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BLAGO Fund: Archives of Serbian Medieval Orthodox Treasure:
Ravanica . MileÅ¡eva . Manasija . Studenica . GraÄanica . St. Peter's Church . Pillars of St. George . Sopoćani
Ravanica . MileÅ¡eva . Manasija . Studenica . GraÄanica . St. Peter's Church . Pillars of St. George . Sopoćani
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Kumstvo, or God-parenthood, is as old as Christianity itself. The original Church gave instructions concerning the catechumens, those who were preparing themselves to become members of the Church through the Holy Sacrament of Baptism. The candidate for baptism was obligated to know certain basic truths about the Christian faith. Attesting to this practice of the original Church, we have yet today in our Holy Liturgy the "Liturgy of the Catechumens." This is the part of the liturgy at which both the baptized and the candidate for baptism were present. Both of them prayed and listened to the word of God in the reading of the Epistle and the Gospel, which provides another way of instruction and learning. After the Word of God was heard, the call came from the priest or deacon in the Litany of the Dismissal of the Catechumens for the catechumens to depart. This was done because they were not to be present at the Liturgy of the Faithful, where the Canon of the Eucharist was to be celebrated. This is because they had not yet been illumined by baptism; in other words, they were not yet Christians. As the Church baptized children, the need arose for the institution of God-parenthood in the Church, that is, someone who could profess faith in Christ on behalf of the young ones. In our tradition, this God-father is called Kum. This means that the youngster did not have to be of age to have an intellectual awareness of the basic precepts of the faith, for one finds in the Bible the practice of the baptism of minors (Acts 10:44; 16:15; I Cor. 1:16). In this case the Church presents the youngster to the grace of God. This means that the grace of God in the Holy Mysteries administers and bestows the gifts of the Holy Spirit; this is considered by the Church to be far above the rational acceptance of man. Here the God-father becomes the spiritual father of the newly baptized, for he has sponsored the birth of a newly baptized child of God for eternity, for the Orthodox Faith and for God. Accordingly, the Kum, or God-father, must be of the Orthodox faith; hence, through baptism begins a spiritual relationship between the God-father and the newly baptized Kumce. This relationship in the progressive line is as valid as a blood relationship. As birth marks the beginning of physical life, so baptism marks the beginning of spiritual life. Because of his spiritual immaturity, the newly baptized must respect his Kum, while the God-father bears an obligation to educate his Kumce in the Orthodox faith, and to lead him or her in the way of a consistent spiritual life. For this reason our people have the sayings: "God in heaven, and Kum on earth," and "God, but Kum," Bog pa Kum! Thus one can see the great significance that God-parenthood has among the Orthodox people. God-parenthood, or Kumstvo, is especially honored by the Serbian people; for example, often the hand of the Kum is kissed by the Kumce. In addition to this there are other expressions of respect and reverence throughout the various regions. Finally, as the Kum is made proud by the virtues of his Kumce, in the same way he is responsible for the shortcomings of his spiritual ward. Following baptism the newly baptized receives Holy Communion and thus becomes united to God in a visible way through partaking of the genuine body and true blood of Christ our God. Through baptism the Orthodox Church becomes the true Mother of the newly baptized, nourishing him throughout life with the grace of God, for spiritual food is as important for us as food for the body. |