From ancient times in Russia there is a tradition that every person should have godparents. Almost all religions have this tradition. In paganism, such a rite was called a name. The child was blessed by his spiritual father and mother. And, in turn, they promised to protect and love. Blood relatives carefully chose who could be godparents.
How to choose godparents who should become spiritual mentors and go with the godson through life, follow his fate and provide moral support? With a request to become mentors to a child, real mothers and fathers turn to their closest friends or relatives, to people who are trusted and fully trusted.
Who can be godparents?In ancient times, when Christianity was just born, it was believed that it was necessary to be baptized when a person could make a choice himself. And will understand the Christian commandments. From about the 4th century, they began to baptize babies. The duties of godparents are to raise a child, to help him. Relations betweenfamilies lasted all their lives, godparents became spiritual mentors, helped to understand religious issues, supported and morally helped the child.
There was a close connection, a special kind of kinship and friendship. The Christian religion considers godparents and godchild to be blood relatives. Godfathers did not have the right to marry, and marriage was also impossible between godparents and a godson. Husband and wife could not be tutors of the same child. A love or intimate relationship between godparents was considered incest. Godparents are obliged to bear the same responsibility to the godson as to their children. Mentors must be Orthodox and believing people. You can not choose your new relatives from a mercantile calculation - this is a sin. According to church traditions, in the event of the death of the parents, the godparents become the guardians of the child. The "second" mother becomes the guardian of the girl, the "second" father becomes the guardian of the boy. Therefore, they carefully consider who can become godparents. At the rite of baptism, parents and godfathers are present. They pray for the child, promise to take care of him, to educate him in the Christian faith. At baptism, the baby is given a Christian name. There is a spiritual connection between the godson and the godparents. From that moment on, the child has spiritual mentors who are obliged to support him not only morally, but also financially. And who can be godparents if not people who love this baby?
If you are asked to be a godparent, you must take the offer seriously. This church tradition has grown into pathos celebrations, after which the baby's mentor forget about their duties and promises. Don't let that happen! Whatever happens in the relationship between the parents of the baby and the godparents, the latter should always take care and participate in the life of the child. Who can be godparents? This is to choose the father and mother of the child.
