The birth of a child is an important event in the family, but parents will encounter a huge number of difficulties before they can breathe a sigh of relief. The upbringing of a person includes a huge number of components, because it is very important not only to teach the baby to read and write, to educate him, but to educate a worthy member of society with stable moral and spiritual values.
In many ways, the child’s godparents should take on the spiritual education of the child. Very many do not understand their task, christening the child. After all, the matter is not in the gifts that they will now give to their godson for birthdays, name days and other holidays, now they are responsible for the faith of the baby, his Christian upbringing.
The sacrament of baptism is considered one of the most important events in human life and symbolizes purification and spiritual birth. The procedure itself requires three times immersion in water, as a symbol of the three days when Jesus was in the tomb, after which his Resurrection took place.
Godparents, or, as they are also called, adoptive parents, vouch for the baby and are now his second parents, so the responsibility for Christian education lies on their shoulders.
It is difficult to say what motives parents are guiding when choosing godparents for their baby, but there are a number of restrictions that you need to know about in advance. So, for example, first of all, the parents themselves cannot be godparents for the child, nor can unbelieving people take on such responsibilities. The mentally ill and morally fallen should not be at the font with the baby in their arms, and young children are not allowed to this ceremony as recipients. A husband and wife who are married cannot be godparents of one child, but may well christen siblings (for example, a wife is a girl and a husband is a boy).
In general, following the church canons, just one receiver is enough to conduct christening. The godmother is required when the baptized is a girl, and vice versa, the godfather is needed when the boy is baptized. However, we traditionally choose two parents, because this absolutely does not contradict the church charter.
It is believed that it is the godfather that incurs the cost of Baptism. He must also buy a gift and a cross to his goddaughter or godson. If the child is still very small, then the cross is best worn on a wide ribbon so that the baby does not damage the delicate skin on the neck.
The godmother must undertake the purchase of a baptismal set, which includes a hat, shirt and kryzhma (towel or diaper) - it is in her that the baby is wrapped after the font.
However, in modern realities, not always godparents have the financial ability to pay all the conventions, the main thing is their presence and acceptance of responsibility for the further spiritual education of the child. Each church may require its own compulsory set, which the baby should have at baptism.
Usually, the recipients buy a gift for the christening of a child together, the same cross and a chain of silver or gold.
If you are among the invited guests for such a family holiday, then traditionally as a gift you can present a blanket for the baby, diapers, vests, clothes, etc.
It is worth saying that, choosing the recipients for the child, it is necessary to give preference to those people who will subsequently be able to give the baby proper spiritual education, surround them with care and love. Parents should not seek material benefits in choosing godparents, guided by the level of financial security of applicants. Godparents are first and foremost mentors who will help the child choose his own path and decide on priorities and life values.