Who can be godparents: rules that are important to know

Birth of a child – this is happiness. For young mothers, fathers, for close people, many of whom are happy to become godparents of a little man. But desire alone is not enough, one must remember the enormous responsibility before God that spiritual recipients take upon themselves for the new life. It is no coincidence that there are many rules for choosing godparents. It will be useful to know them both for the biological mother, father of the baby, and for those who are going to become godparents. Our portal will tell its readers these rules.

Godparents – godparents, spiritual mentors of the child

What is the sacrament of baptism, at least a little, but everyone knows. But why godparents are needed, or godparents, perhaps, many will find it difficult to answer, reducing this role to giving gifts, all kinds of pampering of their godchildren. But first, a little about the sacrament itself. According to church canons, this means that the one who is baptized for a sinful life dies, being reborn for a spiritual one. In other words, this is the sacrament of spiritual birth, birth from above – from God. Godparents are called to prepare for the sacrament, then they are obliged to support the godson all his life, pray for him, take him to church, teach him to live, act according to God, help in difficult situations, replace real parents if they pass away.

Everyone who has assumed the noble role of a beneficiary is responsible before God for his godson, for his sins. The task of godparents — lead your spiritual child along the thorny path of life in such a way as to protect, warn against unseemly deeds.

Everyone who has assumed the noble role of a beneficiary is responsible before God for the godson, his sins. After all, baptism – not an indulgence for sins. This is an introduction to the path of spiritual life, and the task of godparents – guide your spiritual child along this thorny path in such a way as to protect, warn against unseemly deeds. That's why everyone who decides to become a godfather needs to think three times – will he make it?

Who can be a godparent

Even a person who is firmly convinced that he will fulfill all his obligations to God for a potential godchild, must remember some “possible” / “impossible”, trying them on himself, correlating whether the status of the recipient meets all church requirements.  ; After all, it is important to set the right direction for the beginning of a new life — choice of spiritual mentors, including. First, let's talk about "can" — i.e. who is allowed to be a godfather:

• baptized;
• professing Orthodoxy;
• not excommunicated;
• family friends, relatives of the baby – grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles & hellip; (except relatives of mother, father);
• age is important – female representatives can take responsibility for the baptized from 13, male — from 15 years old;

Who can't be a godparent?

Now let's figure out who, when it is undesirable to become godparents. There are prohibitions, the situation with which it is quite possible to change; there are those whose correction is beyond the control of man, so it's better to just stick to the rules. If you are going to take a child's godfather, analyze the situation well, choosing a person who is reliable, responsible, able to meet his duties, position, high mission. So, the persons excluded are:

• relatives mother, father of the baby;
• unbaptized. If you are determined to baptize a child, first go through this sacrament yourself, becoming closer to God;
• namesake: godfather(s) and godson(s) must have different names;
• atheists;
• professing another religion (Islam, Buddhism…);
• a married couple cannot be the parent of one child; separately, different children – please;

What else you need to know about godparents

There are some more nuances that are important to remember for everyone who is going to partake of the great sacrament of baptism – biological mother, father, potential sponsors, those who themselves may be going to be baptized already in adulthood:

• those who wish to be baptized after the age of 18 can do without godparents;
• Godparents are obligatory for children – at least one. If it is not possible to take two godparents, then it is better for a girl to take a godmother, for a boy – godfather;
• pregnant women are sometimes discouraged from becoming godparents. There is no consensus here: the church is not forbidden, but such a superstition exists. To become a godmother or not – it is up to the woman to decide;
• it is considered undesirable for a woman to baptize the first girl, for a man – boy, they say, the godchildren take away happiness. At the same time, refusing to be godparents is also not good. Therefore, the relatives of the baby should first find out everything about those whom they want to see as godparents, then show honor with their proposal.

Godparent – not a simple tribute to traditions, not the notorious wedding general. This is a kind of teacher. Teacher for the most difficult, most important subject – life. And the best teaching – own example of a worthy fate of a worthy person.

I would like to recall once again that the godparent – not a simple tribute to traditions, not the notorious wedding general. This is a kind of teacher. The teacher of the most difficult, important subject – life. And the best training – own example of a worthy fate of a worthy person. Honor, nobility, decency, attention, readiness to always help, support, console will never be replaced by any, even the most expensive gifts, high status, impressive financial position. Godparents, remember this!