The Rite of Baptism is a sacrament that is held according to certain rules of the Christian Orthodox Church. It is believed that only after baptism does a person become 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, while others (especially believing families) want to bring up the baby from the cradle according to Christian rules, instilling in him spiritual canons. There are also people who, not particularly interested in this sacrament, go to church, following fashionable trends. Yes, today you can read in any magazine how young mothers from the “cream of society” parade their own children’s christening and tell everyone what kind of festivities were arranged on this occasion.
If you read the Bible - the Holy Scriptures, then it says clearly when a person should be baptized. It is necessary to accept faith meaningfully when the lad fully understands the seriousness of this rite and its meaning. Can a newborn baby make such a decision? But from time immemorial people have baptized their only born children.
It is believed that this rite should not be performed on an infant until 40 days after birth. However, the clergy are not unanimous in this judgment. Many children are baptized much earlier. For example, a child was born weak and sick. Naturally, parents want to quickly determine the place where to baptize the child, and agree with the priest so that the Lord helps their little one.
For all parents, the question is relevant: who can be godmother for their child. Godparents are not taken from the street and the first comers. It is believed that the godparents, after reading a special prayer and saying sacred words, become spiritual parents to their godson. They are obliged to help in raising a child, to develop his spiritual world, to instill a love of God and to honor the church. If sorrow happens to native parents, then it is the godparents who should take the responsibility of raising a godson or goddaughter.
Many people (especially the older generation) uniquely determine who can be godparent. In their opinion: only relatives are brothers or sisters (parents), and for lack of such - nephews, uncles, aunts. In fact, it is permissible for godparents to call close bloodied people and friends. The main thing is that these people clearly realize what responsibility they have and do not ask why they should baptize a child at all.
However, the church still puts forward some demands on people who may be godmothers. It is forbidden to baptize sick people (with an unbalanced psyche and mental illness), non-believers, unbaptized, legally married or married spouses. According to the rules: husband and wife cannot be godparents of one child. It is also not allowed to baptize women who were refused communion. And, of course, the priest will not allow the baptism of a child to a person with drug addiction, alcohol addiction. But this is obvious. None of the normal parents would want their child to be held by an alcoholic or drug addict.
Reflecting on who may be godparents, parents should consider each candidate very carefully, as if under a magnifying glass. After all, godparents are not those people who appear once a year with a package of sweets and gifts. Although at the present time such godparents are more common.
After thinking and determining who can be your godfather, 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 in the morning service, confess and take communion. She also must acquire kryzhma - the fabric in which the child is wrapped after bathing. The godfather must also visit the church, take communion, arrange with the priest and set a date for the christening. The godfather should also buy a pectoral cross for the future godson.