Godfather what you need to know. Responsibilities of Godmother and Father

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

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

Requirements for recipients in Orthodoxy

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

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

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

Responsibilities of recipients

In Orthodoxy, recipients are obliged to:

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

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

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

The question of how to choose godparents for a child’s christening is one of the most important in the days leading up to this great sacrament. The path of spiritual growth that 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 strictly established rule regarding how many days after the baby is born it should be performed. But taking into account the spiritual significance of the sacrament, it is recommended not to postpone it for a long time without serious reasons, and to try to have the sacrament performed in the first year of the child’s life.

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

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. Godparents are people who are spiritually related, and physical intimacy between them is unacceptable.

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

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

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

Who should you choose?

However, the question of how godparents are chosen for a child is not limited to just the list of those who are not suitable for this role. Something else is much more important. You should know who can be chosen as godparents for a child, and in this regard there are no clearly defined boundaries, but only recommendations based on 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 the degree of relationship, a friend of his parents, or simply someone whom they know and respect. But at the same time, it is necessary, first of all, to be guided by whether the chosen one will be a good adviser and a good spiritual educator of the child.

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

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

During the sacrament, the “Creed” is read, and if the ritual is performed 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 regarding godfather. In the entire range of issues related to how godparents are chosen for a child, this occupies one of the main places.

Responsibility for the subsequent spiritual life of the child

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

This side of their responsibilities to him and to the church includes not only conversations on religious topics that can expand the godson’s knowledge of Orthodoxy, but also introducing the child to attending church and participating in divine services. Moreover, in order to achieve 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 an indispensable condition for acquiring the Kingdom of God, people hope to receive immediate earthly blessings by performing certain ritual actions.

If such naivety was excusable to the ancient pagans due to their ignorance, now that the Lord has given us the Holy Gospel, we can only regret those who, when asked why they baptize a child, without hesitation, answer: “So that he doesn’t get sick.” And 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 It has become fashionable to baptize children, and unbelieving parents often carry them to the holy font, doing this only in order to keep up with others. Despite this, the church welcomes the baptism of a newborn, regardless of the reasons that guided his parents, although he wishes them to take a more responsible approach to the holy sacrament, which is the spiritual birth of their little person.

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

A question born of superstition

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

Godfather: duties at baptism and functions in Orthodoxy

Baptism is one of the important events in the life of an Orthodox person. It is believed that he receives some kind of pass into the Kingdom of God. This is the moment of a person’s spiritual birth, when his previous sins are forgiven and his soul is cleansed. 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:

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

What do you need to know to choose godparents?

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

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

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

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

Who can't be a godfather?

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

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

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

Necessary items for the ceremony

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

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

Is there any special preparation for recipients before the ceremony?

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

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

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

Present

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

It is appropriate for a child to give both an educational toy and something more important for spiritual life, such as a Bible for children with pictures. By the way, the gift can be discussed 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. The recipient must buy it and give it as a gift.

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 was celebrated with a large number of guests. This was especially noticeable in large villages. Many people gathered for such a holiday, who came with gifts and Best wishes baby. At the same time, they brought mainly various baked goods - kulebyaki, pies, pretzels. In the house where he lived little man, 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. During growing up there may be difficult questions. 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.

God-parents

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What does it mean to be a godfather?

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

Rain.

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

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

Just an angel

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

Lighter

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

During the Sacrament of Baptism, the baby is accompanied by his godmother or father. But they are not only needed to hold the baby and candles. The sacrament of baptism has more deep meaning, and therefore it is advisable to carefully prepare for the ceremony.

How godparents prepare for the ceremony

We understand that the little fool cannot yet speak on his own behalf. The godfather says the “Creed” prayer on his behalf. He repeats “Amen” after the priest and crosses himself, because the child himself cannot do this either. The godfather will also have to make a vow of renunciation of Satan and a vow of union with Christ.

Before such an important day for the baby, adults should also prepare. On the eve of baptism, godparents need to go to church to confess and receive communion.

If they can fast for some time before this solemn day, this is very good, but not necessary. But what is important is that on the day of the ceremony the godparents do not have sex or eat food.

It is clear that since the godfather will need to say a prayer for his godson, he must know the words of the “Creed” by heart. True, in some churches they are allowed to be read. The godfather also holds the child in his arms during the ceremony.

How to choose a godfather

According to church rules, after christening the godparent cannot be “changed” for another. Therefore, you need to choose only a person who is close to the child’s mother and father, both spiritually and in his views. So that he would willingly visit his godson, pray for him, take him to church.

It becomes clear that the godfather, as the recipient of the baby, must himself be sanctified, that is, be Orthodox Christian. He cannot be a Catholic, a Muslim, a Jew or an atheist, even if such a person is your very close friend.

After all, the main thing that a godfather should do is to help his godson become a worthy Christian and grow in the traditions of the Orthodox faith. And it is not permissible for a representative of another faith to cross the Orthodox threshold.

Can a godfather be a close relative?

Why is it said “godfather of the child” in singular? Because the baby needs one godfather. Moreover, if you baptize a girl, then you need to choose a godmother for her, and if it’s a boy, then a godfather. In other words, the godparent must be the same gender as the baby.

There may be at least one other participant in the Sacrament (it so happens that parents usually take another godfather of a different gender), at least several. And all of them can be present at the consecration of the baby; the Church does not prohibit this. At the same time, there has long been a tradition of inviting both father and mother to be godparents.

As for close relatives, godparents can be the child’s grandparents, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters. But dad and mom - no!

They cannot become the successors of the same godson. It is considered a sin for a godparent to become the spouse of a godson.

As for the baby’s mother, she does not enter the Temple at all on the day of her child’s baptism. IN Lately The church allows the child's father to be present at the ceremony.

What to wear on a baby who will be baptized

According to church rules, the godfather must be brought into the church undressed for the baptismal ceremony. Therefore, they simply wrap it in a white sheet.

Since the Sacrament itself lasts quite a long time, it is allowed to put a diaper on the baby: so as not to be distracted if something happens.

There is a long-standing tradition of giving a godson a “bright robe,” or kryzhma. This can be an ordinary beautiful towel (it must be new, you should not wash it, you can iron it), or a white sheet with lace (after all, the rite of Baptism is very solemn). It is into it that the already consecrated baby will be received from the hands of the priest after being dipped into the font three times.

An elegant baptismal shirt is also prepared for the baby. The godmother usually embroiders it, not to mention the fact that she sews it herself. Often this honorable task is taken on by the baby’s grandmother. They put it on after the ceremony, that is, it will be his first Christian clothing. It is also customary to wear a cap, but this is not at all necessary.

What can you give to your godson?

The main attributes of a christening - a cross and a chain - are usually given by the godparent, traditionally the father. It is generally accepted that preference should be given. But everyone decides for themselves. However, for convenience during the ceremony (so as not to fiddle with fasteners), it is better to put it on a rope or ribbon.

Also, on the day of christening, the godfather can give a silver spoon (often a memorable engraving is made on it - the name of the baby and the date of the Sacrament).

Of course, godparents can bring anything as a gift. Just a cross and a spoon - traditional things, as they say, for all time.

The ceremony itself in the temple must be paid for, and these expenses are usually borne by the godparents. If the temple does not provide prices for such services, then it is assumed that the godparents will leave donations - as much as they deem necessary.

What signs are associated with baptism?

It is believed that during the process of the sacrament, the robe acquires certain miraculous abilities. And all because droplets of myrrh also fall on it, with which the parts of the child’s body are anointed in a cross shape after the font. That’s why many people don’t wash the cloth and cover their baby with it when he’s sick or doesn’t sleep well.

But most often kryzhma is used to sew a pillowcase for the baby’s first pillow.

The Church says that the sign that a girl must baptize the boy first, otherwise she may not get married, - clean water superstition.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Responsibilities of a godfather after Baptism

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

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

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

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

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

The godfather must be aware of the responsibility for his duties

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Baptism of a baby: what parents need to know

For Orthodox Christians, baptism is the second (but in a certain sense the main) spiritual birth of a person, his purification for subsequent existence, a kind of “pass” to heaven - the Kingdom of God. The newly enlightened person receives remission of previous sins. That is why Baptism, among all the Sacraments, is the first sacrament and is necessary for every person, looking for salvation and the meaning of life.

God-parents

Who are godparents?

The sacrament of baptism is a special rite. This is the purification of the soul and the spiritual birth of a person. According to the tradition of the Church, an infant should be baptized on the eighth or fortieth day of life. It is clear that at this age it is impossible to demand from him faith and repentance - the two main conditions for union with God. Therefore, godparents are assigned to them, who undertake to raise their godchildren in the spirit of Orthodoxy. So the choice of godparents should be approached with all responsibility. After all, in theory, they should become a second mother and a second father for your baby.

How to choose godparents?

When choosing a godfather for your baby, find someone you trust completely. These could be your close friends or relatives with whom you constantly support a good relationship. According to church tradition, if something happens to the parents, the godparents are obliged to replace them with the godson.

Only an Orthodox believer who is able to give an account of his faith can be a godfather. Actually, a boy needs only a godfather, and a girl only needs a godmother. But according to the ancient Russian tradition, both are invited. At your request there can be two, four, six...

According to the laws of the Orthodox Church, godparents cannot be:
- parents cannot be godparents of their child;
- husband and wife godparents of one baby;
- children (according to the decrees of the Holy Synod of 1836-1837, the godfather must be no younger than 15 years old, and the godmother no younger than 13 years old), because they are not yet able to vouch for the faith of the person being baptized, and they themselves do not know enough about the laws of Orthodoxy;
- immoral and insane people: the first because they do not deserve to be godparents by their very way of life, and the second because, due to illness, they are unable to vouch for the faith of the person being baptized or teach him the faith;
- non-Orthodox - the successors of the Orthodox.

What are the responsibilities of godparents?

Unfortunately, not every godparent understands why his new “position” is called that way. Visiting your godson and giving gifts on an angel’s or birthday day is, of course, good. However, this is far from the most important thing. Caring for a growing godson involves a lot.

First of all, this is a prayer for him. Learn to turn to God once a day - before going to bed. It's actually not difficult at all. Ask the Lord for health, salvation, help in raising your own children, the well-being of godchildren and relatives. It will be useful to master the path to the temple together with your child and take him to communion on a church holiday. It would be great to play educational games with your baby and read books to him. For example, many adults enjoy reading the children's Bible. It clearly describes all the main events of Sacred History.

In addition, godparents can make life much easier for young mothers who find it difficult to find time to spend with their baby. If everyone, to the best of their ability, spends their free hours communicating with the child, then they themselves will enjoy it.

Appearance of godparents

At the ceremony, the godparents (this is another name for the godfather) must come with the consecrated to the church pectoral crosses. In the traditions of the Slavic peoples, women in the temple always had a covered head and a dress below the knees with covered shoulders (little girls may be an exception). Don't wear shoes on high heels, since the baptism ceremony lasts from 30 minutes to 2 hours and most time you will have to stand with the child in your arms. As for men, there are no requirements for their clothing, but it is better to refrain from shorts and T-shirts. Such an outfit would look out of place in church.

Don't let the good old ways become a burden for you, because your nice trousers and new fashionable haircut can be shown off in other places. In church, it is better not to attract attention to yourself, focusing on the purpose of your parish.

Preparation for the ceremony

Currently, the ritual is performed mainly in churches. Only in exceptional cases, if, say, a child is very ill, can the sacrament be performed at home or in a hospital. Then a separate clean room must be allocated for the ceremony.

To baptize a child, you must first choose a church. Walk through the temples, listen to your feelings. But keep in mind that baptism does not always take place directly in the church. Most cathedrals have a baptismal chamber (or baptistery) - this is a separate room on the church grounds, specially adapted for this rite. In large churches, baptism usually takes place quite pompously and solemnly. But perhaps someone will like the secluded and calm atmosphere of small churches. Talk to the priest or the novices, they will tell you in detail about how the baptismal ceremony takes place in this church.

How to choose the day of baptism?

There is no church establishment of Baptism on the fortieth day; this is primarily due to the fact that until the fortieth day the Church keeps a woman-parent from entering the temple due to her postpartum infirmities and discharges that she experiences at this time. And the mother’s first entry into the temple after the break is accompanied by the reading of special cleansing prayers, before reading which she should not be present at the services.
But you don’t need to take the day of baptism literally; you can baptize the baby a little later, a little earlier. And now sometimes, at the request of the parents, a child is baptized before the fortieth day, especially when there is at least some danger to the child’s health (baptism in this case is considered as a protective rite).

In ancient times, the celebration of the sacrament was most often timed to coincide with the greatest Christian holidays, for example Easter. But gradually baptism turned into a family holiday. And now, on the contrary, the ritual is carried out almost every day, with the exception of such major church holidays as Christmas, Easter, Trinity. These days, churches are usually overcrowded and priests advise postponing the ceremony. You can come to most temples without an appointment. Usually the sacrament of baptism begins at 10 o'clock, immediately after the service. True, in this case there is a high probability that several other people will be baptized besides you and you will either have to wait, or you will be baptized along with others. It is much more convenient to agree in one or two weeks with the priest who will perform the sacrament on a specific date and time. Then your baby will be baptized first and splendid isolation. In addition, when choosing the day of baptism, try to ensure that it does not fall on critical days godmother. The fact is that during this period a woman should not venerate shrines: kiss the cross, icons, or better not enter the temple at all.

Preparing godparents for the baptismal ceremony

If you want to follow all the rules, start preparing for the ceremony in advance. Godparents need to go to church to confess, repent of their sins and receive communion. It is advisable (but not necessary) to fast for three to four days before the ceremony. But on the day of baptism, as well as before communion, godparents are not allowed to eat or have sex. At least one of the parents must know the “Creed” prayer by heart. As a rule, when a girl is baptized, the Creed is read by the godmother, and when a boy is baptized, by the father.

And one more thing: according to the unspoken rule, godparents bear all the costs of baptism. In some churches there are no official prices; it is believed that after the ceremony, godparents and guests make donations as much as they can. These costs are optional and their amount is not specified anywhere. But the custom is, as a rule, respected.

According to church custom, the godmother buys the kryzhma or “rizka”. This is a special fabric, or just a towel, in which the child is wrapped when taken out of the font. In addition, the godmother gives a baptismal shirt and a cap with lace and ribbons (for boys - with blue ones, for girls - with pink ones, respectively). The baptismal shirt is kept for life. According to custom, the towel is not washed after the child’s baptism, but is used if the child is sick.

The godfather, again according to custom, buys a baptismal cross and chain. Some believe that the cross and chain should be gold, some - silver, and some are of the opinion that small children should wear a cross on a ribbon or string.
What prayers do you need to know?

Every conscientious Christian needs to know the basic prayers: “Our Father”, “Virgin Mother of God”, “Creed”. During baptism, the godparents say the “Creed” prayer for the baby. All these prayers are in a short prayer book, which can be purchased at the church store if desired.

What to bring to the temple?

As already mentioned, baptism is birth into a new sinless life. Receiving the newly baptized person from the holy font, the godparents accept an absolutely pure being, without sin. A symbol of such purity is white clothing - kryzhma, which is brought to the temple along with a cross on a chain or thread. Who should buy a cross and who should buy a chain, let the godparents decide for themselves. At the end of the ceremony, the priest will bless them and put them on the baby.

The cover for a small child will be an openwork diaper, a baptismal shirt or a new towel that has not yet been washed.

What happens during the sacrament of baptism?

The priest, godparents and child are the main participants in the sacrament. According to ancient customs, the child’s mother and father should not be present when the sacrament is performed. Although recently the church has been more loyal to this prohibition and allows the father, and sometimes the mother of the baby, after saying a special prayer, to observe the ceremony together with those invited.

Throughout the entire ceremony, the recipients stand next to the priest and one of them holds the person being baptized in his arms. Before performing the ceremony, a priest in white robes walks around the baptismal room or temple and reads three prayers. After which he asks the godparents and godson to turn their faces to the west - symbolically this is the abode of Satan. And, turning to the person being baptized, he asks several questions.

Questions and answers are repeated three times. After this, the godparents must read the “Symbol of Faith” - this summary the fundamentals of the Christian faith, which all Orthodox Christians should know by heart. Then the anointing takes place. Having dipped the brush into a vessel with myrrh, the priest anoints the forehead, eyes, nostrils, mouth, ears, chest, arms and legs of the person being baptized with a cross. And with each anointing he says: “The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen". The godparents and the priest repeat: “Amen.”

After anointing, a lock of hair is cut from the head, which remains in the temple as a pledge of dedication and a symbol of sacrifice to God. If a child is baptized in the cold season or conditions do not allow him to undress ( low temperature in the baptismal room), free the baby’s arms and legs in advance.

Then the priest takes the child from them and directly performs the rite of baptism - immersing the person being baptized three times in the font. If the baptismal room is warm, then most likely your baby will be dipped naked. But when it is cold in the temple, only the neck, arms and feet are exposed for anointing. Then one of the godparents takes the baby from the hands of the priest. That is why godparents are also called godparents. It is believed that, having accepted the baby in their arms after the ceremony, parents undertake the obligation to raise their godson in the Orthodox spirit throughout their lives and to be held accountable for this upbringing at the Last Judgment. If they cannot see their godson often, they should at least mention him in their daily prayers.

Prayer Creed

I believe in one God, Father, Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, everything visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only Begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages: Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not created, one being with the Father, by Him all things were created.

For the sake of us people and for the sake of our salvation, He came down from heaven, and took flesh from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became human.

He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried. And rose again on the third day, according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, and sat on right side Father.

And He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; His Kingdom will have no end.

And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, worshiped with the Father and the Son, and glorified, who spoke through the prophets.

Into one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.

I recognize one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.

I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the age to come.

Who is a godfather? In the minds of modern people, a godfather is a person who agreed to take on this responsibility and was present at baptism. He is also recorded in a special book. However, this is not all.

Being a godfather is very responsible and places serious responsibilities on a man for the spiritual education of his ward. The godfather should not be limited to some narrow range of responsibilities; he is obliged to take as much as possible, but at the same time active participation in the upbringing of the godson. He should become his support and support in everything, pray for his health and take him to Communion. Those who rarely attend church may not know about this. For church people, this is not news; they understand what it means to be a godfather.

For worldly people, far from church affairs, but who want to become godparents, you need to understand these issues and approach your responsibilities with all your heart and soul.

What should a godfather do?

In order for the godfather to lead his godson on the right path, he needs to know this path himself. Need to know Orthodox faith, customs of Christianity, being a believer. But in modern realities everything turns out to be far from being the case. Often godfathers limit themselves to being present at the baptismal ceremony; in later life they congratulate their ward on holidays, give gifts and nothing more.

But what word did “godfather” come from? From the word "cross". The cross is a symbol of Christianity; it has a very deep meaning that cannot be understood one-sidedly. The cross symbolizes the suffering of Jesus Christ and reminds people of his love for them. The cross is also a reminder that everyone in life has their own cross of hardships, problems and responsibilities, which they must carry through life with dignity and not bow their heads.

That is why a person undergoing baptism is put on a cross around his neck, thereby becoming dedicated to God. The cross of education in Christianity is the holy duty of the godfather. On the one hand, the word “cross” can evoke unpleasant associations and remind of something difficult. On the other hand, it is a responsibility to the duties of every Christian, due to which God’s grace descends upon him. All this a person can find in earthly life.

A godfather's prayer for his ward has great power, and this should not be underestimated. He must have love for this little creature who is just beginning to live. If a child is surrounded by love and care from a young age, then it will be easier for him to overcome everything. life difficulties. The godfather not only holds the baby securely in his arms during the ceremony, but also supports him throughout his life.

How a godfather congratulates his godson

This can be either a verbal congratulation or a material gift. The godfather congratulates the child on major church holidays, as well as on his birthday. If he wishes, he can congratulate him on other dates. If the godfather is somewhere far away on a significant day, then he must definitely call the godson so that he understands that he is remembered and cared for.

You can give your godson any gift that he likes. But it is advisable not to forget about spiritual gifts, for example, from time to time presenting an icon or church literature, something that will help him in his spiritual formation.

Krestinoe.ru will help you choose the right gift for your godson.