Library › Constantine Callinicos › Greek Orthodox Catechism

Greek Orthodox Catechism

Constantine Callinicos, London, 1926

Part I. Dogmatical, 12. The Sacraments

How does the Church succeed in sanctifying us?

By the Word of God and the Sacraments.

And what is the Word of God?

The setting forth of the truths of the Gospel to meet every need of the soul, and the illumination of the mind by these truths, in order that it should gladly accept the will of the Lord and practise those Christian virtues, without which faith is dead.

What are the Sacraments, and how many are they?

The Sacraments are traditional sacred ceremonies, instituted either by Christ or His Apostles, at which, by visible signs, is transmitted to us the invisible divine grace, which is the most important factor in our salva-- tion. We mean by grace the strength of God which began to flow into the souls of the believers, from the day when the Cross was raised on earth and the Blood of the only-begotten Son renewed the love of God for us. The Sacraments are seven in number:—Baptism, Confirmation, the Holy Eucharist, Penance, Ordination, Marriage and Unction. Of these, the first four are obligatory, the three last are optional.

What is needed to administer the Sacraments canonically?

In order to administer the Sacraments canonically, there are necessary:—(1) an executor, canonically ordained and functioning; (2) the material defined for each Sacrament, namely, water for Baptism, oil for Confirmation, bread and wine for the Eucharist, etc.; and (3) the proper ceremonial words, upon the recital of which the matter becomes a conductor of the special grace of each Sacrament. Wherever these three conditions are fulfilled, the Sacrament is complete, and nothing can militate against its validity. Nevertheless, the receiver of the Sacrament must approach it in a proper spiritual attitude and with his soul duly prepared, if he intends fully to appropriate to himself its salutary properties.