How to choose "godparents"?

[Suzannah]

What should be our "criteria"? If any??? I need to choose mine? Exactly what is their responsibility because at my age, I really hardly need to be a burden to anyone??? LOL!
Thanks for any thoughts you might share!

 

[Orthodox Andrew]

What should be our "criteria"? If any??? I need to choose mine? Exactly what is their responsibility because at my age, I really hardly need to be a burden to anyone??? LOL!
Thanks for any thoughts you might share!

You could just do what I did, and have somebody else choose them for you. I think my Godfather's an Atheist.

 

[Suzannah]

He's an atheist in the church? Wow...

 

[Orthodox Andrew]

He's an atheist in the church? Wow...

No, he's never been to Church other than for weddings and funerals. I like how all my situations are odd.

 

[Matrona]

Your baptismal sponsor(s) should be at least 12 or 13 years old, have been baptized/chrismated at least one year ago, and be in good standing with the Church. If you only choose one sponsor, she should be the same gender as you.

Also, since you're already married I don't think you'll ever have to worry about this, but just so you know, you're not supposed to marry your sponsor or anyone in his/her family, since you and your godparent are "spiritual family".

 

[Suzannah]

I'm confused again! Sorry!!!!
So I only have to choose one? Not one man, and one lady?

 

[Orthodox Andrew]

I'm confused again! Sorry!!!!
So I only have to choose one? Not one man, and one lady?

You can have two if you like.

 

[Matrona]

I'm confused again! Sorry!!!!
So I only have to choose one? Not one man, and one lady?

It's okay!

You only have to have one. If you only have one sponsor, she needs to be a woman. But you can have two, a man and a woman, if you would prefer it.

Pick someone or a couple at your parish who has helped you in some way and fits the above criteria. Take your time--I didn't pick my sponsor until a week before I was baptized. (I have a really hard time picking up subjects like that with people; I'm so shy!)

 

[Suzannah]

Okay! Great! Now I know exactly which lady I will ask....
thanks so much!

 

[Matrona]

Okay! Great! Now I know exactly which lady I will ask....
thanks so much!

Wonderful! God bless you!

 

[Suzannah]

psst, Matrona! I'm going to ask the "l-o-l" (little old lady) from Russia...She's alone in the world. She told me her sons were sent long ago to Siberia and she came here to America only because a "nice American man" sponsored her. She goes to my church (Serbian) so she doesn't have to take the bus to the Russian church....she thinks I'm charming because I'm Irish and speak some Russian....I like her because she's kind to the new people and always prays for the new people and lights candles for them. She has lit a candle every day for me, so I hear, since I started going there. What faith!!!!!

 

[Matrona]

Oh, how sweet of her to light candles for so many people! I'm sure she will make a wonderful godmother.

I don't have a lot of candles, but I light a candle and pray every day for one of my friends, the one who introduced me to Orthodoxy in the first place. And I try every day to pass on the kindness he gave to me. I keep a photograph of him close to my prayer corner, to remind me.