First, while Baptism joins a person to the Church, the Body of Christ--to the point we are called to be One--individuality is not given up. It is something of a mystery. Thus to be given a name at Baptism, the intent is to recognize the individuality of every child of God within the Church, as well as their individual responsibility before God. The new name also express the new life received through baptism.
It is an Orthodox tradition that people be baptized under the name of an Orthodox saint(s). That saint becomes the person's patron saint. And, of course, the saint's day becomes the person's name day, which is often celebrated in a way that makes it personally more important than their birthday. (For reference, note that Orthodox monastics are also given a new name on profession, at which point they give up their old name, and even quit using their family name.)
Since my parents were not Orthodox, and since I was converting as an adult, I was given the opportunity to choose my baptism name. Although I could have picked Saint David (the King/prophet/Psalm writer), I chose Symeon-Anthony for the following reasons (in summary):
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1. Symeon, after Symeon the New Theologian. Somewhat in analogy with Elias vs. Eliu (Elisha vs. Elijah), but while I can't catch his cloak for a double blessing, through his prayers--even though I am "amongst the masses of men and amongst the disturbances of the world"--would that I may receive the gift of Grace to be able to conduct myself as I "should, will find salvation, and become worthy of receiving from God great blessings..., such as are beyond the mind, hearing, or thought." But of these promised blessings, the one pearl I truly seek is to know Him as it is said that Saint Symeon did! Pray for me Father Symeon, that I may be made worthy of the promises of Christ. (The quotes here are from some of S. Symeon's writings.) |
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2. Antony, after Antony the Great. The first biography of an Orthodox Saint I ever read (this was ca. early '90s) was that of Father Antony as written by Saint Athanasius. Not only was I greatly moved by the story of his life, but of any single thing I read during the time of my "coming out of the desert" period of my life (as I called it in my testimony), and no matter how I may have been temporarily deflected from my walk toward Orthodoxy, Saint Antony's witness has always served as a beacon toward the narrow gate and path of Christ we are called to follow. O Father Antony, intercede with Christ our God that my soul may be saved! |
So, while you can call me whatever works best for you, my preferred name--especially among my fellow Orthodox christians--is my baptized name of Symeon-Anthony. My legal name remains David, which is also what my family (who are not Orthodox) and people at work call me.