Is it possible to baptize a child with your godmother?
Becoming a godparent is permitted for any child except your own. Often in Orthodox families, infants are mutually baptized. Therefore, it is quite acceptable to baptize your godfather’s baby. This makes it easier to maintain connections and helps you communicate with your godchildren more often.
The main task of godparents is to help in the spiritual life of the godson. It is important to adhere to the following rules:
- Set a worthy example for your child with your life. It is important to remain noble in all your actions.
- Pray for the godson. This is especially important in difficult moments of his life.
- Visit temple with your child.
- Pay attention to the spiritual education of the child. At the same time, he needs to talk about God and teach the Bible. If there are problems, provide all possible assistance in life situations.
- If necessary, financially support the child. This applies to situations where parents have problems with work or money.
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.
Who is prohibited from baptizing a child?
The baptism of children is associated with many prohibitions and restrictions. There are a number of persons who are strictly prohibited from baptizing a baby:
- Girls under 14 years old and boys under 15 years old.
- Monks and nuns.
- People with mental illness.
- A man and a woman who are married. The Church does not allow godfathers to marry.
- Atheists or non-believers.
There are also many folk signs that relate to the sacrament of baptism. However, they can rather be classified as superstitions. So, many are sure that an unmarried woman cannot baptize a girl. It is believed that she can take away personal happiness from her recipient. There is also a belief that a girl can repeat the fate of her godmother and not get married. In addition, there is a sign that the godfather should not have the same name as the godson.
Signs, rules and traditions
What do parents and future godparents need to know when planning to baptize a child? The sacrament traditionally consists of the consecration of oil and water, anointing with oil and the main sacred rite - immersing the baby in water three times.
Water has long been a symbol of purification. Immersion in it is a symbol of repentance. Oil is a symbol of health and healing, peace, and candles play the role of right faith, the censer symbolizes the fragrance of the Holy Spirit.
Traditionally, at baptism, namely during the entire ceremony, the godparents hold the baby in their arms. The boy is usually held by the godfather, the girl by the godmother. You can do this one by one.
After immersing the child in the font, the priest hands him over to his godfather or godmother. They take him in their arms. This is where the name “receiver” comes from. Thus, for the rest of their lives, they take upon themselves the responsibility of raising a child in the spirit of Orthodoxy, teaching faith and piety, introducing them to the Sacraments, and praying for them.
A spiritual relationship is established between the godparents and the baby’s parents.
There are traditions in preparation for the ceremony. The godfather, as a rule, takes upon himself the payment for baptism and the purchase of a pectoral cross. The godmother buys the things necessary for the baptism. This is a towel, a baptismal shirt, a sheet.
There are also signs associated with baptism, but their observance is not at all necessary. So, they say that a woman should be the first to baptize a boy, a man should be the first to baptize a girl. They also say that a person who sees a child for the first time at baptism should put money next to him so that he is healthy. Also, the candle must be lit with the right hand so that the baby is not left-handed. But all this is nothing more than beliefs.
What to give at baptism
The godmother and godfather can discuss in advance what and who will give. Many couples today consult with the baby’s parents about this. After all, before baptism, a child is always given a lot of gifts, and mom and dad know better what is missing.
Usually, if the godfather gives a golden cross, then the godmother gives toys, costumes, overalls, and brings them with sweets so that the baby has a sweet life. You can also choose a memorable gift so that the boy or girl can keep it for a long time as a sign of a spiritual connection with their second parents.
Is it possible to baptize each other's children?
Priests are often asked the question of whether the parents of a child are allowed to become godparents to the children of their godfathers, that is, godparents of their children. This is allowed, because such an action does not violate spiritual kinship in any way. It only strengthens it. One of the parents may become godfather, for example, of a newborn girl’s godfather. Only both spouses should not be the adoptive parents of one child.
Baptism of a child by a pregnant woman
The expectant mother is blessed by God for the birth of her baby. This is very good. Therefore, no one and nothing can prevent her from becoming a godmother. This will not affect her child, only impose additional spiritual responsibilities.
And if someone says that pregnant women cannot be baptized, then this is not related to church canons, but rather superstition. Participation in all church sacraments will only benefit the expectant mother.
Child's baptism and godmother's period
According to the institutions of the Old Testament religion, purity (including physical) is an important condition for approaching everything spiritual. In the books of the Old Testament, menstruation was considered physical uncleanness. One should not dare to approach the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of the Lord on such days.
To avoid such situations, parents and godparents must first discuss the date of the ceremony.
Rules to follow for everyone planning a baptism
People who plan to baptize their baby should do the following:
- Choose godparents for the baby. However, they are required only up to 12-14 years of age. On the websites of different temples, information about the upper age limit differs. Church traditions say that a girl should be baptized by a woman, and a boy by a man. However, most often parents choose two godparents - father and mother. It is important that these people are not married. Relatives can also baptize children. This applies to grandparents, aunts and uncles. However, the mother cannot baptize her baby. This applies to both natural and adopted children.
- Choose a church. Before performing the sacrament, it is important to find out how the ritual is performed and when you can talk with the priest. You can baptize a baby on any day, and even the period of Lent is no exception. There are no prohibitions in this matter. Specific details depend on the church, which may not hold the ceremony on a particular day for technical reasons.
- Talk to the priest. In this case, you need to answer the priest’s questions and ask him your own. There are no special rules for preparing godparents for the ceremony. But in some churches, conversations are scheduled with the aim of explaining to a person the provisions of Orthodoxy. Sometimes priests advise fasting for 3 days. They may also recommend confession and communion. Godparents may need to learn the Creed prayer. It is read three times during the ceremony. The receiver can do this.
- Choose the name that the baby will receive at baptism. The priest will provide assistance in this matter. Not every modern name is included in the calendar. For example, Egor can be called Georgiy, and Alina - Galina.
- Prepare everything you need for the ceremony. For baptism you need to take a towel and a cross. You will also need a baptismal shirt. If the cross and chain were not purchased from a church, they must be consecrated. To do this, it is recommended to contact a priest before performing the sacrament.
- Come to the sacrament in church. The ritual itself takes no more than 1 hour. After the sacrament, parents receive a certificate indicating the name of the baby and the date of the sacrament.
The Church does not give recommendations on what exactly should be given to a baby for baptism. This aspect does not relate to the spiritual sphere, which is regulated by the canons. However, it is desirable that the gift be useful and serve as a reminder of the day of baptism. In this case, you can give an icon or a Gospel. You can also give your child spiritual literature.
Baptism is a significant ritual in the life of every person. Therefore, you need to be very careful when choosing godparents for a child. It is imperative to take into account the main features and limitations.
Godparents: who can be a godparent?
We are glad to see those who have come here in peace, who have discovered the Truth in Orthodox Christianity, those who are still in this search, and all those who sincerely sympathize with Orthodoxy. It's funny, but at baptism we literally put an end to children. Answering the question, I agree with the majority: it is possible and correct. I always thought that it was impossible, and they told us that in church too, but now I read the comments and I’m very surprised. Live and learn. This is just a superstition, there are no prohibitions of any kind. Good day to all!
What does the rite of baptism mean?
Baptism means a particularly important sacred act, during which the Lord himself is invisibly present. At the same time, the most important events occur:
- a baptized person is cleansed from sin and joins his Creator;
- the new member of the Church receives the highest grace;
- a Christian goes through spiritual birth and renounces Satan forever.
If the baptismal ceremony is intended for a small child, all the necessary ritual actions are performed for him by the godparents (spiritual) parents. These people need to vouch for their child before God and take on serious responsibility for the spiritual upbringing of the godson throughout his life. The godmother and father should pray for him, accustom him to church sacraments, and set a personal example of what a true Christian should be. The priests claim that the prayers offered by the godparents for the young member of the Orthodox Church entrusted to them have special power and are capable of providing him with great help.
Baptized in childhood
Most often, the question of debaptism is asked by those who, according to the Orthodox tradition, were baptized in infancy or childhood. The parents did not ask if their son or daughter wanted to be baptized, but went to church and got baptized. Some – according to family tradition, because “that’s how it’s supposed to be.” Others - because of deep faith. Usually, children of believing parents do not try to be baptized. For those who do not attend church, do not take communion, do not observe fasts and do not carry faith in their hearts, the child may feel the moral burden of “forced” baptism. But, as mentioned above, he does not have the opportunity to be baptized into the Orthodox Church.
Is it possible to take a brother and sister as godparents?
Yes, of course they can, but I advise you to consult your priest. Usually, godparents are from different families, this is primarily due to the fact that if there is any trouble with the family, the godparent can take care of his godson.
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