THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS The Eastern Orthodox Church recognizes seven Sacraments, also known as the Seven Mysteries. Through them, the Church imparts the spiritual blessings of the Holy Spirit to believers. These Holy acts include: Baptism, Chrismation, Holy Eucharist (Communion), Penance (Confession), Holy Orders (Ordination), Matrimony and Holy Unction. The right to administer these sacraments was transmitted by the original Apostles to their successors, the Bishops who, in turn, now transmit this right to the priests through one of the sacraments, that of Holy Orders (Ordination.) BAPTISM (Matt. 28:19 & John 3:5) Today, the sacrament of initiation into Christ and into Christ’s Church frequently occurs at infancy. The priest immerses the child in water three times … once in the name of the Father, once in the name of the Son, and once in the name of the Holy Spirit. Baptism symbolizes burial (as the child is immersed in water) and resurrection ad new birth (as the child is lifted out.) In Baptism, one is born into the kingdom of God through renewal in Christ … becoming a new creation. CHRISMATION (1 John 2:20 & 2 Cor. 1:21) This sacrament occurs immediately after Baptism. The priest anoints various parts of the body with Holy Oil (Chrism), marking them with the sign of the cross, and repeating, "The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit". Chrismation is a personal Pentecost … the descent of the Holy Spirit. Through Chrismation, the person receives the gift of the Holy Spirit and is welcomed into the Body of Christ … His Church. PENANCE (Matt. 18:8 & John 20:22-2) This is the sacrament of reconciliation. The penitent stands with the priest, who is witness rather than judge. The penitent confesses and expresses sorrow for having sinned. Then the priest pronounces the prayer of absolution through which God’s forgiveness is given. Confession is the remedy for spiritual sickness. It helps those who have been separated from God by sin to change their lives and to be received once more into God’s life. MARRIAGE (Eph. 5:31) Marriage is an expression of God’s love for humankind. In marriage, a man and a woman become one spirit and one body through the Holy Spirit. The rings are blessed and exchanged to show that each partner enters the marriage as a free committement. The priest then places crowns on the heads of the bride and groom, symbolizing God’s matrimonial blessing, martyrdom, and membership in God’s Kingdom. The ceremony also includes te "common cup", symbolizing the couple’s total sharing of life. HOLY UNCTION Jas. 5:14-15) This is the Church’s prayer for spiritual and physical healing. Through anointing with oil, the person’s sufferings are united with those of Christ and sins are forgiven. On Wednesday of Holy Week, many Orthodox are anointed for spiritual healing and in preparation for Easter. HOLY ORDERS (Acts 20:28) This sacrament is for the ordination of the three orders of clergy (deacon, priest and bishop) by prayers and the laying on of hands by the bishop. It is celebrated by the bishop (three bishops if a bishop is being consecrated) and is affirmed by the local congregation. Through Holy Orders, clergy receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and Apostolic succession, enabling them to continue the ministry of Christ in the Church. HOLY EUCHARIST or HOLY COMMUNION (Matt. 26:2-28 & John 6:53-56) This "sacrament of sacraments" is the center of Orthodox spiritual life. Bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Christ by the Holy Spirit, and received as spiritual nourishment by the faithful for the remission of sins and life everlasting. The Lord himself invites the faithful to the Eucharist, which is His sacrifice for, and offering to all mankind. Only those who have been baptized and/or confirmed in the Orthodox faith may share in the Eucharist. PARTICIPATION IN THE SACRAMENTS Orthodox Christians should bear in mind that a married Orthodox Christian whose wedding has not been blessed by the Orthodox Church is no longer in good standing with the Church. Consequently such a person does not have the right to receive the sacraments of the Church. They may not receive Holy Communion, be a sponsor at an Orthodox wedding, Baptism or Chrismation. An Orthodox Christian who has been married outside the Church and who wishes to be reconciled to the Church is encouraged to request from his or her priest that his or her marriage be blessed in the Orthodox Church. A non-Orthodox Christian who marries an Orthodox Christian does not automatically become a member of the Church, and is therefore not permitted to receive Holy Communion or other sacraments of the Church or a Church funeral. These are privileges only of the baptized or chrismated members of the Church.