www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology baptismal and chrismation names

Does anyone know why a baptismal name and also a chrismation name is given for these holy mysteries? Wouldn't you use just one name? And is this a custom of just the Byzanitne rite?

Umm RCs give a Baptismal name , and unless I'm very much mistaken they also usually give a Confirmation name too.

Would you care to expand your question a wee bittie ?

Anhelyna - oh and welcome to our happy home

I would like to know in which of the catholic rites is a baptismal and chrismation name given, two seperate names and why? Thanks.

Melchizedek,

Welcome to Byzcath! I found a recent thread discussing Confirmation (the Roman version of Christmation. Here it is: https://www.byzcath.org/cgibin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=001393

This will not necessarily answer all your questions. My original baptism name was my birth name and also the name of my Grandfather and Great Great Grandfather, so there is history there, and I have encountered that with many of my friends growing up.

In one of the books I read that was written by Bishop Kallistos Ware, he mentions someone naming their child Dakota, even though there currently is no Saint Dakota, just South Dakota.

The parents were very insistent on using this name, so there is now a member named Dakota, as as Bishop Ware stated, she may someday be the first Saint Dakota.

So, it is customary to name your child after a saint, but it is not mandatory.

When we receive confirmation in the Roman Church, we pick a Saint who is important to us, to inspire us as we achieve adult membership within the Church, and help guide us through emulation of that Saint's works and/or life. (I do not wish to speak for all Roman Catholics, but this the method in my parish and Archdiocese, growing up in the 60's and 70's).

That is why many Roman Catholics have four names at the completion of the sacrament of Confirmation. First, middle and last at Baptism, and then first, middle, confirmation name, and last at the end.

Does this help a bit? I am far from a theologian, [as anyone here can tell you], but I can relate happenings that occured to me.

Dear Anhelyna,

Did you take a christmation name when you recently entered the UGCC?

Michael

Michael ,

I did not. At my Baptism in long ages past I was given 2 names - and the second was Meryl - a Welsh version of Mary .

The question of a Chrismation name was not raised - I think with the short time we had between getting the Bishop's Permission to be Received and my actual Chrismation- there just was not time to even raise this. To be perfectly honest the obvious name would have been Mary - and well I already have that

My SF had to try and find a Copy of the Rite of Chrismation in English - and he didn't . His is in one of several boxes back in the Monastery - he knows it's there - but that wasn't much help. There was absolutely no way he could get a copy - between 4pm Thursday and 4pm Saturday - bearing mind he has a defunct Computer and no access to Fax machines.

Soooo I stick with my 2 names I have always had and of course Anhelyna

Both names are symbolic of a new life. Just as in ages past, men and women entering the religious life picked a new name to show that they were entering a new life. Some Spanish people have 5 and 6 names. Not to mention the English. Prince Charles for instance.

My heart is in the mountains, my soul is in the land;
I'm trapped here in the city; there's so much I can't understand.
There's a quiet desperation coming over me, coming over me.

I must go. I can't stay another day.
I can't bear this emptiness out here.
There's another place I have to be.
There's another place I have to be.


I long for you, Dakota, smell of sweet grass on the plain,
I hear too much anguish, and I feel too much pain.
There's a quiet desperation coming over me, coming over me.

d.d.d.d.d.d.d..d.d..d...That's all folks!