General Sacraments
What is a sacrament?
Which of the redemptive sacraments can't be repeated?
The Sacrament of Baptism is the first sacrament an Orthodox Christian receives. They are born again for the second time, this time spiritually.
What is the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick?
The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick is when the priest anoints the body of the person and asks for the Holy Spirit to care for the body and soul of the person It restores the health and salvation of the soul.
What Bible verse is read during the Sacrament of Holy Baptism?
John 3 ("Jesus answered and said unto him, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God")
What is one example of a Non-Redemptive Sacrament?
Non-Redemptive Sacraments are:
- The Sacrament of Holy Orders
- The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony
- The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick
What is a redemptive sacrament and give two examples?
A redemptive sacrament is necessary for Salvation and to enter into Heaven. There are 4 redemptive sacraments: Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, and Reconciliation.
What sacrament happens right after Baptism? And what is the matter and form of this sacrament?
The Sacrament of Confirmation occurs right after the Sacrament of Baptism, it confirms/strengthens all the graces we received during our Baptism.
- Matter: Holy oil (Meron)
- Form: the gift of the Holy Spirit
What are the 3 degrees of the Holy Orders?
- Priest: celebrates the six sacraments
- Bishop: consecrates the Church and manages general affairs; member of the Holy Synod
Fill in the blank, "And I tell you, you are ____, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18)
"And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18)
At what age do boys and girls receive the Sacrament of Baptism as a baby?
Boys: 40 days old
Girls: 80 days old
What are three things that make a sacrament valid?
- The Proper Ritual: you need all the correct methods and material
- An Ordained Orthodox Priest: all the sacraments needs either a priest or bishop
- Prayer: all sacraments need special prayers and a blessing to be valid
When was the first time the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist was instituted?
During the Last Supper on Holy Thursday, Jesus Christ instituted this sacrament Himself with the 12 Apostles. He broke bread and wine, and gave it to them as His body and blood.
What does the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony do?
It brings together the bridge and groom united and they are now ONE in the eyes of the Church and God.
Finish the Bible verse, "And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said...
"And as they were eating, Jesus took some bread and blessed it. Then he broke it in pieces and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take this and eat it, for this is my body. Then he took the cup, and gave thanks and gave it to them, saying, drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matthew 26: 26 -29)
What is the matter and form for the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist?
Matter: bread and wine that is consecrated into the Body and Blood
Form: prayers of consecration
Why do we need sacraments in our life?
- It is the means for our salvation
- Allows us to be in contact with God and receive His grace
- Gives us a taste of heavenly life
What blessings do we receive from the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist?
- Spiritual food: through the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ
- Remission of Sins: our sins are washed away after we receive this sacramnet
- Holy Fellowship: with our fellow Christians who also partake in this holy sacrament
When was the sacrament of Holy Orders first instituted (HINT: think of who was the first pope of the church)?
The Sacrament of Holy Orders was instituted for the first time when Jesus appointed the 12 apostles and he chose St. Peter to be the first Pope, as the Head of the Church.
Finish this Bible verse, "So they are no longer two, but _____. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate" (Matthew 19: 4-6)
"So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let no one separate" (Matthew 19: 4-6)
Who is the head of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, what is their name?
The Patriarch is the head of the Holy Synod, His Holiness Abune Mathias is the sixth Patriarch of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
Which of the Seven Sacraments have overlaps with the Five Pillars of Mystery? Explain how the Pillars of Mystery and the Sacraments are different.
- The Sacrament of Holy Eucharist & the Pillar of the Holy Eucharist
- The Sacrament of Baptism & the Pillar of the Baptism
What are the 3 steps for the Sacrament of Reconciliation?
Confession: confess your sins to a Spiritual Father
Penitence: what you do to be forgiven (ex: prayer, sigdet)
Absolution: the forgiveness of sins
What are the 3 goals of Christian Marriage and the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony?
- Cooperation: as partners you work together and live in union
- Procreation: to populate the Earth and the next generation
- Protection Against Temptation: help each other grow in your spiritual lives
What does John 3:16 say?
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" - we understand why we must take The Holy Eucharist, as it is necessary for our salvation.
What was the first miracle that Jesus Christ performed, and what Holy Sacrament is it related to?
Jesus Christ confirmed the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony by attending the marriage feast at Cana of Galilee (John 2), in fact Jesus performed His first miracle at this wedding by the request of His mother, Our Mother St. Mary.
He turned water into wine, because the wedding hosts had run out of all the wine for the guests.