Sacraments
The Holy Sacraments of the Orthodox Church are offered to all Orthodox Christians. You may contact Father Sotirios through the Church office for scheduling a sacrament and for discussion of additional details.
1. Baptism and Chrismation
Baptism is the sacrament through which one is received into the Church. Through baptism we receive the full forgiveness of sins, we put on Christ, becoming members of His Body, the Church. To remind them of their Baptism, Orthodox Christians usually wear throughout life a small Cross, hung round the neck on a chain during their Baptismal service. Immediately after Baptism, the Orthodox Christian is Chrismated (confirmed) with the Chrism by the priest. The Sponsor (or Godparent) of the baptised person must be an Orthodox Christian over the age of 12.
Non-Orthodox Christians wishing to enter the Orthodox Church are received by the Sacrament of Holy Chrism if they have previously been baptised in the Name of the Holy Trinity.
2. Weddings
The Sacrament of Holy Marriage between a man and a woman should be performed in the Orthodox Church according to the liturgical tradition, and blessed by a priest recognised as canonical by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. The procedure for intended weddings is as follows:
Marriages with persons who belong to the Pentecostal Church, Baptist Church, Salvation Army, Christian Revival Crusades, Reborn Christians, Assembly of God, Church of Christ and other similar religious groups are prohibited.
A non-Orthodox Christian who marries an Orthodox Christian does not automatically become a member of the Orthodox Church, and is therefore not permitted to receive Holy Communion or other sacraments in the Orthodox Church.
In addition, Orthodox priests are not allowed to conduct wedding services with priests of other churches. The civil marriage cannot be conducted without the priest simultaneously performing the religious service.
Marriages are not permitted:
3. Converting to Orthodoxy
Persons wishing to become Orthodox of their own free volition, without any direct or indirect pressure from anyone, should firstly meet with a Priest of the Orthodox Church.
Conversion to the Orthodox Church from another Christian denomination, or from a non-Christian Faith or from a background of no religious practice is a very serious matter both for the Orthodox Church and for the person seeking to convert to Orthodoxy. It is, essentially, a lifetime mutual commitment.
Consequently, the matter should never be taken lightly. Changing one's faith is the most crucial choice in life. Converting to the Orthodox Faith is not a routine and mechanical procedure conducted like a 'production line'.
Therefore, the Priest will want to discuss the matter carefully to explore the reasons for Conversion with the non-Orthodox candidate and his/her Orthodox partner. He will also want to communicate the Church's love for the candidate and the couple.
Having spoken to the local Parish Priest, those seeking to become Orthodox may write to the Bishop stating clearly the reasons why they wish to convert to Orthodoxy.
In New South Wales, the details of the Bishop responsible for these matters are:
His Grace
Bishop Seraphim of Apollonia
242 Cleveland Street
Redfern N.S.W. 2016
When writing to the Bishop he should be addressed by the candidate as 'Your Grace' before commencing the letter of application.
The Bishop will then respond in writing, advising the candidate as to which Priest will be responsible for his or her preparation towards becoming Orthodox.
Conversion to the Orthodox Church entails a compulsory period of six months instruction in the Faith, including attendance at a 10-week series of talks on the Orthodox Church by both partners.
Non-Orthodox Christians wishing to enter the Orthodox Church are received by the Sacrament of Holy Chrismation (Confirmation by Anointing) if they have previously been baptised in the Name of the Holy Trinity and in a mainstream Christian denomination.
If they have not been baptised in a Christian denomination whose Baptism is accepted by the Orthodox Church, or if they are coming from a non-Christian background, then they must be baptised through complete immersion in water.
1. Baptism and Chrismation
Baptism is the sacrament through which one is received into the Church. Through baptism we receive the full forgiveness of sins, we put on Christ, becoming members of His Body, the Church. To remind them of their Baptism, Orthodox Christians usually wear throughout life a small Cross, hung round the neck on a chain during their Baptismal service. Immediately after Baptism, the Orthodox Christian is Chrismated (confirmed) with the Chrism by the priest. The Sponsor (or Godparent) of the baptised person must be an Orthodox Christian over the age of 12.
Non-Orthodox Christians wishing to enter the Orthodox Church are received by the Sacrament of Holy Chrism if they have previously been baptised in the Name of the Holy Trinity.
2. Weddings
The Sacrament of Holy Marriage between a man and a woman should be performed in the Orthodox Church according to the liturgical tradition, and blessed by a priest recognised as canonical by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. The procedure for intended weddings is as follows:
- There must be no impediment (regarding relationships) according to the Canons of the Church.
- The priest must be given notice of at least one month before the intended date of marriage.
- The parish priest will thereupon give directions as to the necessary documents, fees for the Archdiocese, as well as for the local Church.
Marriages with persons who belong to the Pentecostal Church, Baptist Church, Salvation Army, Christian Revival Crusades, Reborn Christians, Assembly of God, Church of Christ and other similar religious groups are prohibited.
A non-Orthodox Christian who marries an Orthodox Christian does not automatically become a member of the Orthodox Church, and is therefore not permitted to receive Holy Communion or other sacraments in the Orthodox Church.
In addition, Orthodox priests are not allowed to conduct wedding services with priests of other churches. The civil marriage cannot be conducted without the priest simultaneously performing the religious service.
Marriages are not permitted:
- from the 13th December until Christmas day.
- on the 5th January, the eve of Epiphany.
- from Great Lent until Easter Sunday.
- from 1st to 15th August, the Dormition of Theotokos.
- on the 29th August, the Beheading of John the Baptist.
- on the 14th September, Elevation of the Precious and Life giving Cross.
3. Converting to Orthodoxy
Persons wishing to become Orthodox of their own free volition, without any direct or indirect pressure from anyone, should firstly meet with a Priest of the Orthodox Church.
Conversion to the Orthodox Church from another Christian denomination, or from a non-Christian Faith or from a background of no religious practice is a very serious matter both for the Orthodox Church and for the person seeking to convert to Orthodoxy. It is, essentially, a lifetime mutual commitment.
Consequently, the matter should never be taken lightly. Changing one's faith is the most crucial choice in life. Converting to the Orthodox Faith is not a routine and mechanical procedure conducted like a 'production line'.
Therefore, the Priest will want to discuss the matter carefully to explore the reasons for Conversion with the non-Orthodox candidate and his/her Orthodox partner. He will also want to communicate the Church's love for the candidate and the couple.
Having spoken to the local Parish Priest, those seeking to become Orthodox may write to the Bishop stating clearly the reasons why they wish to convert to Orthodoxy.
In New South Wales, the details of the Bishop responsible for these matters are:
His Grace
Bishop Seraphim of Apollonia
242 Cleveland Street
Redfern N.S.W. 2016
When writing to the Bishop he should be addressed by the candidate as 'Your Grace' before commencing the letter of application.
The Bishop will then respond in writing, advising the candidate as to which Priest will be responsible for his or her preparation towards becoming Orthodox.
Conversion to the Orthodox Church entails a compulsory period of six months instruction in the Faith, including attendance at a 10-week series of talks on the Orthodox Church by both partners.
Non-Orthodox Christians wishing to enter the Orthodox Church are received by the Sacrament of Holy Chrismation (Confirmation by Anointing) if they have previously been baptised in the Name of the Holy Trinity and in a mainstream Christian denomination.
If they have not been baptised in a Christian denomination whose Baptism is accepted by the Orthodox Church, or if they are coming from a non-Christian background, then they must be baptised through complete immersion in water.