A godparent, in many denominations of Christianity, is someone who sponsors a child's baptism. Christianity ( Greek Χριστιανισμός from the word Xριστός ( Christ)is a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings In Christianity, baptism ( Greek, "immersing" "performing Ablutions " is the ritual act with the use of water by which one is admitted Judaism has this equivalent in the circumcision ceremony. Judaism (from the Greek Ioudaïsmos, derived from the Hebrew יהודה Yehudah, " Judah " in Hebrew יַהֲדוּת Yahedut Hi and welcome to Wikipedia! Please understand that this article is frequently subjected to vandalism and the insertion of personal opinions A male godparent is a godfather and a female godparent is a godmother. The child is a godchild (godson, goddaughter).

Christianity

Traditionally, the godparents were counted informally responsible for ensuring that the child's religious education was carried out and for caring for the child should he/she be orphaned. Today the word "godparent" may not have explicitly religious overtones. The modern view of a godparent tends to be an individual chosen by the parents to take a vested interest in the child's upbringing and personal development. However, godparent is not a legal position, and should the parents seriously intend the godparents to act as foster parents in case of their death, this must be legally specified through the usual means (such as a will). Foster care is a system by which a certified stand-in "parent(s" cares for minor Children or young peoples who have been removed from their birth parents In Common law, a will or testament is a document by which a person (the Testator) regulates the rights of others over his or her Property

A godparent may, or may not, be related to the child. A child may have one, two or several godparents.

Anglican Church

Prospective godparents must be at least baptized before they can take on this responsibility. In Christianity, baptism ( Greek, "immersing" "performing Ablutions " is the ritual act with the use of water by which one is admitted Traditionally the child is given three godparents, two of the same sex as the child and one of the opposite sex. i. e. , a baby boy has two godfathers and one godmother and a baby girl has one godfather and two godmothers. ^[1]

Roman Catholic Church

In the Roman Catholic church, only church members who have undergone Confirmation are accepted as godparents. Confirmation is a Rite of initiation in many Christian Churches normally in the form of Laying on of hands and/or Anointing for Someone who belongs to another Christian denomination cannot become a godparent but is known as a Christian Witness, with most of the regular role of a godparent. Non-Christians are not at all eligible to any religious role formalized by the Church. This is based on the view that the godparent-godchild relationship is not something which is just between the persons and God, but a whole-Church event wherein the Holy Spirit dwells.

A Godparent prays for the newly baptized, looks after them spiritually and gives them guidance. The Catholic Church sees Baptism as an entry into the Kingdom of God, and entry into the Church.

Judaism

Brit Mila - the sandek holds the baby boy

There are two roles in the Jewish circumcision ceremony which are sometimes translated as godparent. Sandek ( Hebrew: סנדק "companion of child" is the term for a person honored at a Jewish Brit milah ( Circumcision) ceremony traditionally Hi and welcome to Wikipedia! Please understand that this article is frequently subjected to vandalism and the insertion of personal opinions The sandek holds the baby boy while he is circumcised. Sandek ( Hebrew: סנדק "companion of child" is the term for a person honored at a Jewish Brit milah ( Circumcision) ceremony traditionally Among Orthodox Ashkenazi the kvater (or kvaterin if female) is the person who takes the child from his mother and carries him into the room in which the circumcision is performed. Hi and welcome to Wikipedia! Please understand that this article is frequently subjected to vandalism and the insertion of personal opinions "kvater" is etymologically derived from the German Gott-Vater ("godfather").

Non-religious context

In some cultures, the word for "godparent of one's child" is used for any, or certain, very close friends. This is the meaning of the Portuguese and Spanish compadre (literally, "co-father") and comadre ("co-mother"), the French commère and compère, and the archaic meaning of the English word gossip (from godsib, "god-sibling"). Portuguese ( or língua portuguesa) is a Romance language that originated in what is now Galicia (Spain and northern Portugal. The compadre (literally "co-father" or "co-parent" relationship between the parents and Godparents of a child is an important bond which originates when French ( français,) is a Romance language spoken around the world by 118 million people as a native language and by about 180 to 260 million people Gossip is idle talk or Rumor, especially about the personal or private affairs of others Also, the Spanish words for the godparent roles are used for members of the wedding party — padrino meaning "godfather" or "best man" and madrina meaning "godmother" or "matron of honor" — reflecting that the friends serving this role in a couple's wedding traditionally were chosen as godparents to their children. Participants in wedding ceremonies, also known as the wedding party, include the bride and groom (or bridegroom) the maid of honor Participants in wedding ceremonies, also known as the wedding party, include the bride and groom (or bridegroom) the maid of honor Participants in wedding ceremonies, also known as the wedding party, include the bride and groom (or bridegroom) the maid of honor

Godparent is also used, in absence of a "religious reason", as a stated person (be it family member or close friend) who is responsible for the child in the event of both parents' demise or incapacitation.

Folktales often feature a fairy godmother, a fairy who acts as a mentor to a main character. History The concept of folklore developed as part of the 19th century ideology of Romantic nationalism, leading to the reshaping of oral traditions to serve modern ideological In Fairy tales a fairy godmother is a Fairy with magical powers who acts as a Mentor or Parent to someone in the role that an actual

In Belgium, the Monarch is traditionally the godparent to the 7th consecutive child of one gender (i. The Kingdom of Belgium is a Country in northwest Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts its headquarters as well as those e. , the seventh son or seventh daughter) born in a family. ^[2]

References

1. ^ The Baptism Service (Church of England website) accessed 17 June 2007
2. ^ Belgian Royal Family - 28 August 2007