For many people, church life is limited to rare trips to the temple in those cases when things do not work out as successfully as we would like. Usually we put a couple of candles and can leave a donation. After this, we expect some relief or serious positive changes in life, sincerely believing that we received some grace at the time of attending church. But in reality, spiritual nourishment cannot be limited to superficial and often thoughtless actions. If you really want to feel the grace of the Holy Spirit, then you need special rites - church ordinances. Our article will be devoted to them.
Church Sacraments: Definition and General Description
Every person who at least occasionally came across the Christian religion must have heard such a phrase as "church sacrament." It is understood as a kind of sacred action, which should give a person grace from the Holy Spirit.
It is necessary to clearly understand the differences between ordinary church services and rites from the sacraments. The fact is that most rituals were invented by people and only with time became mandatory for those who lead a spiritual life. But the mystery of the sacraments of the church lies in the fact that they were established by Jesus Christ himself. Therefore, they have a special divine origin and act on a person at a psychophysical level.
Why participate in the sacraments?
Church sacrament is a special action that guarantees a person grace from higher powers. Quite often, to ask for healing or well-being for our loved ones, we come to the temple and take part in the service. Also quite common in Orthodoxy is the transmission of notes with names for clergymen who pray for the people indicated on paper. But all this may be effective, or maybe not. It all depends on the will of God and his plans for you.
But the church sacraments in Orthodoxy provide an opportunity to receive grace as a gift. If the sacrament itself is performed correctly and a person is set up to receive a blessing from God, then he falls under the influence of the grace of the Holy Spirit, and it depends on himself how to use this gift.
The number of sacraments of the church
Orthodoxy now has seven church sacraments, and initially there were only two. They are mentioned in Christian texts, but over time, five more sacraments are added to them, which together constitute the ritual basis of the Christian religion. Each clergyman can easily list seven church ordinances:
- Epiphany.
- Confirmation.
- The Eucharist (Communion).
- Repentance.
- Blessing.
- Sacrament of Marriage.
- Sacrament of the Priesthood.
Theologians claim that Jesus Christ himself established baptism, anointing, and communion. These sacraments were obligatory for any believer.
Classification of Sacraments
Church sacraments in Orthodoxy have their own classification, every Christian who takes the first steps on the path to God should be aware of this. Sacraments can be:
The first category includes the following rites:
- Epiphany;
- anointing;
- participle;
- repentance;
- bare blessing.
The Sacrament of Marriage and Priesthood is the free will of a person and belongs to the second category. But it is worth bearing in mind that in Christianity only the marriage that is sanctified by the church is recognized.
Also, all the sacraments can be divided into:
A single church sacrament can be performed only once in a lifetime. Suitable for this category:
- Epiphany;
- anointing;
- Sacrament of the Priesthood.
The remaining rites can be repeated many times depending on the spiritual needs of a person. Some theologians still rank the Sacrament of Marriage as one-time rites, because weddings in the church can be performed once in a lifetime. Despite the fact that many are now talking about such a ceremony as debunking, the official position of the Church on this issue has not changed for many years - a marriage made before God cannot be canceled.
Where are church ordinances studied?
If you do not plan to connect your life with serving God, then you just need to have a general idea of what the seven church sacraments of the Orthodox Church are. But otherwise, you will need to carefully study each rite that occurs during training in a theological seminary.
Ten years ago, the book "Orthodox doctrine of church sacraments" was published as a teaching tool for seminarians. It reveals all the secrets of rituals, and also includes materials from various theological conferences. By the way, this information will be useful to anyone who is interested in religion and wants to deeply penetrate the essence of Christianity in general and Orthodoxy in particular.
Sacraments for children and adults: is there a separation
Of course, there are no special church ordinances for children, because they have equal rights and obligations with adult members of the Christian community before God. Children take part in baptism, anointing, communion and blessing. But repentance causes some theologians certain difficulties when we talk about the child. On the one hand, children are born practically sinless (with the exception of original sin) and do not have actions behind which they need to repent. But, on the other hand, even a small children's sin is a sin before God, therefore it needs awareness and repentance. Do not wait for a series of minor misconduct to lead to the formation of a sinful consciousness.
Naturally, the Sacrament of Marriage and Priesthood is inaccessible to children. A person who can be considered an adult in accordance with the laws of the country can take part in such rites.
Epiphany
The Church Sacraments of Baptism literally become the gateway through which a person enters the Church and becomes a member. Water is always necessary to perform the sacrament, because Jesus Christ himself was baptized in Jordan to set an example for all his followers and show them the shortest way to atonement for sins.
Baptism is performed by a clergyman and requires some preparation. If we are talking about church sacrament for an adult who has consciously come to God, then he needs to read the Gospel and also receive instructions from the clergyman. Sometimes, before baptism, people attend special classes during which they receive basic knowledge about the Christian religion, church rites, and God.
Baptism is performed in the church (when it comes to a seriously ill person, the ceremony can be performed at home or in the hospital) by a priest. A person is facing east and listens for cleansing prayers, and then, turning to the west, renounces sin, Satan and former life. Then he plunges into the font three times under the prayers of the priest. After that, the baptized person is considered to be born in God and, as a confirmation of his belonging to Christianity, receives a cross, which must be worn constantly. It is customary to keep a baptismal shirt all his life, it is a kind of a talisman for a person.
When a sacrament is performed over a baby, then parents and perceivers (godparents) answer all questions for it. In some churches, one godfather is allowed to participate in the rite, but it must necessarily be of the same gender as the godson. Keep in mind that becoming a godfather is a very responsible mission. Indeed, from now on you are responsible to God for the soul of the child. It was the godparents who should lead him along the path of Christianity, instruct and admonish. It can be said that receptors are spiritual teachers for a new member of the Christian community. Performing these duties inappropriately is a serious sin.
Anointing
This sacrament is performed immediately after baptism; it is the next stage in the churching of a person. If baptism removes all his sins from a person, then anointing gives him the grace of God and the strength to live a Christian, obeying all the commandments. Anointing occurs only once in a lifetime.
For the rite, the priest uses the miro - a special blessed oil. In the process of the sacrament, the world is applied in the form of a cross on the forehead, eyes, nostrils, ears, lips, hands and feet of a person. The priests call it the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit. From this moment, a person becomes a real member of the Orthodox Church and is ready for life in Christ.
Repentance
The Sacrament of Penance is not a simple confession of one's sins to a clergyman, but an awareness of the unrighteousness of one's path. Theologians say that repentance is not words, but an act. If you come to understand that you will do something sinful, then stop and change your life. And in order to be strengthened in its decision, repentance is needed, cleansing from all perfect unrighteous acts. After this sacrament, many people feel renewed and enlightened, it is easier for them to avoid temptations and adhere to certain rules.
Only a bishop or priest can accept confession, since it was they who received this right through the Sacrament of the Priesthood. During repentance, a person kneels and transfers to the clergyman all his sins. He, in turn, reads cleansing prayers and overshadows the confessor with the banner of the Cross. In some cases, when a person repents of any serious sins, penance is imposed on him - a special punishment.
Remember, if you have passed repentance and again commit the same sin, then think about the meaning of your actions. Perhaps you are not strong enough in the faith, and you need the help of a priest.
What is the sacrament?
The sacrament of the church, which is considered one of the most important, is called "the sacrament." This rite connects a person with God at the energy level; he cleanses and heals the Christian spiritually and materially.
The church service, at which the sacrament of Communion is performed, takes place on certain days. Moreover, not all Christians are allowed on it, but only those who have undergone special training. First you need to talk with the clergyman and declare your desire to take the sacrament. Usually a church minister appoints a post, after which repentance is imperative. Only to those who have fulfilled all the conditions does the church service become available at which the sacrament of Communion is performed.
In the process of the sacrament, a person receives bread and wine that are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ. This enables the Christian to join the divine energy and to be cleansed of everything sinful. Church ministers claim that the sacrament heals a person at the deepest level. It is reborn spiritually, which always favorably affects human health.
Church Sacrament: Unction
This sacrament is often called holy blessing, since in the process of rite, oil is applied to the human body - oil (olive is most often used). The sacrament got its name from the word "cathedral", meaning that the ceremony should be carried out by several clergy. Ideally, there should be seven.
The Sacrament of Holiness is performed on seriously ill people who need healing. First of all, the rite is aimed at healing the soul, which directly affects our body shell. In the process of the sacrament, clergymen read seven texts from various sacred sources. Then the oil is applied to the face, eyes, ears, lips, chest and limbs of a person. At the end of the ceremony, the gospel is laid on the head of the Christian, and the priest begins to pray for the remission of sins.
It is believed that it is best to hold this sacrament after repentance, and after receive communion.
The Sacrament of Marriage
Many newlyweds think about the wedding, but few of them are aware of the seriousness of this step. The Sacrament of Marriage is a very responsible church rite that forever unites two people before God. It is believed that from now on there are always three of them. Invisibly, Christ accompanies them everywhere, supporting them in difficult times.
It is important to know that there are some obstacles to the sacrament. These include the following reasons:
- fourth and subsequent marriages;
- disbelief in God of one of the spouses;
- refusal of baptism by one or both spouses;
- finding spouses in kinship to the fourth knee.
Keep in mind that it is necessary to prepare for the wedding for a long time and approach it very carefully.
Sacrament of the Priesthood
The sacrament Ordination to the church rank gives the priest the right to conduct services and independently perform church rites. This is a rather complicated procedure that we will not describe. But its essence lies in the fact that through certain manipulations the grace of the Holy Spirit descends upon the minister of the church, which gives him special authority. Moreover, according to church canons, the higher the church rank, the greater power descends on the clergyman.
We hope that our article gave you some idea of the church sacraments, without which the life of a Christian in God is impossible.