Participation in the Sacrament of Baptism as spiritual parents is a great responsibility to the godson and to God. Therefore, even before accepting the offer to become the godfather, you must visit the temple to talk with the clergyman.
Instruction manual
1
Before the Sacrament of Baptism, the future godfather must confess and partake. To do this, you must observe the post for three days. At this time, you should abandon conjugal duties, food of animal origin, and also protect yourself from irritability and foul language.
2
The duties of the godfather include not expensive gifts, but raising a child in the Orthodox faith and love of God. Therefore, representatives of other faiths (Buddhists, Baptists, Muslims, Rodnovers, etc.) or convinced atheists cannot be elected as spiritual fathers.
3
The receiver should not only be baptized and wear a pectoral cross, but also know the prayers, regularly attend the church, receive communion and confess. As a child grows up, he must pray for him, read the gospel with him, introduce him to prayers, take him to Sunday school, talk about icons, fasting and church holidays, and travel on pilgrimage trips if possible.
4
If you are fortunate enough to baptize a child, surround him with attention and care, especially if one of the parents leads an immoral lifestyle. The child should know that the godparent is a native person, the words of which should be heeded, with which you can share experiences or joy. The caretaker should be an example for his godchildren as well as a father for his children.
5
Do not forget that during the Sacrament of Baptism, you before God renounced Satan for the unconscious baby who was held in your arms. According to church canons, the recipient will have to answer before God if he raised the godchildren as his own children.
note
The Orthodox Church allows being a godparent from 15 years old. A close relative (grandfather, brother, uncle) can become a receiver. A husband and wife cannot baptize the same child.
Useful advice
On christening, it is customary to give the child a pectoral cross.
