Sacraments and Parish Services

Sacraments, house blessings, memorial services, and other pastoral ministries of the Church.

The Holy Mysteries

The Orthodox Church commonly speaks of seven principal Holy Mysteries, listed below, while understanding the sacramental life of the Church more broadly than this list alone.

Baptism

Entry into the life of Christ and the Church through triple immersion, sharing in His death and Resurrection.

What is it? Baptism unites a person to Christ, washing away sin and granting rebirth into eternal life. In the Orthodox tradition, it is performed by full threefold immersion in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Who is it for? Infants of Orthodox Christian families, as well as adults and children embracing the Orthodox faith.

Chrismation

The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit, through which a Christian is anointed and fully integrated into the life of the Church.

What is it? Chrismation is the anointing with Holy Chrism (Myron), sealing the believer with the Holy Spirit. In the Orthodox tradition, it is celebrated immediately following Baptism for both infants and adults.

Who is it for? Newly baptized Orthodox Christians and Christians being received into the Orthodox Church from other traditions.

Holy Eucharist

Participation in the precious Body and Blood of Christ at the heart of the Divine Liturgy.

What is it? The Holy Eucharist (Eucharistia, meaning "thanksgiving") is the center and crown of Orthodox worship. Through the Holy Spirit, the offered gifts of bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of Christ for the remission of sins and life eternal.

Who is it for? Baptized and Chrismated Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves through prayer, fasting, and recent Holy Confession.

Holy Confession

The sacramental restoration of communion with God and the Church through true repentance.

What is it? In Holy Confession, sins are confessed directly to Christ in the presence of a priest, who stands as a witness and offers prayers for God’s forgiveness and healing. It restores our baptismal purity and deepens our spiritual life.

Who is it for? Baptized Orthodox Christians seeking spiritual healing, forgiveness, and preparation for receiving Holy Communion.

Holy Unction

Anointing with blessed oil accompanied by prayer for the healing of body, mind, and soul.

What is it? Holy Unction (Euchelaion) is a Holy Mystery of spiritual and physical healing. Through the prayers of the Church and anointing with consecrated oil, we pray for Christ to heal our infirmities and forgive our sins.

Who is it for? Baptized Orthodox Christians who are suffering in body, mind, or spirit, as well as those seeking spiritual strengthening.

Holy Matrimony

The blessing, crowning, and sanctification of a man and woman in Christ.

What is it? In the Holy Mystery of Marriage, a man and a woman are crowned in glory and honor by the Church. Their union is transformed into an icon of Christ's eternal love for His Church, calling them to walk together toward salvation.

Who is it for? An Orthodox Christian couple preparing to marry. By pastoral accommodation (oikonomía), the Ecumenical Patriarchate also permits marriage between an Orthodox Christian and a non-Orthodox partner who has been baptized in water in the name of the Holy Trinity. Couples commit to raising their children within the Orthodox Church, and the primary wedding sponsor (Koumbaros/Koumbara) must be an Orthodox Christian.

Holy Orders

The laying on of hands by a bishop, imparting the grace of the Holy Spirit for sacred ministry in Christ's Church.

What is it? Holy Orders (Cheirotonia, meaning "laying on of hands") preserves the continuous Apostolic Succession from the early Church. Through the bishop, the Holy Spirit sets apart and equips men to serve as Deacons, Priests, or Bishops ... leading the liturgical life, administering the Holy Mysteries, and pastoring the flock of Christ.

Who is it for? Baptized and Chrismated Orthodox Christian men who are called by God, discipled, and canonically examined by the bishop for ordained ministry.

Services, Blessings & Pastoral Care

Alongside the Holy Mysteries, the Church offers services, blessings and pastoral care for the different needs and circumstances of life.

House & Workplace Blessings

The sanctification of our homes and places of work through prayer and holy water.

What is it? A priest visits a home, business, or workplace to offer prayers of protection, peace, and thanksgiving, sprinkling the space with Holy Water (Agiasmos). This brings Christ’s presence and the grace of the Church directly into our daily living and working spaces.

Who is it for? Any parishioner or family seeking God's protection and blessing upon their home or workplace.

Practical information: House blessings are especially customary in the weeks following Great Theophany (January 6th) with the newly blessed Theophany water. However, blessings may also be arranged when moving into a new home, opening a new business, or at any other time of year. To schedule a blessing for your home or workplace, please contact the parish priest directly.

Funeral Services

The solemn prayer of the Church accompanying a departed Christian to their final resting place, in firm hope of the Resurrection.

What is it? The Orthodox Funeral (Kedeia) is a deeply moving service of prayer, scripture, and hymns for the repose of the soul of the departed and the comfort of the grieving family. The body - having been a temple of the Holy Spirit - is brought into the church, honored with incense and prayer, and given a final farewell before Christian burial.

Who is it for? Departed Orthodox Christians.

Practical information: When a loved one falls asleep in the Lord, please contact the parish priest as soon as possible, prior to finalizing arrangements with the funeral director, to confirm the date and time of the service. Note on Cremation: In accordance with ancient Christian tradition and the canonical guidelines of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Orthodox Church practices burial, reflecting reverence for the human body and faith in the physical resurrection.

Note on Cremation: In accordance with ancient Christian tradition and the canonical guidelines of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, the Orthodox Church practices burial, reflecting reverence for the human body and faith in the physical resurrection.

Memorial Services

Prayer for those who have fallen asleep in the Lord and comfort for those who grieve, offered in hope of the Resurrection.

What is it? A Memorial Service (Mnemosynon) is a prayer offered for the repose of the soul of a departed Christian. It includes prayers for the forgiveness of sins and eternal rest. Traditionally, boiled wheat (Kollyva) is prepared, blessed, and distributed, symbolizing Christ’s promise of resurrection and eternal life (John 12:24).

Who is it for? Memorials are customary on the 40th day following a death (a key tradition in the Orthodox Church), as well as on annual anniversaries and Soul Saturdays (Psychosabbata).

Practical information: Departed Orthodox Christians. (Note: While liturgical Memorial Services with Kollyva are offered for Orthodox Christians, the priest can always offer general prayers of comfort for non-Orthodox loved ones). To arrange a Mnemosynon, please contact the parish priest in advance so the service can be scheduled at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy.

Blessing of Water (Agiasmos)

A prayerful service in which water is sanctified as a source of healing, purification, and a reminder of God's presence in all creation.

What is it? The Church celebrates two rites for blessing water: the Great Blessing of Water during the Feast of Theophany (January 6), which commemorates Christ’s baptism in the Jordan, and the Lesser Blessing of Water (Mikros Agiasmos), celebrated on the first of each month or on special occasions. Blessed water is drunk for spiritual strengthening, used to bless homes, and sprinkled over the faithful.

Who is it for? All parishioners, families, and visitors seeking God's grace, healing, and sanctification in their lives.

Practical information: Holy Water from Theophany and monthly blessings is available in the church for parishioners to take home. If you would like a Lesser Blessing of Water served for a specific intention, please speak with the parish priest.