Is it possible to baptize a child without godparents? We answer the question

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

There are times when young parents try to find an answer to their concern: "Is it possible to baptize a child without godparents?" Everything in life does not always go smoothly, and sometimes it becomes necessary to urgently baptize a child. In such cases, the chosen godparents may be very far away, or simply do not exist.

How should a child be baptized in a church?

Some literature, published with the blessing of the Orthodox Church, helps to learn how to baptize a child in the church. For example, let's take a set of rules about the Sacrament of Baptism. It is clearly indicated here that for the performance of the ceremony, the presence of godparents is mandatory: godmothers and fathers. For himself, a child is not able to promise to be an obedient Christian and be faithful only to his Lord.

Little children are baptized according to the faith of their parents and godparents. If parents and recipients of the Orthodox faith, then it is they who are responsible for the upbringingChristian. On behalf of a newborn, adults renounce evil thoughts and deeds before the Lord Jesus Christ.

Exceptions to the rule

If baptism needs to be done immediately, there are some exceptions to the rules that allow the ceremony to be performed without godparents. The category of such exceptions includes the situation when the child is very sick, and doctors cannot exclude the threat of a fatal outcome. In such cases, the Church allows the baby to be baptized without the participation of sponsors. When the child recovers, you can always choose godparents for him.

Baptism can be performed by any hospital worker, seeing the grave condition of the baby. He also has the right to take the place of the godparent. To do this, you need to take water (consecrated if possible) and water the baby's head with it, each time saying the formula of baptism.

The text of the baptismal formula is as follows: "The servant of God (the servant of God) is baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen!" In situations where the ceremony was performed by a person who is not related to a particular religion (layman), there is a need to visit the church and ask the priest to complete the baptism in a proper way.

Is it possible to baptize a child without godparents according to different clergymen?

From life examples it is clear that different clergymen related to the same religion give different answers to the question: "Is it possible to baptize a child without godparents?" Some of them allowthe possibility of recording godparents, referring to the words of the mother or father of the child (absentee baptism). Others believe that the godfather and mother, who did not take part in the baptism, according to Orthodox canons, are not such before the Lord God.

Therefore, if there is a desire or a direct need to urgently conduct a ceremony, it is necessary to consult with a spiritual mentor (father) and get an answer from him to the question: "Is it possible to baptize a child without godparents?" By the way, it will be mentioned that the rector himself can become the godfather of your child.