It is strange that I've been engaged since March and we've had the date set since April but just in the past week or so it has really set in that I'm getting married!
I wonder if part of the delay in that reality was because there were other things that had to happen before the wedding could...like deciding on a Kum and being baptized. But now those things are done and there's nothing but time in the way.
My Matron of honor and bridesmaid are ordering dresses this week...another thing to make it more real. We soon need to start thinking about bakers, tux styles and perhaps even a honeymoon (we have one in mind but I don't think we'll be able to afford it right after the wedding so it may be an anniversary trip instead).
All the smaller details are coming to mind...ordering save the date cards, getting our stationary ordered, getting the boxes for the favors, finishing assembly on one of my projects, folding origami tulips until my fingers are raw with paper cuts....or and maybe I should even make sure I have a finalized guest list from Milan.
AGGG!
Okay minor bride panic has subsided for now...more to come in the next 7 months I'm sure.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
The Baptism
Better late than never right? It was a crazy busy weekend and it has been crazy at work so I haven't been thinking real well in the evenings.
Anyway, I have to say the Baptism was fabulous and our party went great. I didn't even butcher Communion on Sunday! After a week of LOTS of work and stress before the big day I'm still amazed at how smoothly it all went.
The week before we decided to put new siding on the house so it looked better for the party. A word of advice...DON'T DO THIS!! It got done in time but Milan and I nearly killed ourselves getting the yard ready (things to tear down, dirt to be moved etc) for the siding guys. Then there was a week of cleaning and food buying and alcohol buying and food prep...can't say any of that was a ton of fun either. But in the end it was worth every minute of it.
There were no fewer than a million pictures taken at the church but none at the party so I'll just post the highlights as I explain the Baptismal process as best as I can.
Here we are before heading off to the church...already running late because Milan is worse than most women when it comes to getting ready.
Once we got to the church Father wasted no time getting things started. We headed to the entryway of the church where it all begins to signify that we were not members of the church (this is standard procedure...Baptism "brings one into the Church.") In the vestibule I had to renounce Satan on behalf of both Eric and myself...three times (everything is done three times to represent the Holy Trinity). In fact I had to spit on Satan...Father actually expected me to spit but my mouth was so dry I'm sure dust was all that came out. I was also taught the proper way to cross myself and why they do it the way they do...thumb and the first two fingers together to represent the Holy Trinity and the last two fingers tucked into the palm to represent the two natures of Christ, divine and human.
A picture of Eric right before I spit on the floor...I think he was worried I'd get yelled at like he does when he spits.
After that I was asked to read "The Creed." Now, those who know me know this, I DO NOT read out loud. I hate it with a passion you can't possibly understand. It all stems back from a dyslexic moment in 7th grade but regardless I HATE IT! I had told Milan that I hoped I didn't have to read anything but I suspected I might and I knew it would be The Creed so I'd pre-read it a few times. Had I known for sure I'd be reading it I would have just memorized it because I have no issues public speaking, just public reading. Ordinarily this would be done by the Kum but since I'm old enough to read Father told me to do it. As soon as he told me to read panic set in until Milan slipped his arm around my back...after stumbling through a few lines Kuma L and Kum Peter started saying it with me which helped a lot. It wouldn't be so bad but it is pretty long. I learned later that "The Creed" is standard amongst religions and it is the same ones the Catholics say. "I believe in one God..." Had it been the Lord's Prayer I'd have been set, that I remember from childhood.
After that torture was over (I debated the whole thing when Father asked me to read but decided Milan was worth it) we entered the church. Father lit candles, one for me, one for Eric and started the actual Baptismal service. Fortunately neither Eric nor myself are small enough to fit in the font because the usual process for babies is a full, three times over, naked dunk. So I suppose those who were present should also be happy the font was too small for me to climb in. :) Once candles were lit, Kum Peter held Eric's, I held my own most of the time we were Anointed...where father puts blessed oil (also known as the oil of exorcism) on our forehead, nose, ears, mouth, chest, hands and feet in the sign of the cross as an "armor" against evil spirits.
At some point Father blessed the water, though I don't recall if that happen before or after the anointing. He then poured it over me...and then Eric. Now, from what I have heard, our Father is a little more hardcore about this. My future neice-in-law said the Father who baptized her just used a handful of water...Eric and I were not so lucky...we got a pitcher of water, three times, over the head. In fact, Father even dumped it down my back once! It was like wet t-shirt day at St. George...good thing I was wearing black!
Once we were officially soaked we resumed our previous positions, though now covered in white towels. If we'd been infants I believe we would have been dressed in new, white, clothes all together. Eric was trying to grab my candle and ended up with melted wax dripping on his thumb...he managed to not yell and kept his tears to a mimimum...such a big boy. :) We were then Chrismated or Confirmed. Father took oil and a paintbrush and, in the same locations as anointing us, made the sign of the cross. Father is a wonderful man and managed to tickle Eric and joke with him as he did it.
Chrismation is the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit and is traditionally done immediately after baptism in the Orthodox church; confirmation it is usually separated from baptism by YEARS in the Catholic church.
After Chrismation there is a small haircut performed. Fortunately I never got around to getting haircuts for either of us or Father would have had a hard time finding hair to cut. The haircut symbolizes giving all your strength to God (read the story of Samson to better understand this) as well as a sacrafice to Him because infants have little else to give. It is just a couple little snips of hair.
After haircuts we all walk around the altar three times. This would have traditionally been done right before Communion but because of the timing of things in today's culture it has become symbolic of the walk to receive first Communion.
After the procession around the altar we were then "Churched." This is the way of "offering" the person to the church and God. It is a bit harder to explain. What I can tell you is that, as a woman, I was not(and never will be) allowed to go behind the Iconostasis (the wall of Icons at the front of an Orthodox church). I was walked to the Royal doors )the main doors in the center of the stasis) and blessed there as well as in front of two other icons, forgive me for not knowing which ones. Eric, on the other hand, was taken behind the stasis for his "churching."
I'm jealous!
After the Churching Father told everyone how it is your responsible to go out and "recruit" for lack of a better word. And then our Kumovi presented Eric and I with our baptismal crosses. Not sure why but there aren't any good pictures of that.
Here are some pics of the family:
Us with Father
Father, Us and Kum Peter
Our families (Mine & Eric's)
There should be pictures of us with our Kumovi but for some reason I can't locate them. :(
So there is the process, best I can recall, from beginning to end. I expected to get emotional about this but I didn't. Milan, however, did. He was pretty teary eyed when we got home. It was short lived though because we had A LOT to do for the party...which turned out great except for my mom's trip to the ER with a severely sprained ankle. Everyone had a good time, the food was well received (pulled pork and chevaps...odd combo I know, but it fit the crowd).
The day after our Baptism, Eric and I both were able to take Communion for the first time. That actually made me cry, not a full on sob but pretty darn weepy. We ended up delaying the whole thing because we didn't realize we were supposed to be up front when we were, but we covered pretty well I think. Kum Peter did communion with us which was awesome of him to do...especially since it meant less reading for me to do. :)
Anyway, I have to say the Baptism was fabulous and our party went great. I didn't even butcher Communion on Sunday! After a week of LOTS of work and stress before the big day I'm still amazed at how smoothly it all went.
The week before we decided to put new siding on the house so it looked better for the party. A word of advice...DON'T DO THIS!! It got done in time but Milan and I nearly killed ourselves getting the yard ready (things to tear down, dirt to be moved etc) for the siding guys. Then there was a week of cleaning and food buying and alcohol buying and food prep...can't say any of that was a ton of fun either. But in the end it was worth every minute of it.
There were no fewer than a million pictures taken at the church but none at the party so I'll just post the highlights as I explain the Baptismal process as best as I can.
Here we are before heading off to the church...already running late because Milan is worse than most women when it comes to getting ready.Once we got to the church Father wasted no time getting things started. We headed to the entryway of the church where it all begins to signify that we were not members of the church (this is standard procedure...Baptism "brings one into the Church.") In the vestibule I had to renounce Satan on behalf of both Eric and myself...three times (everything is done three times to represent the Holy Trinity). In fact I had to spit on Satan...Father actually expected me to spit but my mouth was so dry I'm sure dust was all that came out. I was also taught the proper way to cross myself and why they do it the way they do...thumb and the first two fingers together to represent the Holy Trinity and the last two fingers tucked into the palm to represent the two natures of Christ, divine and human.
A picture of Eric right before I spit on the floor...I think he was worried I'd get yelled at like he does when he spits.
After that I was asked to read "The Creed." Now, those who know me know this, I DO NOT read out loud. I hate it with a passion you can't possibly understand. It all stems back from a dyslexic moment in 7th grade but regardless I HATE IT! I had told Milan that I hoped I didn't have to read anything but I suspected I might and I knew it would be The Creed so I'd pre-read it a few times. Had I known for sure I'd be reading it I would have just memorized it because I have no issues public speaking, just public reading. Ordinarily this would be done by the Kum but since I'm old enough to read Father told me to do it. As soon as he told me to read panic set in until Milan slipped his arm around my back...after stumbling through a few lines Kuma L and Kum Peter started saying it with me which helped a lot. It wouldn't be so bad but it is pretty long. I learned later that "The Creed" is standard amongst religions and it is the same ones the Catholics say. "I believe in one God..." Had it been the Lord's Prayer I'd have been set, that I remember from childhood.After that torture was over (I debated the whole thing when Father asked me to read but decided Milan was worth it) we entered the church. Father lit candles, one for me, one for Eric and started the actual Baptismal service. Fortunately neither Eric nor myself are small enough to fit in the font because the usual process for babies is a full, three times over, naked dunk. So I suppose those who were present should also be happy the font was too small for me to climb in. :) Once candles were lit, Kum Peter held Eric's, I held my own most of the time we were Anointed...where father puts blessed oil (also known as the oil of exorcism) on our forehead, nose, ears, mouth, chest, hands and feet in the sign of the cross as an "armor" against evil spirits.
At some point Father blessed the water, though I don't recall if that happen before or after the anointing. He then poured it over me...and then Eric. Now, from what I have heard, our Father is a little more hardcore about this. My future neice-in-law said the Father who baptized her just used a handful of water...Eric and I were not so lucky...we got a pitcher of water, three times, over the head. In fact, Father even dumped it down my back once! It was like wet t-shirt day at St. George...good thing I was wearing black!
Once we were officially soaked we resumed our previous positions, though now covered in white towels. If we'd been infants I believe we would have been dressed in new, white, clothes all together. Eric was trying to grab my candle and ended up with melted wax dripping on his thumb...he managed to not yell and kept his tears to a mimimum...such a big boy. :) We were then Chrismated or Confirmed. Father took oil and a paintbrush and, in the same locations as anointing us, made the sign of the cross. Father is a wonderful man and managed to tickle Eric and joke with him as he did it.
Chrismation is the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit and is traditionally done immediately after baptism in the Orthodox church; confirmation it is usually separated from baptism by YEARS in the Catholic church.
After Chrismation there is a small haircut performed. Fortunately I never got around to getting haircuts for either of us or Father would have had a hard time finding hair to cut. The haircut symbolizes giving all your strength to God (read the story of Samson to better understand this) as well as a sacrafice to Him because infants have little else to give. It is just a couple little snips of hair.
After haircuts we all walk around the altar three times. This would have traditionally been done right before Communion but because of the timing of things in today's culture it has become symbolic of the walk to receive first Communion.
After the procession around the altar we were then "Churched." This is the way of "offering" the person to the church and God. It is a bit harder to explain. What I can tell you is that, as a woman, I was not(and never will be) allowed to go behind the Iconostasis (the wall of Icons at the front of an Orthodox church). I was walked to the Royal doors )the main doors in the center of the stasis) and blessed there as well as in front of two other icons, forgive me for not knowing which ones. Eric, on the other hand, was taken behind the stasis for his "churching."
I'm jealous!After the Churching Father told everyone how it is your responsible to go out and "recruit" for lack of a better word. And then our Kumovi presented Eric and I with our baptismal crosses. Not sure why but there aren't any good pictures of that.
Here are some pics of the family:
Us with Father
Father, Us and Kum Peter
Our families (Mine & Eric's)There should be pictures of us with our Kumovi but for some reason I can't locate them. :(
So there is the process, best I can recall, from beginning to end. I expected to get emotional about this but I didn't. Milan, however, did. He was pretty teary eyed when we got home. It was short lived though because we had A LOT to do for the party...which turned out great except for my mom's trip to the ER with a severely sprained ankle. Everyone had a good time, the food was well received (pulled pork and chevaps...odd combo I know, but it fit the crowd).
The day after our Baptism, Eric and I both were able to take Communion for the first time. That actually made me cry, not a full on sob but pretty darn weepy. We ended up delaying the whole thing because we didn't realize we were supposed to be up front when we were, but we covered pretty well I think. Kum Peter did communion with us which was awesome of him to do...especially since it meant less reading for me to do. :)
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