Topic: I didn't think it was such a big deal.....

[Tikhon.of.Colorado]

Hello, all.

it is now 4 days till my chrismation.  I have been told by people at church, aswell as an Orthodox friend, that they want to get me something.  I didn't know it was a "gift-giving occasion".

I know I'm entering the church and that is a HUGE deal for me.  but,  didn't know it qualified as a gift-giving occasion.

converts:  was your baptism/chrismation like this?  I had no idea there would be gifts.

[Anastasios]

Just accept whatever people give you humbly. If they give you money and you don't need it, put it in the offering when no one is looking. If you need the money, thank God for the blessing. If it is a non-monetary gift, put it to good use.

I didn't get a gift per se, but they put on a meal and cake for my wife and me when we were baptized.

[Tikhon.of.Colorado]

good advice, Fr. Anastasios.

I guess just joining Christ's church is the GREATEST gift God could ever give me.  gifts were the last thing I expected.

I have the smallist feeling that this is a silly thing to post about, but I'm just so very excited, and have so many questions

[Schultz]

I certainly wasn't expecting anything from anyone aside from maybe an icon from my Godparents.  I ended up getting something from everyone in attendance.  People like to give gifts, especially icons, at chrismations.  It's a joyous time, for a prodigal has returned, so to speak!

I also echo the advice the good Fr. A has given.  

[Anastasios]

Giving a gift is often a way for others to share in your joy of the "Greatest gift"...."it's better to give than to receive."  Conversions are always quite exciting for everyone.

[jnorm888]

Hello, all.

it is now 4 days till my chrismation.  I have been told by people at church, aswell as an Orthodox friend, that they want to get me something.  I didn't know it was a "gift-giving occasion".

I know I'm entering the church and that is a HUGE deal for me.  but,  didn't know it qualified as a gift-giving occasion.

converts:  was your baptism/chrismation like this?  I had no idea there would be gifts.

I forgot which ancient church historian it was....hmm I don't think it was Eusebius, There was a church historian after him.....but I can't think of his name. Hmm, But the giving of gifts is an ancient church custom. It goes way way way back.






ICXC NIKA

[sainthieu]

Think of it as your birthday--only better.

[xuxana]

what?!? they give u gifts? wow... can i get re-baptized? i want gifts too!

[Irish Hermit]

I remember my tonsuring as a monk back in the bad old days of Tito's Yugoslavia.   The holy monastery of Zica, a cold and snowy winter's night, Saint Sava's eve, 26 January.

The tonsuring was at the end of a long Vigil....it seemed to go on forever.... and afterwards everyone in the church came up to congratulate us (there were two of us new monks) and to kiss the Crosses we had been given.   And so many people, mainly the grannies, laid socks across our arms as presents.... and many of them said:  "From your mother who cannot be here."   It was quite an emotional time of gift-giving.

Enjoy it, Trevor, and may God richly bless your new life!

[Tikhon.of.Colorado]

I remember my tonsuring as a monk back in the bad old days of Tito's Yugoslavia.   The holy monastery of Zica, a cold and snowy winter's night, Saint Sava's eve, 26 January.

The tonsuring was at the end of a long Vigil....it seemed to go on forever.... and afterwards everyone in the church came up to congratulate us (there were two of us new monks) and to kiss the Crosses we had been given.   And so many people, mainly the grannies, laid socks across our arms as presents.... and many of them said:  "From your mother who cannot be here."   It was quite an emotional time of gift-giving.

Enjoy it, Trevor, and may God richly bless your new life!

what a heart-warming story!  May I ask, what part of Yugoslavia were you tonsured in?   

[Irish Hermit]

oops