In addition to participating in the name-giving ceremony, godparents are expected to raise the child in the event that the parents cannot. The name-giving ceremony begins in the morning. Guests arrive bringing gifts for the baby and food for the feast. And women wear their best and most expensive jewelry. At the church, guests receive a quick meal of bread, milk, cheese and honey.
Guests eat the meal while standing.
They then form a circle around the child to insure good habits and sound physical development of the child. The godmother lifts the infant out of the water and holds the her in front of the symbol of the cross while all the godparents promise to care for the child. At that point the selected name is bestowed upon the baby. In Latvia, the godparents select their godchild's name. When the newly named child returns home, everyone welcomes the child as a full-fledged family member, and the child's name is announced.