The Sacrament of Baptism in Orthodoxy can be performed both on children and on adults who were not baptized in childhood. One of the important aspects in both cases is the choice of a baptismal name, it must necessarily be from (Saints). Before baptizing an infant or adult, the priest always reads a special prayer for giving the baptismal name.
What if the name is not in the Holy Calendar? Is it possible to baptize a child with a double name, as is customary in the West? Let's talk about this in our article.
If for Catholics and Protestants during baptism, not only a double (Anna-Maria), but also a longer name is permissible (remember at least the full names of members of the royal families of Europe, for example, the English Queen Victoria was baptized with the name Alexandrina Victoria), then the Orthodox Church allows Baptism as the only one name. If a girl in ordinary life bears a double name according to European fashion, the parents will have to choose which name will be the baptismal name for their daughter Anna Maria - or still.
Sometimes the worldly name and the baptismal name are different. A secular name, even as popular as Alice or Polina, may not appear in the Holy Calendar, then the name for Baptism is chosen from the Orthodox calendar by date of birth or consonant with the secular. The girl Arina and the boy Bogdan will receive other names during Epiphany, which they will use in church life. It is they who will be indicated by relatives and friends in the notes about health, and the priest will name, performing the sacrament of the wedding, when these children grow up and want to create their families.
Sometimes children are called and then baptized with the names of saints whose memory coincides with their birthdays, and sometimes it happens that the name was not given according to the church calendar, although it is present in the Holy Calendar. Then the person can be baptized by him or choose a different name for Baptism. It happens that a family especially reveres a saint and a person wants to receive his name in Baptism - this is also possible and permissible, but the issue must be discussed with the priest who performs the sacrament.
Because we often wear diapers, indicate the baptismal name already agreed with the priest for embroidery. For our foreign customers, we will embroider a double name, including in the Latin alphabet, because this is in line with European traditions. For Russian customers, we can only embroider a double name with a hyphen on. For a name not according to the Holy Calendar, it is also better to choose an embroidery on the bag, either, if you want to see exactly the worldly name on baptismal accessories, you can embroider both names, for example "Alice at Baptism Anna".
The name of a person in the Orthodox tradition is of considerable importance. It is mentioned during the performance of the Sacraments, it is also pronounced during prayers.
Orthodox Christians try to pick up a name for him at the birth of a child, which can be found in, because only these names are used when the baby is baptized. Even St. Theophan the Recluse said that the name must be chosen according to God's way. Namely: “Choose a name according to the calendar: either on what day the child will be born, or on what day he is baptized, or in intervals, or three days after Baptism. Here the matter will be without any human considerations, but as God gives: for birthdays are in the hands of God. "
According to the charter of the Church, the rite of naming a name must be performed even before Baptism (on the 8th day from the birth of the child). However, today, due to the indulgence that is given to modern Christians, most often the naming takes place on the day of Baptism itself, before the rite of announcement.
According to the recommendations that the Orthodox Church has established for those who are baptized, it is advisable to choose a name according to the Holy Calendar before the 40th day from the birth of the child. Of course, naming a newborn with the name of the saint on whose day he was born is considered an ideal option.
What if the child's name is not in the calendar?
To make it clearer, let's give a small example. If the child was born on August 5, then the boy can be called Trofim, Theophilus, Theodore, Mikhail, Andrey or Apollinaris. Unfortunately, on this day there are no indications of the remembrance of the saints-women. If the parents don't like these names, then you can look at the Months 40 more days in advance and pick up the saint whose name your baby will be named after.
There are cases when the parents had a vow that they made to this or that saint, or they especially feel his cover and, as a sign of their gratitude and reverence, would like to name the child by his name. This is allowed. But before performing Baptism, it is advisable to discuss this fact with the priest.
Unfortunately, parents do not always initially think about the life of a child in Christ, in the bosom of the Orthodox Church. Therefore, it is very often possible to meet a situation when in the worldly life of the baby the parents called the name that is not in the Holy Calendar. In this case, there is no need to despair. It is imperative to go to the church and find out, perhaps your name is still considered Orthodox, it just has a slightly different sound. For example, Polina - Apollinaria, Jeanne - Joanna, Martha - Martha, Jan-Ioann, Yegor-Georgy, etc.
If even after talking with the priest, you understand that the chosen name does not occur in any way in the Holy Calendar, and it is already officially registered (or an adult is baptized), then at Baptism you need to choose either a consonant name or the name of a saint whom you especially venerate.
An Orthodox name is given to a person once for the reason of giving the name and does not change under any circumstances.
"Rejoice, for your names are written in Heaven!" These are words from Holy Scripture related to. The names given during the sacrament were once chosen by Jesus himself.
Thus he named all Christians. This is how one of the prophecies of the Bible came true. All the names commanded by Christ are in the calendar - the list of saints. Let's take a closer look at the essence of the church naming.
What does the name given at baptism mean?
Baptismal name it is not accidentally taken from the calendar. The saints in heaven must recognize the ward from among the millions. To help a person, you need to see him, to distinguish. In the old days, they named it once during the sacrament.
In the modern tradition, it is allowed to have two names - secular and ecclesiastical. The first can be anything - Aigul, Semiramis, Palmyr. The second title always coincides with how they call some ascetic, healer, great martyr. By the way, the names of the great martyrs are not given to repeat their fate.
The goal is to glorify the deeds of the saint. In addition, it is believed that the canonized gain access to the throne of the Lord. That is, the souls of the great martyrs can personally ask God for the good for their wards.
What is the baptismal name to choose, the father decides. He checks with the calendar. They have their own saint for every day. Therefore, how a person is named depends on the date. This makes it possible to study the list of Slavic names in advance and appoint a ceremony for a specific day.
By the way, the connection of given names with dates dates back to the 16th century. Then the Pope approved the Gregorian calendar. The head of the church was called Gregory, hence the name of the system.
It is worth noting that the list of names commanded by Jesus was replenished by the 16th century. Now there are even more references in the calendar. On one day, sometimes, there are several people. Among them are the martyrs who were glorified in the 20th century.
Does not matter, what names are given at baptism- from the original set, or from the updated one. The main thing is that they are all "written in heaven", because the souls of the owners of these names are there.
The moment of giving a Christian name
Baptismal middle name give after three times dipping in water. It is a symbol of death and rebirth together with Jesus. At the moment of immersion, a person dies to the fleshly, sinful world and opens up to the spiritual realm. The ceremony is considered the second birth. After him, the priest names him as a newcomer to the world who has come to church.
“He who entered the church” is a figurative expression that means adherence to the camp of Christians. The ceremony itself is not necessarily performed in a temple. You can do it in an open reservoir, or at home. Calling a priest in a dwelling allows, for example, an illness. The priest will come to the one on his deathbed himself.
Nuances when giving a name to someone who is baptized
Not everyone looks at the calendar in advance. Cases of urgent baptism during serious illnesses also do not imply a correlation between the ceremony and a specific date. Therefore, the clergy are ready to name the believer by the name of the saint revered on another day.
This is sometimes necessary, for example, if baptismal name of the child male, and the ceremony is a girl. There are few women among the saints. Therefore, the calendar is leafed through until they open a page with a suitable name.
Baptism by another name, sometimes, does not suit the family of the baby because of dissonance, or not modernity. In this case, the priests also listen to the opinion of the parishioners. An option is taken from another part of the calendar.
Often, the name remains civil. After all, the list includes saints Mary, Irene, Elizabeth. Is in the list and Anna. it baptismal name causes awe, since the righteous Anna gave life to the Most Holy Theotokos herself.
Suitable names for christening girls: Svetlana, Tamara, Militsa, Marina, Nina, Efrosinya. The last old Russian version gained popularity due to the TV series aired on Channel 2. By the way, the saint with a rare name possessed the gift of clairvoyance and foresight.
The calendar contains Genevieve, Matrona and Julianne, but no Alice. it baptismal name it is customary to change to Alexandra. So once did the daughter of the Queen of England Victoria. Princess Alice, having married the Russian Tsar, became Empress Alexandra Feodorovna.
What is the name given at baptism? The list includes dozens of attractive options and deeds created by their carriers. Saint Leo fought against heresy. Alexander Nevsky is a well-known diplomat and military leader.
Vladimir Krasno Solnyshko baptized domestic people. Since the name of the prince, the baptism of Rus are displayed not only in textbooks, but also in the calendar. Let's pay special attention to this.
The history of the baptism of Russia
Having visited different lands, choosing faith, Krasno Solnyshko settled on Christianity. The ruler dissolved his harem, announcing to the wives that his new religion allows only one spouse. They lost their husbands overnight: Adele, Julia, Olofi, Manfred. Such are the ones that have come down to us names spouse of Vladimir before the baptism of Russia.
Vladimir set an example of faith by personal example. Having renounced polygamy, the prince baptized his sons. Then, the ruler began to personally preach sermons, preparing baptism the whole Rus. Associated with the name Red Sun conversion of warriors to Orthodoxy. The prince's host was considerable. The warriors carried out propaganda in their families, increasing the number of Christians.
By 988, when the official baptism of Kievan Rus was announced, the new faith had almost no opponents left. Scientists estimate that only about 10% of the population opposed it. For them, compulsion was a disaster. But, in terms of history, the event turned out to be successful.
The rite of baptism.
Baptism is the first and most important Christian sacrament. From the point of view of the Church, at baptism, a person dies to a sinful life and is reborn to a spiritual life. The most important part of this church ritual is giving a name. It is believed that a person enters the water without a name. At this time, the priest drives away the dark forces by prayer, calls on the forces of Light to take a new Christian under their care and names him by which he will be recognized in Heaven. The Church believes that the choice of a name at baptism is the choice of a heavenly intercessor who will offer prayers to God for his ward.
Canonical choice of name at baptism.
Before the 1917 revolution, a child traditionally received a name at baptism, which took place on the eighth day after birth. He was given the name of the saint, the day of the celebration of the memory of the saint of this day, whom he indicated. With the boys, everything was clear - after all, the Orthodox Church remembers a saint every day. There are much fewer female names in the calendar. Therefore, the girl was baptized either with an analogue name for the male (Alexander, John), or they chose the name of the saint, whose memorial day was the closest after her birthday. Some of the female "civil" names correspond to church names, similar in meaning. For example, Svetlana - Fotinia, Victoria - Nika.
Baptism in our day.
Over time, the rules for church naming became less strict. Now the church no longer requires strict adherence to traditions. Parents are allowed to the newborn without checking with. What names are given at baptism? If the name in the birth certificate does not correspond to the Church Slavonic form, then at baptism a name consonant with him is given: Denis - Dionysius, Martha - Martha, Sergei - Sergius, Ivan - John. If there is no such correspondence in the calendar (Edward, Elvira, Karl), the name of the saint mentioned in the church calendar immediately after the person's birthday is chosen. Thus, a child or adult is given a middle name when baptized. Sometimes it happens that a person wants to take the name of a saint whom he considers to be close in spirit. And then baptism occurs with a different name.
For centuries, it was believed that a person should have two names. The baptismal name was often known only to the priest and godparents. This was done so that dark forces could not harm through the consecrated "real" name. Today, the second name given at baptism is used in the performance of church rituals. Knowing the name of the saint is necessary in order to honor your heavenly patron and have an idea on what day the name day is celebrated.
In Russia, the tradition has long been rooted to give a name to a newborn baby according to the calendar. Saints are a list of names of Christian saints with dates of life, (if known) distributed over the calendar. In the old days, it usually happened like this: immediately after the baby was born, the baby's mother and older relatives began to study the calendar in search of a suitable name for a new family member.
Every day of the year, the Church commemorates many Christian saints, from the times of the early, undivided Church, to the new martyrs of the 20th century who were recently glorified. These names are proclaimed by the priest at the liturgy every day, thereby the Church asks the intercession of the saints of God for those who pray at that moment in the church, and for all Orthodox Christians.
If the baby's birthday did not have a suitable name - euphonic, sufficiently modern, satisfying the tastes of both parents and other family members, then the search continued on the following calendar days. Today, in many believing families, the name for the child is chosen this way. In the event that on the day closest to the child's birthday, the memory of a famous, widely revered saint falls out, and this name is liked by the parents, they usually stop at it.
For example, December 6 - the memory of Blg is celebrated. led. book Alexander Nevsky, a boy born in early December, or on the same day, can be given the name Alexander, then his heavenly patron will be the holy noble Prince Alexander Nevsky. Name day - December 6.
On December 7, we honor the amazing saint of the beginning of the 3rd century - the great martyr Catherine. The girl, who was born in early December, can be named after her Catherine.
It often happens that parents have chosen a name for their child before Baptism. If this is a Christian name, then you can be baptized with it. It is necessary to look at the calendar when the memory of the saint who is closest to the birthday of the saint with this name is celebrated, this day will be the name day of the child, and the saint will be the heavenly patron. For example, there are a lot of saints named John. Let's say the spouses decided in advance: if a son is born, we'll call it Ivan, and the child was born on July 1. In the coming days, the Church glorifies the Holy Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist John (July 7), also, July 2 - the memory of St. John of Shanghai and San Francisco, etc. It is possible John, but in honor of a specific saint, to whom the soul lies.
There is one important point here. Choosing a heavenly patron for a child, we do not just choose a beautiful name that somehow attracts us, we choose a certain image, behind which stands the inner spiritual essence of the personality, its fate.
“A child should be dedicated, or rather, entrusted to the preservation, protection, and prayers of the saint whose name is given to him. Parents would have to choose a saint who means something to them, that is, whose life amazed them in some way or who is somehow connected with the conception of this child. In old Russia (this is probably still done sometimes), a child was baptized in the name of the saint on whose day the christening took place. There is some sense in this, provided, again, that it will not be a nickname, but it will be, as it were, the consecration of a new church in the name of a given saint. of the saint, what is in him, what amazes them not by the euphony of the name, but by the inner appearance, why do they want their child to be under the protection of this saint, or, in any case, that this saint especially prayed for him. Therefore, the name of the child can be of great importance "(Anthony, Metropolitan of Sourozh)
Outstanding church leaders of the synodal period of the Russian Church provide explanations of this issue that are close in meaning.
“The Holy Church, knowing that few are capable of calling names from themselves that bring blessings with them, has established a wonderful custom from the saints to borrow names that, by the grace of the saints, are always noble and capable of bringing blessings with them. But moreover, it is especially good for the baby, who is given the name of a saint not only according to custom, but by faith and love for the saint. " Saint Philaret, Metropolitan of Moscow
Rename or double name
In case the child received a name at birth, which is not in the calendar, in Orthodoxy there is another way of choosing a heavenly patron: on the day of Baptism. If the day of christening is marked in the calendar in the memory of a saint with a consonant name, the priest can offer the parents with him and baptize the child. For example, girls with the names Alice, Arina, can be baptized as Alexandra, Ariadne or with other similar names that are mentioned in the calendar on this day.
Jan and Joan are usually baptized as John. Angela, in church transcription - Angelina. Yuri, is often baptized as George. Of course, the parents and the godson himself, when receiving an adult, have the right to choose at their own discretion a patron saint, and take the name at baptism in his honor. One can speak of a double name only in this sense: in everyday life, a person will be called a familiar name, sometimes it remains in documents, while in church life it will be called differently. Often, friends in the temple know parishioners by their baptismal names, with him a Christian participates in the sacraments, he is written in notes. With this name, a person will appear at the judgment of God. This Russian custom reflects the essence of the sacrament of Baptism: a person is born again and receives a new name.
It is impossible to be baptized with a double name, for example, Anna-Sophia, in Orthodoxy.
We emphasize once again that the choice of a name according to the calendar is a custom established by people, you can be baptized with any name, if a person achieves holiness and is canonized, a new name will probably be added to the Russian calendar.
Biblical naming traditions
In ancient times, believing peoples attached a serious, sometimes mystical meaning to the choice of a name. From the stories told in the Bible, it can be understood that there were certain tendencies in the naming of the name. For example, the following episode from the Gospel of Luke allows us to learn about one of the traditions.
“On the eighth day, they came to circumcise the baby, and they wanted to name him, after his father's name, Zechariah. To this his mother said: no, but call him John. And they said to her: There is no one in your kinship who is called by this name. "(Luke 1; 59-61)"
In the Old Testament world, it was customary to call children by a name that was already in the family. This custom is still alive today. And today, it is not uncommon for a family where in each generation, one of the family members is called one, especially revered name. In some Christian cultures, for example in the Balkans, this is associated with the veneration of a family saint.
Another tradition is clearly traced, especially mysterious and incomprehensible. The name was given to a person by Revelation from God.
This is how the Holy Prophet John the Baptist received the name, the name of Jesus Christ was announced to the Virgin Mary by an Angel. Apostle Paul received a new name at Baptism, according to Revelation from above. The Old Testament peoples had a clear understanding that a person's name reflects his deep essence, his mission - that is, his purpose in this life.
The most amazing thing is that this tradition continues today. For example, in the biography of the Georgian elder Gabriel (1929-1995), an ascetic and confessor of our time, such a case is described. A childless couple came to Fr. Gabriel, asking him to pray for the gift of a child.
The elder blessed them to serve a prayer service to the Holy Prophet John the Baptist several times, after a while the woman learned that she was expecting a baby. The couple were sure that a boy would be born. Not remembering themselves for joy, they rushed to Fr. Gabriel for the blessing to name the child Gabriel, in his honor. To which the elder replied:
- Queen Tamara was a woman and why is she worse than others?
A girl was born and grateful parents named her Tamara.
Name day and patron saint
The modern church usually issues a Baptismal Certificate to a newly converted Christian, which indicates the date of Baptism, the name of the patron saint and the day of the name day. In the event that there is no evidence, and there is no way to find out in honor of which saint the person was baptized, you need to find according to the calendar the day closest to the birthday, marked by the memory of the saint of the same name. This saint is supposed to be honored as his patron, if no clarifying information can be obtained.
The name day is also called the day of the Angel. This is the common name for the day of veneration of the patron saint. The Guardian Angel is given by God to every baptized person for protection and help in spiritual life, but most importantly - for testifying about all the deeds of a person, already accomplished in the Christian title. Good deeds will be an excuse for a person at God's judgment, but if there are much more evil deeds, the Angel will be powerless to help his ward.
The saint in whose honor the name is given is a real, earthly person who lived in a specific historical time, attained holiness and canonized by the Church - that is, canonized. In a sense, this is also an Angel, because it is said about the saints that they are like Angels in heaven, (Matt, 22; 30) but this is a different person.
To understand how to treat your heavenly patron. you can refer to the figurative interpretation (given above), Metropolitan Anthony of Sourozh. Vladyka Anthony says that a person named after a saint is likened to a temple in honor of this saint - a living temple. Throughout his life - by thoughts, actions, words, a person is called to glorify this name, behind which there is a great personality. Of course, we are not talking about mechanical imitation, but in difficult moments of life, in moments of choice, the image of this saint, with certain personal characteristics, can stand before the mind's eye as a reference point, as a series of weighty arguments in favor of certain actions.
It is important for every believer to know the biography of his heavenly patron, it is advisable to find in the life of the saint something especially suitable in a personal life situation, which could become a life credo or, in modern language, internal motivation in making fateful decisions.
Prayer to heavenly patron:
"Pray to God for me, holy saint of God (the name of the saint), as I zealously run to you, an ambulance and prayer for my soul."
Prayer to the Guardian Angel:
"To the angel of God, my guardian are holy and, given to me by God from heaven, I earnestly pray to you: you enlighten me this day, and save me from all evil, instruct me to do a good deed and direct me to the path of salvation. Amen."
How to celebrate Angel Day
The Church recommends celebrating the day of the Angel, first of all, by participating in the sacraments. On this day, it is advisable, if possible, to confess and receive the Holy Mysteries. Relatives and friends of the birthday person can, as a gift. order in the church, on the day of the Angel, a special mention at the liturgy or serve a prayer service for the health of the birthday person.
In the family circle, name days were traditionally widely celebrated. In old Russia, it was customary to invite godparents and a spiritual father, they were given the most honorable place at the festive table. After congratulations, all the guests, led by the priest, sang "many years" to the birthday man
"A prosperous and peaceful life, health, salvation, and in all good haste, God grant, now the same-named Thy servant (Thy servant)" the name of the rivers ", and save him (her) for many years!" - the confessor of the birthday man solemnly proclaimed and the guests sang merrily: - "Many years!"
Today in church shops there are many Christian souvenirs, soulful literature, icons and much more, you can easily choose a gift for Christening or name day, as a sign of attention and love, to a loved one or a work colleague. Of course, on the day of the Angel, any others, including household gifts, will be appropriate. For relatives, the name day of a family member is, first of all, another family holiday, which means a joyful occasion to get together for loving people, to communicate, strengthening family ties.