The Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)
78 writings in The Holy Mysteries (Sacraments). Clear
The Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)
Are there mortal and venial sins in Orthodoxy?
No. We don’t use those categories the way Roman Catholics do. That answer probably sounds too simple if you’re coming from a Catholic background. You’ve…
The Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)
What is absolution?
Absolution is what the priest pronounces over you after you’ve confessed your sins. He prays for God’s mercy on you and then, by the authority…
The Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)
Can the priest refuse absolution?
Yes, a priest can withhold absolution. But it’s not quite what you might think. In Orthodoxy, the priest doesn’t refuse absolution because he’s mad at…
The Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)
Is what I tell the priest confidential?
Yes. Absolutely. What you confess to a priest in the Mystery of Confession stays with him. He can’t tell anyone. Not your spouse, not your…
The Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)
What is the seal of Confession?
The seal of Confession is absolute. When you confess your sins to a priest in the Mystery of Confession, nothing you say can ever be…
The Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)
What is a spiritual father?
A spiritual father is a priest who guides you through the Christian life with regular confession, prayer, and personal counsel. He’s your doctor for the…
The Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)
How do I find a spiritual father?
Start with your parish priest. That’s the direct answer most converts don’t want to hear, because we’ve read about desert elders and Russian startsy and…
The Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)
What is Holy Matrimony?
Holy Matrimony is one of the seven Mysteries of the Church. When a man and woman marry in the Orthodox Church, something real happens, God…
The Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)
Can Orthodox marry non-Orthodox?
Yes, but with conditions. The Orthodox Church permits marriage between an Orthodox Christian and a baptized non-Orthodox Christian (Catholic, Protestant, etc.) through what’s called oikonomia…
The Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)
What is the Orthodox wedding ceremony like?
An Orthodox wedding is actually two services in one: the Betrothal and the Crowning. Together they make up the Mystery of Holy Matrimony, and they’re…
The Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)
What are the crowns in an Orthodox wedding?
The crowns are the central act of the Orthodox wedding ceremony. When the priest places them on the bride and groom’s heads, he’s making visible…
The Holy Mysteries (Sacraments)
Why do Orthodox couples walk around the table?
They’re beginning their eternal life together. That circular walk, called the Dance of Isaiah, happens right after the priest crowns the couple. It’s the first…
