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Godparents must have been baptized in the [[Orthodox Church]], must be in full [[Communion|sacramental communion]], and must be a member in good standing of a local Orthodox [[parish]].
A person may not serve as a godparent if his or her [[marriage]] has not been blessed by the Orthodox Church, or, if civilly divorced, he or she has not been granted an ecclesiastical divorce, or if for any other reason he or she is not in communion with the Orthodox Church.<ref name=GOARCH>''[http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/outreach/resources/pastoralresources/pastoral Instructions for Weddings, Divorces, Baptisms, Funerals, and Memorials].'' Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America.</ref> In addition, they cannot be a minor, the parent of the child, or a non-Orthodox Christian.
Baptisms may not be performed from [[Nativity|Christmas Day]] through the Feast of [[Theophany]] (December 25 - January 6), during [[Holy Week]], or on any of the [[Great Feasts|Great Feastdays]] of the [[Lord]].<ref name="GOARCH"/>
==Obligations==
Since the introduction of [[Infant baptism|infant Baptism]], the godparent has assumed the important obligation, together with the parents, of ensuring that the infant is brought up within the [[Orthodox Church]] and in the life of [[Christ]]. It is precisely on account of this obligation that the baptismal sponsor is called the ''' 'parent-in-God' '''.<ref group="note">{{el icon}} '''"[http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/%CE%B1%CE%BD%CE%AC%CE%B4%CE%BF%CF%87%CE%BF%CF%82 Ανάδοχος]" ''' (Anádochos).</ref>
The godparent may also be the one who cares for the child if untimely demise is met by the parents.