Names
Tammy writes about her grandpa, and how she gave his name to her son. This got me thinking about the importance of names in my own life.
"Barberg" is a unique name. As simple as it is, it is not common at all. If you run into one, odds are 99-1 that he descended from Isak Parpo (Barba, parpa) who come to Minnesota from Finland in the 1860's...my great-great-grandfather. Either he, or his son "Isak Arvid" changed ther name to the "Swedified" "Barberg", as none of the Swedes or Anglos in the area (Cokato, MN) could pronounce the name...couldn't roll their "r"s.
St. Kevin
My mother named me "Kevin Scott." I don't remember the significance, but I think one of the names had to do with a navy pilot they knew who died or something. (Mom fill me in if you visit the blog). I have since developed an affinity for St. Kevin of Glendalough His feast happens to fall on the day of our wedding, June 3rd.
St. Raphael
Of course when I was ordained to the diaconate, my bishop named me "Raphael," after the newly recognized Orthodox Saint, RAPHAEL Haweeney, Bishop of Brooklyn. Its a long story about how I came to be associated with this great man. I also like the name because my Grandpa is "Ralph."
My first born is Colin Isaak. We liked the name Colin, and since then have discovered that it is nick name for "Nicholas." We have an affinity for St. Nicholas of course...who doesn't? But he receives communion under the name, Isaak. He recieved the name, both as a tribute to the Barberg patriarch, but also (More importantly?) for Isaac of Syria (or Ninevah)
Hannah Elizabeth is named after the Old Testament Prophetess and mother of Samuel. "Hannah" is also the name of my Great-Grandmother. But her patron Saint is St. Elisabeth the New Martyr of the Communist Yoke, also known as Grand Duchess Elisabeth. Hannah likes the fact that she was a princess. She is sort of a Family patron, as her story (and undoubtedly her intercessions) had allot to do with us coming to Orthodoxy. We knew the first girl we had would be named in her honor.
Mary Katherine is named after the mother of our Lord, And the Great Martyr Catherine. We have Catherines on all sides of the family tree. Mary Kate's mom is "Kelleylynne Marie." And unbeknownst to us at the time, MK's God-mother's Christian name is "Mary."
Luke Joseph is named after the Holy Apostle and Evangelist, Luke the Doctor. And Kelley's Dad's middle name is "Joseph."
So, please tell me about YOUR name!
Deacon Raphael
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Reader Comments (11)
My mom just liked the sound of "Gina." It's a short form of Regina, Latin for "queen," so in a way it does roundabout refer to Mary.
My middle name is Genette. This was the name of my dad's youngest sister, who died from complications of Down's Syndrome after my parents married but before I was born. Once I found Sunday school papers of hers, so I do hope to see her in heaven...
Incidentally, I discovered when studying Turkish that "jennet" means "heaven." So I often used to tell my Turkish friends that my middle name was "heaven."
Hey, thanks John! We are still learning how to celebrate a "name day," but we sing "many years" and read about the Saint. We hear its tradtional to GIVE gifts on your name day, so Hannah says she is going to give to the "poor people" when hers comes around....
Both! It depends... my old freinds and family, who knew me before I was a deacon or even Orthodox, call me by what they have always known me as. Of course the Govt knows me as Kevin (some change their name legally...)
But my Orthodox freinds and other whom I have met since then, knnow me as Deacon, or Raphael, or Fr. Dcn. etc...
To my kids I am still "daddy" ("poppa" to Mary Kate...)
So I am sort of a split personality! Esp since I am not about to try to change my name at work. I suppose if I went in full time ministry and lived in another city it might not seem so strange sometimes!
But, I would not change it, as difficult as it is. St. Raphael meant for me to be named after him, and sometime I will share the story...
My Orthodox name is Athanasia, taken for St. Athanasius the Great. It was his treatise, "On the Incarnation" which opened my eyes to the Church Fathers and Orthodoxy. Thus his Godly words called me, as well as he, "home" to the Church and he is my patron saint.
Love ya Bro.
I'shalom