So I am going to get baptised and given a new name.
 

I have been attending the Ethiopian Orthodox Church every sunday for two years now. I have been studying deeply the teachings and history of Orthodox Christianity for at least 8 years now. I have learned a major portion of the Ethiopian Liturgy, a chant in an ancient language that even Ethiopians have no understanding of aside from the Priests. Further, this Church and this Ethiopian community have given me fulfillment and joy like nothing else in my entire life, and I must continue on. So anyways, I am also a dreadlock Rastaman, and as such, I have interesting interactions with people on the street to say the least. Last wed, coincidently of the Holy Week in the Eastern Church, this cool security guard at the Market i go to every week, hit me up and asked me about Rasta and reggae. When I told saluted him properly and exchanged names, as "Chris" he was like, "Chris? What kind of name is that?" I say, "I dont know what you mean, that is the one my momma gave me..." he says, "no no, you should have changed it already, isn't that what y'all [I think he meant Rastafari people] do?" so I say, "well actually I am just waiting to get baptised in the Ethiopian Church, they will give me a new name then." We then proceed to have a long chat about Ethiopians, turns out he also works security on weekends at an Ethiopian club where they spin reggae of all things! small world...

the next night I have a dream where I am talking with the Archbishop of the Ethiopian Church, Abune Melketsedek, who was in fact Emperor Haile Selassie I's personal priest in the 1970s, and whom I met in January and received a wonderful hug, blessing and conversation with [he is apparantly a bishop of specializes in dealing with Rastafari people]. In my dream he tells me very clearly, it is time to get baptised. The next night I also dream that I am having a similar conversation with my Abba at my local parish, who tells me the same thing. so, next month when the schedule is open, I will be getting baptised into the Tewahedo Ethiopian Orthodox Church, and a council of no less then three priest will chant around, say a dozen prayers and then bestow me with a new name, different from the one I have had these past twenty four years. It feels good to embrace this new identity and become fully invested in this community which I have been working for years towards helping. I also graduate from university in Dec with a degree in Ethiopian History.

what's wrong with the name chris?

This is a momentous occassion for you my man. Enjoy and continue moving forward.

whatever it takes to make life seem more exciting

im not a big fan of religion in general but i'm all for potent dreams

congratulations


when you life has a purpose (whatever that may be) it's not a matter of seeming.

congrats.

are you going to have an african name now??

so you legally change yr name? or is just kind of a title type thing?

I always thought if I were going to change my Christian name, I would want to change it to Openchestwounds or Bignailholewoundsinpalms.

Something to consider.

yes.


yes



so you mean Kefete Senberyederet [open wounds of chest] or Mesemare Teleme Medaf [nailholesinthepalmofhand]?
a) I am getting my Christian name from this process.

b) the krew of priests decides on the fly, I have no input.

cool stuff man

as far as I'm concerned, ethiopian orthodox may just be the last vestige of true christianity that's untouched by the tainting hands of rome and king james.

I hope you didn't think I was taking the piss by asking if you were taking an african name.

I may not agree with the complete dogma, but as a source of positivity in an entropic universe, Selassie I liveth everytime.

wow, that was the most insightful thing I have ever read on this message board, you sir, know, embrace, accept and more importantly FEEL the truth. Live on my friend.

that sucks. if i was gonna change my name i'd want some input. just sayin.

what would be the point of that? I am receiving the name I was given from creation, not searching for a new pseudonym for an acting career as an extra in culver city. I couldn't pick a new name for myself in a thousand attempts, I need to consult outside sources for validation, otherwise it could just all be a figment of my imagination.

What's the translation for "mud"? Ha ha, just kidding. I'm proud for you.

regreg che'qa [mud]

can't read whole thread now, too busy holding back a legion of mottled demons with only a dog and a beer and piles of homework as my weapons. but i will say, there's nothing wrong with the name Christopher. I'm not against taking on a new one while you're on this path, but I would advise not trying to 'purge' the previous one. People can have more than one name, it isn't a big deal.

Will read rest of thread soon.

Christopher is a fine name, and I live it well as it means Christ Bearing [like an aquafer which bears water], however, this new name is important.

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it."

wow, the thread was more positive than i thought it'd be. anyway yeah, good job sticking with this, congrats and hope it goes well.

HA!

best response ever

Yeah, I understand. It might confuse your school's registrar a bit tho :cool:

g'luck

there are 243 recognized languages in the United States, it shouldn't be too much trouble.

I meant from the standpoint that you will have had one name on their records for some time and then have a new one and the potential comical situations that would ensue, but I was kidding.

On a serious note though, do NOT trust something like a name change to go through a beuracracy, especially an academic one, without some kind of hook. Should be fine as long as you're ahead of it.

It is a little ironic that you're seeking advice in a decidedly heathen forum, such as this.

is he?

he's not the one who asked "navy or white" :p

I don't know--maybe he's not. I frankly didn't have the patience to read too carefully. Maybe he's just after... input? Intervention? Inspiration?

Now see my advice question though was on the level of the forum.

hint: you're not his audience.

anyway, regarding your advice question: i shook my head. at this point you should be uttering maxims on sock wearing. just make pronouncements as if they were royal edicts. try it. it will feel good.

Dark socks are de riguer with jeans and any dark pants.

White socks should be worn ONLY in the gym or out for a jog.

And NO socks of any kind with sandals or shorts. Period.

God, that felt good. Thanks, !@#$%.

ha! good job there--you tell those childrix.

Wow , you start high in the hierarchy!

fgrdgtsfgbfg

reminds me of this person,

he wants to change his name to microsoft zune.


have you got yourself a couple of ethiopian orthodox church tattoos yet?

actually I aim low, because as one of the only "Americanwi" there, sometimes the people give me an elevated hospitality, which I prefer not, rather I would be happy to be given the worst treatment in the Church, I like to stand in the back against the wall even when there are plenty of seats, humbly someone else might need one, there are 350 in attendance every sunday, it is a moderately large church by anyone's standards.

this is why I posted this thread:



and


everyone posts the crap from their lives, this is what is going on for me. further, I posted it because I am never more amazed then by surprises from people out their in the world, sometimes they can be very insightful.

finally ran into all the abbas together this past sunday, the Kesis looks over to the abbot sitting next to him, points to me and says three words, the abbot looks me up once, leans back over and says three words of his own, the kesis says, "how about next week?" I say "perfect"

the abbot looks at me intently, leans over and says three more words, the Kesis says, "Mem'her says how about June 15?" I say "God be praised that is even better."

June 15 is the Orthodox celebration of Pentecost, the descending of the holy spirit 50 days after the Resurrection, 10 days after the Ascension at Bethany, and is a special day to be baptized by the Church calendar.

sweet
kick that pentecosts ass!

congrats man.

don't let your dreads catch fire! :D

fyah fyah fyah fyah

jah say cast them in the fyah, but them never get burned
jah say cast them in the fyah, but them never get burned
Shedrach, Mechach, and Abed-Nego,
Iyah say they cast them in the fyah, but them never get burned...