DO NOT LET YOURSELF BE ADDRESSED BY NICKNAMES
And that wish of parents and godparents, to give their child and godchild two names at baptism, should be understood as a fad, which has nothing to do with the rules of the Serbian Orthodox Church, the priest said.
TL;DR
- In Orthodoxy, the baptismal name is considered a personal seal, signifying communion with God and the Church.
- A young man used his nickname, 'Valantis,' instead of his full baptismal name, 'Hrisovalantis,' on a paper for prayer.
- Elder Paisios the Athonite explained that God calls individuals by their baptismal name as recorded in the Book of God.
- Using shortened names or nicknames can result in not being recognized by God when called.
- The baptismal name is crucial for responding to God's call and maintaining spiritual identity.
- Faithfulness to one's baptismal name is connected to one's salvation.