Godparents and godchildren: how to choose a godparent, how to raise a godson. Responsibilities of a godfather

The godmother must provide for the girl spiritual development. For her goddaughter, she becomes a guide to God and the church. Therefore, as a godmother you need to choose a woman who will take the responsibilities of a godmother responsibly. This article will tell you in detail what the responsibilities of a godmother are.

The duties of a godmother are to participate in raising a child and to be a spiritual mentor.

Who is a godmother

The high role of the godmother is determined by the baptismal ritual itself. According to the procedure, after immersing the child in the font, the priest hands the girl into the hands of a woman. So he entrusts to her all further concerns about the spiritual education of her goddaughter. From now on godmother- this is the person who is responsible before God for the spiritual development of the girl. She should pray for her well-being and spiritual development.

Responsibility for the boy rests with the godfather.

All her life, a girl should feel supported by her godmother.

There must be a spiritual relationship between them. There is an opinion that the goddaughter may have a similar fate.

Not every woman can be a godmother. According to church rules, these duties cannot be assigned to a nun, a woman of a different faith, or an atheist. Godparents cannot be husband and wife. It is prohibited for godparents to be natural or adoptive parents of a child.

The godmother’s responsibilities appear immediately after the ceremony:

• The birth mother is not present at the baptism. The child is in the arms of the godmother. She looks after him, calms him down, undresses and dresses him during the service, and receives him from the hands of the priest.
• The godmother is responsible for the spiritual development of the child.
• In case of unforeseen situations with biological parents, godparents Responsibilities for raising the godson are transferred.
• Godparents raise the child together with their half-bloods.

If natural parents care, first of all, that the child is fed, clothed and has a roof over his head, then godparents should care about moral and mental development.

What is the role of the godmother

The godmother is considered responsible before God for spiritual education girls. Here she is given a more significant role than her parents.

In light of her responsibilities, the godmother must:

• Pray for the health and spiritual development of the child.
• Join the church. As soon as a girl begins to grow up, the duties of the godmother include talking with the child about Orthodoxy, taking her to church, and being a mentor.
• Throughout her life, the godmother must help and support her goddaughter and, by her example, encourage the girl to do pious deeds.

Religious holidays and fasting are an integral part of development and education. Using their example, the godmother teaches her confidante Orthodox traditions, explaining the meaning of each holiday or ritual.

The role of the godmother in a girl’s life is great, so it is necessary to choose the woman who can provide protection for the baby. She should really worry about the child’s health throughout his life and become his support in difficult situations.

Your child. According to tradition, this is done 40 days after the child’s birthday. After Holy Baptism, the baby acquires named parents. According to many people, it is from this moment that the Lord begins to protect the baby. While godparents have big number responsibilities, especially for the mother.

It is she who bears the main responsibility. Therefore, it is necessary to choose godparents with all seriousness.

During baptism, the most significant role is assigned to the godmother. After all, her duties are not limited to taking part in the church rite of baptism and congratulating the spiritual child on secular and religious holidays: they will last a lifetime.

Holy Baptism

Baptism is one of the most important sacraments, the essence of which is the acceptance of a person into the Christian Church. It should be noted that when Christianity was just emerging, ritual immersions in water were already performed at various peoples world: water is the key to life. There was a belief that a person immersed in water is protected from all his sins and begins life with clean slate.

Today, the adoption of baptism does not have any serious differences from the baptismal rite, which was carried out several hundred years ago. As then, so at this time, it is the clergyman who conducts the baptism ceremony.

Jesus Himself instituted this sacrament. He was baptized in the Jordan River by Saint John the Baptist. The ceremony was deliberately carried out in water, since in the Bible water is a symbol of life, purity of spirit and body, and God's grace. It was not necessary for Jesus to be baptized personally, but in this way, through personal example, he demonstrated to people that they should begin their spiritual path. The consecration of water in the Jordan River occurred thanks to Jesus Christ; for this reason, the clergyman pronounces in prayer the call of the Holy Spirit to consecrate the water in the font.

As a rule, the baptismal ceremony is carried out in a church, but performing it at home also does not contradict the canons. The duration of the sacrament is about 45 minutes. And the name at baptism given to the baby is exclusively Christian.

Step by step description ritual:

It is also worth knowing that during baptism the baby is often immersed in water, but it is not prohibited to simply sprinkle or douse it with water. One person can only be baptized once during his life. This is explained by the fact that physically he cannot be born more than once.

Requirements for a godmother

The godmother should begin preparing for her role in this role much earlier than the ceremony itself. She will need not only knowledge of prayers, but also awareness of the very essence of Holy Baptism. This role can only be awarded to Orthodox woman guiding in life God's commandments . She needs to know a number of prayers: the Heavenly King, the Virgin Mary, Rejoice, the Creed and. They reflect the essence of the Christian faith.

A woman must have full awareness of the responsibility that is entrusted to her. After all, asking God for help in the development of the baby and in gratitude to him is now part of her responsibilities. The godmother must make every effort to ensure that the child becomes a religious person in adulthood.

As already indicated, during the baptism of an infant an essential place belongs to the godmother. She will carry on her shoulders most responsibility for the spiritual development of the godson according to the doctrine of the Orthodox Church. On the one hand, this will require a lot of effort, but on the other hand, if you have tender feelings for your spiritual child, you will receive enormous grace from the faithful fulfillment of your assigned duties.

Preparing for baptism

Before the sacrament begins, the godmother must:

Taking care of both the gift for the godson and other things required to perform the sacrament also falls on the shoulders of the godmother:

1. White christening shirt - it can be plain cotton fabric or have openwork embroidery if the named parents so desire. According to tradition, the shirt is put on the child immediately after the sacrament. He wears it for eight days, after which it is removed and kept safe for the entire life of the person being baptized.
2. - it can be purchased either by one of the godparents or by mutual decision. It doesn’t matter whether the cross is made of precious material, the main thing is that it has a crucifix. In turn, it should not be removed from the child after the ceremony.
3. Towel - if possible, it should have big sizes, which is determined by its purpose: it will be used to wrap the baby after immersion in water during the ceremony. It is forbidden to wash it after the ceremony and the person being baptized must carefully store it throughout his life.

It is worth noting that the baptismal shirt and cross are often purchased directly from the church. If the cross was purchased at a jewelry store, it must first be blessed.

In addition to the above things, The godmother must ensure that the child’s parents do not forget to take:

As for the gift itself to the godson, according to tradition, on the day of Holy Epiphany it is customary to give a cross, a small personalized icon or a silver spoon.

Responsibilities of the godmother at baptism

Responsibilities of the named mother both during the actual ceremony and after, may differ depending on the gender of the person being baptized.

1. Christening of a girl - before the ceremony begins, the named mother must learn prayers for the child, including the Creed. When baptizing a garment, she should wear a modest long dress, and her head should be covered with a scarf. Taking her goddaughter in her arms after lowering her into the water, the godmother must dress her in white clothes. She will also have to hold the baby in her arms while walking around the font, reading a prayer and anointing with oil. For a girl, having a spiritual mother is of great importance, because after biological parents, she is the one who is responsible for the baby, becoming her support and spiritual mentor in life.
2. Christening a boy - the main responsibilities of the godmother are the same as for the baptism of a girl. The only difference is that after immersion in the water, the child is taken in by the godfather. During the boy's baptism important role is assigned not only to the named mother, but also to the father, who in the future should become his support in everything.

Responsibilities of the named mother after baptism

The named mother takes her godson on bail before the Almighty, responsible for education in the spirit of true Christian faith:

So, by agreeing to become adoptive parents, the named parents become responsible for raising a godson or goddaughter in a Christian The duty of the said mother is in knowing and teaching the child righteous prayer, and independently reading prayers for the well-being of the baby. And she should also prepare the child for the first communion and teach him to attend church services. However, in modern society, a significant place is occupied by the so-called ritual belief, and not true faith into Christ: if the baptism of a newborn is a generally accepted norm, then it is necessary to baptize.

The sacrament of baptism has become for us not a great rite, but rather as commonplace after the birth of a child as, say, vaccinations. You can, of course, not do it, but it’s worth being safe. Russian people were cut off from the church for quite a long time. Suffice it to recall the famous novel “The Master and Margarita,” where Bulgakov vividly describes the disdain for faith characteristic of that time. That is why modern society I forgot why godparents are needed and what one carries within oneself. In the world of bureaucracy, even certificates are issued that the sacrament has taken place. But if you are a future godmother, study your responsibilities carefully. There are no trifles in this matter!

and responsibility

Some girls take this kind of proposal very seriously. That's right. You will not only give gifts, but also be responsible for his moral education. A special spiritual connection will have to form between the godmother and godson. You can say that you will be a mentor

person for the rest of his life.

Let's start with preparation. If it is planned for the godmother and godfather it is very simple. First, go to the church and find out when they have special pre-talk sessions. There they will tell you about the ritual itself and your further responsibilities. Before the sacrament, it is necessary to take communion, and the date must also be selected so that it does not coincide with the days of the godmother’s menstruation, because she will not be allowed to the baptismal font.

The church will explain to you in detail when general and individual baptismal rites are held, and will also tell you their cost. Don't forget to purchase a cross and a special vest (baptismal dress). There are no special rules regarding who should pay the costs associated with the sacrament, but it is still considered that this is the prerogative of the godparents.

Whereas previously both parents were needed, now only one is often invited. Accordingly, for a girl - a woman, and for a boy - a man. But church ministers advise following the old canons. After all Godfather and the godmother, whose responsibilities are the spiritual upbringing of the child, are support and support for the baby.

Are you afraid of such a wonderful “title” as godmother? Do duties and responsibilities scare you? You shouldn't worry, but it's worth thinking about. First of all, about who invited you. If this close person, with whom you are connected by more than just friendship, and the birth of a baby in someone else’s family caused your delight - agree. Knowledge of prayers does not solve everything. The main thing is that the baby becomes almost like family to you. Love is the basis, thanks to it a special connection will be established between you, which will protect your godson.

If the request comes from a person who is distant to you, do not rush to agree. Perhaps the child will love you, and you will love him, but you cannot be sure of this. It is not very good when the godmother, whose responsibilities are very important, is away from the godson (this means not only and not so much the distance, but the relationship, the desire to help and participate in fate). Take the rite of baptism very seriously. If you have a cool relationship with the baby’s parents, but for some reason you received an offer, then it is better to tactfully refuse.

Being a godmother is a great honor, but also a great responsibility, because she has to become the spiritual mentor of her godson or goddaughter. If your loved ones have given you such an honor, it means they express special trust in you and hope that you will fulfill this role with dignity.

However, keep in mind that in addition to performing the duties of a godmother at baptism, you will later have to instruct your godson in matters of the Christian faith, take him to communion, and set an example of behavior for him.

As for preparing for baptism, this stage takes the godmother several days. What does the godmother do during baptism? What does she need to know about the ritual of this sacrament? We will answer these and some other questions.

According to the church charter, the godmother cannot be the child’s mother, a nun, an unbeliever or an unbaptized woman. Not only the mother’s friend, but also one of the relatives, for example, the baby’s grandmother or aunt, can act as a godmother. However, the adoptive mother cannot serve as a godmother either during or after the baptism.

How to prepare a godmother for the baptism ceremony

Preparations for baptism for the godmother begin several days before this ceremony. She, like her godfather, needs to fast for a period of time. three days, and then confess and receive communion.

You also need to talk with the priest, who will tell you in detail what the godmother needs to know about this sacrament and what she will have to do during the baptismal ceremony.

As a rule, the duties of a godmother in preparation for baptism include knowing by heart some of the prayers that will need to be read during this ceremony: “Creed”, “Our Father”, “Hail to the Virgin Mary”, “Heavenly King”, etc.

They express the essence of faith, help to cleanse oneself from sin and gain strength to overcome obstacles in life. life path. Although in some parishes knowledge of these prayers is not required: during the ceremony, the godparents will only need to repeat some phrases after the priest.

The godmother's preparation for the baptismal ceremony does not end there. She will need to purchase the things necessary for this ceremony and know what actions she will have to perform during the ceremony. However, let's talk about everything in order.

What else does a godmother need to know about the rules for baptizing a child? You should dress modestly for a christening. You cannot come to the temple in trousers, and the skirt must be below the knees. Women's head Orthodox church must be covered with a scarf.

What should a godmother do during a baptism? The ritual consists of the rite of catechumen (reading special prayers over the child), his renunciation of Satan and union with Christ, as well as confession Orthodox faith. The godparents say the appropriate words for the baby on his behalf, renouncing the unclean spirit and promising to remain faithful to the Lord.

If a girl is being baptized, then the godmother should hold her in her arms during the baptism ceremony; if the ceremony is being performed by a boy, then the godfather. Although this can also be done by one of the godparents who better acquainted with the baby and next to whom the child feels more comfortable.

However, in any case, the godmother must be well acquainted with the child in order to maintain emotional contact with the baby and be able to calm him down if he cries.

After this, as a child is baptized, immersing him three times in water in the font and reading prayers at the same time, the godmother must take him in her arms. To do this you will need a kryzhma - a white towel. According to superstitions, drops from a baby’s face cannot be wiped off so that his life is happy.

Then a cross is put on the child (if it was not purchased in a church, it will need to be consecrated in advance) and christening outfit- a shirt to toe for a boy and a dress for a girl. The baby will also need a cap or scarf.

Even during preparation for baptism, the godmother is obliged to choose these things for the child. In the old days, women sewed them themselves, but nowadays baptismal attire and kryzhma can be bought in a store or church shop.

These things are not washed after christening and are not used for their intended purpose. It is recommended to keep them throughout a person’s life, as they serve as amulets, helping him avoid various troubles and diseases.

What else does a godmother need to do when baptizing a child? After initiation into the font, the godparents and the priest walk around it three times with the baby as a sign of spiritual joy from the union of the new member. Christ Church with the Savior for eternal life.

After the ritual of anointing, when parts of the child’s body are anointed with myrrh and prayers are read, the priest washes the myrrh with a special sponge moistened with holy water.

Then the priest lightly trims the child’s hair on four sides, which is folded onto a wax cake and lowered into the font, which symbolizes submission to God and sacrifice in gratitude for the beginning of spiritual life.

(The godmother will need a small bag in which to place the baby's cut hair, which can then also be stored with the towel and shirt.)

After this, the priest reads prayers for the child and his godparents, followed by churching. The priest carries the baby around the temple. If it is a boy, then he is brought into the altar. At the end of the ritual, the child is applied to one of the icons of the Savior and to the icon of the Mother of God, and then given to the parents.

In addition to the things necessary for the ceremony, the godmother can give the baby an icon with the image of his patron saint, a “measured icon”, a children’s Bible, a prayer book or items that do not have a church focus (clothes, shoes, toys, etc.), and also assist his parents in organizing a festive feast on the occasion of the christening.

We have already told you what the godmother has to know and do during the baptism ceremony of the child. But your mission doesn't end there. As already mentioned, you will need to be involved in the life of your godson and beyond.

You will attend church with your child if his parents are unable to do so due to illness or absence. You will need to contribute spiritual growth godson, give him advice in difficult life situations. In a word, take care of him along with his parents, because now you are responsible for the new member christian church before God.

The godmother for the child has a very important. Her role in the life of a young Christian can be compared to the role of a mother in relation to the physical well-being of the baby. Just as a mother is ready to sacrifice her time, strength, resources, and sometimes even health in order for her child to be healthy and happy, so the godmother must diligently fulfill her duties assigned to her during the Sacrament of Baptism. These responsibilities include prayer for your godchild, teaching him to regularly participate in the Sacrament of Communion, studying the Law of God, the foundations of Christian morality. It is important that from early childhood a child learns to pray, abstain, and be able to limit himself for the good of his neighbor. Naturally, the main responsibility for raising a child lies with his blood parents, but the role of godparents is also very important.

For a child, he can become the first person after his parents with whom he can share his joys and sorrows, successes and failures on his life’s path. This especially applies to girls. Godmother- one of the closest people. She congratulates you on the holidays and leads you along the path to church life.

Congratulations to the godmother

The godmother is one of the first people who rush to congratulate the child on the Resurrection of Christ, the Nativity of the Lord Jesus Christ, Birthday, Angel's Day and other holidays. It is not for nothing that they call her mom. This word contains the concept of the most sacrificial type of love. This love is ready to give up its own good and temporary pleasures for the good of the child. My sincere congratulations loving person They will be pleasant even for a recently born baby. Small children who do not understand the meaning of words react very strongly to the tone of speech, the look, and feel the mood of the person congratulating them.

What does a godmother need?

In order to be a godmother, you need to reach a certain age. A very young girl who does not yet have her own life experience will simply not be able to cope with it.

In addition to life
Experience The godmother is required to have experience in church life. She must be a believing, church-going person. Her main responsibility is to take care of the salvation of the soul of her godson. Therefore, she herself must be baptized in the Orthodox Church and participate in Her holy Sacraments. Otherwise, she will not be able to bring her child to the temple of God and explain to him the meaning of the events taking place in the Church.

Nowadays it occurs a large number of exceptions. Many people consider themselves Orthodox only because they were baptized in the Orthodox Church in childhood. After this, they did not proceed to the Sacrament of Holy Communion, did not participate in church services, and were not interested in the content of the Holy Scriptures. This phenomenon is largely explained by the fact that such people were raised in secular families. But all people have the opportunity to study theoretically and learn practically the foundations of their faith. They should show a keen interest in spiritual life (read Holy Bible, biographies of the holy saints of God, patristic heritage and the like). There are godmothers who began their real church life after participating in the Sacrament of Baptism of their godson or goddaughter, realizing the depth of responsibility of the event being performed.

Thus, the most important thing that is required of a godmother is to feel a sense of responsibility for her godchild before people and before God.

How many times can you be a godmother?

You can be a godmother an unlimited number of times. However, you must realistically assess your capabilities. You are required not only to be present during
The sacraments of Baptism for your godson or goddaughter, but also to take care of him throughout his life. There are no specific restrictions, but there are individual characteristics Every person. There are women who feel strong enough to be able to pay enough attention to only one child. And there are those who are ready to be the godmother of two dozen children. An important point in making the final decision is a responsible and spiritual attitude towards one’s responsibilities.

Responsibilities of a Godmother

What should a godmother do? She must accept Active participation in the development and upbringing of a child. Her gifts for Christening, Birthday and Angel's Day should not be limited to toys, clothes and other things that will only serve material well-being. She needs to make sure that the child has a Bible, a Prayer Book, an icon and the life of his patron saint, spiritual literature, music and films. There are cases when the godmother is at a far distance from her godson or goddaughter. In this case, it is important not to forget to communicate with him by phone, congratulate him on the holidays, visit him at least occasionally, and pray for him. May the Lord Himself help you to bear your gracious, but difficult cross of Christian upbringing of a child!