Sacraments

Sacraments

Baptism

The sacrament by which a person enters the Church: threefold immersion in water in the name of the Trinity. It happens once and is never repeated.

Sacraments

Catechumenate

Preparation for baptism — the talks explaining what a person is about to enter. In the Russian Church they are required before an adult is baptised.

Sacraments

Chrismation

The sacrament that follows baptism at once: the priest anoints forehead, eyes, ears, breast, hands and feet with holy myrrh, saying 'The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit'.

Sacraments

Communion

The central sacrament of the Church: at the Liturgy bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ, received by the faithful from the chalice.

Sacraments

Confession

The sacrament of repentance: a person names his sins aloud before God, with the priest as witness rather than judge, and receives forgiveness.

Sacraments

Epitimia (penance)

A spiritual exercise given after confession — a prayer rule, prostrations, abstinence, sometimes a temporary abstaining from communion. It is medicine, not punishment.

Sacraments

Marriage (crowning)

The sacrament of marriage: crowns are held over bride and groom, they drink from a common cup and circle the analogion three times. It does not replace civil registration.

Sacraments

Ordination

The sacrament in which, by the bishop's laying on of hands, a man is made deacon, priest or bishop. It is served only at the Liturgy and only by a bishop.

Sacraments

Sacrament

A church action in which something invisible is given through something visible — water, bread, wine, oil, the laying on of hands. There are seven of them.

Sacraments

Unction

The sacrament in which the sick are anointed seven times with blessed oil, with prayer for healing and for forgiveness of forgotten sins. It is not only for the dying.