In the Orthodox tradition, all children under seven years of age who receive the sacrament of baptism must have godparents. However, far from always physiological fathers and mothers manage to choose godparents for their baby.
The godparents have a responsibility to God for the spiritual education and churching of the infant who receives holy baptism. That is why physiological parents should carefully consider the choice of godparents for their baby. Of course, every mom and dad want their children to have good godmothers. This means that the latter themselves must understand the basics of the Orthodox faith. And this, unfortunately, does not always happen. Therefore, it is sometimes very difficult to find godparents for your child. So, for example, a question may arise before mom and dad: what if there are no worthy godfathers among friends? Is it then possible to baptize a child under the age of seven?
The Orthodox Church advises every baby to have godparents. However, Orthodox canons do not prohibit, in the absence of godparents, the sacrament of baptism over a baby. Therefore, it is necessary to state with certainty the fact that in Orthodox churches baptism over a baby can be performed in the absence of godparents. The child himself is not to blame for the fact that he does not have worthy godfathers. Therefore, the Church does not have the right to deprive the infant of the opportunity to receive the sacrament and to be combined with Christ.
Therefore, do not despair for those parents who have serious questions when choosing godparents. Even if there are no worthy recipients of the baby, baptism will be performed. In this case, the priest who performs the sacrament will formally be considered the godparent.
Some representatives of the clergy even advise bringing a child to baptism without godparents, rather than with godparents who do not understand the Orthodox faith at all.
