I'll be the godfather what to do. What should be a real father? After the rite of baptism

01.04.2019

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

The role of the godfather in the life of a child

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

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

What do you need to know when choosing godparents?

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

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

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

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

Who can't be a godmother?

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

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

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

Necessary items for the ceremony

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

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

Is there any special preparation for the recipients before the ceremony?

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

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

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

Present

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

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

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

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

How were christenings celebrated in ancient times?

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

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

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

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

How is the baptism? Responsibilities of a godfather

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

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

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

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

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

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

Baptism at home

In addition to baptism in the temple, it will not be reprehensible to perform this sacrament at home, in the family circle. However, it is better to do it in the right place. This comes from the fact that after the baptism, the boys must be brought to the altar (the girls simply venerate the icons).

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

New Christian Church Life

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

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

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

This is how habituation and a beneficial effect on the human soul occurs. Church hymns and prayers soothe and strengthen. During adolescence, there may be difficult questions. If godparents or parents cannot give answers to them, then it is better to turn to the priest.

Conclusion

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

DatsoPic 2.0 2009 by Andrey Datso

Many of us were baptized as infants. And of course, we can't remember how it all happened. It may also happen that we will be asked to become the godmother or father of the baby. And then, we need to know the entire Sacrament of Baptism and whether we can become someone's recipient. And when a joyful event occurs in our family - the birth of a child, then we need to think about who we can entrust the spiritual upbringing of our child to.

What should a godfather do during baptism?

Being a godfather is a very responsible and honorable thing. The Orthodox Church leads small children through the rite of Baptism according to the faith of godparents and parents. Since, by participating in the Sacrament, the godparents take on great responsibility for the little parishioner of the Church, of course, they should be Orthodox believers.

Only according to the faith of parents and godparents, the Orthodox Church baptizes babies. When the sacrament of the baptism of the baby is performed, his godfather (of the same gender as the child himself) will hold his godson. We understand that a small person, when Baptism takes place, is not able to comprehend what is happening, therefore, for him to pronounce the vow of faith before Christ and, accordingly, the renunciation of Satan will be made by his godfather. And from that moment on, the Angels begin to keep the baby according to the faith and prayers of the godparents and parents.

Duties of godparents after baptism.

It is very important that the godparents take part in Church life, so that they are not so-called believers, but truly live Orthodox customs. Why is it so important? After all, the duties of godparents begin to enter into force after Baptism, and not be limited only to the rite of the Sacrament.

Let's look at the three main responsibilities of godparents:

Prayer - the godfather is obliged to constantly be in prayer for his godson. He asks to keep the God of the little one and to give wisdom in growth. The godparent, by his example, should teach the godson to remain in prayer with reverence, reverence and thanksgiving to God. The kid needs to know that we give all our worries into our hands. loving god. And that prayer is a conversation with God the Father, which He always expects from us.

creed - when the baby grows up and begins to understand the basics of life, we need (as godparents) to lead him to a conscious prayer of repentance. And then, again, showing an example of personal spiritual life, to teach to follow Christ. With love in our hearts, and only in this way, we can make a child fall in love with God.

moralizing - baby from the very beginning young age will learn to abide in love, virtue, mercy, when the godparents spend a lot of time teaching this child. The kid must understand that being a Christian and simply being called are two different things.

The Church teaches us that on the Day of Judgment we will give an account to God for how we brought our godson, as well as our children, to Christ. Our godchildren will be a clear indicator of how obedient and faithful we ourselves were to God. Therefore, accepting an agreement to be a godparent is very, very responsible, and we must not forget about this.

What can you give to a godson?

Of course, a pectoral cross can be a good gift for our godson. What it will be made of is according to the capabilities and efforts of the godparents. But the main thing is that the cross should be of the form that is accepted in Orthodox Church.

And even earlier, in those distant times It was customary to give the same silver spoon. This spoon was called "gift for a tooth". It was used when the baby first begins to eat from a spoon.

Today, few people can afford such a gift. But if you don’t have enough money for a silver spoon, the baby’s daily items will come in handy. You will please not only your godson, but also his parents.

How to choose the right godfather for your child?

It is very important that the godparents are baptized Orthodox believers. Pay attention to whether your godparents can instill a child's love for God and the Church. Do they themselves have the church life to be good example for your baby? We should not base our choices solely on financial assistance from godparents or friendly feelings.

You need to think about whether your godparents will be spiritual educators for your child?

It is possible for a child to have one godfather. It is important at the same time that he be of the same gender as the baby. And of course, that he had the above criteria.

Who can't be a godfather?

In no case should non-Christians - Muslims, Jews, atheists, Buddhists, and so on, be godparents. Even if these people are your close friends and good friends, in no case should you transfer the spiritual education of your child to non-Christians.

There are exceptional options - when there is no Orthodox friend nearby, then you can allow one of your acquaintances belonging to another Christian confession to the Sacrament of Baptism: a Protestant or a Catholic. This can only happen if you are confident in this person's sincere walking for Christ.

There is also old tradition Orthodox Church that a husband and wife cannot become the recipients of the same baby. Therefore, young people who wish to marry should think about this before responding to an offer to become godparents to one child.

Is it true that the girl of the first can only baptize a boy?

There is such a superstition, but this opinion has nothing to do with Christian roots. This erroneous transmission of an initially false look gave rise to such a superstition that if the first godson is a girl, then this will prevent the young woman from marrying. Orthodox Christian should not build its opinion on fictitious restrictions that the Orthodox Church does not teach.

Conclusion.

Obviously it would be reasonable if people who have life experience in the Christian life, having a good conscience and reverence from people and God. If, in addition, we can see the good fruits of their upbringing of their own children, then our hearts will be calm and grateful to God for the help provided in guiding our children through the lives.

Maria Sokolova is the pregnancy expert for Coldy magazine. Mom of three children, an obstetrician by education, a writer by vocation.

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ABOUT important matters a lot has been said to a young mother, even more has been written, and maternal instinct, if anything, he will prompt. But dads, as usual, can forget something, so they need clear instruction and a to-do list for the period before and after childbirth. .

Dad's to-do list before giving birth

Preparing for the appearance of crumbs is a duty not only future mother. This also applies to dad. His awareness of his own responsibility and, of course, psychological readiness. Among other things, a significant role is played by the home environment. Dad's Duty make life easier for your spouse and create comfortable conditions for baby . How? Mom probably already made a list of the necessary little things for the crumbs in advance, not to mention the purchase of those items that a man does not understand at all. Therefore, the focus should be on truly masculine tasks.

Choosing a cradle for a baby

It must be chosen correctly, not forgetting to check the stability and practicality. See also: To do this, remember about the following criteria choice:

Buying a stroller for an heir

In choosing this thing, you need to be guided by the fact that the spouse will most often ride. Based on this, and purchase a stroller, paying attention to it:

Buying a washing machine

If you do not yet have an automatic machine, then urgently correct this situation and buy washing machine- this will save strength to your wife and nerves - to you. What should be remembered?
abundance additional features- superfluous. Ironing right in the car, silver nano-treatment and other fun will only double the cost of the machine.

Optimal feature set : quick wash, long wash, wash baby clothes, delicate, boiling.
It's good if the car is economical in terms of water and electricity.

The first day after childbirth - what should dad do?

Call your wife first. Do not forget to thank her for the birth of the baby and tell her how much you love them both.
Call your loved ones, please them with the most important event in your life. And at the same time, free your wife from unnecessary calls and the need to answer the same questions about weight, height, nose shape and eye color ten times.
Please contact the reception. Ask if it is possible to visit a young mother, what hours, and what is allowed to be transmitted.
Bags for the maternity hospital with things for mom and baby are probably already ready. But it won't hurt understaff them with kefir, unsweetened cookies, apples(only green) and those unusual things that your wife will ask you over the phone.
Don't get too carried away with washing your feet. Now it is more important to visit the hospital more often so that the wife feels your attention. Send messages, send SMS, call and be on duty under the window, waiting for your spouse to show you your little one. Do not skimp on surprises - these days spent in the hospital are never forgotten by a woman. Give her happy memories.
Assemble the crib if it hasn't been collected yet. Check it for stability.

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

The role of the godfather in the life of a child

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

What do you need to know when choosing godparents?

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

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

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

Who can't be a godmother?

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

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

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

Necessary items for the ceremony

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

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

Is there any special preparation for the recipients before the ceremony?

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

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

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

Present

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

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

How were christenings celebrated in ancient times?

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

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

How is the baptism? Responsibilities of a godfather

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

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

Baptism at home

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

New Christian Church Life

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

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

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

Conclusion

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

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

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

Many parents formally approach the Baptism of their children and just as formally choose godparents.

Now a little about the sad. Most modern godparents are very ill-prepared. To the greatest regret, many parents approach the sacrament of Baptism of their children in a completely formal way and just as formally choose godparents. After all, the godfather should not be just a good man, with whom we are pleased to communicate, our friend or relative - he must be an Orthodox person, church-going and knowing his faith. How can we teach someone the basics of faith if we ourselves do not even know the very basics, have not read the Gospel, do not know the prayers? After all, in any field, if a person knows some business well, for example, knows how to drive a car, work on a computer, decide math problems, make repairs, he can teach this to others, transfer his knowledge. And if he himself knows nothing in this area, whom can he teach?

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

It is necessary to start spiritual education from the most basic, basic books, such as The Law of God, First Steps in an Orthodox Church, and others. Be sure to read the Gospel; You can start with the "Gospel of Mark", it is the shortest, only 16 chapters, and was written specifically for novice Christians from pagans.

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

The recipient is obliged to know the Creed and read it at baptism, in this prayer the Orthodox dogma is briefly stated, and the godfather must know what he believes. And of course, the godfather must live according to the commandments of God, pray to God and take communion. By church canons a child is entitled to one godfather, of the same sex as the one being baptized, but our Russian tradition assumes two godparents - a man and a woman. They must not be married to each other. Godparents then cannot marry their godchildren or marry them. The father and mother of a child cannot be godparents, but other relatives: grandparents, uncles and aunts, brothers and sisters may well become godparents. Receivers, preparing for the sacrament of Baptism, must confess and partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.