Patron Saints, Baptism, and True Orthodoxy

[Maria]

In True Orthodoxy, whenever someone is received into the Church by Holy Baptism or by Holy Chrismation, must they take a Saint's name?

Some folks in World Orthodoxy are not asked to take the name of a saint at their Baptism or Chrismation.

Case in point:

My husband and I met a married man who was baptized as a Roman Catholic without being given the name of a saint. In Roman Catholicism, apparently, it is no longer necessary to take a saint's name when receiving baptism or confirmation. I guess that was one of the changes that blew in with Vatican II.

When that same man was received by chrismation into the OCA, once again, he did not receive the name of a saint. His priest told him that he was to become a saint. However, when he was tonsured as a reader, he was given the name of a saint by the OCA bIshop.

[jgress]

I think that's the usual custom. I was allowed to keep Jonathan as my name in baptism, even though I've never come across a description of the OT Jonathan as a saint. Does anyone know how he fits into Orthodox tradition, if at all?

[Priest Siluan]

I think that's the usual custom. I was allowed to keep Jonathan as my name in baptism, even though I've never come across a description of the OT Jonathan as a saint. Does anyone know how he fits into Orthodox tradition, if at all?

Dear in Christ, Jonathan,

I know that in Russia have always been monks named "Ionaphan" (Russian spelling for Jonathan), I am not sure, but I think after Jonathan, son of King Saul, and friend of King David, who is considered as a "Righteous" of Old Testament.

[joasia]

Interesting question, Maria. I was baptized, in the Orthodox Church, after Joanna the Myrr-bearing woman. It was a conscience decision because my name was Joanna before and we found the name in the list of saints. So it worked out and my family didn't need to be stressed by my conversion. But, I believe that it is always better to be named after a saint of the Church. It makes more sense since we are uniting with the Church of Christ and His saints. If there is no name equivalent to a Christian name then a person should receive a Christian one.

[Priest Siluan]

About this topic, I think this article is good:

http://www.holy-trinity.org/general/names.html

[joasia]

In comment to the link that Fr. Siluan posted, I just wanted to give my view about naming babies. For a long time, the thought occurred to me that naming a child of the day he/she was born would solve the issue of trying to decide a name or avoiding disappointing a family member, usually the grandparents. But, it didn't occur to me that the 8th and 40th day would be good too. I think that's a good idea too.

But, looking back at my situation, it is very interesting that my mother named me Joanna because it became very significant to me when I was coming to Orthodoxy. Is it wrong to think that the name we receive, in Orthodoxy, has a deeper meaning? As if it was meant for us to have that name?

Also, another thing I remember when I was baptized is that I was told that I received a secret name that my guardian angel recognizes? Maybe that word is not correct. I was sealed with a spiritual name?

[Maria]

Interesting question, Maria. I was baptized, in the Orthodox Church, after Joanna the Myrr-bearing woman. It was a conscience decision because my name was Joanna before and we found the name in the list of saints. So it worked out and my family didn't need to be stressed by my conversion. But, I believe that it is always better to be named after a saint of the Church. It makes more sense since we are uniting with the Church of Christ and His saints. If there is no name equivalent to a Christian name then a person should receive a Christian one.

I agree. We need tremendous help from above to succeed in running the race and receiving the Crown of eternal life.

My patron is Our Lady, Mary, the Most Holy Theotokos, and I think she chose me. So it was very appropriate as I was received into the catechumenate on Oct. 1 (the feast of the Holy Protection of the Theotokos) and then baptized on Nov. 21 (the feast of the Presentation of the Theotokos into the Temple - o.c. Dec. 4, 2011). I was an inquirer for many years due to the issue of Ecumenism. It was difficult to find the True Orthodox Church. So, my username here is my baptismal name.

Oh, and did you realize that Despina (Greek for Our Lady) is also a popular name. I was listening to the Paraclesis to the Theotokos and kept hearing the Greek word, Despina, and then it dawned on me that they were referring to Our Lady. The more I listen to the Greek Paraclesis (Small Canon), the more Greek I pick up.