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The Holy Sacraments
The Sacraments of the Orthodox
Church, like the Church Herself, can be said to possess a double character,
for they are at the same time inward and outward, visible and invisible.
They combine in themselves both an outward visible sign with an inward
spiritual grace. |
Holy Baptism
 First
place among the Sacraments of the Orthodox Church is occupied by Holy
Baptism, by which a man, who has come to believe in Christ, by being immersed
three times in water in the Name of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and
Holy Spirit), is cleansed through Divine Grace of all sins (Original Sin
and personal sins) and is reborn into a new holy, and spiritual life.
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Holy  Chrismation
In the Sacrament of Baptism man
is called out of spiritual darkness into the light of Christ and is initiated
into the economy of salvation by the Son of God. This initiation is effected,
however, in the Sacrament of Chrismation. Repent, and be baptized every
one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ, the Apostle Peter preached to
the people on Pentecost, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit
(Acts 2:38). |
Holy
Eucharist
The central place among the Sacraments
of the Orthodox Church is held by the Holy Eucharist - the precious Body
and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. In modern times the Holy Eucharist
is celebrated in the Orthodox Church at the following Liturgies. |
Holy Repentance
The Sacrament of Repentance developed
early in the Church's history in the time of the persecutions of the 3rd
and 4th Centuries, when many people, giving in to the threats of the persecutors,
apostasized and fell away from the Church. Apostasy was considered to
be a very serious sin; many held the extreme position that such could
not be received back into the Church in their lifetime, while others held
that those who had lapsed should be re-baptized - that is, their sins
should be washed away by a second baptism. |
Holy Orders
 In
the Orthodox Church there are to be found three "Major Orders"
- Bishop, Priest and Deacon - and two "Minor Orders" - Subdeacon
and Reader (although in ancient times there were other "Minor Orders"
which have now fallen into disuse). The Holy Apostles appointed seven
men (Church Tradition calls them "Deacons") to perform a special
serving ministry (Acts 6:2-6) and in his first Letter to the Corinthians. |
Holy Matrimony
 In
the theology of the Orthodox Church man is made in the Image of the Most-holy
Trinity, and, except in certain special cases (such as monasticism, for
example), he is not intended by God to live alone, but in a family situation.
Just as God blessed the first humans, Adam and Eve, to live as a family,
to be fruitful and multiply. |
Anointing of the Sick
This Sacrament is described in
Holy Scripture by St. James the Brother of the Lord: Is any among you
sick? Let him call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over
him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of
faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he
has committed sins, he will be forgiven (James 5:14-15). |
The Marriage Service
 There
are two reasons for which marriage was instituted...to bring man to be
content with one woman and to have children, but it is the first reason
that is most important. As for procreation, it is not required absolutely
by marriage...The proof of this lies in the numerous marriages that cannot
have children. This is why the first reason of marriage is to order sexual
life...when a husband and wife are united in marriage, they are no longer
seen as somethng earthly, but as the image of God Himself. (St. John Chrysostom) |
