Question for Eastern Catholics

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Fraz94

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Dear Brothers and Sisters,
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                                     I have a great weakness for Eastern Catholicism, as you would see in my previous posts of pictures of my little shrine at home with my icons etc. although I love Roman devotions too and have both side by side.

                                      My question is Liturgical, during the Divine Liturgy at the time for the faithful to receive Holy Communion in the Orthodox Church each person approaches the Priest and they say their name.  The Priest then says in whatever the language of the liturgy, country etc.  "Servant of God..N..receive the body and blood of Christ" or words to that affect, is this the case in the Melkite liturgy?  Or other Eastern Catholic Rites- I asked about the Melkites because they are generally closest to Greek Orthodox in practice, which I am accustomed to most as I have a Greek Orthodox friend and have visited the Church and heard the liturgy several times, my own Priest told me it would be okay for me to go to Communion there (although I didn't/wasn't/wouldn't be allowed!- by the Orthodox) I always went to a Catholic Mass to fulfil my obligation too and received Communion.... however, If I went to an Eastern Catholic liturgy e.g. Melkite I know I can receive Communion as a Roman Catholic in an Eastern Catholic Church, my question is would I say my name to the Priest like the Orthodox do?  I don't have an "Orthodox name" my name is Frazer which is a Scottish Gaelic name and there is no "St. Frazer", although I have always likened it to the Gaelic for Francis but even so  if I went to any Eastern liturgy where the Priest is likely to be foreign and said "Frazer" or even "Francis" to the Priest he probably wouldn't catch my name haha just wonder about this?  Hope my question makes sense and there is somebody who can answer this...

                                           I really love Eastern Catholicism and am sincere in my question....and for the usual people who ask yes I know the difference between Orthodox and Eastern Catholic and yes I also love the Traditional Latin Mass and have been several times and yes I know it is nicer than the Novus Ordo but the Novus Ordo is also a valid and Holy Mass....although yes there are those who abuse it---just to get that clear as people usually comment on that lol!
 
Hello, and welcome toy he forums! A Byzantine (Melkite, Ruthenian, etc.) priest will use your name if he knows it. It is perfectly normal and acceptable to tell him your name when you approach the chalice, but since you have a name that is unusual in America, it wouldn’t hurt to simply introduce yourself to the priest ahead of time. That way, if you refresh his memory at the time of communion, he’ll be more likely to know and use your name.

I have no idea what he would do with your name, but I suspect you are right that he would assume a version of Francis . It brings to mind a story of a panachida I once attended. The name of the deceased was Bo. It was the only thing anyone had called him since childhood. The priest said “Bo” 2 or 3 times, but ultimately he just could not do it. He stopped the service and asked, in exasperation, “What is his Christian name?” The family provided his baptismal name, and the service continued. I don’t think a priest would balk once , but if you became a regular, he might inquire.
 
Depending on the Church, the locale, and the individual priest, it does happen that the priest may ask your name at communion. If he does, just give your name. Most people with non-saint given names have a “saintly” middle (or “baptismal”) name as well, so perhaps you might feel more comfortable giving both (like “Frazer John” or whatever). OTOH, if he doesn’t ask, he doesn’t ask.
 
Our (RC) priests say our names if they know them as well:
Ex. “James, Body of Christ”…
 
malphono said:
Depending on the Church, the locale, and the individual priest, it does happen that the priest may ask your name at communion. If he does, just give your name. Most people with non-saint given names have a “saintly” middle (or “baptismal”) name as well, so perhaps you might feel more comfortable giving both (like “Frazer John” or whatever). OTOH, if he doesn’t ask, he doesn’t ask.
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I do have a Christian name, it is a Scottish Christian name and is associated with “Francis” but there is no actual Saint Canonized as St. Frazer in the name itself. It is the same with other Gaelic names in Ireland and Scotland, I mean it’s like “Eileen” is another example an Eastern Priest would not be accustomed to that name…but thanks for you comment and advice!
 
Fraz94 said:
… as I have a Greek Orthodox friend and have visited the Church and heard the liturgy several times, my own Priest told me it would be okay for me to go to Communion there (although I didn’t/wasn’t/wouldn’t be allowed!- by the Orthodox)
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Presumably, your priest’s statement should be translated as “It is okay from the Catholic p.o.v. to request communion from an Orthodox priest” (just as Anglicans sometimes say “We’re allowed to receive in Catholic parishes” when they ought to say “It’s alright from the Anglican p.o.v. for us to receive in Catholic parishes”). 🙂
 
Fraz94 said:
I do have a Christian name, it is a Scottish Christian name and is associated with “Francis” but there is no actual Saint Canonized as St. Frazer in the name itself. It is the same with other Gaelic names in Ireland and Scotland, I mean it’s like “Eileen” is another example an Eastern Priest would not be accustomed to that name…but thanks for you comment and advice!
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If he is a Greek priest he would be very familiar with Helen or Helena.
 
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