Holy Sacraments
There are special experiences in our life as Orthodox Christians when the perception of God's presence and actions is heightened and celebrated. We call these events of the Church Sacraments.
Chrismation
The Sacrament of Chrismation immediately follows baptism. As the ministry of Christ was enlivened by the Spirit, and the preaching of the Apostles strengthened by the Spirit, so is the life of each Orthodox Christian sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Chrismation, which is often referred to as one's personal Pentecost, is the Sacrament which imparts the Spirit in a special way.
The
Holy Eucharist
The Holy Eucharist, which is known as the Divine Liturgy, is the central and most important worship experience of the Orthodox Church. All the other Sacraments of the Church lead toward and flow from the Eucharist, which is at the center of the life of the Church. The Orthodox Church believes that the bread and wine is in fact converted to the body and blood of Christ through the Holy Spirit
Holy
Ordination
The Holy Spirit preserved the continuity of the Church through the Sacrament of Holy Orders. Through ordination, men who have been chosen from within the Church are set apart by the Church for special service to the Church.
Baptism
Through the three-fold immersion in the waters of Baptism in the Name of the Holy Trinity, one dies to the old ways of sin and is born to a new life in Christ. Baptism is one's public identification with Christ Death and victorious Resurrection.
Confession
Confession is the Sacrament through which our sins are forgiven, and our relationship to God and to others is restored and strengthened. According to Orthodox teaching, the penitent confess to God and is forgiven by God. The priest is the sacramental witness who represents both Christ and His people. The priest is viewed not as a judge, but as a physician and guide.
Holy
Unction
When one is ill and in pain, this can often be a time of life when one feels isolated. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, or Holy Unction as it is also known, remind us that when we are in pain, either physical, emotional, or spiritual, Christ is present with us through the ministry of his Church.
