Conversion and Chrismation names

[Unlearner]

I'm sure I am not the first with this question, but I have a question about taking a Chrismation name. I'm not so concerned with choosing a name - that's something I'm praying about with my priest and sponsor - but I am curious how many converts actually go by that name. I ask because at my parish, the practice is sort of all over the place among the converts and I was curious if that was indicative of Orthodoxy everywhere or just where I've landed.

 

[Principal Moo]

I am the only non-Russian in my Orthodox community, so all of the other members use my Christian name (Aleksei).

On a few occasions, a parish member has called out to me in a public place (Hanoi is pretty small), so I have to learn to answer to that name as well!

 

[gzt]

I think it is better to refer to it as a "baptismal" name or "Christian" name, even if one is not being baptized.
People generally do whatever they want. I see it more frequently that people don't go by it. I also get a little suspicious when somebody who converted two years ago has a huge beard and goes by Paphnutios in daily life, but that could be cynicism on my part.

 

[Unlearner]

Thank you both for your replies. I'm sorry if I referred to it incorrectly - it's how I've heard people say it where I am.

 

[Unlearner]

On a lighter note, someone made a comment about my "orthodox" beard and I had to point out that I've had a beard most of my adult life.

 

[gzt]

Thank you both for your replies. I'm sorry if I referred to it incorrectly - it's how I've heard people say it where I am.

No worries, I'm sorry if I come off as a scold who says everything you're doing is wrong and here's the correct way, n00b! It's certainly what a lot of people say, I just think it is really weird, so I say what I think whenever I hear it.

 

[Unlearner]

No offense taken - I'm happy for the correction.

 

[graphite412]

"I had to point out that I've had a beard most of my adult life.

Awesome! I just watched the movie 1612, subed into English, not to long ago and the Russian elder tells a clean shaven, Roman Catholic monk to grow a beard like a respectable man, and the monk does . I thought it was humorous.

On the name thing... I used my middle name, James, for my Christian name. During Communion, I am Communed as James. At the monastery that I regularly attend, I am referred to as James or Travis, it just depends, but Travis when at my local parish.

 

[~Anastasia~]

After a bit, I started to go by my baptismal name. It's very similar to my name anyway - Anna/Anastasia - and people actually shorten, lengthen, change my name, etc. So I answer to about 5 names in my parish anyway. It caused some confusion in printed things though, so I thought it best to choose one, and I prefer my baptismal name, so that's what I use.

I know one other convert who, after a while, started using her baptismal name. She had a bad feeling about her given name because of who she was named after, and had her priest's blessing. Most other converts I know well (I don't really know many) were baptized/chrismated with their already-Christian name, so it wasn't an issue.

So I actually know more cradle Orthodox who go by a nickname, or name other than their Baptismal name, than I know converts who do.

 

[ArmyMatt]

my parents named me Matthew at birth, and I took him as my patron when I converted. I personally think that if you were given a saint's name, you should keep it. unless you feel really close to another saint.

 

[Unlearner]

my parents named me Matthew at birth, and I took him as my patron when I converted. I personally think that if you were given a saint's name, you should keep it. unless you feel really close to another saint.

I actually agree with you, but neither my first nor middle names are Christian names since such things were not on my parents' minds.

 

[Unlearner]

After a bit, I started to go by my baptismal name. It's very similar to my name anyway - Anna/Anastasia - and people actually shorten, lengthen, change my name, etc. So I answer to about 5 names in my parish anyway. It caused some confusion in printed things though, so I thought it best to choose one, and I prefer my baptismal name, so that's what I use.

I know one other convert who, after a while, started using her baptismal name. She had a bad feeling about her given name because of who she was named after, and had her priest's blessing. Most other converts I know well (I don't really know many) were baptized/chrismated with their already-Christian name, so it wasn't an issue.

So I actually know more cradle Orthodox who go by a nickname, or name other than their Baptismal name, than I know converts who do.

The situation for the vast majority of the recent converts and other catechumens I've gotten to know is that they already have Christian names so there's no issue for them.

 

[~Anastasia~]

The situation for the vast majority of the recent converts and other catechumens I've gotten to know is that they already have Christian names so there's no issue for them.

I think it goes back to what you mentioned at first, given all that's been said here. You would probably want to talk to your priest.

I think that's one of the things they usually tend to discuss, in situations where it would apply.

 

[ZaidaBoBaida]

There is no saint with my RL first name, and I intensely dislike my middle name. Father calls me Insertfirstnamehere Mary when I go up for communion.

 

[Unlearner]

Zaida, that's hilarious!

 

[ArmyMatt]

I actually agree with you, but neither my first nor middle names are Christian names since such things were not on my parents' minds.

if you cannot find one, then go with a saint you feel close to. but I would also bear in mind that not a lot of folks think about pre-Schism Western saints names. Eric, Chad, Robert, Richard, etc are all Orthodox saints' names.

 

[AKBlessings]

if you cannot find one, then go with a saint you feel close to. but I would also bear in mind that not a lot of folks think about pre-Schism Western saints names. Eric, Chad, Robert, Richard, etc are all Orthodox saints' names.

Add to this the fact that often a Saints name is different in a different country and you would not even be aware of it. For example, when choosing my saint for Chrismation, I felt drawn to St. Genevieve of Paris. Came to find out that my given name, Jennifer is an English form of that name. As such, I find that many of the priests I have been communed by will use both names interchangeably at the chalice for me, without my having requested it.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

I've actually seen Russian priests bless AK's! Great name! I own five in my gun safe.....unless you might be referring to Alaska..nah.....(gurney would prefer it be a Kalashnakov name than a state)

My kind of blessings!!!

Add to this the fact that often a Saints name is different in a different country and you would not even be aware of it. For example, when choosing my saint for Chrismation, I felt drawn to St. Genevieve of Paris. Came to find out that my given name, Jennifer is an English form of that name. As such, I find that many of the priests I have been communed by will use both names interchangeably at the chalice for me, without my having requested it.

 

[~Anastasia~]

I've actually seen Russian priests bless AK's! Great name! I own five in my gun safe.....unless you might be referring to Alaska..nah.....(gurney would prefer it be a Kalashnakov name than a state)

View attachment 187847 View attachment 187848
My kind of blessings!!!

I knew about this already, but hadn't thought about it in a couple of years.

Now that I know a little more, and in thinking about it, I have to wonder what Orthodox prayers might be said over guns that are intended to take human lives?

I'm not anti-gun. And I'm not anti-military. But ... I can't imagine prayers of the Church in that situation?

 

[Antony Krasimirov]

I have a question. Does EO parishes in US celebrate "names day" ? In eastern Europe people celebrate the day of the saint they were named and it is a kind of second birthday. In this day you must read about your saint and try to become more like him and learn from his life, but in reality in the modern world it is used mainly for drinking and partying.