THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS
Baptism: A sacrament of initiation that cleanses a person from original sin and incorporates us into the Church, the Body of Christ, and is our introduction to the life of the Holy Trinity. Water is a natural symbol of cleansing and newness of life. Through the three-fold immersion in the waters of Baptism in the Name of the Holy Trinity, one dies to the old ways of sin and is born to a new life in Christ. Baptism is one's public identification with Christ Death and victorious Resurrection. Following the custom of the early Church, Orthodoxy encourages the baptism of infants. The Church believes that the Sacrament is bearing witness to the action of God who chooses a child to be an important member of His people. From the day of their baptism, children are expected to mature in the life of the Spirit, through their family and the Church. The Baptism of adults is practiced when there was no previous baptism in the name of the Holy Trinity. The church Father's on the necessity of Baptism: Here
Eucharist: A sacrament of initiation that represents Christ's body, blood, soul, and divinity The Holy Eucharist, which is known as the Divine Liturgy, is the central and most important worship experience of the Orthodox Church. Often referred to as the "Sacrament of Sacraments", it is the Church's celebration of the Death and Resurrection of Christ offered every Sunday and Holy day. All the other Sacraments of the Church lead toward and flow from the Eucharist, which is at the center of the life of the Church.
Confirmation: A sacrament of initiation. Confirmation comes from the Latin word confirmare, which means “to strengthen.” Christians who have been baptized and instructed, or catechized, in the faith now receive this sacrament to strengthen that faith and equip them for service in the Church and the world.Children who grow up in the Church typically receive the Sacrament of Confirmation as an early teen after years of religious education, or catechesis, which instructs them in the doctrines and practices of the faith. For those who convert to Catholicism as adults, they are usually confirmed at the same time they are baptized. For baptized Christians who convert to Catholicism, they will receive confirmation when they are formally received into the Church. During the sacramental rite, the bishop or priest will address each of the confirmandi—candidates eligible for confirmation—by their chosen saint’s name and anoint them with chrism oil. While the confirmandi would have originally received the Holy Spirit at Baptism, Confirmation is a new impartation of the Spirit that strengthens those baptismal gifts. In summary, confirmation:
Reconciliation: A sacrament of healing that forgives sins and reconciles a person with God and the Church. As members of the Church, we have responsibilities to one another and, of course, to God. When we sin, our relationship to God and to others becomes distorted. Sin is ultimately alienation from God, from our fellow human beings, and from our own true self which is created in God's image and likeness. Confession is the Sacrament through which our sins are forgiven, and our relationship to God and to others is restored and strengthened. Through the Sacrament, Christ our Lord continues to heal those broken in spirit and restore the Father's love those who are lost. According to Orthodox teaching, the penitent confess to God and is forgiven by God. The priest is the sacramental witness who represents both Christ and His people. The priest is viewed not as a judge, but as a physician and guide. It is an ancient practice for every Christian to have a spiritual father to whom one turns for spiritual advice and counsel. Confession can take place on any number of occasions. The frequency is left the discretion of the individual. In the event of serious sin, however, confession is a necessary preparation for Holy Communion.
Holy Matrimony: A sacrament of communion that unites a couple in marriage and strengthens their commitment to each other. Through this Sacrament, a man and a woman are publicly joined as husband and wife. They enter into a new relationship with each other, God, and the Church. Since Marriage is not viewed as a legal contract, there are no vows in the Sacrament. According to Orthodox teachings, Marriage is not simply a social institution, it is an eternal vocation of the kingdom. A husband and a wife are called by the holy Spirit not only to live together but also to share their Christian life together so that each, with the aid of the other, may grow closer to God and become the persons they are meant to be. In the Orthodox Marriage Service, after the couple have been betrothed and exchanged rings, they are crowned with "crowns of glory and honor" signifying the establishment of a new family under God. Near the conclusion of the Service, the husband and wife drink from a common cup which is reminiscent of the wedding of Cana and which symbolized the sharing of the burdens and joys of their new life together.
Holy Orders: The Holy Spirit preserved the continuity of the Church through the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Through ordination, men who have been chosen from within the Church are set apart by the Church for special service to the Church. Each is called by God through His people to stand amid the community, as pastor and teacher, and as the representative of the parish before the Altar. Each is also a living icon of Christ among His people. According to Orthodox teaching, the process of ordination begins with the local congregation; but the bishop alone, who acts in the name of the universal Church, can complete the action. He does so with the invocation of the Holy Spirit and the imposition of his hands on the person being ordained. Following the custom of the Apostolic Church, there are three major orders each of which requires a special ordination. These are Bishops, who is viewed as a successor of the Apostles, Priest and Deacon, who act in the name of the Bishop. Each order is distinguished by its pastoral responsibilities. Only a Bishop may ordain. Often, other titles and offices are associated with the three orders.
Anointing of the Sick (holy unction) A sacrament of healing that provides hope and strengthens faith for those who are sick or near death. When one is ill and in pain, people can feel alone and isolated. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick or Holy Unction reminds us that when we are in pain, either physical, emotional, or spiritual, Christ is present with us through the ministry of his Church. He is among us to offer strength to meet the challenges of life, and even the approach of death.
Eucharist: A sacrament of initiation that represents Christ's body, blood, soul, and divinity The Holy Eucharist, which is known as the Divine Liturgy, is the central and most important worship experience of the Orthodox Church. Often referred to as the "Sacrament of Sacraments", it is the Church's celebration of the Death and Resurrection of Christ offered every Sunday and Holy day. All the other Sacraments of the Church lead toward and flow from the Eucharist, which is at the center of the life of the Church.
Confirmation: A sacrament of initiation. Confirmation comes from the Latin word confirmare, which means “to strengthen.” Christians who have been baptized and instructed, or catechized, in the faith now receive this sacrament to strengthen that faith and equip them for service in the Church and the world.Children who grow up in the Church typically receive the Sacrament of Confirmation as an early teen after years of religious education, or catechesis, which instructs them in the doctrines and practices of the faith. For those who convert to Catholicism as adults, they are usually confirmed at the same time they are baptized. For baptized Christians who convert to Catholicism, they will receive confirmation when they are formally received into the Church. During the sacramental rite, the bishop or priest will address each of the confirmandi—candidates eligible for confirmation—by their chosen saint’s name and anoint them with chrism oil. While the confirmandi would have originally received the Holy Spirit at Baptism, Confirmation is a new impartation of the Spirit that strengthens those baptismal gifts. In summary, confirmation:
- Confirms a baptized person as a fully mature member of the Catholic Church
- Is a new impartation of the Holy Spirit that strengthens baptismal gifts
- Takes place as an early teen for Catholics or when baptized and/or formally received into the Church for adult converts. (taken from What are the seven Sacraments of the Catholic Church. https://www.catholictv.org/what-are-7-sacraments-catholic-church.html)
Reconciliation: A sacrament of healing that forgives sins and reconciles a person with God and the Church. As members of the Church, we have responsibilities to one another and, of course, to God. When we sin, our relationship to God and to others becomes distorted. Sin is ultimately alienation from God, from our fellow human beings, and from our own true self which is created in God's image and likeness. Confession is the Sacrament through which our sins are forgiven, and our relationship to God and to others is restored and strengthened. Through the Sacrament, Christ our Lord continues to heal those broken in spirit and restore the Father's love those who are lost. According to Orthodox teaching, the penitent confess to God and is forgiven by God. The priest is the sacramental witness who represents both Christ and His people. The priest is viewed not as a judge, but as a physician and guide. It is an ancient practice for every Christian to have a spiritual father to whom one turns for spiritual advice and counsel. Confession can take place on any number of occasions. The frequency is left the discretion of the individual. In the event of serious sin, however, confession is a necessary preparation for Holy Communion.
Holy Matrimony: A sacrament of communion that unites a couple in marriage and strengthens their commitment to each other. Through this Sacrament, a man and a woman are publicly joined as husband and wife. They enter into a new relationship with each other, God, and the Church. Since Marriage is not viewed as a legal contract, there are no vows in the Sacrament. According to Orthodox teachings, Marriage is not simply a social institution, it is an eternal vocation of the kingdom. A husband and a wife are called by the holy Spirit not only to live together but also to share their Christian life together so that each, with the aid of the other, may grow closer to God and become the persons they are meant to be. In the Orthodox Marriage Service, after the couple have been betrothed and exchanged rings, they are crowned with "crowns of glory and honor" signifying the establishment of a new family under God. Near the conclusion of the Service, the husband and wife drink from a common cup which is reminiscent of the wedding of Cana and which symbolized the sharing of the burdens and joys of their new life together.
Holy Orders: The Holy Spirit preserved the continuity of the Church through the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Through ordination, men who have been chosen from within the Church are set apart by the Church for special service to the Church. Each is called by God through His people to stand amid the community, as pastor and teacher, and as the representative of the parish before the Altar. Each is also a living icon of Christ among His people. According to Orthodox teaching, the process of ordination begins with the local congregation; but the bishop alone, who acts in the name of the universal Church, can complete the action. He does so with the invocation of the Holy Spirit and the imposition of his hands on the person being ordained. Following the custom of the Apostolic Church, there are three major orders each of which requires a special ordination. These are Bishops, who is viewed as a successor of the Apostles, Priest and Deacon, who act in the name of the Bishop. Each order is distinguished by its pastoral responsibilities. Only a Bishop may ordain. Often, other titles and offices are associated with the three orders.
Anointing of the Sick (holy unction) A sacrament of healing that provides hope and strengthens faith for those who are sick or near death. When one is ill and in pain, people can feel alone and isolated. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick or Holy Unction reminds us that when we are in pain, either physical, emotional, or spiritual, Christ is present with us through the ministry of his Church. He is among us to offer strength to meet the challenges of life, and even the approach of death.
THE SACRAMENTS
taken in part from excerpts of REV. THOMAS FITZGERALD
taken in part from excerpts of REV. THOMAS FITZGERALD
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