There is an old Montenegrin proverb that says: "God in heaven and the Godfather on the earth." The Godfather's place is always at the head of the table. The relationship rests on great respect, especially on the part of the Godchildren. There is a special warmhearted relationship between the Godfather and his Godchildren. In Orthodoxy, the respect afforded to the Godfather, and indeed the Godfather-Godchild relationship itself, is honorifically extended to the families of the couple, even sometimes to distant cousins. His blessing is also asked before another Godfather can be sought for the second, third, fourth, and other children. The wedding Godfather is automatically the baptismal Godfather for the couple's first child. When the family rejoices or mourns, the Godfather is always the first to be informed, even before blood relatives. He is the first to be greeted on feast days and other celebrations. The respect and reverence afforded to the Godfather is traditionally revealed by the fact that the Godfather is always the most welcome of visitors. There is an old Serbian proverb that says: "Everything can be refused except Kumstvo." In Orthodox countries, the Godfather-Godchild relationship is considered to be the holiest and most elevated relationship that can exist between people, and a request to be Godfather cannot be refused. This spiritual kinship is considered to be stronger than a blood-relationship. The Godfather-Godchild relationship was, and is even today, cultivated, cherished, and revered above every other bond throughout the Orthodox world. Special relationships were established through the Godfather-Godchild relationship. Since ancient times, marriage was the principle way of expanding and strengthening the family circle in Orthodox countries.
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