Saturday was my baptism into the Greek Orthodox Church. My family and Dim’s family gathered to see me basted in olive oil and dunked in water. My baptismal name is Katharine, after this lady. I got to choose any saint that I wanted, and as there is no Greek equivalent of Jennifer (the closest is Iannula, which sounds like a strain of bacteria to me) I picked a lady that I respected and saw bits of myself in. She was an educated woman and a powerful public speaker who stuck to her guns, so to speak, when challenged.
My godmother (“nounna” – pronounced new-NAH) is Athena, Dimitri’s sister. The funny part of the ceremony (I promised Father John I wouldn't crack jokes) came when Father told me that I need to look up to Athena for spiritual guidance. Athena's a full head shorter than I am.
After the baptism we went to Sophie’s and she made us a great dinner. It tasted good on its own merits, but it tasted FABULOUS to me because I was fasting that whole day in preparation for the baptism. I was famished. Sunday I took Communion for the first time, and Athena and Sophie came to church to see me take it. We all went out to lunch at Bahama Breeze afterward.
Monday I taught an SAT class at Shadow Ridge high school. It’s a 25 mile drive on the other side of forever, but the kids seem cool. I have a set of identical twins in the class who are FUNNY guys. I really enjoyed the time I spent with the class.
I think I will treat myself to a pedicure today. I have an acute case of nastyfootitis, compounded by an infection of Iannula.
Posted by Jen at December 14, 2004 10:23 AMcongratulations! now. you. greek. sorry i couldn't be there to see it, but i'm glad it went so well. how did you like the punch n cookies?
Posted by: kat at December 14, 2004 11:58 AMCongrats!
Posted by: susan at December 14, 2004 2:14 PMSo, if you should ever be arguing with Dimitri and he is being, well, "dim', you can go out to the garage and argue with the wheels on the car, just like your namesake Catherine.
When they annoint you with the olive oil, do they use extra virgin? Do they wrap you in grape leaves as well?
Sorry - no disrespect intended - congratulations on your baptism - you worked hard.
Mazel tov!
Yes, I told my mother-in-law that something at the baptism should be extra virgin, it might as well be the oil.
No grape leaves were involved (wouldn't fig leaves be more appropriate?) but I did smell like a salad for the rest of the day.
Posted by: Jen McNamee at December 15, 2004 8:43 AMTaking communion always makes me feel a bit...parched.
Congratulations on your baptism. :)
Posted by: JennySmith at December 15, 2004 12:40 PM