ANÀDOCO (ὁ ἀνάδοχος = “guarantor”). - In the Byzantine liturgy he is the equivalent of a godfather. His presence is required at Baptism, whereas nothing is said of him for Confirmation, because this is administered by the priest together with Baptism. We also find the godfather at the ceremony of the tonsure of children, proper to that rite, and at the blessing of the woman 40 days after childbirth. By analogy between monastic profession and Baptism, the novice who pronounces vows must have his a.
Finally, we also find the a. (ὁ σύντεχνος) in betrothal and marriage. In all these rites he must take an active part and not remain a mere spectator. We may note the intervention of the godmother also in the profession of nuns.
BIBL.: Eucologio, Roman ed. 1873, pp. 143, 151, 161, 164 ff.; P. de Meester De monachico statu iuxta disciplinam byzantinam, Vatican City 1942, p. 121; id., Studi sui sacramenti amministrati secondo il rito bizantino, liturgical editions, Rome 1947.
Placido de Meester