Preparing for the Sacraments
Sacraments disclose and reveal God to us, but also they serve to make us receptive to God. All the Sacraments affect our personal relationship to God and to one another. The Holy Spirit works through the Sacraments. He leads us to Christ who unites us with the Father. By participating in the Sacraments, we grow closer to God and to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit. This process of deification, or theosis, as it is known by Orthodoxy, takes place not in isolation from others, but within the context of a believing community. Although the Sacraments are addressed to each of us by name, they are experiences which involve the entire Church. Learn More [Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America]
This guide is here to help you plan and prepare for receiving one of the sacraments. It's imperative that these directions are followed promptly to ensure all the information is obtained and filed prior to the day of your sacrament. If all of the information is not obtained prior to the sacrament then it cannot be preformed. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please contact the church office or contact our parish priest.
Confession Marriage Baptism Chrismation Funeral Memorial
Member in Good Standing Church Services
For more information please refer to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America's official instructions HERE
Confession
As members of the Church, we have responsibilities to one another and, of course, to God. When we sin, or relationship to God and to others distorted. Sin is ultimately alienation from God, from our fellow human beings, and from our own true self which is created in God's image and likeness. Learn More [Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America]
To schedule a confession please contact our Church Office and one of our Parish's Priest will reach out to you.
Marriage
God is active in our lives. It is He who joins a man and a woman in a relationship of mutual love. The Sacrament of Marriage bears witness to His action. Through this Sacrament, a man and a woman are publicly joined as husband and wife. They enter into a new relationship with each other, God, and the Church. Since Marriage is not viewed as a legal contract, there are no vows in the Sacrament. According to Orthodox teachings, Marriage is not simply a social institution, it is an eternal vocation of the kingdom. A husband and a wife are called by the holy Spirit not only to live together but also to share their Christian life together so that each, with the aid of the other, may grow closer to God and become the persons they are meant to be. In the Orthodox Marriage Service, after the couple have been betrothed and exchanged rings, they are crowned with "crowns of glory and honor" signifying the establishment of a new family under God. Near the conclusion of the Service, the husband and wife drink from a common cup which is reminiscent of the wedding of Cana and which symbolized the sharing of the burdens and joys of their new life together. Learn More [Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America]
Here are the requirements for the bride and groom:
- The bride and groom must fill out the "Affidavit for License" to Marry found HERE and the "Supplementary Marriage Record Form", if you have been married previously, found HERE. All of these documents will be mailed to the Metropolis of Atlanta as soon as possible to obtain the "Episcopal License to Marry."
- The bride and groom must attend the "Orthodox Marriage Seminar" and provide a "Certificate of Completion". You can sign up for classes at HERE. This class must be completed 30-days prior to the wedding.
- The bride and groom must make an appointment with the priest performing the sacrament. To schedule an appointment please contact the church office HERE.
- The bride and groom must be baptized (in the Holy Spirit and with Water) and provide proof with a "Baptismal Certificate"
- Both the bride and groom should be members in good standing with our parish or provide a "Letter in Good Standing" from another parish.
- Sponsor must also be a member in good standing with our parish or provide a "Letter in Good Standing" from another parish.
- The couple must make an appointment with the County Clerk of Courts in the State of North Carolina to apply for a Marriage License.
Baptism
The Sacrament of Baptism incorporates us into the Church, the Body of Christ, and is our introduction to the life of the Holy Trinity. Water is a natural symbol of cleansing and newness of life. Through the three-fold immersion in the waters of Baptism in the Name of the Holy Trinity, one dies to the old ways of sin and is born to a new life in Christ. Baptism is one's public identification with Christ Death and victorious Resurrection. Following the custom of the early Church, Orthodoxy encourages the baptism of infants. The Church believes that the Sacrament is bearing witness to the action of God who chooses a child to be an important member of His people. From the day of their baptism, children are expected to mature in the life of the Spirit, through their family and the Church. The Baptism of adults is practiced when there was no previous baptism in the name of the Holy Trinity. Learn More [Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America]
Please regulate your time so that you, the Godparent(s) and your guest are in the Church Nave at least fifteen minutes before the Sacraments begin. Please instruct your guests that we maintain a spiritual decorum in our Church at all times regardless of whether service is being conducted or not.
Here are the requirements for an Infant & Adult Baptism:
- Fill out the "Infant Baptism Information Sheet" which can be found HERE.
- Parents and Godparents must be members in Good Standing in our Parish or provide a "Letter in Good Standing" from another Orthodox parish.
Here are the things you need for the baptism:
- A cross and chain
- A white full body robe that is not transparent
- For Adults: a large white bath towel and white sheet
For Infants: A white undershirt or onesie - Two white hand towels
- A small bottle of olive oil
- A bar of white soap
- Three white candles (medium size)
A new outfit of clothing, usually white, is worn after the Baptism and Chrismation. This is strictly up to the arrangements made with your chosen Godparent(s) and is a tradition that is optional.
Three Sacraments will be performed: Baptism, Chrismation and Holy Communion.
Baptism is our Pascha experience. We die as the Old Adam and are born anew as the New Adam, Jesus Christ. Our birthright and citizenship in the Kingdom of God are restored to us.
Chrismation is our Pentecost experience. We receive the in-pouring and in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit. We receive the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Holy Communion is given to us after Baptism and Chrismation. As full citizens in the Kingdom of God, we begin immediately to share God’s Blessings, one of which is to be mystically united with our Lord Jesus Christ through His Precious Body and Life-giving Blood.
Please make sure that both you and your Godparents(s) are in good standing both sacramentally and in stewardship before the day of the sacraments. If you or your Godparent(s) are from another Greek Orthodox Parish, a letter of good standing must be obtained from your parish priest and sent to Annunciation in advance.
For three consecutive Sundays thereafter, your Godparent(s) should accompany you to the sanctuary for Holy Communion. You should attend Church and receive Holy Communion as often as possible, especially on during the Lenten Periods and Major Feast Days of the Church. Regular attendance of services will help you and the Godparent(s) grow spiritually in the grace of Christ.
Chrismation
The Sacrament of Chrismation (Confirmation) immediately follows baptism and is never delayed until a later age. As the ministry of Christ was enlivened by the Spirit, and the preaching of the Apostles strengthened by the Spirit, so is the life of each Orthodox Christian sanctified by the Holy Spirit. Chrismation, which is often referred to as one's personal Pentecost, is the Sacrament which imparts the Spirit in a special way. Learn More [Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America]
Funerals
Memorials
What Does it Mean to be a Member in Good Standing?
- Must be eighteen years of age or older
- Must be baptized and/or chrismated according to the rites of the Orthodox Church with proof (baptism or chrismation certificate)
- Must participate regularly in the holy sacraments
- Must have paid their prior year stewardship in full
- Must be up to date in his or her current year's stewardship
If you are a member of another parish we will need proof from your parish priest that you have fulfilled all the requirements to be a member in good standing
*Note to external videographers: there is a XLR plugin in the choir loft that will give you sound directly out of the church's sound system.