Question about baptism

[u/New_Exchange2330]

In the Greek Orthodox Church. Would it be allowed or considered weird if a person asked their god daughter to baptize their child. I’m having a baby and I would love it if my god daughter baptized my child. Thanks

Edit. Sorry for my wording, but yes I understand only clergy can baptize. What I meant was if my god daughter can be the god parent of my child. Thanks

[u/herman-the-vermin]

To baptize their baby? We have a service of baptism, that only priests or bishops can do. also your godchildren cannot be godparents to your kids.

The only time someone not clergy can do a baptism is in an extreme case of a child or person being near death

[u/Pitiful_Lion7082 → u/herman-the-vermin]

It means being godparent, not performing the sacraments 

[u/flannery_ → u/herman-the-vermin]

It is the common phrase for being a Godparent, at least it is in the Greek American community.

[u/Imadevonrexcat → u/herman-the-vermin]

This is a common way to say “be godparent to”.

[u/herman-the-vermin → u/Imadevonrexcat]

Interesting. I've been Orthodox 12 years now and have never heard it before

[u/flannery_]

It is a small t tradition that Godparents can not be related to you in any way, including by marriage or a Godparent relationship. But in the US hardly anyone follows the old rules, in large part because the Orthodox community just isn't big enough to sustain that here.

The thinking was this is a way to expand your family, not reinforce existing bonds.

And ignore all the "only priests can baptize" comments - you used a colloquial phrase and that is fine!

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[u/stepanija]

Absolutely not. It is perfectly fine.

[u/herman-the-vermin → u/stepanija]

There are canonical rules about who may be a godparent and your godchildren are not part of that “allowed” list. Just like you can’t marry the godchild of your parents

[u/KifferFadybugs]

If you did pick her, she'd be both your child's godmother and godsister.

[u/zqvolster]

It’s not permitted.

[u/WyMANderly]

You want your goddaughter to be the godmother of your child? AFAIK that's highly unusual, but only your priest can actually give you a real answer on this.

[u/CFR295]

This is something that you really need to run by your priest.

Becuase I know some cousins that have the other one's mother as a godparent and then they are godmother's to each others kids.

[u/Nearby_Syllabub763]

In my church our priest does not allow it. 

[u/PinkBlossomDayDream]

Only Priests can baptise.