Christian Sacraments

C HRISTIAN S ACRAMENTS Sacraments are religious milestones in a Christian’s life. The Roman Catholic Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church both have seven sacraments. Baptism, Confirmation, Communion, Confession and Reconciliation, Ordination, Matrimony, and Annointing of the Sick Most Protestant Churches acknowledge two sacraments: baptism and communion.

C ATHOLIC S ACRAMENTS

B APTISM Cleanses the soul/symbol of cleansing the soul Initiation into the Church (often goes along with church membership Many different ways depending on the denomination. Sprinkle Pour Immersion

B APTISM Infant baptism God cleanses of original sin Parents make the choice for the baby Adult baptism Adult chooses to be baptized as a symbol of their own choice to be a Christian

H OLY C OMMUNION A ritual meal of bread and wine remembering the Last Supper of Christ

A LSO CALLED H OLY C OMMUNION, T HE E UCHARIST, T HE L ORD ’ S S UPPER, T HE L ORD ’ S T ABLE Transubstantiation – the belief that the bread and wine undergo a change in substance, though not in physical appearance or chemical composition (Catholic). They actually become the body and blood of Christ. Protestants believe the wine and bread is a symbol of Christ’s body and blood, a sacrifice for sins. This is an act of “communion” with God and with other Christians.

M ARRIAGE Celebration of love, and fulfillment of Covenant with God (“Go forth and multiply”) "'...So they are no longer two, but one. Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate.“ Matthew 19.6 Priest/pastor works on both religious and civil levels

F UNERALS 2 reasons: Guide the deceased to heaven, and to console the friends and family Different sects accept different ceremonies (burial, cremation, burial at sea). Cremation is accepted in Protestant churches and in Roman Catholicism (as of Vatican 2) but is still banned by Eastern Orthodox churches. Rites can be performed in church, funeral chapel, or at grave.