---
title: "Godparents: Selection Rules, Restrictions, and Responsibility According to the PCU"
description: "The PCU explained how to correctly choose godparents for a child: it is not just a formality, but a lifelong responsibility. Who can be a godparent and who cannot, and how many there should be — read in our material 🕯️👶 #PCU #baptism #godparents"
date: 2026-06-03T04:32:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/godparents-selection-rules-and-responsibility-according-to-the-pcu
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Godparents: Selection Rules, Restrictions, and Responsibility According to the PCU

![Baptism of a child in church: priest conducts the sacrament, godparents hold candles next to the infant](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/03/krestnye-roditeli-pravila-vybora-i-otvetstvennost-po-versii-pcu/krestnye-roditeli-pravila-vybora-i-otvetstvennost-po-versii-pcu-1.webp)

Choosing godparents is not merely a formality before the church sacrament, but a serious decision requiring a conscious approach. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine (PCU) has explained how to correctly choose spiritual mentors for a child, what restrictions exist, and why godparents must be ready for lifelong responsibility.

### Baptism of adults and children: what is the difference?

According to the PCU press service, if an adult is being baptized, they do so consciously, professing their faith. In such a case, the presence of godparents is not a mandatory condition. However, if the person being baptized has a reliable mentor in faith, they may invite them to serve as a godfather or godmother.

The situation is different for the baptism of children and infants. Since they are not yet capable of consciously accepting the faith, godparents take on the role of spiritual guardians, similar to parents, but in a religious aspect. Their task is to care for the spiritual development of the godchild, help them in life, and pray for them.

### What does it mean to be a godparent?

Being a godparent is not just about being present at the sacrament and receiving the corresponding status. It is the responsibility of a spiritual mentor that lasts a lifetime. Godparents must:

  - Teach the godchild the basics of the Christian faith;

  - Help them in their spiritual growth;

  - Pray for them constantly;

  - Be an example in life and faith.

As emphasized by the PCU, it is based on these principles that one should choose godparents for their child.

### Who cannot be a godparent?

The PCU reminded that only believing adult Christians can be godparents. At the same time, there are certain restrictions:

  - Unbaptized people cannot be godparents;

  - Those who do not adhere to the Orthodox faith cannot be godparents;

  - Those who are not ready to take on spiritual responsibility cannot be godparents.

### How many godparents should there be?

Traditionally in Ukraine, it is customary to have two godparents — a father and a mother. However, it is permitted to have only one godparent of the same sex as the child. In the ancient Church, as noted in PCU materials, there was only one godparent for each godchild: a man for a boy, a woman for a girl. This was related to the practice of adult baptism, where immersion in water occurred almost without clothing, so godparents were chosen of the same sex.

Later, when it became customary to baptize children at an early age, the tradition of having two godparents appeared. And several centuries later, people began to take even two pairs or more.

### Can you become godparents to each other?

There are no church prohibitions against "cross" godparenting — that is, when people become godparents to the children of those who baptized their own children. However, according to established tradition, godparents cannot marry each other.

### How to choose godparents "wisely"?

When choosing godparents, it is important to consider their spiritual maturity, readiness to take on responsibility, and ability to be an example for the godchild. Answers to these questions will help find the best candidates who can truly accompany the child on the path of spiritual growth.