The Godparent
The Role of Godparent
is an Awesome Responsibility
is an Awesome Responsibility
Since many baptisms took place on Holy Saturday, it is a good idea to
revisit the important role godparents play in the role of the newly
baptized child. Godparents are also expected to play an important role
in the religious and spiritual life of adult converts who've been
received into the Orthodox Church through the Mystery of Baptism.
The institution of godparents (sponsors) is one that dates back to the first century of the Christian Church. Anyone approaching baptism, be they infant or adult, was required to have a godparent. In the case of an infant, it is the godparent that speaks for the child, answering the questions posed by the priest during the baptismal service. But it doesn't stop there! The godparent is charged by the Church with the duty to make sure the newly baptized is instructed in the teachings of the Church, remains a frequent communicant within the Church and remains active in the Church. In the case of a child, it is to the godparents that the parents entrust their child, knowing that the godparent will remain actively supporting the child within the life of the Church. Should something happen to the parents, it is traditionally the godparent who will make sure the child continues to be taken to church, and remains Orthodox.
The institution of godparents (sponsors) is one that dates back to the first century of the Christian Church. Anyone approaching baptism, be they infant or adult, was required to have a godparent. In the case of an infant, it is the godparent that speaks for the child, answering the questions posed by the priest during the baptismal service. But it doesn't stop there! The godparent is charged by the Church with the duty to make sure the newly baptized is instructed in the teachings of the Church, remains a frequent communicant within the Church and remains active in the Church. In the case of a child, it is to the godparents that the parents entrust their child, knowing that the godparent will remain actively supporting the child within the life of the Church. Should something happen to the parents, it is traditionally the godparent who will make sure the child continues to be taken to church, and remains Orthodox.
Because of the awesome
responsibility of godparents, it is all the more important that
great care be taken when choosing someone who will take on this role.
The Church does not allow anyone to become a godparent who is not
Orthodox, for how can one who is not himself a pious, active Orthodox
Christian give witness to living a life immersed in the Orthodox faith?
The godparent must therefore be a person of high moral character, and able
to inspire the newly baptized to fulfill their baptismal vows.
When the newly
baptized approaches the holy chalice for the first three consecutive
Sundays following baptism, it is the godparent who accompanies them
to receive the Holy Mysteries. The godparent must, therefore, be someone
who himself/herself is a frequent communicant. Additionally, the
godparent must be someone who is active in the
life of the Church, supporting the Church with their tithe, keeping the
fasts, and otherwise living in all piety and holiness.
The person chosen to
act as a godparent must be someone willing to honor their commitment to
the newly baptized for a lifetime, and willing to help nourish the
spiritual life and development of the child throughout their life. Thus,
it is a very bad idea to pick someone as a godparent simply because
they are a good friend. Godparents are duty
bound to continue giving support to their godchild, even into adulthood.
They must be someone who will remember to honor their godson or
goddaughter on special
occasions, such as a birthday or namesday. They should be a part of the
godchild's life during the great feasts of the Church, such as
Pascha or Nativity. They should commemorate the anniversary of their
godchild's baptism by giving them a
Christian gift, such as a Bible, prayer book, or icon.
Everything should be done to
strengthen the bond between the godparent and the godchild throughout
the ensuing years. They can take each other out to a restaurant for
dinner, or receive communion together when possible (if living in
different cities). Time should be allotted to cultivate a unique spiritual bond, and the godparent should assist the
godchild's parents whenever possible - especially when doing so enhances
the godchild's commitment to their Orthodox faith.
Because baptism has been
called Illumination, and brings us out
of the darkness of sin and into the light
of Christ, the role of the godparent is critical. The godparent must
ensure that the
Light of Christ continues to shine in the soul of the godchild. Thus,
this role as godparent is an
awesome responsibility, and is not to be considered a one-day event. If
you've been asked to be a godparent, but are unwilling to see this as a
lifelong vocation, please decline the honor.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Monday May 6, 2013 / April 23, 2013
Bright Monday.
Bright Week. Fast-free
Bright Week. Fast-free
Entire week, fast-free.
Holy Glorious Great-martyr, Victory-bearer and Wonderworker George (303).
New Hieromartyr Priest Egor (George) of Spas Chekriak village, Russia (1918).
New Hieromartyr John priest (1940).
New Hieromartyr Priest Sergius Zacharczuk of Nabroz (Chelm and Podlasie, Poland) (1943).
Martyr Alexandra the Empress, wife of Diocletian (303).
Martyrs Anatolius and Protoleon, soldiers converted by witnessing the martyrdom of St. George.
Martyrs Glycerius, Athanasius the Magician, Valerius, and Donatus at Nicomedia.
Martyr Therinus of Bothrotus in Epirus (250).
New Martyr George of Ptolomais (1752).
New Martyr Lazarus of Bulgaria, who suffered at Pergamus (1802).
Blessed George of Shenkursk, fool-for-Christ (1462).
Holy Glorious Great-martyr, Victory-bearer and Wonderworker George (303).
New Hieromartyr Priest Egor (George) of Spas Chekriak village, Russia (1918).
New Hieromartyr John priest (1940).
New Hieromartyr Priest Sergius Zacharczuk of Nabroz (Chelm and Podlasie, Poland) (1943).
Martyr Alexandra the Empress, wife of Diocletian (303).
Martyrs Anatolius and Protoleon, soldiers converted by witnessing the martyrdom of St. George.
Martyrs Glycerius, Athanasius the Magician, Valerius, and Donatus at Nicomedia.
Martyr Therinus of Bothrotus in Epirus (250).
New Martyr George of Ptolomais (1752).
New Martyr Lazarus of Bulgaria, who suffered at Pergamus (1802).
Blessed George of Shenkursk, fool-for-Christ (1462).
You can read the life of the saint in green, by click on the name.
THANK YOU, to all of you who have been able to contribute towards the support of the monastery. These difficult times of economic hardship have impacted the monastery, and those of you who have been able to donate, have been our lifeline. May God bless you for your generosity, and kindness.
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon
Abbot Tryphon
Donations can be made directly to the monastery through PayPal, or you may send donations to:
All-Merciful Saviour Monastery
PO Box 2420
Vashon Island, WA 98070-2420 USA
The Scripture Readings
Click on Scriptures to read:
Luke 12:2-12 Matins, GospelActs 1:12-17, 21-26 (Epistle)
John 1:18-28 (Gospel)
Matthew 28:1-20 (Cross Procession, 1st Gospel)
Mark 16:1-8 (Cross Procession, 2nd Gospel)
Luke 24:1-12 (Cross Procession, 3rd Gospel)
John 20:1-10 (or Luke 24:36-53) (Cross Procession, 4th Reading)
Luke 24:36-53 (or John 20:1-10) (Cross Procession, 4th Reading)
Acts 12:1-11 St. George
John 15:17-16:2 St. George
I invite my readers to listen to my
Ancient Faith Radio podcasts.
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