For an adult who consciously undergoes the rite of baptism, the presence of godparents is not necessary. How to choose godparents for children, representatives of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) told on Facebook.
As the OCU noted, since infants and young children cannot yet independently understand the meaning of faith, godparents are chosen for them. Their role is not only to participate in the ritual, but also to provide spiritual support to the child throughout his life. Godparents should help their godson or goddaughter learn the Christian faith, be an example, support, advise and pray for them.
“Godparents are a great responsibility before people and before God. Being one means not just formally taking part in the corresponding sacrament of the church and continuing to be considered godparents. It is taking on the responsibility of a spiritual mentor for a certain person for life,” the message says.
That is why, when choosing godparents for a child, you should think not about family ties or friendship, but about who can really help the child in spiritual development, support him and be there at important moments in life.
Who shouldn't be chosen?
Godparents cannot be the child’s natural parents, spouses (for one child), minors, unbaptized people or those who do not profess the Orthodox faith.
In Ukraine, a child has two godparents – a godfather and a godmother. However, church rules allow you to have one godfather – the same gender as the child.
The OCU noted that there are no prohibitions on so-called cross-nepotism. That is, people who became godparents for one child can invite his parents to become godparents for their children. At the same time, godparents cannot marry each other, with the natural parents of the baptized child, or with their godchildren.
