Is it possible?
Let's immediately answer this difficult question. Can a pregnant woman be a godmother? Certainly. The fact that a woman is expecting the birth of a baby is not a canonical obstacle to performing the ritual. When a girl feels well and has no medical contraindications, she can take part in the sacrament both as a simple observer and as a godmother. At the same time, she must remember that childbirth and postpartum recovery should not become an obstacle to the performance of duties on her part.
If you ask the priest whether a pregnant woman can baptize her child, he will certainly answer positively. And she will immediately warn that the future godmother, despite her position, must undergo an interview in the church on the eve of the ceremony and learn certain prayers. In addition, she must understand all the responsibility that she now bears for the baby. This is not a banal participation in a game or entertainment for the sake of curiosity, but a pleasant burden of requirements that must be observed and fulfilled.
Advantages and disadvantages
Before making a final decision, the expectant mother should think everything over carefully. Of course, the first disadvantage of her participation in the ritual will be elementary physical inconvenience. If your belly is large, holding your baby will be difficult and even painful. In the last months of pregnancy, pressure on internal organs increases, and the spine receives additional stress. And holding 3-4 kilograms of additional weight in her arms, the expectant mother may feel severe back pain and simply will not be able to complete the process. In addition, she may have recommendations from her doctor not to lift weights.
Can a pregnant woman be a godmother? If she is not afraid of all of the above, then she can agree to participate in the sacrament. After all, it also has many positive aspects. Firstly, it will benefit the baby in the womb. Feeling his mother's good mood and pleasant excitement, he will be calm. And the grace that descends on the parent will be transferred to him. Secondly, in the last months the baby in the stomach can already distinguish sounds. Therefore, hearing a mother read a prayer, sing during a service and then play with her baby, he will be able to empathize with all her positive feelings.
Responsibilities of a godmother
The approach to choosing a godmother for a girl or a boy differs slightly. It can only depend on personal preferences. That is, she will be able to establish a spiritual connection with the baby of which gender faster. After all, the church imposes 3 difficult responsibilities on recipients:
- Prayer room. The godmother should pray for her godson or goddaughter, and subsequently teach her ward to independently communicate with God through offering prayers.
- Moral. The godson is an example to follow, so it is necessary to teach the godson love, mercy, and other virtues not only with words, but also with one’s own behavior and attitude towards people and life in general.
- Doctrinal. When the Sacrament of Baptism occurs, the recipient makes a promise before God to instill in the child the fundamentals of the Christian faith. Catechesis can come to her aid - public conversations that help to obtain a sufficient amount of missing knowledge and information.
If necessary?
After all the above arguments, probably every woman has personally already answered the question of whether it is possible to be a godmother if she is pregnant. But is this necessary? There is a superstition that you should never refuse an offer. But that's not true. If you have been asked by religious people to become the godmother of their baby, feel free to agree. When parents raise a child in accordance with church traditions, teach him the basics of faith and involve him in visiting church, then it will be easier for you to fulfill your responsibilities. If you are sure that you were asked to become a godmother not for the spiritual enrichment of the baby, but for the sake of material gain and gifts, then it is better to refuse.
In addition, if your parents do not particularly respect Orthodox teachings and only go to church on major holidays, you can politely decline the offer. Most likely, you were asked to take part in the sacrament, following a fashionable tradition. Is it worth agreeing to take on such responsibilities when parents do not realize the full responsibility of the ritual, its semantic load, but do it only because it is customary and necessary? Of course not.
When should a pregnant woman refuse?
If you don’t know whether you can be a godmother while pregnant, don’t doubt it - the church allows it. Just remember that you should forego such a step under certain circumstances:
- When a girl is baptized. In this case, according to the church charter, you will have to hold the child in your arms for most of the ceremony. Since in the Orthodox church the godparents constantly stand, without being able to sit down, it may be difficult for you to remain on your feet all this time.
- If it's summer outside. During the hot season, the church can be very stuffy. You will not be able to go out for a breath of fresh air if your health worsens. In addition, the ceremony is often long. The priest, of course, can stop the process, but this will cause a lot of trouble both for him and for all the guests present.
- When you doubt that you can give your baby all the love and affection that you are capable of. Godchildren are second children who also require participation in their fate and care on your part.
A pregnant woman can be a godmother only when she is confident in her abilities and fully realizes that she is now a second mother for her godson. With all the responsibilities that entails.
Common prejudices
Often prejudices have no logical basis. Everything is connected with old signs.
There is an opinion that a pregnant woman will pass on her health and happiness to someone else’s child during the baptism ceremony. Some believe that a pregnant girl will make her godson unhappy. However, both opinions have no evidence.
The fate of the child does not depend on the position of the godmother. These are pagan superstitions that cannot be applied in the Orthodox faith.
Advice from Father
The priest will definitely warn you that from now on you must remember all the difficulties that await you. After all, godparents are always responsible for the spiritual life of their successor. They make a vow before God to guide them on the right path and always support them with good advice. Can a pregnant woman be a godmother? Your participation in the sacrament in this role is allowed if you realize that you can cope with the task.
Father will remind you that you will soon become a mother yourself, so you may not have time left to visit your godson. Is it worth taking on this matter then? Any doubts can already become a reason for refusal. Moreover, if you sincerely do not want this, then it is better to also think about giving up your place to someone else. When a woman, despite her position, decides to take part in the ritual, she must receive a blessing from the priest the day before.
Signs about a pregnant godmother, godson and their lives
By the behavior of the mother at the christening, you can determine what kind of character the future child will be. All these signs have been formed over many years and even centuries:
- Lightheadedness. The future baby will become very active and playful. From birth, the child will seem to have an omnipresent curiosity. The mother needs to focus the child's curiosity in the right way;
- Muddy. The godmother will have to experience unreal humiliation and shame. In return for the support of her relatives, a pregnant girl will receive neglect and insult from them. The girl will have to endure all the difficulties that she will have when bearing and giving birth to children;
- Dejection. A difficult future awaits a godson or goddaughter. He will easily be influenced by strangers. And most often such children have a bad fate. In the future, the child may develop health problems. Parents will have to spend a lot of effort to restore the physical health of their baby;
- A feeling of reverent trembling. The godmother and godson will be destined to communicate closely. Usually such feelings indicate a good outcome of baptism;
- Anxiety. Soon bad news will come to the godmother from distant relatives. This feeling will not affect the child in any way;
- Childbirth during baptism. There will be a special spiritual connection between the godmother's child and her godson. This will help the two families communicate and strengthen their bonds in the future.
Requirements for godparents
When the question of whether you can be a godmother while pregnant has already been decided, you should think about the responsibilities that you will now have to carefully perform. Firstly, you will need to teach your child the basics of the Orthodox faith. Spiritual education involves attending Sunday services together, learning prayers and reading spiritual commandments. If you yourself are ignorant in these matters, take care to fill in the existing gaps.
Godparents are obliged to accustom the child to all church sacraments: first of all, to confession and communion. They tell the baby stories from the Bible, parables of the New and Old Testaments. They also explain the meaning of daily and Sunday services, the meaning of all church holidays, the miraculous power of shrines - icons, relics, holy scriptures. But most importantly, they are obliged to constantly pray for their godson. Therefore, remember that godparents cannot be completely strangers to the baby.
Sacrament of Baptism
Parents preparing their child for Baptism and looking for godparents for him have many questions. One of them is whether pregnant women can baptize their child? Before you find out the answer, you should understand the content and meaning of this Church Sacrament. It is necessary to understand why a child needs godparents and what their responsibilities are.
Sacrament of Baptism
Who shouldn't be godparents?
Since the answer to the question of whether a pregnant woman can baptize a child is now known, let’s figure out who is prohibited from taking part in the ritual. First, to people who do not meet the spiritual requirements outlined above. And also to those who profess a different faith. Secondly, parents need to give up godparents who receive personal benefits from the new status. Thirdly, from those persons who lead an immoral lifestyle are unrepentant sinners.
It is known that, having become godparents, a man and a woman establish a spiritual connection between themselves, which is much stronger than a marriage one. Therefore, there should be no personal relationship between them, other than friendship and friendship. Even if a couple has not yet married, but is dating and has close physical contact, they cannot take part in the ceremony. But spouses can become godparents in the same family for different children. When the couple baptizes the baby, they need to immediately end the relationship and limit themselves exclusively to a spiritual connection.
Modern arguments
Before inviting a pregnant woman to become a godmother for her baby, church ministers advise taking her thoughts into account:
- A woman who decided to abandon her child after birth in order to send him to an orphanage is not suitable for this role. Such an intention makes the godson dependent and dependent on other people’s opinions.
- If a woman did not plan the pregnancy and intends to get rid of it, she cannot be taken as a godparent. The child will be haunted by misfortunes. The same rule is true for women who have previously had abortions.
- You should not take a girl who has been involved in surrogacy as godparents. This way of making money characterizes her as a mercantile person, which has a bad effect on the spirituality of her godson.
- Church canons prohibit women who have children out of wedlock from participating in the baptismal ceremony. The child will be haunted by failures. To solve problems, he will need the help of outsiders.
- It is forbidden to baptize a woman who is expecting a child from a man who has left his family. Otherwise, the godson will be unhappy in family life or will not marry.
A woman who becomes pregnant through IVF can become a godmother. According to the church, this way of becoming a mother does not deprive her of spirituality. Her sincere desire for motherhood characterizes her as a purposeful and responsible person.
A planned pregnancy that occurs among married spouses has a positive effect on the godmother and her ward. The child grows up responsible and makes independent decisions.
What to give to the baby?
Can a pregnant woman be a godmother? As you can see, there are no strict contraindications. Therefore, if you are confident in your abilities and have decided to take this step, do not be afraid. Feel free to take on your new responsibilities. The first thing you need to do is decide on a gift. Remember that the godmother is obliged to buy kryzhma for the baby. This is a piece of fabric that takes an active part in the sacrament. They wipe the child’s head with it after blessing with water.
You also need to buy something for the baby. The best thing is something that will remind him of the day of baptism. For example, the Gospel, an icon, spiritual literature, a cross. In general, these days you can find a lot of interesting and useful gifts in church shops. Therefore, purchasing a gift should not be a big problem. Remember: you cannot give money. They are considered dirty, so it’s not worth darkening such a bright day with their presence.
Now you know whether you can be a godmother. Being pregnant, it is sometimes difficult for a woman to cope with this important mission. But if you want and can, then why not.
Prayers of godparents for godchildren
First prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, our God, in the Jordan you deigned to be baptized by John and commanded us to be baptized for the remission of sins, have mercy and save the child (name), whom I received from the font. Grant him undoubted faith, love for You, our Savior and his neighbor. Guide him yourself along the path of salvation, so that when he passes into perfect age, he will be granted spiritual gifts, will preserve good physical health, and may the Kingdom of Heaven in his soul (name) grow from the pea seed into a blessed-leaved tree and bring good fruit to the glory of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Second prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, awaken Thy mercy on my godchildren (names), keep them under Thy roof, cover them from all evil lust, drive away from them every enemy and adversary, open the ears and eyes of their hearts, grant tenderness and humility to their hearts. Lord, we are all Your creation, have pity on my godchildren (names) and turn them to repentance. Save, O Lord, and have mercy on my godchildren (names), and enlighten their minds with the light of the mind of Your Holy Gospel, and guide them on the path of Your commandments and teach them, O Savior, to do Your will, for You are our God.
Prayer for the godson, St. Ambrose of Optina
God, my merciful and heavenly Father! Have mercy on my godson (name), for whom I humbly pray to You and whom I entrust to Your care and protection. Put strong faith in him, teach him to revere You and deign him to deeply love You, our Creator and Savior. Guide him, God, on the path of truth and goodness, so that he does everything for the glory of Your name. Teach him to live piously and virtuously, to be a good Christian and a useful person.
Give him mental and physical health and success in his work. Deliver him from the cunning machinations of the devil, from numerous temptations, from evil passions and from all wicked and disorderly people. For the sake of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, through the prayers of His Most Pure Mother and all the saints, bring him to the quiet haven of Your eternal Kingdom, so that he, along with all the righteous, will always thank You with Your only begotten Son and Your life-giving Spirit. Amen.
Prayer for children and godchildren, Archimandrite John (Krestyankin)
Sweetest Jesus! God of my heart! You gave me children according to the flesh, they are Yours according to your soul. You redeemed both my soul and theirs with Your priceless Blood. For the sake of Your Divine Blood, I beg You, my sweetest Savior, with Your grace touch the hearts of my children (names) and my godchildren (names), protect them with Your Divine fear, keep them from bad inclinations and habits, direct them to the bright path of life, truth and of good. Decorate their lives with everything good and saving, arrange their fate as You yourself want and save their souls with their own destinies! Lord, God of our fathers! Give to my children (names) and godchildren (names) a right heart to keep Your commandments, Your revelations and Your statutes. And do it all! Amen.
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