Orthodox Articles
On the participation of the faithful in the Eucharist
February 3, 2015
Document approved at the Hierarchal Consultation of the Russian Orthodox Church, February 2–3, 2015 in the Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow…
The eucharist is the main Sacrament of the Church, instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ on the eve of his saving Passion, death upon the Cross, and resurrection. To participate in the eucharist and to partake of the Body and Blood of Christ is commanded by our Saviour who through his disciples said to all Christians: “Take, eat: this is My Body,” and “Drink of it, all of you: for this is My Blood of the New Testament” (Matt 26:26-‐28). The Church herself is the
Body of Christ and, therefore, the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ visibly manifests the mystical nature of the Church, building up the ecclesial community. The spiritual life of an Orthodox Christian is inconceivable without the communion of the Holy Mysteries. Receiving the Holy Gifts, the faithful are sanctified by the power of the Holy Spirit and are united with Christ our Saviour and with each other, making one Body of Christ. The Sacrament of the Eucharist requires special preparation. In the Church, the time itself – be it the span of a human life or the entire history of mankind – is an expectation and preparation for
the encounter with Christ, while the entire rhythm of liturgical life is an expectation and preparation for the Divine Liturgy and, accordingly, for communion, for which sake the Liturgy is celebrated [in the first place].
—-
Newsletter: Pentecost 2015
[lvwspage pid=7]
Major Feast Days
The Ascension of our Lord . . . . . June 9
Pentecost – Trinity Sunday . . . . . June 19
Parish Feast Day. All Saints . . . . . June 26
Nativity of St. John the Baptist . . . . . July 7
Ss. Apostles Peter and Paul . . . . . July 12
The Holy Transfiguration of Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ . . . . . August 19
The Dormition of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary . . . . . August 28
The Beheading of the Glorious Prophet, Forerunner, and Baptist John . . . . . September 11
The Nativity of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary . . . . . September 21
The Exaltation of the Precious and Life-giving Cross . . . . . September 27
The Protection of Our Most Holy Lady the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary . . . . . October 14
The Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple . . . . . December 4
2017
The Nativity according to the Flesh of Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ . . . . . January 7
The Circumcision of Our Lord Jesus Christ . . . . . January 14
Baptism of the Lord . . . . . January 19
The Meeting of Our Lord, God and Saviour Jesus Christ . . . . . February 15
The Annunciation of Our Most Holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary . . . . . April 7
The Bright Resurrection of Christ, The Pascha of the Lord . . . . . April 16
The Sacrament of Holy Unction
Please read below so that you are prepared.
Таинство Елеосвященія (Соборованіе)
- Слѣдуетъ не опаздывать къ началу Таинства Елеосвященія;
- Собороваться могутъ только православные христіане;
- Дѣти младше 7 и лѣтъ НЕ соборуются;
- Женщины въ періодъ мѣсячнаго очищенія МОГУТЪ приступить къ Таинству Соборованія;
- Женщинамъ нельзя пользоваться косметикой;
- На Таинство всѣмъ слѣдуетъ приходить въ одеждѣ съ открытымъ воротомъ, женщинамъ – съ покрытой головой;
- Святое масло послѣ Соборованія раздавать НЕ положено;
- Къ началу Таинства всѣмъ необходимо имѣть въ рукахъ большую свѣчу.
Елеосвященіе (Соборованіе) – это Таинство, въ которомъ, при помазаніи больного освященнымъ еле- емъ (масломъ), призывается на больного Божественная благодать для исцѣленія его отъ тѣлесныхъ и душевныхъ недуговъ.
„Таинство св. елея“ учреждено Самимъ Господомъ нашимъ Іисусомъ Христомъ (Матѳ. 10:1; Мк. 6:13). О существованіи его въ древней Церкви, кромѣ апостола Іакова свидѣтельствуютъ Оригенъ и святители Ириней Ліонскій, Василій Великій и Іоаннъ Златоустъ (ими и составлены молитвы, читаемыя при совершеніи Таинства).
+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +
The Sacrament of Holy Unction
- One should not be late for the beginning of the Sacrament of Holy Unction;
- Only Orthodox Christians may receive Unction;
- Children younger than 7 are NOT anointed;
- Women undergoing menstruation MAY receive Holy Unction;
- Women may not be wearing cosmetics;
- One should come to the Sacrament dressed with an open collar; women should cover their heads;
- The holy oil should NOT be given out after Unction;
- Each person should be holding a large candle for the beginning of the Sacrament.
Holy Unction is a sacrament that, by blessing the believer’s body with sanctified oil, calls down God’s grace, healing one’s physical and spiritual infirmities.
The sacrament of “anointing with oil” was instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself (Matt. 10:1; Mark 6:13). In addition to the Holy Apostle James, Origen and the Holy Hierarchs Irenaeus of Lyons, Basil the Great, and John Chrysostom all attest to its existence in the Early Church (indeed, they are the authors of the prayers read during the performing of the Sacrament).