7 sacraments of the catholic church. Christian sacraments. Orthodox sacrament of marriage

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

In Orthodoxy it is accepted seven sacraments: baptism, chrismation, Eucharist (communion), repentance, sacrament of priesthood, sacrament of marriage and unction. Baptism, repentance and the Eucharist were instituted by Jesus Christ himself, as reported in the New Testament. Church Tradition bears witness to the divine origin of the other sacraments.

Sacraments are something that is unchanging, ontologically inherent in the Church. In contrast to this, the 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 make up 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 such a sacred action is called, through which secretly, in an invisible way, the grace of the Holy Spirit, or the saving power of God, is given to a person.

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

In the Creed, only Baptism is mentioned, 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 the compilation of 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 pointed out that Baptism can only be performed on a person once. That is why it is said - "I confess united Baptism".

Sacrament of Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism is such a sacred action in which the believer in Christ, through triple immersion in water, with the invocation of the name Holy Trinity- the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, is washed away from original sin, as well as from all the sins committed by him 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 Baptism by His own example by being baptized by John. Then, after His resurrection, He gave the apostles the command: Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit(Matthew 28:19).

Baptism is necessary for everyone who wants 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).

Baptism requires faith and repentance.

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

Sectarians believe that infants cannot be baptized and condemn the Orthodox 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 babies (Christian Baptism is called circumcision without hands(Col. 2:11)); and the apostles performed baptism on entire families, where, undoubtedly, there were children. Infants, as well as adults, are involved in original sin and need to be cleansed from it.

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

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

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

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

The Apostle Paul says: But He who confirms us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, Who both sealed us and gave the pledge of the Spirit in 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 that are communicated only to certain people, such as prophets, apostles, kings.)

Initially, the holy apostles performed the Sacrament of Chrismation 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 themselves did not have time to perform this Sacrament through the laying on of hands.

The holy world is called in a special way prepared and consecrated composition of fragrant substances and oil.

The chrism was certainly consecrated by the apostles themselves and their successors, the bishops (bishops). And now only bishops can sanctify chrism. Through the anointing with holy chrism consecrated by the bishops, on behalf of the bishops, presbyters (priests) can also perform the Sacrament of Confirmation.

During the performance of the Sacrament, the following parts of the body are anointed with the holy chrism to the believer: 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 Chrismation "the Pentecost (descent of the Holy Spirit) of every Christian."

Sacrament of Repentance

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

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

Even John the Baptist, preparing people for the acceptance of the Savior, preached baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins... And they were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins(Mk. 1, 4-5).

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

To receive forgiveness (permission) of sins, the confessing (repentant) requires: reconciliation with all neighbors, sincere contrition for sins and their oral confession before the priest, a firm intention to correct one's life, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and hope for His mercy.

AT special occasions a penance is imposed on the penitent (the Greek word is "prohibition"), which prescribes some hardships aimed at overcoming sinful habits, and the performance of certain pious deeds.

During his repentance, King David wrote a prayer-song of repentance (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 bounties, blot out my iniquities. Wash Me many times cleanse me from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin."

Sacrament of Communion

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

The Mystery of Holy Communion was instituted 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 bread and thanking(God the Father for all His mercies to the human race), broke it and gave it to the disciples, saying, Take, 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 from it all; 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 remembrance of me(Matthew 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 the disciples to perform it always: 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. Whoever eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at 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 the age at the divine service called Liturgy during which bread and wine, by the power and action of the Holy Spirit, offered or are transubstantiated into the true body and into the true blood of Christ.

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

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

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

The sacrament of Holy Communion is called in Greek Eucharist which means "thank you".

Marriage is the Sacrament in which, with a 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 requested and given for mutual help and unanimity and for a blessed birth and Christian parenting.

Marriage was established by God Himself in Paradise. 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 marriage in Cana of Galilee and confirmed its divine institution, saying: created(God) in the beginning he created them male and female(Gen. 1:27). And said: Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.(Gen. 2:24), so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man separate(Matthew 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 also loved the Church and gave himself up for her... he who loves his wife loves himself(Eph. 5:25, 28). Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, for the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the Church, and He is also the Savior of the bodies. a (Eph. 5:2223).

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

A good Christian family life is a source of personal and social good.

The family is the foundation of the Church of Christ.

Being in Marriage is not obligatory for everyone, but persons who voluntarily remain celibate are obliged to lead a pure, blameless and virginal life, which, according to the teaching of the Word of God, is one of the 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 (to the bishop, or presbyter, or deacon) receives the grace of the Holy Spirit for the sacred service of the Church of Christ.

Initiate deacon receives the grace to serve in the performance of the sacraments.

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

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

1. THE MYSTERY OF BAPTISM there is such a sacred act. in which the believer in Christ, through triple immersion in water, with the invocation of the name of the Holy Trinity - Father and Son and Holy Spirit, washed from original sin, as well as from all the sins committed by him before baptism, revived 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. Baptism is necessary for everyone who wants to be a member of the Church of Christ. "If one is not born from water and Spirit cannot enter into the Kingdom of God,” said the Lord Himself (John 3 , 5)

2. THE MYSTERY OF ANOINTING- a sacrament in which the believer is given the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which strengthen him in the spiritual Christian life. The Apostle Paul says: “He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed we have a God who captured us, and gave the pledge of the Spirit in our hearts" (2 Cor. 1 , 21-22)
The Sacrament of Confirmation is the Pentecost (descent of the Holy Spirit) of every Christian.

3. THE MYSTERY OF REPENTANCE (Confession)- a sacrament in which a believer confesses (orally reveals) his sins to God in the presence of a priest and receives forgiveness of sins from the Lord Jesus Christ Himself through the priest. Jesus Christ gave the saints apostles, and through them priests the power to allow (forgive) sins: “Receive the Holy Spirit. To whom you forgive sins, they will be forgiven; on whom you leave, on that they will remain "(John. 20 , 22-23).

4. THE MYSTERY OF COMMUNICATION (Eucharist)- the sacrament in which the believer (Orthodox Christian), under the guise of bread and wine, receives (tastes) the very Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ and through this is mysteriously united with Christ and becomes a partaker of eternal life. Our Lord Christ Himself instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion during the last Last Supper, on the eve of His suffering and death. He Himself performed this sacrament: “taking bread and giving thanks (to God the Father for all His mercies to the human race, he broke it and gave it to the disciples, saying: take, eat: this is my body, which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me. Likewise He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink all of it, for this is My Blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins. Do this in remembrance of me."
In a conversation with the people, Jesus Christ said: “Unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you will not have life in you. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is truly food, and my blood is truly drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him” (John 6:53-56)

5. MARRIAGE (Wedding) there is a sacrament in which, with a 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 for and given for mutual help and unanimity, and for the blessed birth and Christian upbringing of children.
Marriage was established by God Himself in Paradise. 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 marriage in Cana of Galilee and confirmed its divine institution, saying: “He who created (God) in the beginning male and female created them (Gen. 1, 27). And he said: Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh (Gen. 2:24), so that they are no longer living, but one flesh. And so that which God has joined together, let no man separate” (Matt. 19:4-6).
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself up 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 the body” (Eph. 5, 22-23)
The family is the foundation of the Church of Christ. The sacrament of marriage is not obligatory 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 higher than married life, and is one of the greatest feats (Mt. 19, 11-12; 1 Cor 7, 8-9, 26, 32, 34, 37, 40, etc.).

6. PRIESTHOOD there is a sacrament in which a properly elected person (to the bishop, presbyter or jyacon), through the laying on of bishops, receives the grace of the Holy Spirit for the sacred service of the Church of Christ.
This sacrament is performed only on persons who are elected and ordained as priests.
The sacrament of the priesthood is a divine institution. The Holy Apostle Paul testifies that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself “appointed some as apostles, others as prophets, others as evangelists, others as shepherds and teachers, for the perfection of the saints, for the work of service, for the building up of the Body of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-12).
There are three levels of priesthood:
1. The ordained deacon receives the grace to serve in the performance of the sacraments.
2. The ordained priest (presbyter) receives the grace to perform the sacraments.
3. The consecrated bishop (hierarch) receives the grace not only to perform the sacraments, but also to consecrate others to perform the sacraments.

7. SANITATION (Unction) there is a sacrament in which, when the sick person is anointed with consecrated oil (oil), the grace of God is called upon the sick person to heal him from bodily and spiritual illnesses.
The Sacrament of Unction is also called unction, because several priests gather to perform it, although, if necessary, one priest can perform it.
This sacrament originates from the apostles. Having received from the Lord Jesus Christ the power to heal every disease during the sermon, they “anointed many sick people with oil, and healed” (Mark 6:13).
The apostle James speaks in particular detail about this sacrament: “Is anyone among you sick, let him receive 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, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him” (James 5:14-15).

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

In Orthodoxy it is accepted seven sacraments: baptism, chrismation, Eucharist (communion), repentance, sacrament of priesthood, sacrament of marriage and unction. Baptism, repentance and the Eucharist were instituted by Jesus Christ himself, as reported in the New Testament. Church Tradition bears witness to the divine origin of the other sacraments.

Sacraments are something that is unchanging, ontologically inherent in the Church. In contrast to this, the 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 make up 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 such a sacred action is called, through which secretly, in an invisible way, the grace of the Holy Spirit, or the saving power of God, is given to a person.

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

In the Creed, only Baptism is mentioned, 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 the compilation of 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 pointed out that Baptism can only be performed on a person once. That is why it is said - "I confess united Baptism".

Sacrament of Baptism

The Sacrament of Baptism is such a sacred action in which the believer in Christ, through triple immersion in water, with the invocation of the name of the Most Holy Trinity - the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, is washed from original sin, as well as from all the sins committed by him 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, t .e. blessed Kingdom of Christ.

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

Baptism is necessary for everyone who wants 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).

Baptism requires faith and repentance.

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

Sectarians believe that infants cannot be baptized and condemn the Orthodox 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 babies (Christian Baptism is called circumcision without hands(Col. 2:11)); and the apostles performed baptism on entire families, where, undoubtedly, there were children. Infants, as well as adults, are involved in original sin and need to be cleansed from it.

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

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

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

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

The Apostle Paul says: But He who confirms us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, Who both sealed us and gave the pledge of the Spirit in 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 that are communicated only to certain people, such as prophets, apostles, kings.)

Initially, the holy apostles performed the Sacrament of Chrismation 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 themselves did not have time to perform this Sacrament through the laying on of hands.

The holy world is called in a special way prepared and consecrated composition of fragrant substances and oil.

The chrism was certainly consecrated by the apostles themselves and their successors, the bishops (bishops). And now only bishops can sanctify chrism. Through the anointing with holy chrism consecrated by the bishops, on behalf of the bishops, presbyters (priests) can also perform the Sacrament of Confirmation.

During the performance of the Sacrament, the following parts of the body are anointed with the holy chrism to the believer: 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 Chrismation "the Pentecost (descent of the Holy Spirit) of every Christian."

Sacrament of Repentance

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

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

Even John the Baptist, preparing people for the acceptance of the Savior, preached baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins... And they were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins(Mk. 1, 4-5).

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

To receive forgiveness (permission) of sins, the confessing (repentant) requires: reconciliation with all neighbors, sincere contrition for sins and their oral confession before the priest, a firm intention to correct one's life, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and hope for His mercy.

In special cases, a penance is imposed on the penitent (the Greek word is "prohibition"), which prescribes some hardships aimed at overcoming sinful habits, and the performance of certain pious deeds.

During his repentance, King David wrote a prayer-song of repentance (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 bounties, blot out my iniquities. Wash Me many times cleanse me from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin."

Sacrament of Communion

communion there is a Sacrament in which the believer (Orthodox Christian), under the guise of bread and wine, receives (tastes) 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 Mystery of Holy Communion was instituted 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 bread and thanking(God the Father for all His mercies to the human race), broke it and gave it to the disciples, saying, Take, 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 from it all; 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 remembrance of me(Matthew 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 the disciples to perform it always: 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. Whoever eats My Flesh and drinks My Blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at 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 the age at the divine service called Liturgy during which bread and wine, by the power and action of the Holy Spirit, offered or are transubstantiated into the true body and into the true blood of Christ.

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

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

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

The sacrament of Holy Communion is called in Greek Eucharist which means "thank you".

Marriage is the Sacrament in which, with a 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 requested and given for mutual help and unanimity and for a blessed birth and Christian parenting.

Marriage was established by God Himself in Paradise. 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 marriage in Cana of Galilee and confirmed its divine institution, saying: created(God) in the beginning he created them male and female(Gen. 1:27). And said: Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.(Gen. 2:24), so that they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no man separate(Matthew 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 also loved the Church and gave himself up for her... he who loves his wife loves himself(Eph. 5:25, 28). Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, for the husband is the head of the wife, just as Christ is the head of the Church, and He is also the Savior of the bodies. a (Eph. 5:2223).

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

A good Christian family life is a source of personal and social good.

The family is the foundation of the Church of Christ.

Being in Marriage is not obligatory for everyone, but persons who voluntarily remain celibate are obliged to lead a pure, blameless and virginal life, which, according to the teaching of the Word of God, is one of the 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 (to the bishop, or presbyter, or deacon) receives the grace of the Holy Spirit for the sacred service of the Church of Christ.

Initiate deacon receives the grace to serve in the performance of the sacraments.

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

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

sacrament of baptism

AT Orthodox catechism the following definition of this Sacrament is given: Baptism (Greek vaptisis - immersion) is the Sacrament in which the believer ...

Sacrament of Chrismation

The Orthodox Catechism gives the following definition of this Sacrament: Chrismation (Greek Myrrh - fragrant oil) is a Sacrament in which the believer ...

The Sacrament of Communion, or the Eucharist

The Orthodox Catechism gives the following definition of this Sacrament: Communion is a Sacrament in which the believer...

Sacrament of Repentance

The Orthodox Catechism gives the following definition of this Sacrament: Repentance is the Sacrament in which he who confesses his sins...

Sacrament of Priesthood (Ordination)

The Orthodox Catechism gives the following definition of this Sacrament: Priesthood is a Sacrament in which...

Sacrament of Marriage (Wedding)

The Orthodox Catechism gives the following definition of this Sacrament: Marriage is a Sacrament in which...

Sacrament of Unction (Unction)

The Orthodox Catechism gives the following definition of this Sacrament: The Anointing of the Sick is a Sacrament in which...

Sacrament (Greek. mysterion - secret, sacrament) - sacred actions in which, under a visible image, the invisible grace of God is communicated to believers.

The word "Mystery" has in Holy Scripture several meanings.

1. A deep, intimate thought, thing, or action.
2. Divine economy for the salvation of the human race, which is depicted as a mystery, incomprehensible to anyone, even to the Angels.
3. Special action of God's Providence in relation to believers, by virtue of which the invisible grace of God in an incomprehensible way communicated to them in visible.

When applied to church rites, the word Sacrament embraces both the first, and the second, and the third concept.

In the broadest sense of the word, everything performed in the Church is a Sacrament: "Everything in the Church is a holy sacrament. Every sacrament is a holy sacrament. - And even the most insignificant?" The “insignificant” sacred rite in the Divine-human organism of the Church is in organic, living connection with the entire mystery of the Church and with the Divine-Man, the Lord Jesus Christ” (archim. Justin (Popovich)).

As noted by Prot. John Meyendorff: "In the patristic era, there was not even a special term for designating "sacraments" as a special category of church deeds: the term misterion was used at first in a broader and more general sense of "mystery of salvation", and only in the second auxiliary sense was it used to designate particular actions that bestow salvation, "that is, the Sacraments proper. Thus, the Holy Fathers understood by the word sacrament everything that applies to Divine economy of our salvation.

But the tradition that began to take shape in Orthodox theological schools starting from the 15th century distinguishes seven Sacraments proper from the numerous blessed sacred services: Baptism, Chrismation, Communion, Repentance, Priesthood, Marriage, Unction ".

All seven Sacraments have the following necessary signs:

1. institution of God;
2. the invisible grace taught in the Sacrament;
3. visible image (following) of its commission.

External actions ("visible image") in the Sacraments do not have a meaning in and of themselves. They are intended for the person approaching the Sacrament, since by nature he needs visible means to perceive the invisible power of God.

Directly The gospel mentions three sacraments(Baptism, Communion and Repentance). Indications about the divine origin of other Sacraments can be found in the book of Acts, in the Apostolic Epistles, as well as in the works of the apostolic men and teachers of the Church of the first centuries of Christianity (St. Justin Martyr, St. Irenaeus of Lyon, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, Tertullian, St. Cyprian and etc.).

In each Sacrament, a believing Christian is given a certain gift of grace.

1. AT Sacrament of Baptism grace is given to man, freeing him from his former sins and sanctifying him.
2. AT Sacrament of Chrismation the believer, when parts of the body are anointed with the Holy Myrrh, grace is given, putting him on the path of spiritual life.
3. AT Sacrament of Repentance confessing his sins, with a visible expression of forgiveness from the priest, receives grace, freeing him from sins.
4. AT Sacrament of Communion (Eucharist) the believer receives the grace of deification through union with Christ.
5. AT Sacrament of Unction when the body is anointed with oil (oil), the grace of God is granted to the patient, healing the infirmities of the soul and body.
6. AT Sacrament of Marriage spouses are given grace that sanctifies their union (in the image of the spiritual union of Christ with the Church), as well as the birth and Christian upbringing of children.
7. AT Sacrament of the Priesthood through hierarchal ordination (ordination), the rightly chosen from among the believers is given grace to perform the Sacraments and shepherd the flock of Christ.

The sacraments of the Orthodox Church are divided into:

1. unique- Baptism, Confirmation, Priesthood;
2. repeatable- Repentance, Communion, Unction and, under certain conditions, Marriage.

In addition, the Sacraments are further divided into two categories:

1. obligatory for all Christians - Baptism, Chrismation, Repentance, Communion and Unction;
2. optional for all - Marriage and Priesthood.

Performers of the Mysteries. It is obvious from the very definition of the Sacrament that "the invisible grace of God" can only be given by the Lord. Therefore, speaking of all the Sacraments, it is necessary to recognize that their Performer is God. But the co-workers of the Lord, the people to whom He Himself has granted the right to perform the Sacraments, are the properly appointed bishops and priests of the Orthodox Church. We find the basis for this in the letter of the Apostle Paul: Therefore, everyone should understand us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.(1 Cor. 4; 1).

The content of the article

ORTHODOX MYSTERIES, sacred rites established by divine providence, manifested in Orthodox church rites, through which invisible divine grace is communicated to believers. In Orthodoxy, seven sacraments are accepted, seven gifts of the Holy Spirit: baptism, chrismation, Eucharist (communion), repentance, the sacrament of the priesthood, the sacrament of marriage and the consecration of the oil. Baptism, repentance and the Eucharist were instituted 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 celebration of the sacraments, i.e. church rituals 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, other liturgical rites are accepted in the Orthodox Church, which, unlike the sacraments, are not of divine, but of ecclesiastical origin. The sacraments communicate grace to the entire psychophysical nature of man and produce a profound effect on his inner, spiritual life. The rites call for blessing only on the outer side of earthly human life ( cm. SACRAMENTALS). The celebration of each sacrament brings with it a special gift of grace. In baptism, grace is given that cleanses from sin; in chrismation - grace, strengthening a person in spiritual life; unction - a gift that heals ailments; in repentance, forgiveness of sins is given.

The validity of the sacraments.

According to the teaching of the Orthodox Church, the sacraments acquire effective force only when two conditions are combined. It is necessary that they be performed correctly by a legitimate hierarchically placed person and that the inner mood and disposition of a Christian to receive grace is necessary. In the absence of faith and a sincere desire to accept the sacrament, its performance leads to condemnation. On Catholic and Protestant Doctrine of the Sacraments cm. MYSTERY.

Seven Sacraments of the Orthodox Church

designed to meet the seven most essential needs of the spiritual life of man. The sacraments of baptism, chrismation, communion, repentance and unction are considered obligatory for all Christians. The sacrament of marriage and the sacrament of the priesthood provide for freedom of choice. Sacraments are also divided into those that are repeated and those that are not repeated during a person's life. Only once in a lifetime is the sacrament of baptism and chrismation performed, as well as the sacrament of priesthood. The rest of the sacraments are repetitive.

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 (cleansing immersion in water) of Jesus himself in the Jordan, performed by John the Baptist. The beginning of Christian baptism as a sacrament was laid by the words of Jesus addressed to the apostles before his ascension to heaven: “... go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Mt 28:19; Mk 16:16). The methods of baptism in the ancient church are described in Teachings of the Twelve Apostles(1st - early 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 not in the cold, then in the warm. And if there is neither one nor the other, then lie on your head three times. Water, as a cosmic and sacred element, plays an important role in the performance of the sacrament: baptism is performed through three immersion in water with the pronunciation of the formula "In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit." The divine grace acting through the water element frees a person from any sin: babies from the firstborn, adults both from the firstborn and from those committed during life. The apostle Paul called baptism the bath of rebirth.

In post-apostolic times, infant baptism was already accepted. Adults prepared to receive the sacrament through the catechesis. The catechumens usually lasted two years, during which the most important part of the Christian doctrine was communicated to the catechumens. Before Easter, they entered their names on the list of those who were baptized. The solemn baptism of a large number of believers was performed by the bishop. During the time of persecution of Christians, natural reservoirs, rivers and streams served as the place of baptism. From the time of Constantine the Great, baptism took place in baptistries, specially arranged pools at churches ( cm. BAPTISTERY). Immediately after immersion, the presbyter anointed the forehead (forehead) of the person being baptized with oil (olive oil), after which he was clothed in white clothes, a symbol of the purity and righteousness he had acquired. After baptism in the temple, they communed the Holy Mysteries. Seriously ill and imprisoned people were baptized through dousing 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 (announcement). The announcement is also made at the baptism of infants, and the sponsors for their faith are the sponsors. The priest who is being baptized faces the east and says prayers that drive away the devil. Turning to the west, the catechumen renounces Satan and all his deeds. After the renunciation, he again becomes facing the east and three times expresses the desire to be united to Christ, after which he kneels. The priest censes the font with three lighted candles, hands the candles to the recipients and blesses the water. After the consecration of the water, the oil is consecrated. The sign of the cross with oil is created over the water, as a symbol of reconciliation with God. Then the priest depicts the sign of the cross on the forehead, ears, arms, legs, chest and shoulders of the person being baptized and plunges him into the font three times. After the font, the person being baptized puts on white clothes, which are customary to keep throughout life as a relic. In case of mortal danger, the rite is performed according to a reduced rank. If there is a danger of the death of an infant, baptism is allowed to be performed by a lay person. In this case, it consists in immersing the baby three times in water 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 name of the baby is left to choose his parents, and 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.

Chrismation.

According to the canons (rules) of the Orthodox Church, immediately after baptism, a Christian receives the sacrament of chrismation. In this sacrament, believers receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit, giving them the strength to be firm in the Orthodox faith and keep the purity of the soul. The right to perform Chrismation belongs only to bishops and priests. Separately from baptism, it is performed during the anointing of kings to the kingdom, as well as in cases when non-believers join Orthodoxy, who were baptized according to the rite corresponding to the rules of the Orthodox Church, but were not chrismated. Confirmation after baptism occurs as follows. After dressing the baptized in white clothes, 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 puts the signs of the cross with the world on his forehead, eyes, nostrils, ears, chest, arms and legs. Then the presbyter and the newly baptized together three times go around the font with candles in their hands while singing the verse: “They were baptized into Christ, put on Christ.” This ritual symbolizes the entry of the baptized person into eternal union with Christ. It 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 off the places that were anointed with the world, with the words: “You were baptized, you were enlightened, you were anointed…” The anointing performed at the wedding of kings to the kingdom is neither a special sacrament, nor a repetition of the previous perfect. The sacred anointing of the 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 coronation and chrismation of the king is a solemn act, culminating in the introduction of the sovereign to the altar, where he takes communion at the throne as God's anointed, patron and defender 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. Confessing his sins before a priest, a Christian receives forgiveness from him and is mysteriously resolved from sins by God himself. Only a bishop or priest can receive 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 the publicity of the sins confessed to him, he is deprived of his dignity. The gospel teaching understands repentance not just as repentance for the deed, but as a rebirth, renewal of the 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 all those who come to the temple for confession. The very confession of sins to the priest takes place alone with him. The penitent enumerates his sins, and when he finishes, makes a prostration. The priest, placing an epitrachelion on the head of the confessor, reads a prayer in which he asks for forgiveness, performs over his head sign of the cross and then gives a kiss to the cross. In special cases, the priest has the right to impose penance, i.e. a certain kind of punishment according to the gravity of the sin. In the Orthodox Church, there is a rule that every Christian must go to confession at least once a year. REPENTANCE.

Communion or Eucharist

The sacrament of the priesthood.

All the sacraments, with the exception of baptism, can only be performed legally (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 priesthood consists in the fact that through hierarchal ordination (consecration) the Holy Spirit descends on the person ordained to a hierarchical degree. The grace of the Holy Spirit endows the initiate with special spiritual authority in relation to the believers, gives him the right to lead the flock, instruct them in faith and improve their spiritual life, and also perform church sacraments for it. 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. The higher degrees of the hierarchy are initiated only after successive passage through the lower ones. The method of placing 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 the ecumenical councils. Each degree of grace is given not in equal measure: in a lesser degree to a deacon, in a greater degree to a presbyter, and in the greatest degree to a bishop. In accordance with this grace, the deacon performs the role of a co-servant of the bishop and presbyter in the celebration of the sacraments and divine services. The presbyter, through ordination from the bishop, receives the right to perform all the sacraments, except for the sacrament of the priesthood, and all divine services in his parish. The bishop is the main teacher and the first clergyman, the main manager of the affairs of the church in his diocese. Only a council of bishops of at least two may ordain bishops. The Sacrament of Priesthood is performed at the liturgy at the altar of the church, 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 only over one bishop, one presbyter and one deacon. The ordained deacon is brought to the royal doors, where he is met by the deacons, who lead him into the altar. In 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 sanctity of the altar and the throne. As a sign of humility before the bishop who consecrates 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 an incomplete priestly service is entrusted to the deacon. To signify that he devotes all the strength of his soul to the service of the throne, he lays his hands on the throne and kisses it with his forehead. The initiation is preceded by a certification that not only the initiate, but also all members of his family are Orthodox Christians. Orthodox Church adheres to the rule not to repeat the ordination if it was performed correctly, even in non-Orthodox societies. BISHOP; CHURCH HIERARCHY; CLERGY; PRESBYTER; PRIEST.

Sacrament of marriage

- the sacrament performed over the bride and groom, believers who have chosen the path married life, during which they make a free promise to be faithful to each other before the priest and the church, 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 in the image of the union of Christ and the church. Before proceeding with the celebration of the sacrament of marriage in the church, after the liturgy, an announcement takes place, that is, the clergy informs the parishioners of the names of the bride and groom and asks if they know of any obstacles to concluding 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 rite 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, the rings consecrated on the throne are brought, and those entering into marriage, as a sign of mutual consent, put rings on each other. During the wedding, the marriage union is blessed and divine grace is requested to descend on it. At the end of the prayers, the priest takes the crowns and places them on the head of the bride and groom. The crowns signify a reward for their chaste life before marriage. A marriage after the death of one of the spouses may be performed for the second and third time. The celebration of the sacrament of a second or third marriage is not so solemn. Two and three marriages are not given candles and crowns are not placed on their heads. Remarriages are allowed by the church after the pronouncement of penance.

Unction, or unction.

In this sacrament, when anointed with oil, grace is given to the sick, healing the infirmities of the soul and body. The anointing is performed only on the sick. It is forbidden to perform it on the healthy, as well as on the dead. Before the consecration of the oil, the patient confesses, and after (or before) he takes communion. The performance of the sacrament provides for a "gathering of believers", although it can take place both in church and at home. A council of seven presbyters is also desirable, according to the number of gifts of the Holy Spirit, but the presence of two or three priests is also allowed. In extreme cases, one priest is allowed to act, but to say prayers on behalf of the cathedral. To perform the sacrament, a table is placed, and on it is a dish of wheat. Wheat grains serve as a symbol of rebirth to a new life. A vessel with oil, a visible sign of grace, is placed on top of the wheat. Wine is poured into it: the combination of oil with wine is done in memory of the fact that this is exactly what the Gospel good Samaritan did to treat the sick. Brushes are placed nearby for anointing and seven candles are lit. The service of the sacrament consists of three parts. The first part is prayer. The second part is the consecration. The first priest reads a prayer for the consecration of the oil, the rest repeat it quietly, then sing the 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 are anointed through which sin enters a person: the forehead, nostrils, cheeks, mouth and both sides of the hands. After the seventh anointing, the priest places the opened Gospel on the head of the sick person, which means the hand of the Savior himself, who heals the sick.