The Seven Sacraments
Part Four
The Sacraments of Ordination (Priesthood) and Holy Matrimony
Dear Children of God! how are you? How are you spending the season of summer and your break time? hope you are using it wisely and properly by learning spiritual courses and reading holy scriptures with your siblings at home as well as church. It is always important to remember to use your leisure (free) time correctly so that you could be fruitful for the coming year and near future.
Children, the lessons we present to you is correlated with the teachings of patristic (religious church) fathers at church. So, follow us attentively. If you remember last time we have seen about “The Sacrament of Penance and Unction of the Sick.” Now we will see about “The Sacraments of Ordination (Priesthood) and Matrimony.” So be with us!
Sacrament of Ordination (Priesthood)
Little children, first we need to see the meaning of the words ‘ordination’ and ‘priest’ to understand the mystery of sacrament. The term ‘priest’ is given for a servile who spiritually serves people and their needs.” The priest is a member of the priesthood who performs religious rites. The word ‘priest’ is derived from the Hebrew word ‘Kohen’, meaning priest.
The word ogHb (Ooab) in Coptic (Egypt), meaning ‘priest’, is derived from the Coptic word eqogab (ethoab), meaning saintly or righteous. Hence ‘Ooab’ is given to the priest to signify that he is a righteous man, adorned by holiness and purity.”
In Greek, the priesthood is called IeraTIoN (Eration), and the word for priest is eregV (Ereis), meaning minister (of the Sacraments and the congregation) Children, it is also known in Greek as the “Laying on of hands”, in Syrian as “Ordination”, and in Arabic as “Anointment”, signifying the granting of the seal of the Holy Spirit on the consecrated (blessed, chosen or ointed /appointed/ person.”
Then, “the Sacrament of Priesthood is a holy sacrament through which the bishop lays his hands on the head of the elected candidate, so that the Holy Spirit will descend on him and grant him one of the priestly ranks. He is then given the authority to officiate the Sacraments of the church, doctrines, and others. The word ‘priest’ is derived from the Hebrew word ‘Kohen’, meaning priest, and is designated to members of the clergy.”
This sacrament is first instituted by the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on His Choosing His twelve disciples among many of His followers, and called them Apostles. Fist Lord Jesus went out to the mountain to pray. It is written in the gospel of Luke as “Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles: (Luke 6: 12-13)
Onwards, Lord sent the apostles for the preaching (teaching) of the gospel saying, “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 10:7) He then said to them, “I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain” (John 15:16). Lord Jesus authorized them saying, “Assuredly I say to you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” (Matthew 18:18)
After He bare all the pain, crucified and rise from the dead on the third day, on His resurrection, the Lord, “Breathed on them and said to them: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them. If you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” (John 2:23) and also He said to them only, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.” (Matthew: 28:19-20). He also gave the mystery of His Holy Body and Blood only to them saying, “Do this in remembrance of Me.” (Luke 22:19)
Sacrament of Holy Matrimony
The second sacrament we are going to see is “The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony.” But first we will see the meaning of the word “matrimony” which means “the state of being married; marriage.” Now, let us define what the sacrament of Holy Matrimony. “It is a holy sacrament, officiated (celebrated) by a priest, of uniting a man to a woman.” It is with this holy sacrament, the man and woman become one. Lord Jesus Christ said, “For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife and the two shall become one flesh. So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore, what God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Matthew 19:5- 6).
Lord Jesus is who blessed the Sacrament of Matrimony. He attended the wedding of Cana of Galilee and performed a miracle changing the water to wine with the intercession of our Holy Mother Saint Mary. The Holy Bible states it as; “He manifested His glory and His disciples believed in Him.” (John 2: 1-11)
Saint Paul says, “This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the Churches. (Ephesians 5:32). These words of the apostle signify the union between a man and his wife, which is a sign and symbol of a greater spiritual matter, that is, of the unity of heart and soul, resembling the unity of Christ and the Church.
Holy Church performs the sacrament of where the bride and groom wear white clothes. Then the prayer for the Holy Matrimony is done for them. soon after, they wear religious robe and be crowned; and wedding ring; take part of the Eucharist (Holy Communion). Psalm are sung for their honor and God is praised as well.
Farewell children, we have seen some part of the “The Seven Sacraments of the Church.” As is it wide and deep mystery, you have to learn further when you grow up especially at church. Hope you have grasp some knowledge from what we have taught you and use it in your spiritual life.
May God be with you, Amen!
Source: Coptic Orthodox Church