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Is it possible to refuse to be a godfather or godmother? Who can be godparents
In such a situation, a logical question arises: “Who should be chosen as a godfather and is it possible to refuse to be a godfather?” We need to look for the answer not in faith or church, it is found within ourselves. It is very important to sensibly assess the capabilities of future godparents: will they be able to give the child what you cannot give, will they love him as if they were their own, and will they not lead him astray.
- godparents of a different, non-Christian faith - Buddhists, atheists, Catholics, Muslims, etc., even if they are the closest friends of the family;
- if parents who are related by marriage or family relationships want to baptize a child;
- mentally ill people are not allowed to participate in the ceremony;
- if the parents were not baptized;
- if there is no desire to become a receiver;
- biological parents cannot baptize their own child;
- minors;
- It is forbidden for stepmothers and stepfathers to baptize their stepdaughters and stepsons;
- if a woman has her period, entry into the church is prohibited;
- monks and priests.
One godfather for several children - is it possible?
You cannot choose a person for the role of godfather who is far from church regulations, because at first the role of godfather was intended to be a religious mentor. Over time, this important burden of a godfather has been lost, but before choosing a godfather, you need to think carefully and ask the person whether he is ready to take on such responsibility.
To choose the right receiver, you need to rely on your intuition and inner voice, which will tell you the right person. Also remember that this person will appear near the child throughout his life. Therefore, you need to treat your candidacy very carefully.
Godparents: who can be a godparent
The priest is wearing a light festive robe as a sign of the beginning of a new life, and therefore of spiritual purity. He walks around the font, censes it, and everyone standing next to the lit candles. Candles are burning in the hands of the recipients. Very soon, the priest will lower the baby into the font three times and, wet, wrinkled, not at all understanding where he is and why, the servant of God, will hand him over to the hands of his godparents. And he will be dressed in white robes. At this time, a very beautiful troparion is sung: “Give me a robe of light, dress in light, like a robe...” Accept your child, successors. From now on, your life will be filled with special meaning, you have taken upon yourself the feat of spiritual parenthood, and for how you carry it, you will now have to answer before God.
The first deposit immediately after baptism: an envelope with a crisp, solid bill - enough for a tooth. Then, for birthdays, as the child grows older, a luxurious set of children's trousseau, an expensive toy, a fashionable backpack, a bicycle, a branded suit, and so on up to a gold chain, to the envy of the poor, for a wedding.
Why does a child need a godfather?
We know very little about this, we don’t even think about the responsibility we take on. Therefore, before agreeing to this responsibility, go to church and ask the priest how you can prepare for such a step.
Why is the godson called the adopted one, and the godfather - the adopted one? After immersion in the font, the priest takes the baby, then passes it into the hands of the godfather. And he takes the baby into his own hands, taking on the responsible mission of leading him along the path of ascent to the Kingdom of God.
Can two friends be godparents of each other's children?
This is quite normal and the church does not prohibit such a situation. Godparents for a child cannot only be their biological parents. It is also not permissible for the godparents of one person to be married.
Yes, this is quite possible - if both friends are Orthodox Christians. The Church does not prohibit such “mutual nepotism”; I even know of several such cases when friends baptized each other’s children and became “second mothers” for them.
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Responsibilities of godparents
Previously, everyone who was chosen as godfathers took their duties quite seriously. The fact is that if a child was deprived of his blood parents and other close relatives, then it was the godparents who took upon themselves his upbringing. Currently, orphans are already sufficiently protected by the state, so there is no such serious need for such guardianship.
We said that, in essence, godfathers become relatives. As a relationship, this is not enshrined in any documents or acts, but one should not consider the appointment to such a high “position” to be formal. The fact is that only those people who themselves have undergone this same sacrament have the right to become godparents. As a result, they take on certain spiritual responsibilities, which many consider much more important than even legal ones.
Most often now, the duties of godparents are reduced to periodic visits to the child and their godfathers. In this case, the baby is usually given gifts.
Is it possible to be a godparent to several children?
Before the start of the ritual, the rite of announcement is performed and a prayer is said to prohibit unclean spirits. The priest asks the question: “Are you compatible with Christ?” To which you need to answer: “I combine.” Next, read the Creed.
In the Orthodox Church there is no clear canonical definition of how many times one can be a godmother or a father. The only measure of this is the opportunity not only to attend the ceremony and present the godson with gifts once a year, but also to help him in everything, teach him and involve him in the church. It is believed that on the day of the last trial the godfather will be asked to raise his godson in the same way as to raise his own child.
Is it possible to baptize a child without godparents? Baptism of a child - what you need to know
If you don’t have loved ones to whom you can entrust your child, go to the priest and ask for help. He won't refuse you. The priest can offer strangers for baptism so that the ritual takes place according to tradition. If you do not agree, then the priest himself may well become a father before God to your baby. In this case, baptism will take place; godparents are not needed. The father will baptize the baby, only the ceremony will be a little different.
Many people wonder whether it is possible to baptize a child without godparents. After all, not every person has such friends who can be trusted with the fate of their baby. For some reason, every church has different answers. Let's talk about everything in order.
Is it possible to be baptized at Epiphany?
In the Ancient Church, due to the spread of a large number of heresies, baptism was preceded by a long period of instruction in the faith, it lasted up to 3 years. And the catechumens (learners) received baptism on the Epiphany of the Lord (at that time this holiday was called Enlightenment) and on Holy Saturday before Easter. The celebration of Baptism on these days was a great holiday in the Church. If you decide to baptize a child on Epiphany (Epiphany), then not only will you not violate the canons of the Church, but you will also follow the ancient Christian tradition.
Tatyana Ratnikova, theologian and religious scholar
Is it possible to be godparents to each other's children?
As a rule, before the christening you still need to go through an interview, during which the priest will tell you in detail why godparents are needed in general and what role they are assigned. This is done so that the godparents know exactly what responsibility they have for the child according to the Orthodox faith.
Nowadays, very often people choose their closest friends as godparents, because there can only be one godparent for life. It is important that the godfather be a churchgoer, instill in the godson a love of God and the church, teach him religion and attend church with him regularly. If you are sure that you can give your godson the right attitude towards religion, and you are equally sure about the other person that he will become a good godfather for your child, then you can safely baptize each other’s children. At the same time, we must remember that the child is baptized according to the faith of the godfather, since he himself does not yet have any knowledge or faith. Therefore, this is a very responsible step, and not just a tribute to friendship and society. During the sacrament of Baptism, the godfather renounces the devil, and on the eve he holds conversations for the catechumens, fasts, reads the rule for Communion and the holy canons, confesses his sins and receives communion. Only after this can he baptize the child. It is also necessary to know by heart the most basic prayer, the “Symbol of Faith.”
Baptism of children among Catholics and Orthodox
The main purpose of Baptism for Catholics is the cleansing of the baby from original sin, his acceptance into Catholicism, and unification with the Church. In fact, the purpose of the ritual is the same for the Orthodox. Baptism gives a boy or girl the strength to live and protection that is not present at birth.
It is customary for Catholics to baptize a child 4-6 weeks after birth. But the ritual occurs much later. Up to 6 weeks, the baby is baptized in extreme cases, when he is sick or was born weak. In such situations, dad and mom try to help the child gain the protection of higher powers, and with it health.
Usually Catholics notify the priest 2-3 weeks before the desired date.
Church law allows children to be baptized throughout the year, that is, both on holidays and during Lent. But you should first find out about the customs that exist in a particular church. Indeed, in some parishes there is a tradition of holding the baptism ceremony once a month. However, this is the exception rather than the rule.
Each parent decides exactly how the church baptism ceremony will take place, whether it will be intimate or crowded. Often, Catholic children are baptized during the holy imsha - a liturgical action in Catholicism, which is similar to the Orthodox Liturgy. You can also organize baptism in a quiet atmosphere, that is, in a sacristy - a special room near the main hall of the church. A prerequisite for the ceremony is the presence of a crucifix.
Catholics can have godparents who are believers and practicing Catholics who have undergone the rite of baptism. This is the name for the ritual of anointing that takes place in adulthood. The main condition for obtaining the right to become godparents is the consciousness of people who will adequately cope with the role of the child’s second parents.
In Orthodoxy, the same rules apply to godparents. The baptism procedure itself is a little different. A prerequisite for choosing godparents is their belonging to the church and spiritual readiness to take on new responsibilities.
Is it possible to be a godfather to several children?
To begin with, it is worth noting that it is absolutely not necessary to invite both a woman and a man to the role of godparents at the same time. For each child, only one godson of the same gender is sufficient. Thus, if you have a boy, take care to choose a godfather, and if you have a girl, a godmother. If you doubt the choice of a second recipient, it is better not to invite anyone at all.
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As for whether one can be a godmother or godfather several times, the church does not impose any restrictions on this matter. You can easily invite your eldest child or other children to the role of godfather if you are sure that this person will become a spiritual mentor and friend for them and will fully fulfill his duties before God.
How to choose godparents correctly?
Nowadays, when deciding who to take as a godfather, most often the choice falls on the best friends of the mother and father of the child. In fact, this approach is not entirely correct. The fact is that not every friend, even the best one at the moment, will be able to carry out with dignity the tasks that will be assigned to him. Therefore, before making a choice, you need to think carefully. In addition, it is quite important that godparents have the physical opportunity to visit the child at least once every 2-3 months. Otherwise, it will be difficult to talk about any connection between them and their ward.
The godfather plays a big role in the process of raising a girl. Who is the godfather in this case? The baby's godfather is a second father. It is from the example of these two men, if, of course, the godfather takes sufficient part in raising the girl, that she will learn how young people should behave towards her. As a result, if the godfather and blood father do not set a very good example, there is a high probability that her future husband will suffer from the same shortcomings.
As for the godmother, she should become a real second mother for her godchildren. If she does not visit her charges from the first months and years of their lives, then in the future they will not perceive her as a relative. Her task is to help the children's blood mother in raising them. At the same time, for many, close relationships with their godchildren become their first experience of communicating with children. In this case, the newly-made godfather will gain knowledge that will help her in raising her own children.
Is it possible to be a godfather to several children: the essence of the question
It is also important to remember: before baptism, you need to choose a Christian name for your child. It does not have to be the same as your regular name. Most often this is the name of a saint who is usually commemorated on your baby’s birthday. However, if this name is not to your liking, you can choose another one. Seek advice from a priest - he will certainly help in a difficult choice.
Firstly, under no circumstances should you choose spouses as godparents. After all, the connection between godfathers should be exclusively spiritual. The baby's parents themselves also cannot become godparents - it is believed that this imposes double responsibility on them and at the same time weakens the child's protection.
Can I be godmother to two children of a sibling?
January Saint, glorious and all-praised Apostle of Christ Simon, who was deemed worthy to receive into your home in Cana of Galilee our Lord Jesus Christ and His Most Pure Mother, our Lady Theotokos, and to be an eyewitness to the glorious miracle of Christ, revealed on your brother, turning water into wine!
We pray to you with faith and love: beg Christ the Lord to transform our souls from sin-loving to God-loving; save and protect us with your prayers from the temptations of the devil and the falls of sin, and ask us for help from above during our despondency and helplessness; Let us not stumble over the stone of temptation, but steadily walk the saving path of Christ’s commandments, until we reach those blessed heavenly abodes where you now dwell and rejoice. Hey, Apostle Spasov! Do not disgrace us, who firmly trust in you, but be your helper and protector in all our lives and help us to end this temporary life in a pious and godly manner, to receive a good and peaceful Christian death and to be honored with a good answer at the Last Judgment of Christ; May we, having escaped the ordeals of the air and the power of the fierce ruler of the world, inherit the Kingdom of Heaven and glorify the magnificent name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Login Registration. To search, enter the word:. WATCH THE VIDEO ON THE TOPIC: ✔ Who can be taken as Godparents
