A boy has two godfathers and one godmother. Parents usually appoint relatives as godparents. Latvians believe children inherit their godparents' good qualities, so they select someone they'd like their children to emulate. 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.