The sacraments, or mysteries, of the Orthodox Church symbolize God’s relationship with and His activity in all of creation. Most importantly, the sacraments are ceremonies which transmit the Grace of God to all members of the Church, building our relationship with God and with one another.

Fr. Thomas Fitzgerald writes: “The Holy Spirit works through the Sacraments. He leads us to Christ who unites us with the Father. By participating in the Sacraments, we grow closer to God and to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This process of deification, or theosis, as it is known by Orthodoxy, takes place not in isolation from others, but within the context of a believing community.”

The Orthodox Church celebrates the seven sacraments of baptism, chrismation, confession, Holy Eucharist, marriage, ordination, and Holy Unction.