Chrismation In our previous article we spoke about the Mystery of Baptism and the threefold immersion into the water to shed the ‘old’ man and create a ‘new’ creation in Christ. In the Sacrament of Chrismation (anointing), the newly baptised person receives the Holy Spirit through the anointing with Holy Chrism/Myrrh by the priest. In anointing the recipient with chrism, the priest makes the sign of the cross on the forehead, eyes, nostrils, mouth, ears, breast, hands and feet using the following words each time, “The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Christ repeatedly promised the gift of [...]

BAPTISM Holy Baptism is the first of the seven sacraments of the Orthodox Church. It is the mystery of starting anew, of dying to an old way of life and being born again into a new way of life in Christ. It is, “for the remission of sins” and for entrance into the Church. There are many symbolic actions in the Baptismal service, both visible and invisible. The visible part involves the actions taken by the priest. The invisible part involves the sanctifying Grace that comes from the Holy Spirit that fills the body and soul of the person receiving [...]

The Church Mysteries   The Church exists to lead the faithful to the Love, the Light, and the Life in Christ through His sacred Mysteries that are offered in the sacramental life of the church. The sacraments in the Orthodox Church are called the ‘Holy Mysteries’. There are seven sacraments: Baptism, Chrismation, Holy Eucharist, Confession, Marriage, Ordination and Holy Unction. However, the Mysteries of the Church are not limited to these but rather encompass all things of a mystical nature in the Church. These can include, and are not limited to, the service for the burial of the dead, monastic [...]