www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Godparents question

Dear Freinds,

I was wondering if two families were Godparents to each others child was in voilation of the EO or EC teaching.
Here is a hypothetical example to illustrate;

My wife and I are Godparents to my brother's child.
My brother and his wife are Godparents to my child.

If so, what is the reasoning for this.

Thank you,

Brad

Brad,

From your example, the short answer is NO.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

Dear Brad,

You can be reciprocal Godparents, so to speak, with another couple. However, strictly speaking, a husband and wife should not be Godparents of the same child. Pious Greeks that I have met are particularly vehement about this, but Russians have this understanding also. Why? I really don't know. I do know however, that two Godparents of the same child cannot marry each other because of their existing spiritual relationship with each other. Similarly, your Godchild and your natural child may not marry each other because of their sibling relationship.

Another thing I found out after being a priest for twenty years and having baptised three of my five children (i.e. all my children who were born after I was ordained) is that a priest should not baptise his own children in the Russian Church. Though apparently a priest may baptise his grandchildren. Go figure....

Fr David Straut

Thank you for your answers,

This will settle a discussion I had with some friends over the weekend.

Brad

Father David:

Father bless!!

Could it be that if one godparent ceases to be a good spiritual example or stop praying for the child, the other would still be so? If both members of a couple stopped being good examples for the child, who would he have left to be example to him and to pray for him?

I have been privileged to be asked three times to be a godfather to three different couples' child. As I understand the obligation, I have to be an example to each one and to pray for each one as long as I live. I did compose a prayer for my godchildren and remember them each day in the General Intercession from the prayerbook. Each of my godchildren I consider to be God's gift to me to pray for, even when I don't see them regularly. But praying for them brings them "hug close" to me each day when I ask the Lord to work with them since He walks with them each day because of their Baptism. In Him we are elbow to elbow each day.

Asking for your blessing and your continued holy praeyrs,

BOB

The unwritten Ukrainain ustav is that a priest (1) does not baptize his own children and (2) does not marry them.

Why?

How about Confession, Holy Unction, Communion, and Funerals?

Do Priests Baptize or Marry their parents?

Not wholly related...

I know a lovely couple - widower and widow in their 60s - that three years ago entered into a second marriage (for both) to each other. The son of the bride (RC priest) served as the presider over their wedding. Seeing the photos of the event, I found it to be a beautiful witness to the reality of the priesthood and marriage. In ordination a son becomes a father, in baptism a son becomes a brother!

Lots of perspectives out there I suppose.

Very nice story and thought...

Alice

In the Russian Church a priest may not baptize his own children? Do tell. I remember a specific occasion at Saint Nicholas Cathedral in New York: a priest baptized his own daughter, and the god-father was none other than Mitred Archpriest Matthew Stadniuk (who was also secretary to the Patriarch of Moscow at the time).

Fr. Serge

Good question, but yes, they can confess, anoint, commune and bury.

Regarding a priest hearing the confession of a family member: Another thread in the Faith & Worship forum "Confessions Concern" touched on that issue indirectly. There was discussion of telephone confessions if a priest is too far away, etc. The writer mentioned that wives of priests in remote areas have been known to confess to a priest or monastic via telephone and then recieve absolution from her priest/husband.