Orthodox Sacraments - sacred rites revealed in Orthodox church rites, through which the invisible Divine grace or the saving power of God is communicated to believers.

It is accepted in Orthodoxy seven sacraments: baptism, confirmation, eucharist (comunion), repentance, sacrament of priesthood, sacrament of marriage and consecration of oil. Baptism, repentance and the Eucharist were established by Jesus Christ himself, as reported in the New Testament. Church Tradition testifies to the Divine origin of other sacraments.

The sacraments are something that is unchangeable, ontologically inherent in the Church. In contrast, visible sacred rites (rites) associated with the performance of the Sacraments were formed gradually throughout the history of the Church. The Performer of the Sacraments is God, who performs them with the hands of the clergy.

The sacraments constitute the Church. Only in the Sacraments does the Christian community transcend purely human standards and become the Church.

ALL 7 (SEVEN) Sacraments of the Orthodox Church

Sacrament This is the name given to such a sacred action through which the grace of the Holy Spirit, or the saving power of God, is secretly, invisibly given to a person.

The Holy Orthodox Church contains seven Sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Repentance, Communion, Marriage, Priesthood And Blessing of Unction.

The Creed only mentions Baptism, because it is, as it were, the door to the Church of Christ. Only those who have received Baptism can use other sacraments.

In addition, at the time of drawing up the Creed, there were disputes and doubts: whether some people, such as heretics, should not be baptized a second time when they return to the Church. The Ecumenical Council indicated that Baptism can be performed on a person only once. That is why it is said, “I confess united Baptism".

Sacrament of Baptism

The sacrament of Baptism is such a sacred act in which the believer in Christ, through immersing the body in water three times, with invocation of name Holy Trinity- Father and Son and Holy Spirit, is washed from original sin, as well as from all sins committed by himself before Baptism, is reborn by the grace of the Holy Spirit into a new spiritual life (spiritually born) and becomes a member of the Church, i.e. blessed Kingdom of Christ.

The Sacrament of Baptism was established by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself. He sanctified His Baptism by example, baptized by John. Then, after His resurrection, He gave the apostles the command: Go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit(Matt. 28:19).

Baptism is necessary for everyone who wishes to be a member of the Church of Christ. Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God, said the Lord Himself (John 3:5).

Faith and repentance are required to receive Baptism.

The Orthodox Church baptizes infants according to the faith of their parents and adopters. This is why there are recipients at Baptism, in order to vouch before the Church for the faith of the person being baptized. They are obliged to teach him faith and make sure that their godson becomes a true Christian. This is the sacred duty of the recipients, and they sin gravely if they neglect this duty. And the fact that gifts of grace are given through the faith of others is given to us in the Gospel during the healing of the paralytic: Jesus, seeing their faith (who brought the sick man), says to the paralytic: child! Your sins are forgiven(Mark 2:5).

Sectarians believe that infants cannot be baptized and condemn Orthodox Christians for performing the Sacrament on infants. But the basis for infant Baptism is that Baptism replaced the Old Testament circumcision, which was performed on eight-day-old infants (Christian Baptism is called circumcision made without hands(Col. 2, 11)); and the apostles performed baptism over entire families, which undoubtedly included children. Infants, as well as adults, are involved original sin and have a need to be cleansed from it.

The Lord Himself said: Let the children come to Me and do not forbid them, for to such is the Kingdom of God(Luke 18:16).

Since Baptism is a spiritual birth, and a person will be born once, then the Sacrament of Baptism is performed on a person once. One Lord, one faith, one baptism(Eph. 4:4).

Confirmation is a Sacrament in which the believer is given the gifts of the Holy Spirit, strengthening him in spiritual Christian life.

Jesus Christ Himself said about the grace-filled gifts of the Holy Spirit: Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture says, from the womb(i.e. from the inner center, heart) Rivers of living water will flow. This He spoke of the Spirit, which those who believed on Him were about to receive: for the Holy Spirit was not yet given to them, because Jesus was not yet glorified.(John 7:38-39).

The Apostle Paul says: He who confirms you and me in Christ and anoints us is God, who sealed us and gave the pledge of the Spirit into our hearts.(2 Cor. 1:21-22).

The gracious gifts of the Holy Spirit are necessary for every believer in Christ. (There are also extraordinary gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are communicated only to certain people, such as: prophets, apostles, kings.)

Initially, the holy apostles performed the Sacrament of Confirmation through the laying on of hands (Acts 8:14-17; 19:2-6). And at the end of the first century, the Sacrament of Confirmation began to be performed through anointing with holy chrism, following the example of the Old Testament church, since the apostles did not have time to perform this Sacrament themselves through the laying on of hands.

It's called the Holy World in a special way a prepared and consecrated composition of fragrant substances and oil.

The myrrh was certainly consecrated by the apostles themselves and their successors - bishops (bishops). And now only bishops can bless the chrism. Through the anointing of the holy world consecrated by the bishops, on behalf of the bishops, the Sacrament of Confirmation can also be performed by presbyters (priests).

When performing the Sacrament, the following parts of the body of the believer are anointed with the holy world in a cross shape: forehead, eyes, ears, mouth, chest, arms and legs - with the words “Seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Some call the Sacrament of Confirmation “the Pentecost (descent of the Holy Spirit) of every Christian.”

Sacrament of Penance

Repentance is a Sacrament in which the believer confesses (orally reveals) his sins to God in the presence of a priest and through the priest receives forgiveness of sins from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

Jesus Christ gave the holy apostles, and through them all the priests, the power to absolve (forgive) sins: Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive, they will be forgiven; whoever you leave it on will stay on it(John 20, 22-23).

Even John the Baptist, preparing people to accept the Savior, preached baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins... And everyone was baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins(Mark 1:4-5).

The holy apostles, having received authority to do this from the Lord, performed the Sacrament of Repentance, many of those who believed came, confessing and revealing their deeds(Acts 19:18).

To receive forgiveness (resolution) of sins from the confessor (repentant), the following is required: reconciliation with all neighbors, sincere contrition for sins and verbal confession of them before the priest, a firm intention to correct one’s life, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and hope in His mercy.

IN special cases penance is imposed on the penitent (the Greek word is “prohibition”), which prescribes certain deprivations aimed at overcoming sinful habits and the performance of certain pious deeds.

During his repentance, King David wrote a repentant prayer-song (Psalm 50), which is an example of repentance and begins with these words: “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy, and according to the multitude of Your compassions blot out my iniquities. Wash Me often. from my iniquity, and from my sin, cleanse me."

Sacrament of Communion

Communion there is a Sacrament in which the believer ( Orthodox Christian) under the guise of bread and wine, accepts (eats) the Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and through this is mysteriously united with Christ and becomes a partaker of eternal life.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion was established by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself during the Last Last Supper, on the eve of His suffering and death. He Himself performed this Sacrament: taking the bread and giving thanks(God the Father for all His mercies to the human race), broke it and gave it to the disciples, saying: Take and eat: this is My Body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me. Also, taking the cup and giving thanks, he gave it to them, saying: drink everything from it; for this is My Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins. Do this in My remembrance(Matt. 26, 26-28; Mark 14, 22-24; Luke 22, 19-24; 1 Cor. 11, 23-25).

So Jesus Christ, having established the Sacrament of Communion, commanded his disciples to always perform it: do this in remembrance of Me.

In a conversation with the people, Jesus Christ said: If you do not eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink His Blood, you will not have life in you. He who eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day. For My Flesh is truly food, and My Blood is truly drink. He who eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood abides in Me, and I in him(John 6:53-56).

According to the commandment of Christ, the Sacrament of Communion is constantly performed in the Church of Christ and will be performed until the end of time during the divine service called Liturgy, during which bread and wine, by the power and action of the Holy Spirit, are offered, or are transformed into the true body and true blood of Christ.

The bread for Communion is used alone, since all believers in Christ constitute one His body, the head of which is Christ Himself. There is one bread, and we, many, are one body; for we all partake of one bread, says the Apostle Paul (1 Cor. 10:17).

The first Christians took communion every Sunday, but now not everyone has such purity of life to take communion so often. However, the Holy Church commands us to take communion every fast and no less than once a year. [According to the canons of the Church, a person who missed good reason three Sundays in a row without participation in the Eucharist, i.e. without Communion, thereby placing himself outside the Church (21st canon of the Elvira, 12th canon of the Sardician and 80th canon of the Trullo Councils).]

Christians must prepare themselves for the Sacrament of Holy Communion fasting which consists of fasting, prayer, reconciliation with everyone, and then - confession, i.e. cleansing your conscience in the Sacrament of Repentance.

The Sacrament of Holy Communion in Greek is called Eucharist, which means "thanksgiving".

Marriage there is a Sacrament in which, with the free (before the priest and the Church) promise by the bride and groom of mutual fidelity to each other, their marital union is blessed, in the image of the spiritual union of Christ with the Church, and the grace of God is asked and given for mutual help and unanimity and for a blessed birth and Christian education of children.

Marriage was established by God Himself in heaven. After the creation of Adam and Eve, God blessed them, and God said to them: Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it(Gen. 1:28).

Jesus Christ sanctified Marriage by His presence at the wedding in Cana of Galilee and confirmed its divine institution, saying: Creator(God) in the beginning he created them male and female(Gen. 1:27). And said: Therefore a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh(Genesis 2:24), so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. So what God has joined together, let not man put asunder(Matt. 19:6).

The Holy Apostle Paul says: This mystery is great; I speak in relation to Christ and to the Church(Eph. 5:32).

The union of Jesus Christ with the Church is based on the love of Christ for the Church and on the complete devotion of the Church to the will of Christ. Hence, the husband is obliged to selflessly love his wife, and the wife is obliged to voluntarily, i.e. lovingly, obey your husband.

Husbands, says the Apostle Paul, - love your wives, just as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself for her... he who loves his wife loves himself(Eph. 5, 25, 28). Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the Church, and He is the Savior of bodies. a (Eph. 5:2223).

Therefore, spouses (husband and wife) are obliged to maintain mutual love and respect, mutual devotion and fidelity throughout their lives.

Good Christian family life is a source of personal and public good.

The family is the foundation of the Church of Christ.

Being in Marriage is not necessary for everyone, but persons who voluntarily remain celibate are obliged to lead a pure, immaculate and virgin life, which, according to the teaching of the Word of God, is one of greatest feats(Matt. 19, 11-12; 1 Cor. 7, 8, 9, 26, 32, 34, 37, 40, etc.).

Priesthood there is a Sacrament in which, through the ordination of a bishop, an elected person (as a bishop, or a presbyter, or a deacon) receives the grace of the Holy Spirit for the sacred service of the Church of Christ.

Dedicated to deacon receives the grace to serve in the celebration of the sacraments.

Dedicated into a priest(presbyter) receives the grace to perform the sacraments.

Dedicated to bishop(the bishop) receives the grace not only to perform the sacraments, but also to consecrate others to perform the sacraments.

There are seven Sacraments in the Orthodox Church.

1. Baptism.
2. Confirmation.
3. Communion.
4. Repentance.
5. Priesthood.
6. Marriage.
7. Blessing of Oil.

Each of these Sacraments has its own spiritual power.

About Baptism.

In Baptism a person is mysteriously born into spiritual life.
Baptism is a Sacrament in which the believer, by immersing the body three times in water with the invocation of God the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, dies to a carnal, sinful life and is reborn by the Holy Spirit into a spiritual, holy life. Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:5).
Baptism historically dates back to the earthly life of Christ. He sanctified Baptism by His example, receiving it from John. Finally, after His resurrection, He gave the apostles a solemn command: “Go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
For one who wishes to receive Baptism, repentance and faith are required. Therefore, before Baptism, the Creed is read. Repent and be baptized each of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved (Mark 16:16).
Infants are baptized according to the faith of their parents and adoptive parents, who are obliged to teach them the faith when they grow up. From the Holy Scriptures you can see that infants should be baptized. In Old Testament times, circumcision was performed on eight-day-old infants. In the New Testament, circumcision is not performed, but Baptism is performed.
At Baptism, there are recipients in order to vouch before the Church for the faith of the person being baptized and, after Baptism, to take him under their care to confirm him in the faith.
During the Sacrament of Baptism, incantatory prayers are read in order to drive away the devil from the person being baptized, who since the time of Adam’s sin has gained access to people and some power over them, as if over his captives and slaves. The Apostle Paul says that all people outside of grace live “according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the children of disobedience” (Eph. 2:2).
White clothes, which are worn at Baptism, denote the purity of the soul and Christian life. A cross is placed on the person being baptized for a constant reminder of God and being with him. According to the commandment of Christ: “if anyone wants to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). The person being baptized walking around the font with a candle signifies spiritual joy combined with spiritual enlightenment.
Baptism is not repeated because it is a spiritual birth: a person is born once, and therefore is baptized once. After Baptism, the believer becomes a full member of the Church of Christ. All the Sacraments and depths of spiritual gifts are open to him.
The Sacrament of Baptism is performed in our church on the following days: Saturday and Sunday.

An adult receives the Sacrament of Baptism, deeply aware of his faith in God, having a firm intention to live according to the commandments of Christ and to be a faithful child Orthodox Church.
For infants, the Sacrament of Baptism is performed according to the faith of the parents and godparents.
The recipient can only be a person baptized in the Orthodox Church, a deeply religious person who can fulfill the duty spiritual education his godson. For recipients there are restrictions on the degree of relationship - this must be clarified with the priest in advance.
Parents, godparents and everyone present during the celebration of the Sacrament must wear pectoral cross, women should come with their heads covered.
The person being baptized must have with him:
1) Cross;
2) Christening shirt;
3) Candles;
4) Towel;
5) Birth certificate.

Sacrament of Baptism

About Confirmation

In Confirmation, a person receives grace that spiritually grows and strengthens. Confirmation is a Sacrament in which the believer, when anointing parts of the body with consecrated chrism, in the name of the Holy Spirit, is given the gifts of the Holy Spirit, increasing and strengthening them in spiritual life. The internal action of this Sacrament is described in Holy Scripture from the Apostle John: “You have the anointing of the Holy One and you know everything. ...However, the anointing that you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you; but just as this very anointing teaches you all things, and is true and not false, whatever it has taught you, abide in it” (1 John 2:20, 27).
In a similar way, the Apostle Paul says: “He who established you and me in Christ and anointed us is God, who sealed us and gave the deposit of the Spirit into our hearts” (2 Cor. 1:21-22). This is where the words spoken at Confirmation are taken: the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit. What should be noted about the holy world is that its consecration was left to the highest hierarchy as the successors of the apostles, who themselves performed the ordination to send down the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Anointing the forehead (forehead) means sanctifying the mind, or thoughts.
Anointing of the persea (breasts) - sanctification of the heart, or desires.
Anointing the eyes, ears and lips is the sanctification of the senses.
Anointing hands and feet is the sanctification of the deeds and entire behavior of a Christian.
In modern practice of the Orthodox Church, the Sacrament of Confirmation is performed together with Baptism.

Sacrament of Confirmation

About Communion

Communion is a Sacrament in which the believer, under the guise of bread and wine, partakes of the true Body and Blood of Christ. In this Sacrament, a person unites with God and receives the great gift of grace for eternal life. By partaking of the Body and Blood of our Savior from a single Chalice, we are thereby united with each other in Christ, which is where our love for God and our neighbors is manifested.
Our Lord Jesus Christ, just before His suffering, performed this Sacrament for the first time at the Last Supper, having previously presented in it live image Your saving suffering; Having communed the apostles, He gave them the commandment to always perform this Sacrament.
The service during which the Sacrament of Communion is performed is called the liturgy. The word "liturgy" is translated from Greek as "public service." The meal at which the Sacrament of Communion is celebrated is called the throne, because Jesus Christ as the King is mysteriously present at it.
The first part of the liturgy, during which the bread and wine for the Sacrament are prepared, is called proskomedia. It is performed in the altar during the reading of the hours. The word "proskomedia" means "bringing". This name recalls the custom of ancient Christians to bring their sacrifice to the temple - everything needed to perform the liturgy.
The bread used for the Sacrament of Communion is called prosphora, which means “offering.” In fact, they are baked at the temple, where they can be purchased. But you can present the prosphora to the altar with a note - the names of your loved ones, for whom we ask the priest to pray. At the prosphora, the priest performs the service. From the first, largest prosphora, he prepares communion, cuts out Bread, the future Body of Christ. The bread prepared for Communion is called the Lamb because it represents the image of the suffering Jesus Christ, just as in Old Testament He was portrayed by the Passover lamb. The parts of the liturgical prosphora from which the Holy Lamb was taken are called antidoron (literally: “instead of the Gifts”). At the end of the liturgy, the antidoron is distributed to the worshipers to strengthen their strength.
The next part of the liturgy, during which the faithful prepare for the Sacrament, the ancients called the liturgy of the catechumens, because in addition to the baptized and those admitted to Communion, the catechumens are also allowed to listen to it, that is, those preparing for Baptism, as well as repentants who are not allowed to Communion. It ends with a command to the catechumens to leave the temple.
That part of the liturgy during which the Sacrament of Communion is celebrated is called the liturgy of the faithful, because only the faithful (believers), that is, those who have received Baptism, have the right to be at this service. Everyone who wishes to begin the Sacrament of Communion must test (open) their conscience before God and cleanse it by repentance for sins, which is facilitated by fasting and prayer. Let man test himself, and in this way let him eat from this Bread and drink from this Cup. For whoever eats and drinks unworthily eats and drinks condemnation for himself, without considering the Body of the Lord (1 Cor. 11:28-29). Anyone who partakes of the Body and Blood of Christ is most closely united with Jesus Christ Himself and in Him becomes a participant in eternal life. He who eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood abides in Me, and I in him (John 6:56). He who eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood has eternal life (John 6:54).
Regarding how often one should partake of the Holy Mysteries, it should be noted that ancient Christians took communion every Sunday; but now few have such purity of life as to always be ready to begin such a great Sacrament. The Church, with a maternal voice, exhorts those who strive for a reverent life to confess to their spiritual father and partake of the Body and Blood of Christ every month. Those who only listen Divine Liturgy, and not proceeding to Holy Communion, can and should participate in the liturgy through prayer, faith and especially the unceasing remembrance of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who commanded this to be done in His remembrance (see: Luke 22:19).
The celebration and acceptance of the Sacrament of Holy Communion in the true Christian Church will always continue, until the very Coming of Christ, according to the words of the Apostle Paul: “As often as you eat this Bread and drink this Cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until He comes” (1 Cor. 11, 26)
Before the Sacrament of Holy Communion, you need to specially prepare yourself with fasting, prayer and repentance. Anyone who wishes to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ must prayerfully prepare himself for this. To prepare prayerfully for Holy Communion on the eve of communion, you need to read the Follow-up to Holy Communion. It is located in Orthodox prayer book. There is a pious tradition of reading three canons before receiving the Holy Mysteries of Christ: the canon of repentance to our Lord Jesus Christ, the canon of prayer to the Most Holy Theotokos and the canon Guardian Angel. The church day begins in the evening, so on the eve of communion it is customary to attend evening church services.
Fast
Before Communion there is a liturgical three-day fast.
Fasting, in addition to food restrictions, also consists of protecting yourself from feelings of anger and irritation, refraining from judgment and all indecent thoughts and conversations, spending time, as far as possible, in solitude, reading the word of God (the Gospel) and books spiritual content. It is necessary to maintain bodily and mental purity. Spouses should abstain from physical contact on the day before and after communion. On the eve of communion, it begins at 12 o'clock at night. strict fast- complete abstinence from drinking and eating.
Repentance
Anyone who wishes to receive communion must repent of his sins before God in confession, sincerely opening his soul and not hiding a single sin he has committed, and have a sincere intention to correct himself. Before confession, you must certainly reconcile with both the offenders and the offended, humbly asking everyone for forgiveness. During confession, it is better not to wait for the priest’s question, but to tell him everything that weighs on your soul, without justifying yourself in anything and without shifting the blame onto others. Having confessed, you need to make a firm decision not to repeat your previous sins again. Without confession, no one can be admitted to Holy Communion, except for children under seven years of age and in cases of mortal danger.
On the day of Holy Communion, one must behave reverently and decorously in order to “honestly keep within oneself the Christ received.”

Sacrament of Communion

About Confession and Repentance

In Repentance, a person is healed from spiritual illnesses, that is, from sins. Repentance is a Sacrament in which one who confesses his sins, with a visible expression (that is, expression of will) of forgiveness from the priest, is invisibly absolved from sins by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
This Sacrament originates from Saint John the Baptist: to those who came to him, he preached “baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins,” and they confessed their sins (see: Mark 1: 4-5). To the Apostles, Jesus Christ promised the power to forgive sins when He said: “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven; and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven” (Matthew 18:18). After His resurrection, He really gave them this power when He said: “Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive, they will be forgiven; on whomever you leave it, it will remain on him” (John 20:22-23).
The repentant is required to have contrition for sins, the intention to correct his life, faith in Christ and hope in His mercy. For Godly sorrow produces unfailing repentance leading to salvation (2 Cor. 7:10). And when the wicked man turned from his iniquity and began to do justice and righteousness, he will live for that (Ezek. 33:19). All the prophets testify about Him (that is, about Jesus Christ) that everyone who believes in Him will receive forgiveness of sins through His name (Acts 10:43).
There are also preparatory and auxiliary means for repentance - this is fasting and prayer. The Holy Church uses a special means to cleanse and pacify the conscience of a repentant sinner - penance. This word means “prohibition” (see: 2 Cor. 2:6). Under this title, of necessity, certain special pious exercises and certain deprivations are prescribed to the penitent; their goal is liberation from the untruth of sin and overcoming sinful habits, such as, for example, fasting beyond what is prescribed for everyone, and for serious sins - excommunication from Holy Communion for a certain time.

Sacrament of Repentance (Confession)

About the Priesthood

In the Priesthood, the believer receives the grace to spiritually regenerate and educate others through teaching and the Sacraments.
The priesthood is a Sacrament in which the Holy Spirit appoints the rightly chosen one through the laying on of a hierarch (episcopal) to perform the Sacraments and shepherd the flock of Christ. Everyone should understand us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Cor. 4:1). Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the Church of the Lord and God, which He purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28). Shepherding the Church means instructing people in faith, piety and good deeds.
There are three necessary degrees of priesthood: bishop, presbyter (priest), deacon. The difference between them is that the deacon serves at the Sacraments, but does not perform them; the presbyter performs the Sacraments, being subordinate to the bishop; The bishop not only performs the Sacraments, but also has the power to teach others, through ordination, the gift of grace to perform them. Regarding episcopal authority, the Apostle Paul writes to Titus: “For this reason I left you in Crete, so that you would complete what was unfinished and appoint elders in all the cities” (Titus 1:5), and to Timothy: “Do not lay your hands hastily on anyone” (1 Tim. 5:22).

Sacrament of Priesthood

About Marriage (Wedding)

In Marriage, lovers receive grace that sanctifies their marriage, natural birth and raising of children.
Marriage (from the Slovenian take (wife)) is a Sacrament in which, with the bride and groom freely promising their mutual marital fidelity before the priest and the Church, their marital union is blessed, in the image of the spiritual union of Christ with the Church, and they ask for the grace of pure unanimity for the blessed birth and Christian upbringing of children.
The Sacrament of Marriage goes back to the first people Adam and Eve. They were the first to receive a blessing and commandment from God: “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it” (Gen. 1:28). The Apostle Paul says: “A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great; I speak in relation to Christ and to the Church” (Eph. 5:31-32).
The Sacrament of Wedding in our church is performed on the following days: Friday and Sunday (if there is no fasting or special holidays).

The Sacrament of Wedding is performed on spouses (registration of marriage in the registry office is obligatory), of the Orthodox faith, baptized, who wish to last minute live your life together, maintaining loyalty, love and respect for each other.
Registration and an interview with the priest are made in advance.
Those getting married must have with them:
1) Marriage certificate;
2) Icon of the Savior, icon Mother of God;
3) Wedding rings;
4) Footrest (towel);
5) Candles.
All those present during the celebration of the Sacrament must wear a cross on their body; women should come with their heads covered.

Sacrament of Marriage

About the Blessing of Anointing

In the Blessing of Unction, the sick person is cured of bodily illnesses through healing from spiritual (illnesses).
Blessing of oil is a Sacrament in which, when anointing the body with oil, the grace of God is invoked on the sick person, healing mental and physical infirmities. This Sacrament originates from the apostles, who, having received authority from Jesus Christ, “anointed many sick people with oil and healed them” (Mark 6:13). The Apostles conveyed this Sacrament to the clergy of the Church, as can be seen from the following words of the Apostle James: “If any of you is sick, let him call 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 heal the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him” (James 5:14-15).

Sacrament of Anointing

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The content of the article

ORTHODOX SACRAMENTS, sacred rites established by divine providence, revealed in Orthodox church rites, through which invisible divine grace is communicated to believers. In Orthodoxy, there are seven sacraments, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: baptism, confirmation, Eucharist (comunion), repentance, the sacrament of the priesthood, the sacrament of marriage and the consecration of oil. Baptism, repentance and the Eucharist were established by Jesus Christ himself, as reported in the New Testament. Church tradition testifies to the divine origin of other sacraments.

Sacraments and rituals.

External signs of the sacraments, i.e. church ceremonies, are necessary for a person, since human imperfect nature needs visible symbolic actions that help to feel the action of the invisible power of God. In addition to the sacraments, the Orthodox Church also accepts other liturgical rites, which, unlike the sacraments, are not of divine, but of ecclesiastical origin. The sacraments impart grace to the entire psychophysical nature of man and have a profound impact on his inner, spiritual life. Rituals call for blessing only on the outer side of the earthly human life (cm. SACRAMENTALS). The celebration of each sacrament carries with it a special gift of grace. In baptism, grace is given that cleanses from sin; in confirmation - grace that strengthens a person in spiritual life; Blessing of oil is a gift that heals illnesses; in repentance forgiveness of sins is given.

The effectiveness of the sacraments.

According to the teachings of the Orthodox Church, the sacraments acquire effective force only when two conditions are combined. It is necessary for them to be carried out correctly by a legitimate hierarchically appointed person and the internal mood and disposition of a Christian to accept grace. In the absence of faith and a sincere desire to accept the sacrament, its performance serves to condemnation. On Catholic and Protestant teachings on the sacraments cm. SACRAMENT.

Seven sacraments of the Orthodox Church

are designed to fill the seven most essential needs of a person’s spiritual life. The sacraments of baptism, confirmation, communion, repentance and consecration of oil are considered obligatory for all Christians. The sacrament of marriage and the sacrament of priesthood provide for freedom of choice. The sacraments are also divided into repeatable and non-repeatable during a person’s life. Only once in a lifetime are the sacraments of baptism and confirmation, as well as the sacrament of the priesthood, performed. The remaining sacraments are repeatable.

Baptism

- the very first of the Christian sacraments, it marks the entry of the believer into the Church of Christ. Its establishment was preceded, according to the Gospels, by the baptism (purifying immersion in water) of Jesus himself in the Jordan, performed by John the Baptist. Start Christian baptism as a sacrament was initiated by the words of Jesus addressed to the apostles before his ascension into heaven: “... go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:16). Methods of baptism in ancient church described in Teachings of the Twelve Apostles(1st – beginning of 2nd centuries): “Baptize alive [i.e. running] water in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. If there is no living water, baptize in other water; If you can’t do it cold, then warm it. And if there is neither one nor the other, then place it on your head three times.” Water as a cosmic and sacred element plays a crucial role in the performance of the sacrament: baptism is performed through three times immersion in water with the pronouncement of the formula “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.” Divine grace acting through the water element frees a person from all sin: infants - from the firstborn, adults - both from the original, and from those committed during life. The Apostle Paul called baptism the washing of regeneration.

In post-apostolic times, infant baptism was already accepted. Adults prepared to receive the sacrament through catechism (catechesis). The announcement usually lasted two years, during which the most important part was communicated to those announced. Christian teaching. Before Easter, they added their names to the list of those being baptized. Solemn baptism large number the believers were officiated by the bishop. During the times of persecution of Christians, natural reservoirs, rivers and streams served as places of baptism. Since the time of Constantine the Great, baptism has taken place in baptisteries, specially constructed swimming pools at churches (cm. BAPTISTERY). Immediately after immersion, the presbyter anointed the forehead of the person being baptized with oil ( olive oil), after which he was clothed in white robes, a symbol of his acquired purity and righteousness. After baptism, the Holy Mysteries were received in the church. The seriously ill and those in prison were baptized through pouring or sprinkling.

The traditions of the ancient church are preserved in Orthodoxy today. Baptism takes place in the temple (in special cases it is allowed to perform the ceremony in the house). Adults are baptized after instruction in the faith (catechumen). The announcement is also made at the baptism of infants, and the recipients act as guarantors for their faith. The priest places the person being baptized facing east and says prayers that drive away the devil. Turning to the west, the catechumen renounces Satan and all his works. After renunciation, he again faces the east and three times expresses the desire to unite with Christ, after which he kneels. The priest censes the font with three lit candles, hands the candles to the recipients and blesses the water. After the blessing of the water, the oil is blessed. The sign of the cross is made with oil over the water, as a symbol of reconciliation with God. Then the priest draws the sign of the cross on the forehead, ears, arms, legs, chest and shoulders of the person being baptized and immerses him three times in the font. After the font, the baptized person dresses in white clothes, which are usually preserved throughout life as a relic. In case of mortal danger, the ritual is performed in a reduced order. If there is a danger of the baby's death, baptism is allowed to be performed by a layman. In this case, it consists of immersing the baby in water three times with the words “The servant of God is baptized in the name of the Father Amen, and the Son Amen, and the Holy Spirit Amen.” The baby's name is left to his parents to choose, while adults choose it for themselves. If such a right is granted to a priest, he is obliged to choose the name of the saint closest in time to the celebration after the birthday of the person being baptized. Cm. BAPTISM.

Confirmation.

According to the canons (rules) of the Orthodox Church, immediately after baptism a Christian receives the sacrament of confirmation. In this sacrament, believers receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit, giving them the strength to be strong in Orthodox faith and maintaining the purity of the soul. The right to perform confirmation belongs only to bishops and priests. Separately from baptism, it is performed during the anointing of kings as kings, as well as in cases when non-Christians who were baptized according to a rite corresponding to the rules of the Orthodox Church, but were not anointed, join Orthodoxy. Confirmation after baptism occurs as follows. After dressing the baptized person in white robes, the priest says a prayer in which he asks God to grant the new member of the church the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit, and applies the signs of the cross with chrism on his forehead, eyes, nostrils, ears, chest, arms and legs. Then the presbyter and the newly baptized together walk around the font three times with candles in their hands while singing the verse: “As many as were baptized into Christ, put on Christ.” This ritual symbolizes the baptized person's entry into eternal union with Christ. This is followed by the reading of the Apostle and the Gospel, after which the so-called. ablution. Having soaked his lip in warm water, the priest wipes the places that were anointed with myrrh, with the words: “You were baptized, you were enlightened, you were anointed with myrrh...” The anointing performed during the crowning of kings is neither a special sacrament nor a repetition of what was previously done. The sacred anointing of a sovereign means only a higher degree of communication of the gifts of the Holy Spirit necessary for him to fulfill the ministry to which he is called by God. The ritual of the coronation and anointing of the king is a solemn act, completed by the introduction of the sovereign to the altar, where at the throne he takes communion as the anointed of God, the patron and protector of the church. Cm. CONFIRMATION.

Repentance.

This sacrament cleanses the believer from the sins he committed after baptism and gives strength to continue the feat of earthly Christian life. By confessing his sins to a priest, a Christian receives forgiveness from him and is mysteriously absolved from his sins by God himself. Only a bishop or priest can accept confession, since they receive the right to forgive sins through the sacrament of the priesthood from Jesus Christ himself. The priest is obliged to keep the secret of confession; For publicizing the sins confessed to him, he is deprived of his rank. The Gospel teaching understands repentance not just as remorse for what has been done, but as rebirth, renewal human soul. The sacrament of repentance is performed as follows. In front of the icon of Jesus Christ or in front of the Holy Cross, the priest reads prayers for the penitents for everyone who comes to the temple for confession. The very confession of sins to the priest occurs alone with him. The penitent lists his sins, and when he finishes, he bows to the ground. The priest, having placed the epitrachelion on the head of the confessor, reads a prayer in which he asks for his forgiveness, performs it over his head sign of the cross and then lets you kiss the cross. In special cases, the priest has the right to impose penance, i.e. a certain kind of punishment in accordance with the severity of the sin. There is a rule in the Orthodox Church that every Christian must go to confession at least once a year. REPENTANCE.

Communion or Eucharist

Sacrament of the Priesthood.

All sacraments, with the exception of baptism, can be performed only in a legal manner (i.e., in accordance with the canons of the Orthodox Church) by an ordained priest, since upon ordination he receives this right through the sacrament of the priesthood. The sacrament of the priesthood consists in the fact that through the laying on of a hierarch (ordination) the Holy Spirit descends on the one appointed to a hierarchical degree. The grace of the Holy Spirit invests the initiate with special spiritual power in relation to believers, gives him the right to lead the flock, instruct them in the faith and improvement of spiritual life, and also perform for it church sacraments. The degrees of priesthood are as follows: deacon, priest (presbyter) and bishop. Other persons of the clergy, the so-called. clergy are consecrated not through ordination, but only with the blessing of the bishop. IN higher degrees hierarchies are dedicated only after successive passage of the lower ones. The method of ordination to one or another degree of priesthood is indicated in the instructions of the apostles, in the testimonies of the church fathers and in the rules of ecumenical councils. Grace is not given to each degree in equal measure: less to the deacon, more to the presbyter, and more to the bishop. According to this grace, the deacon performs the role of a co-celebrant of the bishop and presbyter during the celebration of the sacraments and divine services. The presbyter, through ordination from the bishop, receives the right to perform all sacraments, except the sacrament of the priesthood, and all divine services in his parish. The bishop is the main teacher and first clergyman, the main manager of the affairs of the church in his diocese. Only a council of bishops numbering at least two can ordain bishops. The sacrament of the priesthood is performed at the altar of the church during the liturgy, so that the newly ordained person can take part with the entire clergy in the consecration of the Holy Gifts. At the liturgy, ordination is performed on only one bishop, one presbyter and one deacon. The one ordained as a deacon is brought to the royal doors, where he is met by deacons who lead him into the altar. At the altar, he bows to the throne, walks around it three times and kisses the corners of the throne, as if taking an oath to reverently honor the holiness of the altar and throne. As a sign of humility before the bishop ordaining him, after each round he kisses the hand and knee of the bishop, then bows three times to the throne and kneels on one right knee, since the deacon is entrusted with partial priestly service. To commemorate the fact that he devotes all the strength of his soul to serving at the throne, he places his hands on the throne and places his forehead against it. Initiation is preceded by certification that not only the person being initiated, but also all members of his family are Orthodox Christians. The Orthodox Church adheres to the rule of not repeating ordination if it was performed correctly, even in non-Orthodox societies. BISHOP; CHURCH HIERARCHY; CLERGY; PRESBYTER; PRIEST.

Sacrament of marriage

- a sacrament performed over the bride and groom, believers who have chosen the path of married life, during which they give a free promise to the priest and the church to remain faithful to each other, and the priest blesses their union and asks them for the grace of pure unanimity for the birth and Christian upbringing of children. Marriage is an image of the union of Christ and the church. Before commencing the sacrament of marriage in the church after the liturgy, an announcement takes place, that is, the clergyman tells the parishioners the names of the bride and groom and asks if they know of any obstacles to the conclusion of this marriage. After the announcement, the marriage itself takes place. The sacrament of marriage always takes place in the temple in the presence of witnesses. The ceremony is performed by a priest. The ceremony of marriage consists of two parts: betrothal and wedding. For the betrothal, the priest leaves the altar and places a cross and the Gospel, symbols of the invisible presence of Christ himself, on a lectern in the middle of the temple. He blesses the bride and groom and gives them lighted candles, which signify their purity. After reading certain prayers, rings consecrated on the throne are brought, and those entering into marriage as a sign mutual consent put rings on each other. During the wedding, the marriage union is blessed and the descent of divine grace upon it is requested. At the end of the prayers, the priest takes the crowns and places them on the heads of the bride and groom. The crowns signify a reward for their chaste life before marriage. After the death of one of the spouses, marriage can be performed a second or third time. The celebration of the sacrament of a second or third marriage is not so solemn. Those who are bigamous or triple-wedded are not given candles or crowns placed on their heads. Remarriages are allowed by the church after penance has been carried out.

Blessing of oil, or unction.

In this sacrament, when anointing with oil, the sick are given grace that heals mental and physical infirmities. Anointing is performed only on the sick. It is prohibited to perform it on the healthy, as well as on the dead. Before the consecration of oil, the sick person confesses, and after (or before) receives communion. The performance of the sacrament involves a “gathering of believers,” although it can take place both in church and at home. A council of seven presbyters according to the number of gifts of the Holy Spirit is also desirable, but the presence of two or three priests is also allowed. In extreme cases, one priest is allowed to act, but say prayers on behalf of the cathedral. To perform the sacrament, a table is set up, and on it is a dish with wheat. Wheat grains serve as a symbol of rebirth to new life. A vessel with oil, a visible sign of grace, is placed on top of the wheat. Wine is poured into it: combining oil with wine is done in memory of the fact that this is exactly what the Evangelical Good Samaritan did to treat the sick. Anointing brushes are placed nearby and seven candles are lit. The service of the sacrament consists of three parts. The first part is prayer singing. The second part is the blessing of oil. The first priest reads a prayer for the consecration of the oil, the rest repeat it quietly, then sing troparia to the Mother of God, Christ and the holy healers. The third part consists of seven readings of the Apostle, seven readings of the Gospel and seven anointings. Those parts of the body through which sin enters a person are anointed: forehead, nostrils, cheeks, lips and both sides of the hands. After the seventh anointing, the priest places the open Gospel on the head of the sick person, which signifies the hand of the Savior himself, healing the sick.

The attitude towards God of some of our fellow citizens is quite strange. Many people believe that they will be forgiven and immortal life, if they regularly attend church, on major holidays, give alms to the poor and wear . At the same time, the fundamental rules of conduct for a believer remain a sealed secret for them, and they perceive Orthodox rituals as theatrical performances, completely ignoring their deeper meaning.

Meanwhile, this state of affairs is extremely unfair, because the sacrament of the ritual is secret thought, which has considerable power and inexhaustible energy, which bestows the believer with the invisible grace of God. Therefore, if you are looking for your own path to the Truth, understand the basic Orthodox rites It wouldn't be at all out of place. After all, they are based on echoes of the centuries-old history of the Russian people.

One of the most important and most sacred sacraments, symbolizing the acquisition of a spiritual connection between a newly born person and God. We can see the image of John the Baptist, as a particularly revered saint, on many. Unfortunately, Baptism has become very popular in everyday life. social life, which is why many people do not take it seriously enough. Even more unacceptable is the situation when a person comes to the sacrament “for company,” without wanting to take what is happening with due seriousness.

Confirmation

Most often it is performed after Baptism, although in some cases it is possible to perform this rite independently. The Orthodox Church believes that without Confirmation a believer is not ready for Communion, being, even in very mature years, a kind of “child.” By the way, according to the Great Book of Breviaries, in a similar way a person who was baptized in infancy, but then raised outside the canons and rules of the Orthodox Faith, can come to the Truth.

A rite revered by believers as second in importance after Baptism. Repentance is a considerable work that requires complete dedication, undertaken by a sinner to restore connection with God. It is believed that the ritual makes sense only if the Christian has sincerely repented of his sins committed who became hated by him. This is accepted by God as the greatest sacrifice a believer is capable of. Repentance is a necessary condition for the salvation of the soul after death.

Communion (Eucharist)

One of the most sacred rituals that reminds believers of the suffering of Jesus Christ. After all, the bread and wine they eat is the Body and Blood of the Lord. It is customary to prepare for the ritual in advance, for which one should pray earnestly, attend divine services, fast, do good deeds, make peace with enemies and confess. Currently, it is believed that the ritual should be performed at least once a month.

Priesthood

The sacrament in which the Holy Spirit descends on the chosen one, opening before him the path of shepherd and mentor of believers. It is carried out through priestly ordination, and the widespread opinion according to which the Priesthood is one of the forms of appointment to a position is fundamentally incorrect. Believers themselves call it an act of grace, bestowing upon the righteous the gift of serving God.

Wedding

Many newlyweds do not understand that a stamp from the registry office for the Orthodox Church means absolutely nothing. A couple truly becomes a family if they receive God's Blessing. Wedding is an exceptionally powerful sacrament that bestows heavenly protection and patronage on the newlyweds, but it must be taken with all possible seriousness. And it is not at all necessary to carry it out for the sake of pathos. Even a ceremony performed in a small church with true faith will become the keeper of the family hearth for life.

Blessing of Unction (Unction)

Many ignorant people are sure that this sacrament is performed exclusively on the dying person, although, in fact, this is far from the case. The deep meaning of anointing with oil is spiritual and physical healing, the call of God's Grace and the purification of the thoughts of the sufferer. The sacrament requires from a person repentance and humility.