally, from the number of possible candidates, persons suffering from mental illness should be excluded, since they cannot be held responsible for their actions, and those who lead an immoral (from the church and universal point of view) lifestyle. Monks and nuns also cannot be godparents.
Who should you choose?
However, the question of how godparents are chosen for a child is not limited to just the list of those who are not suitable for this role. Something else is much more important. You should know who can be chosen as godparents for a child, and in this regard there are no clearly defined boundaries, but only recommendations based on life experience previous generations of Orthodox Christians.
Before you choose someone, you should first of all think about whether they will pray all their lives for their godson or goddaughter, because this is precisely one of their main responsibilities. This is especially important in the first years after baptism, since the child is still small and cannot turn to the Creator in prayer. In addition, it is generally accepted that the prayer of those who received the baby from the holy font has a special power of grace and is heard.
Any relative of the child can become a godson, regardless of a friend of his parents or simply someone they know and respect. But at the same time, it is necessary, first of all, to be guided by whether the chosen one will be a good adviser and a good spiritual educator of the child.
In order to more fully understand how godparents are chosen for a child, it is necessary to outline the range of responsibilities that are assigned to each of them. This will help to avoid in the future many griefs and disappointments associated with haste and ill-conceived decisions.
According to existing tradition, godparents must go to church a day or two before the sacrament and confess and receive communion there in order to remove the burden of earthly sins that could interfere with the establishment of spiritual unity with the godson. Directly on the day of baptism, they impose a voluntary fast on themselves, excluding both eating and performing marital duties.
During the sacrament, the “Creed” is read, and if the ritual is performed on a girl, then a prayer is read godmother, and if over a boy, then the godfather. In this regard, it is important to prepare carefully, memorize the text and ask the priest in advance when to read the prayer and how.
Choosing the right godparents for a child is extremely important in relation to the help that is expected from them during the ceremony itself. And first of all, this applies to the godmother. She, among other things, must take care of the gift for the child and the various things necessary for performing the sacrament, such as a baptismal shirt, a towel and, of course, a pectoral cross that will be worn on him. By the way, it should be noted that during the sacrament her presence is necessary, while the godfather can only participate in it in absentia.
Psychological aspect of choosing a godmother
It is also very important to take into account that after washing in the font, the child is picked up by his godmother, and care must be taken to ensure that this does not cause stress for the baby. It is highly desirable that the candidate for this role has held him in her arms before, and he is familiar with her features. The same can be said about the godfather. In the entire range of issues related to how godparents are chosen for a child, this occupies one of the main places.
Responsibility for the subsequent spiritual life of the child
According to church teaching, the child’s connection with those who received him from the holy font is considered even closer than with the real parents who gave him life. They will have to answer for him Last Judgment, and therefore it is their duty to constantly care for the spiritual growth of their godson.
This side of their responsibilities to him and to the church includes not only conversations on religious topics that can expand the godson’s knowledge of Orthodoxy, but also introducing the child to attending church and participating in divine services. Moreover, in order to achieve best result, godparents must steadily improve their own spirituality and be a living and convincing example for the child.
Replacement of faith with ritual belief
It is very unfortunate that today the true Christian faith is often replaced by the so-called ritual faith. Leaving aside the foundations of the teachings of Jesus Christ, who preached humanism, sacrifice in the name of one’s neighbor and repentance as the means of acquiring the Kingdom of God, people hope to receive immediate earthly blessings by performing certain ritual actions.
If such naivety was excusable to the ancient pagans due to their ignorance, now that the Lord has given us the Holy Gospel, we can only regret those who, when asked why they baptize a child, without hesitation, answer: “So that he doesn’t get sick.” And it's all! Not a word about the fact that they desire his unity in the Spirit of God with the Creator of the Universe and the possibility of his inheriting Eternal Life.
How to choose godparents for a child if the parents are non-believers?
Besides, in last years has become fashionable, 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 guided his parents, although he wishes them to take a more responsible approach to the holy sacrament, which is the spiritual birth of their little man.
That is why the question of how to choose godparents for a child acquires special importance, because it is they who, with their religiosity, can make up for what the real father and mother are not able to give. His decision cannot contain any general advice, since in each case it is individual and depends on the environment of relatives and friends in which the young parents live. It is among these people that one should look for those who, with their faith, are able to help a child take the path of spiritual growth.
A question born of superstition
Sometimes you hear a rather strange question about how to choose godparents for a child 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 Orthodox Church there is no such thing as leap year, and therefore, there are no restrictions associated with it, be it weddings, christenings or other sacraments. The popular belief that it brings misfortune is the fruit of superstition and empty speculation. Believers should have in themselves only the fear of God and hope in His mercy, and not the fear of some signs.
Baptism is considered the spiritual birth of a person. This is one of the most important events in everyone’s life and is considered so according to the church worldview. Baptism is a rather serious process and must be approached with all responsibility. The thoughts of people participating in this sacrament must be sincere and pure. Therefore the question is who can be godparents is one of the most important in the rite of baptism. During the rite of baptism, a child or adult receives a Guardian Angel as spiritual protection, who protects him throughout his life.
Who can be godparents and who cannot?
As you know, responsibility for the baptism of a child rests with both the real parents and the godparents. Man's conscious belief in the existence of God is a necessary condition to perform the ritual. Since it is the godparents who pronounce all baptismal vows for the baby. The responsibilities of godparents can be assumed, first of all, by Orthodox people and believers who take their spiritual life very seriously. A desirable condition for choosing a recipient is gender matching, that is, a boy should be baptized by a man, a girl by a woman.
Who can be godparents? This question becomes the main one before the Sacrament! As a rule, both a man and a woman become godparents. Gl 
It is important that they are not relatives to each other. There are situations when a woman becomes a receiver for a boy, and a man for a girl, there will be nothing contradictory or reprehensible in this. It is important that the godparent be a truly religious person, who can be fully entrusted with the responsibilities for the spiritual upbringing of the child.
Who can't be godparents?
1. Minor children who themselves do not yet have serious knowledge of the clergy. And who, in the event of the untimely death of both parents of the godson, will not be able to assume all their responsibilities;
2. People of a different religious faith;
3. Spouses or couples planning to legalize their relationship;
4. People leading a depraved lifestyle;
5. Women during menstruation;
6. Absolutely strangers, whom their parents persuaded, so to speak, at the very last moment.
In any of these cases, the priest has the right to refuse to perform the baptismal ceremony. Of course, you can suppress true information, but is it worth it? After all, the act of baptism is performed with your child and his future directly depends on this.
How many times can you become a godparent?
There are no strict restrictions on the number of times of succession, so this issue is resolved by the desire of the godfather himself. The only thing is 
The godfather must understand that every time he assumes the responsibilities of a godparent, he takes on great responsibility. You will have to answer to God. It is worth remembering that the godfather is an example for the godson. In addition, he will have to help and protect his godson throughout his life.
There is a rumor that becoming a godmother for the second time means removing the cross from the firstborn. This is a big misconception. The Church categorically denies this rumor, comparing repeated participation in baptism with the birth of a second child. It is logical that a mother who has given birth to a second child will not give up her first. It’s the same with the godmother - having become a godmother for the second time, she in no case abandons the first-born and bears the same responsibility for him as for the second. The best solution There will be advance concern about who can be godparents for your baby.
One of the most important events in the life of a child - the christening of a girl. The priest will tell you about the rules for parents and godparents before performing the ceremony. The baptism of a child is a great sacrament, after which the baby receives the protection and protection of God. He has a guardian angel who saves him from misfortunes and troubles.
Many people do not know at what age to baptize their daughter. Priests advise doing this in the first year of life, but there are no restrictions. Both infants and teenagers can be baptized. The only difference in the ceremony is that small children are dipped into the font, while older ones have water poured from it on their heads.
After 40 days from the moment of birth, the mother is already allowed to be present at the ritual. The Church advises not to delay the sacrament, since until it is performed the baby does not have a protector or patron. For this there is also practical explanations: babies easily tolerate immersion in water, react calmly and are not afraid when a stranger picks them up. It is difficult for an older child to withstand the entire duration of the ceremony.
There is a Slavic custom to carry out baptism for 8 or 40 days. On the first date, it was customary to name a newborn, and by the second, the mother could already visit the temple, since the natural purification after the birth of the baby had ended. If a child is born weak and sick, it is advisable to baptize him immediately.
Until the age of seven, the parents make the decision. Children under 14 years of age must consent to the ceremony. Older teenagers are baptized only if they have their own desire. If a child is in the hospital, there is a threat to his life, or there is no way to bring him from home to church, then you should contact the priest and ask to perform the ritual outside the church. As a rule, doctors and clergy do not refuse people in such a situation.
Preparation for the sacrament
Natural parents are not godparents for their child; they themselves choose where to baptize him. They need to agree with the priest about the time, it depends on the church schedule. It is advisable to choose godparents from among the believers: they bear responsibility before the Lord for the spiritual development of the child.
Choosing godparents
Godparents must be chosen for a girl. They meet the following criteria:
- profess Orthodoxy;
- are not in an official or civil marriage;
- are adults.
Pregnant women become godparents, but there are several nuances:
- a woman must feel good in order to be able to withstand the entire ceremony;
- she wants to take responsibility for this particular girl.
Parents need to know who cannot be godparents. These include:
- unrepentant sinners;
- young children;
- unbaptized and unbelievers;
- nuns, monks;
- women who have recently given birth, if 40 days have not passed since the birth of the child;
- persons leading an immoral lifestyle, violating the commandments;
- alcoholics;
- Gentiles.
For Orthodox Christians who regularly visit the temple, additional training not required. For others it is obligatory to confess and receive communion. The priest conducts a conversation before baptism, explains how to behave during the ceremony and what is needed for baptism. Close relatives: sister, grandmother, aunt can also be godparents.
What is needed for the ritual
The godmother is responsible for raising the girl in the Orthodox spirit. Before the sacrament, you will need to visit the church and undergo an interview, during which they talk about God and the rules of the great sacrament. It is important that she is able to handle the baby as she will have to undress him and put on the christening set.
The christening kit includes:
- For babies, a kryzhma (large towel) or a baptismal dress for a girl. Godmother buys.
- The godfather acquires the cross. It can be put on a rope or chain. For small children, it is advisable to choose a cross with rounded outlines without sharp corners to avoid scratches.
The cross and chain are chosen based on their capabilities: from plain metal or from gold, silver. There are no strict requirements on what to buy and for whom, so they can be purchased by parents, grandfather or uncle.
Preparation and rules for godparents:
- visit the temple for confession and communion;
- observe a short fast (3 days), giving up meat food, bad thoughts and words;
- learn the text of the baptismal prayer “Creed”, “Our Father”;
- acquire the necessary attributes for baptism;
- Do not eat before the sacrament.
Church rules
During the sacrament of baptism of a girl, the godmother is considered the main recipient. Church rules for a godmother say that her main task is to read during the ritual of prayer. If you are not able to learn it by heart, you can take a prayer book. Traditionally he buys white towel(kryzhma), baptismal set. As a gift, he acquires an icon of the saint, whose name was given to the goddaughter during the ceremony. According to church rules for a godfather, he carries the child into the church and holds him in his arms until the time comes to hand him over to the clergyman.
Godparents and spouses often do not know on what days the sacrament of baptism is performed. In church rules there are no prohibitions on holidays, fasts or common days weeks. Exceptions are made only for three great holidays: Christmas, Easter, Trinity. At this time, the priest is unlikely to have free time for the sacrament. Many churches have a set schedule; baptisms are held only on certain days, usually Saturdays. In a conversation with the priest, they clarify how the ceremony takes place and what is needed for it.
Parents and invited guests are welcome to attend the church. These include immediate relatives; photography and video filming are permitted, but it is time to secure the consent of the priest. Sometimes they invite a professional to record everything important points solemn ceremony.
How to dress correctly for a christening
When going to a ritual, you need to know what to baptize with. There are church rules that require festive clothing for everyone present. Allowed:
- skirt below the knees;
- closed jacket with long sleeves;
- a scarf covering the head.
In trousers, shorts, short skirt You shouldn't be in church. Clothing must cover the neckline, back and arms. Men can be bareheaded in a shirt and trousers; women must wear a headscarf.
The color and pattern of outfits are not regulated, but for baptism it is advisable to choose something light, because this big celebration for family.
How does the sacrament happen?
During the ritual, everyone must wear crosses. Church laws stipulate the sequence of the ceremony. When a girl is baptized, she is brought (led) into the temple premises by her godfather, and after immersing herself in the font, she is received and dressed by her godmother. The baptism process is long and takes place in several stages:
- Bringing a child into the temple by a godfather of the opposite sex.
- Reading prohibitory prayers to renounce the child from evil. At this time, the baby is wrapped in a diaper.
- Prayers against Satan, during which renunciation of him occurs. The priest asks the question about refusal three times, his godparents are responsible for the small child;
- Combination to Christ and reading of the Creed by the godparents.
- The receivers take the lit candles in their hands, and three more are placed on the font. The priest blesses the water and oil.
- The father dips the child in the font with cold water three times, after which a cross is put on.
- During immersion, cleansing from sins and birth for spiritual life occurs.
- The godmother takes the baby in her hands and wraps him in a baptismal towel, then dresses him.
- The priest performs chrismation by applying oil to the cross on the child’s legs, arms, back, stomach and forehead.
- The godparents and the child follow the priest around the font three times, at which time he reads prayers.
- A small strand of hair is cut from the girl’s head and remains in the church, symbolizing the spiritual unity of the child with God.
- The priest takes the child in his arms and places it next to the icon of the Mother of God. This means that the sacrament has been completed and the child has been churched.
Christening is a long procedure, taking from 40 minutes to an hour and a half. It also depends on whether one child is baptized or several.
A week after baptism, you must come to church for communion; the clergyman will tell you the exact date.
Choosing a church name
During the ceremony, the child receives a new name. As usual, it is chosen from those that are in tune with the worldly or are included in the lists of saints. If there is no match for the name recorded on the birth certificate, you should seek help from a priest. It will tell you which saint is venerated on the girl’s birthday or baptism; her name will become her second name. Will be used in church rituals. Thus, children have another holiday - the day of the heavenly intercessor (saint), whose name was given during baptism. Church name not disclosed to strangers so as not to weaken the baby’s protection.
Responsibilities of a godmother
A woman who agrees to become a godmother takes responsibility for the life and spiritual development of the girl. Her responsibilities include:
- pray for your goddaughter, ask God for help for her in a difficult situation;
- attend church together, confess and receive communion;
- take part in spiritual education and development;
- be a worthy role model;
- talk about God, attend church together;
- congratulate you on your birthday, give gifts on Angel's Day;
- give instructions, help with advice and practical deeds;
- adopt a girl if her parents have died.
Cost of baptism
Not everyone understands why pay for the ceremony, because Jesus commanded not to take money for baptism, so that poor people would not be excommunicated from the church due to lack of funds. But before there was a tradition of giving a tenth of income to the church and donating funds. Now there are fewer contributions, so ministers are forced to draw up a price list in order to be able to pay the costs of maintaining the temple. The cost depends on the chosen church.
There is no single price, so you can find out how much to pay only in the temple that is chosen to perform the sacrament. In churches, boxes are installed for collecting donations; the clergyman may say that there is no fee, but you have the right to put any feasible amount into it. The estimated cost of the ritual is from 1500, there is no upper limit. For him you will need a baptismal set, which includes: a white dress, a kryzhma and a scarf (cap).
How to store baptismal items
There are no rules in the Bible for the use of things left after a christening, but clergy recommend that parents keep the kryzhma and baptismal cross. They can be put in a chest of drawers and stored with the child’s clothes so that they are not in front of strangers. If he gets sick or behaves restlessly, they cover him with kryzhma.
What not to do with a baptism towel:
- wash;
- throwing away;
- used to baptize other people.
There is an opinion that a baptismal shirt is a healing amulet that is applied to a sore spot for a speedy recovery. Not all parents know whether a child should wear a cross all the time. This is desirable, but if the need arises, it is temporarily removed. This thing should not be thrown away, because it is the best amulet. Even if they bought a new cross and chain, they keep the old one.
Folk signs and traditions of celebration
After the holy sacrament, a christening celebration takes place in the family circle. It is customary to use it to prepare dishes from cereals and vegetables, poultry, pastries, and pies. Godparents and guests usually ask parents in advance what to give the girl. There are no special rules for choosing an item, but the following are considered a good present:
- saint icon;
- a silver spoon or a set of them;
- children's clothing, toys;
- Bible.
It is believed that love relationship between godfathers is a great sin; there are many other folk superstitions:
- you cannot show the newborn to anyone before baptism, because at this time he is weak and defenseless, he is easy to jinx;
- during christening, the child appears before God, so he is dressed smartly;
- considered a bad sign odd number guests present at the christening;
- During the ceremony, the candle must be held firmly in your hands, covering it with your second palm so that it does not fall or go out;
- After the christening, they immediately go home, without turning anywhere along the road, otherwise the child’s guardian angel will weaken.
Main traditions :
- choose believers and reliable people as godparents;
- do not argue with the priest over the choice of name;
- do not purchase a gold cross for newborns;
- after the christening, the child is brought into the house by the godmother;
- baptize the child as early as possible;
- don't have drunken parties;
- invite the minimum possible number of people.
An Orthodox Christian becomes a godfather any number of times; there are no limiting rules. Christening is the second most important holiday for a person after his birthday. The ritual belongs to one of the seven Orthodox church sacraments. After it, original sin is removed and God’s grace and protection descends on the baptized person. She cleanses and gives eternal life, means spiritual birth.
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Baptism is one of the important events in life Orthodox man. It is believed that he receives some kind of pass into the Kingdom of God. This is the moment of a person’s spiritual birth, when his previous sins are forgiven and his soul is cleansed. Special attention One should pay attention to the choice of godparents for the child, since they have an influence on the spiritual life and salvation of the believer. Therefore, the godfather, whose duties and responsibilities include all of the above, must be worthy.
The role of a godfather in a child's life
Now let's take a closer look at what role the godfather plays in Orthodoxy, whose responsibilities include not only gifts for holidays. The most important thing he must do is to provide assistance in the spiritual life of his godson. So, let's look at the responsibilities in order:
- Set a worthy example for him with your life. This means that in the presence of a godson you cannot drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, or speak swear words. You need to be noble in your actions.
- Prayers for your godson are obligatory, especially in difficult moments.
- Visiting a temple with your child.
- Spiritual education of the godson is mandatory (stories about God, teaching the Bible, etc.). If there are problems in life situations, then provide all possible assistance.
- The responsibilities of the godfather also include financial support if necessary (if the parents a difficult situation with money or work).
What do you need to know to choose godparents?
So, how to choose a godfather or godfather? What should you be guided by? Firstly, you should know that in the spiritual life of a child, the most important thing is a godfather of the same sex (for a boy - a godfather, for a girl - a godmother). However, according to established tradition, two are chosen as godfathers.
Of course, the decision who will be the child’s spiritual educator throughout his life is made at family council. If there are any difficulties when choosing, then consult with your priest or spiritual father. He will probably suggest a suitable candidate, because this is quite an honorable duty.
It is very important that godparents do not get lost in life, that they continue to spiritually care for the child throughout his life. Both the godmother and the godfather, whose duties and functions are described above, have their own responsibilities before the Lord.
Based on all this, Christians who are over fourteen years old are suitable for the role of spiritual parents. They take responsibility for the future spiritual life of the child, praying for him, and then teaching him to live in the Lord.
Who can't be a godfather?
When choosing a godfather or mother, you need to know who cannot be for your child:
- Those who are going to become spouses in the future or are already such in the present.
- Parents of the baby.
- Those who accepted monasticism.
- Unbaptized people or non-believers in the Lord.
- You cannot take as godparents people who have mental illness.
- Those who profess a different faith.
All of this should be taken into account before a godfather is chosen. His responsibilities are quite extensive, so the person who agreed to be him must be clearly aware of everything.
Necessary items for the ceremony
You should talk in more detail about what items are needed for this ritual:
- Kryzhma. This is a special towel on which a cross is embroidered or simply depicted. A child is wrapped in it during anointing, as well as when prayers of prohibition are read. Sometimes the baby's name and the date of his baptism are embroidered on such a towel.
- Baptismal swaddling cloth. This is not an entirely necessary attribute, but it should be there when it’s cold. This diaper is used to wipe the baby after dipping into the font, and then wrap it again in the kryzhma.
- Clothes for baptism. This could be a christening set (dress) for a girl or a special shirt for a boy. It is advisable that these clothes be purchased as a gift by the baby’s successor.
- It is necessary to have a pectoral cross with you for a future Christian. Usually it is acquired by the godfather. Responsibilities at baptism for him, of course, are not limited only to this acquisition, but they will be written about them below.
- It is necessary to take with you an envelope for the baby's cut hair.
- You should also purchase icons for the child and make a donation to the temple (this is an optional condition).
Is there any special preparation for recipients before the ceremony?
You should also pay attention to preparing for christening. The most correct step would be to contact your confessor or priest for advice. However, you should know that usually before the sacrament it is necessary to confess and receive communion. Before this, you need to fast (the priest should tell you about the number of days). You may need additional actions, such as reading prayers, spiritual literature, etc. It is also advisable not to attend noisy parties, various entertainment venues, or watch TV at this time. It is advisable to devote all your free time to prayer.
If this is your first time in the role of godfather, then it is advisable to familiarize yourself with how the sacrament is performed, what prayers are read, and what the order of chants is. This is necessary because when you become a spiritual educator of a little person, you need more than just a formal presence. Sincere prayer is necessary, which should not stop even after the completion of the sacrament, because this is the essence of becoming a godparent.
More details about what responsibilities the godfather has during this ritual will be discussed below.
Present
Considering the question of the duties of a godfather at a christening, it should be said that on this day it is customary to give gifts, both to the baby and to the godfather. If desired, you can give a gift to your parents.
It is appropriate for a child to give both an educational toy and something more important for spiritual life, such as a Bible for children with pictures. By the way, the gift can be discussed 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 must give the baby. The responsibilities during baptism are not only to hold the baby, but also to show the first example of honoring the Lord. After all, children understand everything from birth at the level of feelings. In addition to reading prayers, such a gift is a pectoral cross, which is baptismal. It must be bought and presented by the recipient.
For parents, especially for the mother of the baby, a good gift There will be a prayer book containing the necessary prayers for the whole family.
How were christenings celebrated in ancient times?
Previously, as now, christenings were a very significant event in people's lives. This sacrament was necessarily performed no later than two months after the baby was born, and sometimes earlier, on the eighth day. This happened because there used to be a high infant mortality rate, so it was very important for loved ones to baptize the child before the irreparable happened, so that his soul would go to heaven.
The celebration of the little man’s joining the church took place with big amount guests. This was especially noticeable in large villages. Many 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 sumptuous table was laid for the guests, and there was practically no alcohol (there could only be red wine in very small quantities).
There were traditional holiday dishes. For example, a rooster baked in porridge for a boy or a chicken for a girl. There were also a lot of shaped baked goods, which symbolized wealth, fertility, and longevity.
It was customary to invite the midwife to the table, who would receive the baby. They could also call the priest who performed the baptismal ceremony. During the celebration, numerous songs were sung, thus wishing the child all the best. They saw off all the guests, presenting each with sweets.
How is baptism performed? Responsibilities of a Godfather
Now let's look at how the ceremony itself takes place, what should be done at this time and what responsibilities each of those present has. In our time, this sacrament usually occurs on the fortieth day after birth. Parents or future godparents must go to the chosen temple in advance and sign up for the chosen date, as well as agree on the process itself. After all, you can hold individual christenings or general ones.
The responsibilities of the godfather during the baptism of a girl are the same, and that of a boy are different (although they differ slightly). If the child is not yet a year old and cannot stand on his own, then he is held in his arms all the time. For the first half of the ceremony (before immersion in the font), boys are held by their godmothers, and girls by their fathers. After the dive, everything changes. Since the main thing for a boy is the father, it is he who accepts the child, and the mother accepts the girl. And this continues until the end of the ceremony.
The service itself lasts about forty minutes (more time is required if there are many people). It begins after the celebration of the liturgy. The performance of the sacrament begins with the laying on of hands on the person being baptized and the recitation of a special prayer. After this, you should renounce Satan and his works. Adults are responsible for a child who cannot speak.
The next step in the ritual will be the consecration of the water in the font. Before immersing the person being baptized into it, he should be anointed with oil (back, chest, ears, forehead, legs and arms.) Only after this does immersion into the font occur. The priest reads prayers. This action symbolizes dying to the world and resurrecting to the Lord. This is how a kind of cleansing occurs.
Then the child is handed over to the godfather, he is wrapped in kryzhma (as mentioned above, the boy is handed over to the father, and the girl to the mother). Now the baby is anointed with myrrh.
So, now you know the responsibilities of a godfather when baptizing a boy and a girl. As you can see, they are slightly different.
Baptism at home
In addition to baptism in the temple, it would not be reprehensible to perform this sacrament at home, with your family. However, it is better to do it in the right place. This is based on the fact that after baptism, boys must be brought into the altar (girls simply venerate the icons).
After the ceremony is completed, the little man becomes a full member of the church. This can be felt most strongly only in the temple. Therefore, home christenings are possible only if the baby is unable to withstand the ceremony in church. They are also committed when the child is in mortal danger (illness, etc.). If the whole sacrament takes place in home environment, then the godfather has the same responsibilities for baptism as if the ceremony were performed in a temple.
Church life of new Christians
You should know that after baptism, a person’s spiritual life just begins. The first acquaintance with church rules begins with the prayer of one’s own mother and godmother. This is how, invisibly, the word of God is instilled in the baby. And in the future, when he sees everything for himself, you can slowly introduce him to family prayer, explaining its value.
Special mention should be made about baptismal accessories. Kryzhma and special clothing (if you purchased it) should be stored separately and not used in everyday life. A christening shirt (dress) can be worn when a child is ill (or simply wrapped in it). The icon that was used during the sacrament should be placed near the baby’s crib or on the home iconostasis (if there is one). The candle is used on special occasions and is also kept for life.
The responsibilities of a godfather at baptism are just beginning. In the future, when the child grows up, he will need to go to church with him, take communion and attend services. Of course, this can be done with parents, but it is better if it is a godfather. By the way, you need to take your child to church from an early age. It is there, in the bosom of the church, that he will be able to realize all the greatness of God. If he doesn’t understand something, you need to patiently explain the difficult moments.
This is how addiction occurs and has a beneficial effect on the human soul. Church chants and prayers calm and strengthen. As you grow older, difficult questions can arise. If godparents or parents cannot answer them, then it is better to turn to the priest.
Conclusion
So now you know what the responsibilities of a godfather are. They need to be taken seriously from the very beginning, as soon as such an offer is made to you. If necessary, consult with the priest about what you should do for your child, how to educate him in the spiritual life and what support to provide. Be careful, because from now on you and your godson are spiritually connected forever. You will also be responsible for his sins, so upbringing should be treated with special importance. By the way, if you are not confident in your abilities, then it is better to refuse this.
When a baby is born, the first cry and sigh indicate its physical birth. Spiritually, this moment comes on the day of baptism. The ritual of accepting faith accompanies us for many generations. The right to be a godfather is considered honorable; it indicates a special, warm and trusting relationship between the child’s parents and adoptive parents. Their duty is to accept the spiritual birth of a person and be responsible for the faith of their godson. The answer to the question of who can be the godparents of a boy or girl is obvious from the point of view of the church. People who support Orthodox faith and have reached the age of majority. They are responsible for introducing the child to spiritual values.
What does the sacrament of baptism carry?
Baptism is ancient rite, held in the context of the Orthodox Church. The main purpose is to cleanse a person from offenses committed in past life so he can start his new way from scratch". When a baby is brought to church for the first time in his life to be baptized, only the closest people and a spiritual mentor remain in the holy place. This is where the name “sacrament of baptism” comes from. After the priest says all the prayers and washes the baby three times with water from the font, the ritual is considered completed.
Most of us were baptized in the first months of our lives, and therefore a person has no information in his memory about everything that is happening. People live, develop, build families. At some point in time, a moment comes when an offer is made to become a godparent. Or, moreover, a child is born into a family and needs to be baptized. In such a situation, a logical question arises: “Who should be chosen as a godfather and is it possible to refuse to be a godfather?” We need to look for the answer not in faith or church, it is found within ourselves. It is very important to sensibly assess the capabilities of future godparents: will they be able to give the child what you cannot give, will they love him as if they were their own, and will they not lead him astray. It is also necessary to understand that life is very unpredictable, and if the godfather or mother quarrels with the godson’s parents, this should in no way affect their personal relationships and disrupt the spiritual connection.
Spiritual kinship
Godparents worry no less than parents before a child’s baptism. This is largely due to the progression of church illiteracy among modern population. This often leads to a refusal to be a recipient. The main thing here is to understand that being a godfather is not scary if you take this step consciously. But it is not necessary to comply with church canons. It is possible that this event will change your inner world and perception, and you will be drawn to self-education in this regard.
It is important for the church that the chosen godparents will clearly understand: from now on they are responsible for the child in exactly the same way as is assigned to the biological parents. When choosing adoptive parents for their child, parents should take into account that the church is not favorable to accepting the spiritual birth of a child if it is accepted by a married couple. But at the same time, a husband or wife can be godparents of several children of the same parents.
The child’s godparents are close relatives – is it possible?
Before the baptism of a child, every conscious parent has complex issue regarding how to choose a godfather and godmother for a baby. However, in most cases, the answer to this is on the surface; you just have to delve a little into the rules of the church. In the old days, they tried to expand the circle of relatives as much as possible. This was done in order to increase the number of people who in the future will take care of the child and help him in difficult situations. That is why invitations to close relatives to be successors came only as an exception. This is due to the fact that in one family everyone takes care of each other anyway. Again, to increase the family circle, they tried to make sure that the brother and sister had different godfathers and mothers. But here the limitation is not on the part of the church, but under the influence of human concepts. The main thing is that the godfather does not forget about his duties, and he does not have a question as to whether it is possible to refuse to be a godfather. After going through the baptism ceremony with the child, the parent should feel a spiritual connection with him.
How many children can one person baptize?
If a person is naturally kind, sociable and loves children, then different families may repeatedly offer him to become a foster child. The question involuntarily arises: how many times can you be godfather and godmother? There are no quantitative restrictions on the part of the church, and you at will You can be the spiritual parents of several children. However, it is very important that the godfather understands the importance of this ritual and understands all the responsibility that is entrusted to him. A spiritual parent is a holy example for a godson. By not fulfilling his duties, he will answer not to the child’s parents, but to God. Throughout his life, the successor must take care of and protect his godchildren, no matter how many of them he has.
Based on materials from fb.ru
