A young couple gathered to baptize the baby. And then a sea of questions: whom to take as godparents? How to baptize? Where to apply? What is needed for that? The questions were sorted out, the child was christened. And now a new dilemma: who is the godfather of the child's father? And godmother- the baby's mother? They became relatives, it is understandable. What are these relatives called? Now we'll find out.
How godparents are chosen
I would like to apologize to readers for this story. It could be called funny if it weren't so sad. The story was published in the book of the priest Yaroslav Shipov. And is true.
A man comes to church. From among the villagers. He needs to talk to his father. They called the priest from the altar, and the visitor right off the bat. And his question is wild: is it possible to rebaptize his son. The priest, of course, would not allow it. Baptized once and for life. But he could not resist and asked: what is the reason for such a decision? To which he received the answer: you can’t drink with the current godparents. The godmother drank herself, and the godfather - tied up.
By no means do we want to say that our dear readers baptize children just for the sake of such gatherings. This is complete absurdity. But let's think about how we choose godparents for our children. What are we guided by?
- First, we trust those people who should become godparents.
- Secondly, we know: if something happens to us, the godparents will not leave the baby, they will take care.
- And thirdly, many godparents help godchildren financially. They buy expensive gifts, walk and entertain. In general, they remove part of the costs from parents.
Well, good people, of course, the chosen godparents.
It's all like that. Just the wrong approach. And before we figure out who the godfather is to the child's parents, let's find out: how to choose godparents.
What should we be guided by
The godfather is the godfather of the child before God. And his task includes responsibility for the spiritual education of his godson.
Spiritual education does not mean helping parents financially and physically. No, no one cancels or forbids this. But the main task is to accustom the godson to the faith, to educate him in the bosom of the church. In other words, the godfather is responsible for the spiritual life of his successor. And it is he who must instill in the godson the love of God.
Therefore, when we choose godparents, we must pay attention to the fact that they are believers. Not just baptized, but familiar with church life from the inside. Otherwise, what can godparents teach a child who do not know a single prayer? And by the way, they have a very big responsibility. They will answer to God for their godchildren.
Duties of Godparents to the Parents of a Godchild
Who is the godfather to the child's father? Kum is the real one. It is believed that from the moment the baby is baptized, the godparents and blood parents are related. Even if they are not related by blood.
This is not entirely true. The godfather does not bear obligations to the parents, except for raising the godchild in the faith. By and large, helping them support a child is not in his competence. Responsible for his spiritual development is another matter. And to feed, water, dress - the task of parents. Godparents and blood parents do not become relatives. Spiritual kinship arises only between the recipient and his ward.
Misconceptions about godparents
Who is the godmother to the child's father? Kuma. What you need to know about the delusions, one way or another connected with godfathers?
- An unmarried girl cannot baptize a girl. Allegedly, she gives her happiness. All this is nonsense. Of course, when a godfather has a husband and children, she is more experienced in everyday life. And he knows how to raise children. But she can be completely unscrupulous in faith. Just as an unmarried girl can be a believer, and instill in her goddaughter love for God.
- The same nonsense with an unmarried guy. It is impossible for him to baptize a boy, he gives up his fate. Don't believe. This is bullshit.
- Pregnant women are not allowed to become godparents. Either the child is born dead, or the godson dies. It was hard to think of anything more stupid. The only point is that it will be difficult for a woman preparing to become a mother to allocate time for the spiritual education of her godson. Only because of this it is more appropriate to refuse the title of godmother.
- If a child cries during baptism, God does not accept him. Where this nonsense came from is unknown. But you can still face this savagery. Aunts and grandmothers, who are at the christening, begin to gasp and lament. Like, a baby we have a bad time crying excitedly. This is not a bad baby, this is a problem for aunts and grandmothers. The child is just scared, hot, mom is not around. Here he is crying.
- If you didn’t enter into an intimate relationship with a godfather, life is over. Yes, there is an opinion that godparents are simply obliged to sleep with each other. It is unacceptable. God-parents they do not have the right to enter into an intimate relationship with each other, the parents of the godson and with the godson himself. This is a great sin, for which they are excommunicated from the church.
How to prepare for christening?
Who is the godfather of a daughter to a blood father? This we found out - godfather. Now let's talk about how godfathers prepare for christening.
The following duties fall on the shoulders of the godparents:
- purchase of a cross, baptismal shirt;
- christening fees;
- expenses for candles and other paraphernalia.
Parents are responsible for festive table. Is it necessary to give gifts to godparents? And should godparents give gifts to their ward and his parents? This is at the discretion of each of them. Do you have the ability and desire? Why not give a gift.
Before the christening, the future godparents take a course of obligatory lectures. Now this condition has been introduced in almost all churches. You will have to listen to at least three lectures.
How to book a christening
Qom is the one who is the father of the godson to the godfather. And he negotiates with the priest about the christening of the baby.
How to do it? Come to the temple, preferably on Sunday. Defend the service. No time? Then come to the end of the service. Ask for a candle box to call the priest. And say that you want to become a godfather, you need to baptize the child.
The priest will tell you everything else: when to come to the catechumens, how to behave at baptism, what prayers to learn before christening.
It is important
Who is the godfather of the child's father and mother, we found out. What to do with the godmother? Imagine the situation: a course of lectures was listened to, the day of christening was appointed. Father is waiting, the guests have gathered. And the future godmother's critical days have come.
At this time, a woman cannot enter the temple and proceed to any sacraments. They include baptism. Therefore, in order to avoid embarrassment, look in advance at the women's calendar. And ask for a christening appointment after a week of indisposition has passed. According to church rules, a woman is considered unclean for a week.
And one more thing: come to the christening in a skirt or dress. Be sure to wear a headscarf. Godfathers come in trousers. Frivolous outfits, such as shorts, are prohibited. Shoulders and arms must be covered, so T-shirts - "wrestlers" are canceled.
Conclusion
So we talked about who the godfather is to the father of the child. Remember: godparents and blood parents are godfathers. The godfather is godfather. Godmother, respectively, godfather.
The material dealt with the main misconceptions associated with godparents. It also tells how to prepare for christening, what are the actions of godparents and what obligations they have to the parents of their successor.
Unless one is born of water and the Spirit,
cannot enter the Kingdom of God(John 3:5)
The birth of a child in an Orthodox family is followed by his baptism. Unfortunately, not all Orthodox Christians are churched, so many questions arise: what are the terms for the baptism of a child, how does the procedure itself go, who are the godparents, who can be spiritual teachers for boys and girls?
The Orthodox Church does not set the age for the baptism of children. In each family, this issue is resolved independently, based on the characteristics of the way of life, the health of the child, and so on.
For centuries, a tradition has been established to baptize babies no earlier than 40 days from the date of birth. There is an explanation for this. Jesus Christ parents brought to the Temple for dedication to God on the fortieth day, according to the custom of the ancient Jews.
During the same period, a woman after childbirth goes through a period of purification. After reading a special prayer, she can visit the temple and fully participate in the life of the Church and its Sacraments, including being present at the baptism of her child.
If the baby is weak and sick, you can wait until he grows up and gets stronger. The Church prays for a "mother with a child", so God's help will not leave them both, but the child's full participation in church life will be possible only after baptism.
If the life of a newborn is threatened by death, then it is better to baptize him as early as possible in order to be able to pray for health or commemorate during the Liturgy. Regular communion, which is possible only for a Christian, will strengthen the physical and spiritual strength of the child.
When the family decides to baptize their child, but still you should not postpone the most important event in his life for a long time. There is one more argument in favor of such a decision: a baby at the age of 1-2 months is not yet attached to his mother and family, he is not afraid of strangers and extraneous sounds. Throughout the Sacrament, the godparents will hold the baby in their arms; an older child may resist this.
Features of christening boys and girls
The sacrament of Baptism can be performed on a person who consciously believes in Christian truths. An adult himself testifies to his readiness to unite with Christ and receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Babies cannot be expected to have conscious faith. During the celebration of the Sacrament of Baptism, they must take a vow of fidelity to God, renounce the forces of evil and sin.
Is it possible to baptize them? “Yes, it is possible,” the Orthodox Church answers. Godparents from the font or godparents are given to the baby at baptism in order to answer for him before the Lord not only during the sacrament itself, but also in the subsequent earthly and eternal life. According to their faith and the faith of their parents, babies are baptized.
Godparents have a special role in the spiritual upbringing of a child. They make a promise to God to lead the godson through life in a Christian way, to educate him in the spirit of the Orthodox faith. The life of the recipients themselves should be a worthy example of piety and love for God, for those around them. According to the established tradition, the godfather and godmother are chosen for the child, by analogy with the parents.
However, according to church canons, one thing is enough:
- men - for a boy;
- women are for girls.
There may even be a gender mismatch. However, each such case is considered individually, the decision is made by the priest. The main thing is that the future godparents should be full members of the Orthodox Church, know the basics of the Orthodox faith and be ready to spiritually educate the child.
Who can not be among the godparents according to church rules?
For newborn boys and girls, before choosing a godparent, it is necessary to find out who can and who cannot become them.
The priest will refuse to conduct the Sacrament of Baptism if the following are chosen for the role of recipients:
Can godparents be husband and wife, or become one in the future? There are no canons forbidding this in Orthodoxy. In 2017, the Council of Bishops updated the permission for the marriage of godparents with the blessing of the diocesan bishop. Such permission was before, but there was a tradition to prohibit such marriages.
Who can be a godparent for a boy or girl?
The main criterion in choosing the recipients is their belonging to Orthodoxy, as well as their adherence to the Church - the desire to live in accordance with Christian truths, to fight sin, to correct themselves.
The mission of the recipients is to testify before God for their ward about faith, about renunciation of Satan, in the promise to build their lives according to the commandments of God, in helping their godson or goddaughter to fulfill all these promises in the future life.
Spiritual work continues throughout the life of godparents and their godchildren. Prayer for godchildren should be supported by real deeds: take the child to communion, read spiritual literature with him, learn prayer, explain the basics of the Orthodox faith. 
The Church allows one of the godparents to be of another Christian denomination - a Catholic or a Protestant, if there is no way to find an Orthodox Christian in the family environment.
A clergyman can become a godparent, but as a rule, they have many responsibilities and there will be little free time for full communication with the godson.
Adulthood is an optional but desirable condition. The responsibility that godparents take on in the face of God presupposes an understanding of the importance of the role of a recipient and an understanding of what spiritual mentoring is.
Can godparents be relatives of a child?
Relatives of the child, including the closest ones, can be chosen to be the recipient. Except for the parents.
Before choosing one of the relatives as the godparent of your child, you need to think about this: it will take several years, and the child will grow up. Teenagers are not ready to discuss their problems with their closest relatives, such is the psychology of this age.
They are looking for an authoritative adult outside the family. The godfather could become such a person, help and guide the teenager in the right direction along the Christian path of development. Of course, provided that all previous years he took an active part in the upbringing of his godson, and they developed a trusting relationship.
From this point of view, the choice of close relatives for the role of godparents is not always the best solution.
It is right to choose churched Orthodox Christians who will raise a child in faith and love for God, respect for people.
Questions to be answered:
- Who can be trusted with the body and soul of a child?
- Who will help raise him in the faith?
- Who can be spiritually related?
Godparents are mentors in the Orthodox faith, not rare guests with birthday gifts. True Christian love is the most valuable gift to godchildren from godparents, and the most important role is to be an example in the organization of Christian life.
How to choose godparents for a child if the parents are unbelievers?
Unbelieving parents can baptize their children. Strictly speaking, the presence of parents is optional. In some churches, the priest does not allow parents to attend the Sacrament at all.
Atheists can be godparents for boys and girls AT Soviet times grandmothers brought their children to be baptized without the participation of atheist parents.
They preserved and remembered the Orthodox faith and hoped for the mercy of God. Having matured, these children came to God already consciously.
Godparents, who can be spiritual educators for boys and girls, take full responsibility for raising the child in gospel truths.
Their role increases many times over: only they will be able to graft a twig to the Tree of Life, to nurture the seeds of the Orthodox faith in the soul of the godson.
You can baptize a child even if the parents are of a different faith.
In such situations, first of all, you need to think about the benefits for the child: the consent of the parents for baptism must be in order to avoid conflicts.
Is it possible to baptize a child without godparents?
Sometimes life situations arise when a child needs to be baptized without delay, for example, if he is threatened with death. A priest can perform the Sacrament of Baptism without a recipient, so that there is an opportunity to help the child in the struggle for life with the help of the Holy Gifts and the common prayer of the entire Orthodox Church.
In the future, when the baby gets better, you can find people who will become godparents for the child and help parents spiritually nurture the boy or girl. Church parents can do this on their own.
In emergency situations, the laity can baptize an infant by saying the Baptismal Prayer. At the first opportunity, the priest will complete what he has begun, since the process of Baptism consists of several stages and ends with the Sacrament of Chrismation.
Responsibilities of Godparents
Godparents in relation to their godchildren have serious obligations to educate them in the traditions of the Orthodox Church:
Godparents renounce sin for the child and undertake obligations for the spiritual upbringing of the godson before God. The Church teaches that at the last judgment He will ask for the upbringing of the godchildren in the same way as for the upbringing of his own children.
Now it becomes clear why the choice of godparents is a responsible and difficult decision. The connection with them can become stronger than with blood relatives, since it is sanctified by the Lord and based on Christian love.
How should godparents prepare for the Great Sacrament?
There is nothing special in preparation for a person who has been churched. Prayer, fasting, confession, communion, reading the Gospel - this is the ordinary life of a Christian. Each parish may have its own traditions, so you should find out in the church where the baptism will take place, if there are any special requirements for the recipients.
In many parishes, so-called categorical meetings are held for those future godparents who are still little acquainted with the life of the Church. The priest explains in detail the main provisions of the Orthodox faith, talks about the Sacrament of Baptism, as well as those traditions of the parish that relate to baptism.
Godparents, who can be godparents for boys and girls from the font, so as not to approach holy duties formally, should prepare themselves for participation in the upcoming Sacrament:
- read at least one gospel;
- carefully study the Creed - it is pronounced aloud during baptism;
- if possible, learn "Our Father" - one of the main Christian prayers;
- confess and take communion.
Even if the priest does not demand, it is advisable to take such steps. The duties of godparents require initiation into the Church. Therefore, from this moment, the deliverance of the recipients themselves from sinful slavery can begin, the beginning of their new life in Christ and with Christ has been laid. Only then is it possible to fully fulfill the duties of a spiritual mentor.
In an Orthodox church, a woman must be in a skirt covering her knees and with her head covered. A man must be in trousers, and without a headdress.
What should godparents have during christening?
To conduct the Sacrament of Baptism, a priest needs only a pectoral cross and a shirt, everything else is a tribute to tradition.
Most often godparents prepare:
These items are kept for life as a shrine. Kryzhma does not need to be washed: if the child gets sick, you can cover the baby with it so that it helps to recover sooner.
There are no strict rules about who prepares what for baptism. Different localities and parishes have their own traditions, and they may differ from each other. It is necessary to agree in advance who is responsible for what.
Parents of the child themselves can prepare everything necessary. Things sewn or knitted will keep the warmth of the hands and the love of the one who created them.
What else to consider before Baptism:
- An important question concerns the cost of baptism. The Sacrament of Baptism, like all other Sacraments and rites of the Church, is performed free of charge. As a token of gratitude, you can donate a certain amount to the temple. Its size can be found at the parish or determined by yourself.
- Usually a child is given a certificate of baptism, the names of the child and godparents are written in it, so their documents may be needed.
- You need to find out if it is possible to photograph the process of Baptism, not all priests allow this.
- The sacrament lasts long enough, the baby will need the usual care products.
Baptism procedure
Baptism takes place in the temple itself or in a special baptismal room, which can be a separate building. In fact, these are two separate Sacraments following one after another: Baptism and Chrismation.
The whole procedure lasts about 40 minutes. All this time, the baby is in the hands of the recipients, they give it to the priest when the ceremony requires it. 
Godparents, who can be spiritual parents for boys or girls, can familiarize themselves with the Baptism scheme, to imagine how things will happen:
| Stages of the baptism process | Activities taking place in the temple |
Announcement rank:
| Above the baptized, special prayers of "prohibitions" are read. |
| The recipient, on behalf of the baby, aloud renounces Satan three times. |
| One of the godparents reads the Creed for the baby. |
Mystery of Baptism:
| The priest reads special prayers for consecration, first water, and then oil (oil) |
| The recipient accepts the child after the font in kryzhma. The priest puts a cross on the child. |
| Baptismal shirt the recipients put on the baby |
| Sacrament of Confirmation: | Parts of the body are anointed with chrism, thus giving the gifts of the Holy Spirit. |
| Godparents with candles and a baby in their arms go around the font three times. |
| They listen to the Gospel with candles in their hands. |
| The priest washes away the remains of the world. |
| From the baby's head, the priest cuts off a little hair in a cross-shaped manner, which he wraps in wax and lowers into the font. This is the first sacrifice to God and a sign of obedience to Him. |
| The priest goes around the temple with a baby in his arms, and the boys are still brought to the altar. |
The next day, it is desirable for the child to receive communion for the first time.
The sacrament of Baptism is the first sacrament that a Christian receives. Without it, the beginning of a new life with Christ and in Christ is impossible, and, therefore, salvation is impossible. The newborn child has not yet done anything wrong, but he inherits the sinful nature of his first parents. He is already on his way to death.
During Baptism, in an incomprehensible way, a person is cleansed of sin, dies for it and is born again in purity, receives hope for salvation and eternal life. Perhaps this is only in conjunction with the Lord. The Church is called the body of Christ.
According to her wise dispensation, the Sacrament of Confirmation follows immediately after Baptism. A person receives the mysterious gifts of the Holy Spirit, which will act invisibly in him and strengthen him in his striving to live according to Christ.
Godparents, who can guide boys and girls on the path to eternal life, take responsibility for whether they move forward or stay put. The Sacrament of Baptism has so far only placed the child at the beginning of this road.
Is the magical, magical effect of Baptism possible without faith? The answer to this question is given by the Gospel: “According to your faith, let it be done to you” (Matt. 9:29). Where there is true faith, there is no need for superstition.
What to give to the godson or goddaughter?
A christening gift should carry a spiritual meaning, be useful for the further upbringing of the child in Orthodox traditions and remind about the day of spiritual birth.
It can be:
A bunch of interesting gifts sold in church shops. It's not about the cost, but about the spiritual value of the subject.
Can a pregnant woman be a godmother?
There are no obstacles for a woman in the position of becoming a godmother.
It is necessary to assess whether she has enough love, kindness and opportunities for two children: her own unborn and adopted. From godparents, not only spiritual and prayerful help is required, but also effective, requiring strength and time.
Is it possible to refuse godparents?
A child cannot refuse such godparents. Godparents can change for the worse and stop fulfilling their duties in relation to the godson or goddaughter. In such cases, you need to teach the child to pray for their correction. This will be a lesson for him in Christian love and mercy.
If parents still need help in the spiritual upbringing of a child, you can find a pious church person and ask him to take on the duties of a godparent, but he still will not be considered a godparent. For such an agreement, it is necessary to obtain the blessing of a priest or confessor, if any.
Is it possible to baptize a child for a normal upbringing in the faith?
The concept of crossover Orthodox Church no. A person is not born twice either physically or spiritually, and Baptism is a spiritual birth in Christ.
In order for a child to be brought up in the Orthodox faith, the surrounding adults must live according to the canons of this faith and be an example in a pious Christian life.
The responsibility that falls on the godparents is great. Their mission goes beyond the limited time of earthly life. Godparents are those who can be guides for boys and girls to the Kingdom of God.
Article formatting: Vladimir the Great
Baptism video
What you need to know before baptizing a child:
Baptism is one of important events in life Orthodox person. It is believed that he receives a certain pass to the Kingdom of God. This is the moment of the spiritual birth of a person, when his former sins are forgiven, and the soul is cleansed. 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.
- 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 difficult situation with money or work).
What do you need to know when choosing godparents?
So, how to choose a godfather, or a godfather? What should be guided? First, you should know that in the spiritual life of a child, the godfather of the same sex is most important (for a boy - a godfather, for a girl - a godmother). However, according to an established tradition, two are chosen as godfathers.
Of course, the decision on who will be the spiritual educator of the child throughout his life is made at the family council. If there are any difficulties in choosing, then consult with the priest or spiritual father. He will certainly suggest a suitable candidate, because this is a rather honorable duty.
It is very important that godparents do not get lost in life, so that they continue to spiritually nourish the child throughout life. Both the godmother and the godfather, whose duties and functions are described above, bear their responsibility before the Lord.
Based on all this, Christians who are over fourteen years of age are suitable for the role of spiritual parents. They take responsibility for the child's further spiritual life, praying for him, and then teaching him to live in the Lord.
Who can't be a godmother?
When choosing a godfather or mother, you need to know who cannot be one for your child:
- Those who are going to become spouses in the future or already are such in the present.
- Baby's parents.
- Those who have taken monasticism.
- Unbaptized people or unbelievers in the Lord.
- You can not take as godparents people who have a mental illness.
- Those who profess a different faith.
All this should be considered before a godfather is chosen. His duties are quite extensive, so the person who agreed to be him should be clearly aware of everything.
Necessary items for the ceremony
You should tell in more detail about what items are needed for this ceremony:
- Kryzhma. This is a special towel on which a cross is embroidered or simply depicted. A child is wrapped in it during chrismation, and also when the prohibition prayers are read. Sometimes the name of the baby and the date of his baptism are embroidered on such a towel.
- Baptismal diaper. It's not exactly a necessary attribute, but it should be when it's cold. This diaper wipes the baby after dipping into the font, and then again wrapped in kryzhma.
- Clothes for christening. It can be a christening set (dress) for a girl or a special shirt for a boy. It is desirable that these clothes be purchased as a gift by the child's accomplice.
- It is necessary to have a pectoral cross with you for a future Christian. Usually it is acquired by the godfather. The baptismal obligations for him, of course, are not limited to this acquisition, but they will be described below.
- It is necessary to take an envelope for the cut hair of the baby with you.
- You should also purchase icons for the child and make a donation to the temple (this is an optional condition).
Is there any special preparation for the recipients before the ceremony?
You should also pay attention to the preparation for christening. The most correct step would be to turn to the confessor or priest for advice. However, you should know that it is usually necessary to confess and receive communion before the sacrament. Before that, you need to fast (the priest should tell you about the number of days). You may need additional actions, such as reading prayers, spiritual literature, etc. It is also advisable not to attend noisy parties, various entertainment establishments at this time, and refuse to watch TV. All free time it is desirable to devote to prayer.
If you are in the role of a godfather for the first time, then it is advisable to familiarize yourself with how the sacrament goes, what prayers are read, what order of hymns. This is necessary because when you become a spiritual teacher little man, you need more than just a formal presence. Sincere prayer is needed, which should not stop even after the completion of the sacrament, because this is the essence of the formation of the cross.
More details about what duties the godfather has during the performance of this rite will be described below.
Gifts
Considering the question of the duties of the godfather at christening, it should be said that on this day it is customary to give gifts, both to the baby and to the godfather. If desired, you can present a gift to parents.
It is appropriate for a child to give both an educational toy and something more important for spiritual life, such as a Bible for children with pictures. By the way, the gift can be agreed in advance with the parents, because something else may turn out to be more important at this moment.
There is one main gift that his godfather should present to the baby. The responsibilities at baptism are not only to hold the baby, but also to show the first example of honoring the Lord. After all, children understand everything from birth at the level of feelings. In addition to reading prayers, a pectoral cross, which is a baptismal one, becomes such a gift. It must be bought and donated by the receiver.
For parents, especially for the mother of the baby, a prayer book will be a good gift, where 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 to the 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 in it, he should be anointed with oil (back, chest, ears, forehead, legs and arms.) Only after this is immersion into the font. The priest reads prayers at the same time. This action symbolizes dying to the world and resurrection to the Lord. This is how the cleansing happens.
Then the child is handed over to the godfather, he is wrapped in kryzhma (as mentioned above, the boy is handed over to the father, and the girl to the mother). Now the baby is anointed with chrism.
So, now you know the duties of a godfather at the baptism of a boy and a girl. As you can see, they are slightly different.
Baptism at home
In addition to baptism in the temple, it will not be reprehensible to perform this sacrament at home, in the family circle. However, it is better to do it in the right place. This comes from the fact that after the baptism, the boys must be brought to the altar (the girls simply venerate the icons).
After the ceremony is completed, the little man becomes a full member of the church. This can be felt most strongly only in the temple. Therefore, home christening is possible only if the baby is unable to endure the rite in the church. They are also performed when the child is in mortal danger (illness, etc.). If the entire sacrament takes place at home, then the godfather has the same responsibilities for baptism as if the ceremony were performed in the temple.
New Christian Church Life
You should know that after baptism, a person's spiritual life only begins. The first acquaintance with church rules begins with 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). 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. Difficult questions may arise as you grow up. If godparents or parents cannot give answers to them, then it is better to turn to the priest.
Conclusion
So now you know what a godfather's responsibilities are. They need to be taken seriously from the very beginning, as soon as such an offer is made to you. If necessary, consult with the priest about what you should do for the baby, how to educate in the spiritual life and what kind of support to provide. Be careful, because from now on you and your godson are spiritually bound forever. You will also be responsible for his sins, so education should be treated with particular importance. By the way, if you are not confident in your abilities, then it is better to refuse it.
The sacrament of baptism is a great event in the life of every person, and especially for a child. All the obligations that the sponsors take on before God are very serious and responsible. That's why (this is very important) godparents, duties who are in the understanding of this responsibility, must convey to their godfather all the knowledge about the saving Sacraments of the Church, such as Confession and Communion, and also convey knowledge about the meaning of worship. The duties of godparents also include the transfer of knowledge about the meaning church calendar, about the miracles of church icons and other shrines.
Responsibilities of godparents - how to do it right and what to do?
As soon as the child plunges into the font, from that moment on, the responsibility passes to the recipients. Now the "second" parents will have to attend church and services with the baby, teach 
keep the church rules. But the main thing is to pray for your godson both in joy and in sorrow. Always be there for you in difficult times. What are the main responsibilities of godparents at baptism? Even from the font, they must convey to them or help them find a new life path. The godfather must buy a cross. The chain, as a rule, is not bought, since according to customs, the baby wears a cross on a string or ribbon. Just like every conscious believer, the recipients need to know the following prayers: "Our Father", "Symbol of Faith", "Our Lady of the Virgin"!
Parents, as well as the godson, must be ready for the sacrament of baptism. Recipients must know the basics of Orthodox teaching, as well as piously treat the rules of Christian piety. Such important events as Fasting, Confession and Communion for godparents are not strictly obligatory, but the believer must adhere to them. All this must be correctly conveyed to the godson. If he is a baby, then love for the church will be instilled from a conscious age. A very good sign will be the reading of the prayer of the Creed by one of the recipients. For the godson, the prayer is read by gender: for the girl - the godmother, for the boy - the father.
Before Baptism, it is advisable to confess, because it is important that not only thoughts are pure, but also the soul. There must be consecrated crosses on the body. Those invited must bring donations to the church. This is not necessary, but you should not neglect the customs.
Godparents should be aware of such responsibilities!
From this day on, the godchildren must protect the godson from all sorts of temptations and temptations. This is the most dangerous for children and adolescents. In the future, the godparent can help with choosing a profession. important 
will be advice when choosing a life partner. The Russian Church teaches that it is the chosen godparents who prepare the wedding for the godson. It is worth noting that even in case of physical suffering, godparents should provide assistance and this is done first of all, and brothers, sisters, grandparents help only later! A spiritual connection is stronger than a physical one!
The duties of godparents for a girl are no different from those for a boy. However, girls are given a little more attention, as they are taught humility and faith, which leads directly to submission. For a girl, the chosen godmother is the second most close person because she can replace the physical mother. It is the responsibility of the mother to buy a kryzhma or rizka - this is a special towel in which the baby is wrapped after the font.
If godparents treat their duties lightly, then this becomes a grave sin of the soul. This is what will pass on the fate of the chosen godson. Do not become a godchild, if you cannot take such a big responsibility on yourself, you should not accept an invitation to a second godson. Physical parents should also not take rejection as a snub or insult. After all godparents duties must perform fully and with a pure soul.
Note that all people must be churched, otherwise: how can a godson go to church with a godfather? All major 
the positions that should be instilled in the godchild are love, humility, condescension, patience and continuous work in the spiritual upbringing of your baby - all this is the main duties of godparents! All this is also the main proof of the truth of Orthodoxy for the godson and for the godparents.
You can find out in advance how to behave correctly in the temple during the Sacrament of Baptism. Most importantly, you need to buy the right baptismal kit. If it is bought by one of the parents, then this will not be considered a mistake. Only the meaning of the reception itself is important, it is important to be present during the performance of the Sacrament. Of course, both parents must give their consent. Without godparents, baptism is performed only in special cases, for example, if the child's life could be in serious danger.
More about godparents
The sacrament of baptism relates a person to the One Apostolic Church. Orthodox teaching has its own specific doctrinal principles, from which it is impossible to deviate. That is why only people of the same faith can become guarantors of the godson. Recipients assume the responsibility to educate only the Orthodox faith. A person with other religions simply cannot do this.
As soon as the baptism takes place, the parents and the baby will become spiritually closer, become related. This is mandatory, godparents fulfill their duties to the fullest. And such spiritual kinship belongs to the first degree and is fully recognized by the church and its canons!
It is worth noting that such kinship becomes stronger than biological. Between themselves, these two concepts become practically incompatible. An important point is that parents who have adopted a child cannot become godparents for him. This is due to the fact that they will find among themselves the closest kinship and will not be able to continue marital cohabitation.
You were invited to be godparents. This is a great honor and a great responsibility. What are the duties of the godfather and godmother, what should be done during and after baptism?
Baptism of an infant. Photo from the site https://dveri.bg/uap64
The main duties of godparents
During the sacrament of baptism, the godparents are obliged to vouch for the faith of the baby and further educate him in the Orthodox faith. The child himself still does not know anything and cannot profess the faith, therefore, godparents make baptismal vows for him. If your faith is not strong enough, you should seriously think before you agree to take on the duties of a godfather. After all, in the future you will have to answer to God not only for yourself, but also for your godson.
Godparents pray for their godson all their lives. While the child is small, they teach him the Orthodox faith, try to make him visit the church more often, take communion, explain the meaning of worship, talk about saints, about icons, about Orthodox holidays. When a child becomes a teenager, it is godparents who should especially take care of his moral condition. This explains the choice of godparents - a boy certainly needs a godfather, and a girl needs a godmother, the presence of a second godfather is not mandatory. With the godfather of the same sex, it is easier for a teenager to discuss some personal issues, problems that he, perhaps, does not dare to talk about with his parents.
What should godparents do before the sacrament of baptism
Future godparents, together with the parents of the baby, agree on the place and time of baptism. Before the sacrament, you will need to go through a categorical conversation, or “interview” in the temple where baptism will be performed. There may be several such conversations. They set out the foundations of the Orthodox faith, which every Christian needs to know.
Who exactly will buy a baptismal set, a pectoral cross and an icon does not make a fundamental difference. If the godparents want to make a gift to the godson, they can take part of the costs themselves.
Some wealthy people order a measured icon - this is an icon painted to order, on a board, corresponding to the growth of the baby at birth. It depicts a saint whose name is given to the child.
More often they buy an icon in a church shop: for a boy - the Savior, for a girl - the Mother of God. You can choose any icon, based on your desires, tastes and means. But it should be borne in mind that this icon will be with the godson all his life. In the old days, it was customary to bless a grown child for marriage with this icon. Entering into family life, the bride and groom each brought their own icon with them, and they formed the so-called “wedding couple” of icons. Based on this, it is better to buy not the smallest icon (on which you can barely see the image), but several larger size(usually choose approximately the size of the book) and in the salary. But, I repeat, there are no strict rules here, and if you are very constrained in means, an expensive icon is not at all an end in itself.
When choosing a cross for a child, you should not buy the tiniest one. It seems very suitable for such a baby, but after all, the baby will grow up, and the tiny cross, especially on a man, will look completely different. It is better to buy a medium-sized cross.
A baptismal set, as a rule, can be bought at a church shop at the temple. It includes a diaper with an embroidered cross, a shirt and a scarf for a girl.
The sacrament of baptism. Photo from the website of photographer Nadezhda Smirnova http://www.fotosmirnova.com/kreschenie
Responsibilities of godparents at baptism
Godparents should know by heart Symbol of faith which contains all the main truths of Orthodoxy. It will need to be read during the sacrament of baptism:
I believe in one God the Father, Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, visible to all and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Only Begotten, who was born of the Father before all ages; Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, uncreated, consubstantial with the Father, Whom all was. For us for the sake of man and for our sake of salvation, who descended from heaven and became incarnate from the Holy Spirit and Mary the Virgin, and became human. Crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. And resurrected on the third day according to the Scriptures. And ascended into heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father. And the packs of the future with glory to be judged by the living and the dead, His Kingdom will have no end. And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Life-Giving One, who proceeds from the Father, Who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who spoke the prophets. Into one Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the remission of sins. I look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come. Amen.
During the sacrament, the godparents hold the baby in their arms (if the child worries and cries, it is allowed to hold him to his own mother, there is no violation in this). The most important moment is when the godfather takes the godson from the font from the hands of the priest. Therefore godparents are otherwise called godparents. The godfather should take the boy from the font, the godmother should take the girl.