Do you know who can be your child's godfather?

The rite of Baptism is a sacrament, which is held according to certain rules of the Christian Orthodox Church. It is believed that only after baptism a person becomes closer to God, his spiritual birth takes place.

Parents, having given birth to a child, try to baptize him as soon as possible. Some believe that baptized children are under the protection of the Lord, others (especially believing families) want to bring the baby from the cradle by Christian rules, instilling in him spiritual canons. There are also people who, not particularly interested in this mystery, go to church, following fashion trends. Yes, today in any magazine you can read how the young mummies from the "cream of society" parade the christening of their own children and tell everyone what festivities were arranged for this occasion.

If you read the Bible - the Holy Scripture, then it says clearly when a person should be baptized. Accepting faith must be meaningful, when the boy fully understands the seriousness of this rite and its meaning. Is a newborn baby able to make such a decision? But from time immemorial people baptized their only born children.

It is believed that this rite of the baby should be carried out not earlier than 40 days after birth. However, priests are not united in this judgment. Many children are baptized much earlier. For example, the child was born weak and sick. Naturally, parents want to quickly identify the place where to baptize a child, and agree with the priest that the Lord would help their baby.

For all parents the question is urgent: who can be godfather for their child. The godparents do not take the first comers from the street. It is believed that the godparents after reading a special prayer and uttering the sacred words become spiritual parents to their godson. They are obliged to help in the upbringing of the child, to develop his spiritual world, to inculcate love for God and honor the church. If grief happens to their parents, it is the godparents who must take responsibility for bringing up a godson or godchild.

Many people (especially the older generation) unequivocally determine who can be a godfather. In their opinion: only relatives - brothers or sisters (parents), and in the absence of those - nephews, uncles, aunts. In fact, it is permissible for godparents to call close non-human people and friends. The main thing is for these people to clearly understand what kind of responsibility they are entrusted to, and not ask why baptize the child at all.

However, the church still places some demands on people who, perhaps, will be godparents. It is forbidden to baptize sick people (with unbalanced psyche and mental illnesses), orthodox believers who are not baptized, who are with each other in lawful wedlock or married wives. According to the rules: husband and wife can not be the godchild of one child. Also, it is not allowed to baptize women who were refused communion. And, of course, the priest will not allow the child to baptize a person who has a narcological or alcohol dependence. But this is obvious. None of the normal parents would not want their child to be held in the hands of an alcoholic or a drug addict.

Reflecting on who can be a godfather, parents should consider each candidature very scrupulously, as if under a magnifying glass. After all, the godparents are not the same people who appear once a year with a package of chocolates and gifts. Although at the present time, such godparents are more common.

Having thought over and determined who can be your child's godmother, do not forget to notify the chosen person about your decision. After all, the godparents must prepare for the sacrament. First, the godmother must be present before the sacrament to attend the morning service, confess and receive communion. She also has to acquire a kryzhma - a cloth, into which the child is wrapped after bathing. The godfather also must visit the church, take communion, negotiate with the priest and appoint a date of christenings. The godfather also should buy a cross for the future godson.