The Sacraments

The Sacraments of the Orthodox Church

As Orthodox Christians, we experience the grace of God through the seven sacraments, also known as the Holy Mysteries. Participation in four of these sacraments is essential to the spiritual life of every Orthodox Christian, while the remaining three are observed voluntarily, depending on one’s personal calling and circumstances.

Holy Baptism & Holy Chrismation

The Mystery of Holy Baptism, followed by the Mystery of Holy Chrismation, admits an individual as a full member of the Orthodox Church. While it is the more common practice to be baptized as an infant, in fact, one can be baptized at any age and at any time of the year.

Two elements constitute the act of Baptism: the infant is immersed in water, or water is poured on the head, for a total of three times as each name of the Trinity – the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit – is invoked.

Immediately after Baptism, the child is anointed with chrism (a mixture of oil, wine and herbs) on various parts of the body (face, ears, chest, hands and feet). The priest will make the sign of the cross with each anointment and repeat, “The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Holy Eucharist

The Holy Eucharist, or Holy Communion, is the most commonly observed sacrament, and offered during Divine Liturgy. The Eucharistic Prayer invites the faithful to become one with our Lord by partaking of bread and wine which has been transformed into the precious Blood and Body of Christ:

“Take and eat: this is my body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me….Drink this, all of you: this is my blood of the new covenant which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

In preparing to receive Holy Communion, one must follow a strict fast with nothing to eat or drink the morning before one receives.

Orthodox children are brought to receive communion as infants, very soon after their Baptism and Chrismation.

 Holy Confession

To receive Holy Communion, one must prepare oneself. This includes, as already mentioned, not partaking of food or drink  the morning of. It also includes a period of fasting beforehand, bringing one closer to God through both physical and spiritual cleansing.

One must also come to Holy Communion with a clear conscience, nothing weighing heavily on the heart. It is through the Mystery of Holy Confession that we undergo a healing of the soul, asking for God’s forgiveness for our transgressions. Holy Confession allows us to return to God and gain a renewed sense of internal peace.

Children are not expected to participate in the Mystery of Holy Confession until about the age of seven years. It is not until that approximate age that they have developed a sense of morality and truly understand the difference between right and wrong.

Holy Matrimony

The sacrament of Holy Matrimony blesses the union of a man and a woman. For anyone who has attended a wedding in the Orthodox Church, one can attest to a ceremony that is rich in tradition and symbolism.

The marriage service consists of two parts. The first is the Betrothal Service. The bride and groom exchange rings, a symbol that they enter marriage voluntarily and of their own free will.

The second part, regarded as the climax of the wedding ceremony, is the Crowning. In the Serbian Orthodox Church, the priest places a gold crown on the head of the groom and also of the bride. Henceforth, they will become king and queen of their own home and honour God by following the example of righteousness. Some have interpreted the crowns to be those of martyrdom since marriage demands self-sacrifice from both partners.

Recalling the Wedding at Cana (see John 2: 1-12) the newlyweds drink wine from a common cup, each taking three sips. This signifies that their life is now as one, with both joys and sorrows to be borne together. The bride and groom then take their first steps as husband and wife. The priest will lead the couple in a circle three times around the wedding table on which The Gospel and the Cross have been placed. These are reminders that His Teachings and our love for God should remain at the center of the life the newly married couple build together.

“Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” (Ephesians 5:31)

 Holy Orders

Through the Mystery of Ordination, the Church admits men to serve as members of the clergy. Orthodox clergy provide spiritual guidance to the faithful, perform sacraments, and lead religious services while preserving the teachings of the Church. There are three major orders in the Orthodox Church: Bishop, Priest and Deacon. Orthodox priests and deacons are permitted to marry, provided they do so before ordination to the rank of deacon.

Holy Unction

For the sick and ailing, the sacrament of Holy Unction offers the hope of healing and of forgiveness for sins. The priest will anoint the faithful with holy oil, making the sign of the cross on the face (forehead, each cheek and chin) and on both hands, including the palms. This sacrament is performed in the church on Holy Wednesday, but can also be performed in a hospital or at one’s home, if necessary.