HELP! Greek orthodox Christening Info needed!

[Emilija]

Hi,

I have a few questions about Greek orthodox Christening, my husband is Greek and I am not (I am Catholic). We named our baby boy Lachlan (he is 6 months old and his Greek Grandparents have seen him 3 times, they are not impressed with his name but thats a whole other thread :() My husband would like to have L baptised Greek Orthodox as would I (we were married in a Greek Church)

I have been told that he cant be babtised as he doesnt have a Greek name but have also heard that 'some' priests will baptise them any name. Does anyone know if this is true and if so do they know of any priests in Melbourne that would do it?

Also I have read that for the ceremony they only have 1 godparent. I would like to have my sister as Godmother along with my DH brother as godfather. Is that possible?

Thank you so much for any info you can give me.

[Lily of the Nile]

:wave: I'm Greek Orthodox, however we baptised ds Catholic (dh is catholic) but I was researching some of this stuff when I was looking into it and it can get confusing.
Where abouts in Melbourne are you? The priest in Moonee Ponds is young and can answer your questions abit better regarding the naming and godparents, he's easily approachable and I would generally avoid the older non english speaking ones. I think there is also a good one in Coburg, a friend of mine christened hers there and the name wasn't a greek one, but the priest was fine with it, however her sister who also had the same name was given trouble by another priest?
So definately try those 2.
As far as I'm aware, it's one godparent, that is how I've always known it to be and they have to be orthodox, but again, maybe the priest will give you a better answer in what they allow and the reasons behind it.
Good Luck though, greek orthodox christenings are so beautiful :)

[Emilija]

Thank you so much!

I will get my DH to contact both of those churches. At least I know that it has been done before so their is hope!

[macaroon]

I imagine he could still be baptised Greek Orthodox without a Greek name as I don't have a Greek name but was still baptised. I'm pretty sure I only had 1 godparent for the ceremony though.

[Teley]

I think these questions are best addressed to the priest.

My understanding of it is that if the name is not in the names that the church has, then he will just be christened under a different name. Also, it's fine to have two godparents as far as I know. But check with the priest! Good luck:).

[Emilija]

Thanks guys. DH is going to call the Priest this week after things have settled down after Easter!

Just wanted to ask on here to get an idea while I wait to talk to the Priest! ;)

[louloudi]

Hi,

if all fails the priest at Red Hill church is very accomodating. We christened our baby girl last weekend at this church and we had two godfathers which is a big no no in the greek orthodox faith. We explained our situaton (we just couldn't decide on just one - we wanted both) and the priest was more than happy to allow both godfathers to play a part in the ceremony but most importantly both are on the christening certificate. I would highly recommend you speak to him. If he can't do it, there will be no priest in melbourne who will.

Good luck!:)