A Letter of Good Standing is required for all Greek Orthodox Christians within the Archdiocese of America who wish to serve as sponsors for a baptism or wedding in a parish other than their home parish.

This letter confirms that the individual is a member of a canonical Orthodox Church, is actively participating in the sacramental life of the Church, and is current in their financial commitments to the parish.

Requirements for a Letter of Good Standing

To receive a Letter of Good Standing, the following requirements must be met:

1. Active participation in the life of the Church.
   The person requesting the letter should be living a life well-pleasing to God and regularly participating in the sacraments of the Church, especially Holy Communion.
2. No canonical impediments.
   There must be no canonical impediments preventing the person from serving as a sponsor in a baptism or wedding. Canonical impediments include:
   • Being married in a non-Orthodox church, a civil ceremony, or outside the Orthodox Church
   • Being separated from one’s spouse
   • Being civilly divorced without an ecclesiastical divorce granted by the Church
3. Good financial standing with the parish.
   The person requesting the letter must be current in their stewardship or pledge commitments to the parish.

When to Request a Letter

Please request your Letter of Good Standing at least 3 to 4 weeks before the ceremony so there is enough time for preparation and delivery.

Information to Include With Your Request

When requesting a Letter of Good Standing, please include the following:

• Type of sacrament: Baptism or Wedding
• Date of the sacrament
• Name of the church where the sacrament will take place
• City and state of the church
• Name of the bride and groom (for a wedding)
• Name of the family (for a baptism)

Once prepared, the Letter of Good Standing will be sent directly to the parish where the sacrament will be celebrated.