A question about Christening my son as a Greek Orthodox?

I live in Australia but my family is Greek. We are not a close family at all, each family is just doing their own thing. I have to get my son Christened but no one has offered to do this except one person and I don't want that person doing it because I don't really like them. The person who I would like to do it is my dad but were not sure if the child's grandparent can do this. My dad was born in Greece so he is an Orthodox. So can my dad Christen my son??A question about Christening my son as a Greek Orthodox?
Ecclesiologically, there is no prohibition against a grandparent baptizing a grandchild....but it would somewhat defeat the purpose of a godparent. The godparent has the responsibility of the spiritual welfare of the child, to teach, advise and counsel in the ways of the church. Is the grandparent -who is usually much much much older than the child- able to do this?

It is allowable but the church does not recommend it.

EDIT!!!! - - - I wrote to a priest to ask his opinion of this. Here is his response: 1. If by "baptize" you mean, "celebrate the baptism" - i.e. be the priest/bishop, or perform the emergency baptism, then the answer is a resounding YES. Fathers and grandfathers are permitted to be the celebrant clergy at their own children's baptisms, and all Christians are able to do emergency baptisms if a clergyman is not available.

2. If by "baptize" you mean, "be the godparent," then the answer is generally NO unless you get dispensation for an exception from the diocesan hierarch (bishop/metropolitan/?archbishop). In the ancient view of the Church, the relationship forged between godparent and godchild is closer than blood, and as a result the godparent is seen as a spiritual brother/sister to the child's birth parents. For this reason, parents and grandparents are not to be godparents, as that would make their relationships, well, unconventional (the canons imply "spiritually incestuous" and say that, for example, a father being the godparent to his own child is grounds for divorce since he has become a brother to his own wife).

If you were referring to possibility #1, no further action is needed. If you were referring to possibility #2, you should, as always, consult your priest and local hierarch for more guidance.

I hope this wasn't too confusing or poorly worded.A question about Christening my son as a Greek Orthodox?
For a grandparent to christen his/her grandchild is most unusual.

Why don't you ask one of your best friends to become the godfather/godmother?

If you insist on having your dad doing it, then discuss it with your priest.



A family story.

My cousin was christened by our aunt. He never spoke the word godmother in his whole life. The relationship was so close that the fact that she was his aunt overshadowed the fact that she was also his godmother. How could he call her differently when all his others cousins called her aunt?

I personally think there is something missing when the godparent is a family member. The relationship between the child and the godparent is special. All children need to have a godfather to call him by that name.A question about Christening my son as a Greek Orthodox?
I've never heard of a grandparent being the Godparent of a child. I suppose the reason may be, that the possibility of the older person passing away exists in high percentage, when it will be needed most by the child,
The best you can do is to ask your priest explaining to him all the reasons you want to have your father as God-father.


One of my sons was baptized by my sister, so reasons of blood affiliation is kind of obsolete.
most greeks see it as duty when they offer to be godparents.....the truth..is that its the parents choice who the godparents will be...by orthodox rulling..the best man or best woman who married have the first rights on ur first child baptisim. to be god parents as well as combari..usally its boy to man or girl to woman depedign on who has asked to be god parent..

how ever if there is no choice being made in exterme cases any one who is greek orthodox or russian orthodox,or any one who has been convereted to orthodoxy...can be a god parent to your child including ur father......



the idea ot a god parent is that he has a duty if the parent/s die they have to bring up the kid in safe enviroment and supply his education and well being till the age of 13 ..ie: @ the first sing of puberty..as then if there is close contact with the god child it can be seen as some living in sin....but that is old way of thinking..but still the ruling of the church. for strict orthodox belivers



the truth is to have a word with the priest..they are usally trained for the best solution and guidance..even if they say no....u still have the right to choose who will be godparent.



@@@@@@

other wise...LMF would be god father to half of londons greeks.....lol... now we cant have that vodka guzler as a god father can we..explains why he cant pay his rent.