Baptism is the sacrament whereby we are born again, and become members of Christ's Church. At baptism, a person is given a name, and thereby, a patron saint, and a guardian angel. Parents, please make sure you have chosen an Orthodox Christian name; if you are unsure, check with Fr. Serge.

What do parents need to bring to the baptism of their child?

O исповеди

The sacrament of confession is one of the most important in the Church. We must remember that we confess to God, not to the priest; the priest stands as witness. This is why we face the Holy Gospel and Cross as we confess. As St. Innocent, Metropolitan of Moscow, put it:

"What is Confession? Confession is the oral avowal of one's sins which lie heavy upon the conscience. Repentance cleanses the soul and makes it ready to receive the Holy Spirit, but confession, so to speak, only empties the soul of sins... It is necessary to reveal your sins properly and without any concealment. Some say, "For what reason should I reveal my sins to Him Who knows all of our secrets?" Certainly God knows all of our sins, but the Church, which has the power from God to forgive and absolve sins, cannot know them, and for this reason She cannot, without confession, pronounce Her absolution. Finally, it is necessary to set forth a firm intention to live prudently in the future. If you want to be in the kingdom of heaven, if you want God to forgive your sins - then stop sinning! Only on this condition does the Church absolve the penitent of his sins. And he who does not think at all about correcting himself confesses in vain, labors in vain, for even if the priest says, "I forgive and absolve," the Holy Spirit does not forgive and absolve him!"

It is necessary to give adequate time before coming to church to reflect on what we have done wrong. If it is easier, it is entirely permissible, even encouraged, to write down our sins on a slip of paper. There are various examinations of conscience available, to help us remember, as well.

The best time to come to confession is after the All Night Vigil, or, before the Hours are read, preferably about 9:00 AM. The time to confess is not right before Communion! It is a serious matter which deserves proper time and attention, not something to rush through, so one can get a blessing to receive Holy Communion. Please make sure Fr. Serge knows beforehand; if you need to to schedule a confession sometime during the week, please call him.

When we approach, we cross ourselves and bow twice, then venerate the Gospel and Cross. After we have confessed, and Father has given us advice, he will read the prayer to release our sins. Then, we cross ourselves again, venerate the Gospel and Cross again, and ask for a blessing.

Православные христиане серьёзно и внимательно должны подготовиться к таинствам Исповеди и Святого Причащения. Вот хорошая статья о Таинстве Причащения.

Также:
"Желающий причаститься должен достойно подготовиться к этому святому таинству. Приготовление это (в церковной практике оно называется говением)продолжатся несколько дней и касается как телесной, так и духовной жизни человека. Телу предписывается воздержание, т.е. телесная чистота (воздержание от супружеских отношений) и ограничение в пищи (пост). В дни поста исключается пища животного происхождения - мясо, молоко, яйца и, при строгом посте, рыба. Хлеб, овощи, фрукты употребляются в умеренном количестве. Ум не должен рассеиваться по мелочам житейским и развлекаться."

Все готовящиеся к принятию Святых Тайн должны быть на службе накануне вечером и прочитать Последование ко Святому Причащению, которое также находится почти в каждом молитвослове. Исповедоваться также желательно вечером до или после службы или утром до.

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As Orthodox Christians, we ought to partake of Holy Communion at least several times a year, ideally during the four fast periods, as well as major holidays such as Pascha and the Nativity of Our Lord.

In preparing to partake of the Body and Blood of Christ, we must: attend the service at church the evening before, take absolutely no food or drink from midnight on (the only exception is a bit of water in order to take a pill, if you have a serious medical condition), read the "Pre-Communion Prayers" which can be found in our prayerbooks, keep in mind what a holy and awesome thing it is we are about to do.

When the priest or deacon brings out the chalice, we should be waiting attentively at the front of the church, with our arms folded on our chest crosswise. When we approach the chalice, we should open our mouth wide and close it when the priest puts the spoon with the Holy Communion into our mouths. Do not leave it open. Carefully swallow as the deacon wipes your lips, and then calmly kiss the base of the chalice. It is not necessary to cross ourselves, because we could accidentally bump the chalice. Process back down the left side of the steps, to the small table with the bread and wine, which in consuming is meant to rinse away any particles of the Eucharist in our mouth. When the liturgy is over, do not get into line for the cross, but instead listen to the "Post-Communion Prayers" being read until the end. When they are finished, the priest will bring the cross back out for you to kiss.

On the day we recieve Holy Communion, we should try to keep the remainder of the day holy, withour overeating, overdrinking, spitting, smoking, or chewing gum.

Theophany is a time when we bless everything with Holy Water. The priest consecrates this water in church, just as the water of the Jordan River was consecrated when Christ was baptized in it. This Holy Water, especially on Theophany, is a great blessing to us, and is considered a sacrament by the Holy Church.

When the priest comes to our home to bless it, how should we prepare?

The family should all be present before the priest arrives. The priest will pray for the family and with the family, but not instead of the family! All rooms will be blessed except for the bathrooms. They should be neat and clean - after all, you are inviting God into your home! Make sure a light is on in all rooms, and the door is open. All radios, TVs, video games, etc. should be turned off.

In a prominent area of the home (which should be the family icon corner), a small table should be set up, and set up at follows:

• A list of the first names of the family members should be provided, so the priest can commemorate them in the moleben.
  
• A candle should be burning on the table.
• A wide bowl with Holy Water should also on the table. The priest will bring the kropilo (the brush used to sprinkle the Holy Water), and may also bring Holy Water with him, but it is important to not make too many assumptions!
• If the family has a favorite Icon, it should be placed on the table, preferably standing up.
  

When the priest arrives the whole family should gather together with him, and sing the proper responses and sing with him the Theophany Tropar. When the time come for the house to be blessed with the water, someone in the family should lead the priest with the bowl of Holy Water throughout the house, and the rest of the family should follow, singing the Troparion.