Sacrament Information

The Holy Mysteries (Sacraments) mark the most important moments of our life in Christ. Below you will find information and forms for Baptism, Weddings, Confession and Funerals. For any of these, please call the church office at (480) 899-3330.

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Baptism

The ultimate goal of Baptism is the restoration of true life that has been lost in sin. St. Paul describes this restored life: "All those who have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ!" Salvation is a process that begins with fleeing from sin and being baptized, continues through a life of repentance, and culminates in eternal life in God's Kingdom.

Infant baptism is biblical and the ancient tradition of the Church. The requirement of reaching an "age of reason" before baptism began during the Protestant Reformation; no such tradition existed in the early Church. As St. Peter said in his sermon at Pentecost: "Repent and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all those at a distance, as many as the Lord our God shall call forth" (Acts 2:38–39).

What sin does a child have? It is the ancestral sin that all humanity inherits, being born with a fallen nature, subject to sin and death: "Therefore, even as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and thus death passed to all men, on account of which all have sinned" (Romans 5:12). Baptism is a second birth in Christ for everyone. The Orthodox Church believes in one Baptism for the remission of sins, so we begin our journey through life being saved and perfected in Christ.

If you are seeking baptism for yourself or a loved one, please contact the priest or the church administrator, who will inform the priest: (480) 899-3330.

Baptism Forms and Instructions

Wedding

The Holy Sacrament of Marriage bears witness that God is active in our lives. It is He who joins a man and a woman in a relationship of mutual love. Through this Sacrament, a man and a woman are publicly joined as husband and wife, and they enter into a new relationship with each other, with God and with the Church. Since Marriage is not viewed as a legal contract, there are no vows in the Sacrament.

According to Orthodox teaching, Marriage is not simply a social institution but an eternal vocation of the Kingdom itself. A husband and wife are called by the Holy Spirit not only to live together but to share their Christian life, so that each, with the help of the other, works out their salvation, grows closer to God and becomes the person they are meant to be.

In the Orthodox Marriage Service, after the couple has been betrothed and exchanged rings, they are crowned with "crowns of glory and honor," signifying the establishment of a new family under God. Near the end of the Service, the couple drinks from a common cup, recalling the wedding at Cana and symbolizing the sharing of the burdens and joys of their new life together.

Couples who are inquiring about a wedding, please review the documents below and call the church office at (480) 899-3330 with any questions.

Confession

As members of the Church, we have responsibilities to one another and, of course, to God. When we sin, our relationship with God and with others becomes distorted. Sin is ultimately alienation from God, from our fellow human beings, and from our own true self, created in God's image and likeness.

Confession is the Sacrament through which our sins are forgiven and our relationship with God and others is restored and strengthened. Through it, Christ our Lord continues to heal those broken in spirit and restore the Father's love to those who are lost. According to Orthodox teaching, the penitent confesses to God and is forgiven by God. The priest is the sacramental witness who represents both Christ and His people, and he is seen not as a judge but as a physician and guide. It is an ancient Orthodox practice for every Christian to have a spiritual father to turn to for advice and counsel.

Confession can take place on many occasions, and how often is left to the discretion of each person. In the case of serious sin, however, confession is a necessary preparation for Holy Communion.

If you wish to receive the Mystery of Confession, please contact the priest or the church administrator, who will inform the priest: (480) 899-3330.

Funeral

The death of a Christian affects not only the family but the entire Church, for we are all part of the Body of Christ. The Orthodox Funeral Service is not mainly an occasion to praise the virtues of the person who has died. Rather, its prayers and hymns speak honestly of the harsh reality of death and of the victorious Resurrection of Christ, through which the power of death is conquered. The Funeral Service comforts those who mourn, and through it the Church prays for one of its members who has died in the faith of Christ. Orthodoxy sees the end of physical life as the close of only one stage of life. God's love is stronger than death, and the Resurrection of Christ bears witness to this power.

The Orthodox Funeral consists of three services:

  • The Trisagion Service, a vigil usually held at the time of the wake. The Church prays to Christ "to give rest with the Saints to the soul of Your servant where there is neither pain, grief, nor sighing but life everlasting."

  • The Funeral Service at the church, where the body is brought on the day of burial. Ideally, the Divine Liturgy is celebrated. After the service, the congregation offers its farewell to the departed.

  • The Trisagion Service again at the graveside.

While the Church prays for the soul of the departed, great respect is paid to the body. Orthodoxy believes the body of a Christian is sacred, since it was the Temple of the Holy Spirit, and that it will share in the final restoration of all creation.

If you are making final arrangements after the passing of a loved one, please contact the priest or the church administrator, who will inform the priest: (480) 899-3330.