What Is a Godchild?

When their baby is baptised, many parents choose a couple to act as godparents.

Many parents choose a couple to be godparents to their baby around the time of the baby's baptism. Godparents promise to be spiritual sponsors of the child--their godchild--and to participate in his religious upbringing.

Parents and Godparents

A godchild, in essence, has two sets of parents. There are her birth parents and her godparents. The godparents are usually relatives or close friends of the parents. The godchild benefits by having four people to advise her and to see to her spiritual and secular development.

Duties to a Godchild

Not only do godparents participate in the religious life of their godchild, they are often present for his developmental milestones. Participation or attendance at plays, recitals, birthday parties, graduations and other meaningful moments of their godchild's life are important.

Guardians of the Godchild

Often godparents are named as guardians to their godchild in the event something happens to the baby's parents. Since they are already spiritual sponsors, share the parents' faith and are involved in their godchild's life, it is a natural next step to accept responsibility for her in the event of a life-altering event.

References

• St. Ignatius Antiochian Orthodox Christian Church: Baptism Guide for Parents and Godparents
• Debrett's: Choosing Godparents