"We have found the
true Faith, worshiping
the undivided Trinity,
Who has saved us!"

— Vespers hymn for the
Feast of Pentecost

. .Welcome / Sacraments

. .Scripture Reading for Special Occasions

The clergy and faithful rejoice when the sacraments of the Holy Orthodox Church are administered to its members and friends.

The Sacraments bring God’s presence into our lives as we:

• become members of His Church through Baptism and Chrismation.
• proclaim, through Communion (the Eucharist), Christ’s death, resurrection, and Second Coming.
• are forgiven by and reconciled with God and those around us through Penance (Confession).
• share His love through Marriage.
• dedicate our lives and our work to Him through Ordination.
• receive His healing grace through Holy Unction.

Information about the celebration of Sacraments within the church:

Weddings

Typically a period of instruction is conducted with the priest in advance of the marriage. Both members of the couple need to be Christian, and at least one member of the couple needs to be a member in good standing of an Orthodox parish community, and not be under the ban of any member of the clergy.

Weddings are prohibted on:

• On the eves of Wednesdays and Fridays throughout the year
• On the eves of Sundays throughout the year
• On the eves of the Twelve Great Feasts, patronal feasts of the church, and other great feasts
• In all of the fast periods (Great Lent, Apostles' Fast, Dormition Fast, and Nativity Fast)
• From the nativity of Christ (Dec 25) through the Synaxis of John the Baptist (Jan 7)
• During the course of Cheesefare Week (from the Sunday of Meatfare through the Sunday of Cheesefare)
• During the course of Bright Week
• On the Day and the Eve of the Beheading of John the Baptist (Aug 29) and the Elevation of the Cross (Sep 14)

Baptisms

A baptism typically takes place approximately 40 days after a baby's birth, so parents of newborns should being making arrangements with Father as soon as possible.

Father Martin is available for hospital visits on the day of birth, for the appropriate prayers to be read for the health and well-being of mother and child. It is also possible to have the naming prayers to be read on the eighth day over the new-born baby.

The baptismal service takes place in the church and is joyous occasion for the entire parish, as a newly enlisted warrior for Christ is brought into the community of believers. Baptisms usually are scheduled for Saturdays along with the rite of Christmation (Confirmation in the Orthodox Faith), and conclude with the reception of the Eucharist during the next scheduled Divine Liturgy.

Funerals

Funeral services are usually celebrated three days after the departure of the soul, on occasion in conjunction with a Divine Liturgy. On the evening before, a memorial service is typically celebrated before the body of the departed soul. Memorial services are also celebrated on the 40th day and annually to remember the departed and to pray for their soul and salvation, so that their memory may be eternal!

The death of a loved one is a sad moment for the family as well as the community of Orthodox Christians, as the beloved is no longer with us. Yet, the divine services of the Orthodox Church remind us of the joy and hope which is found in Christ Jesus, who is victorious over death, and leads us into His Eternal Kingdom and Life-everlasting.

For more information, please contact Father Martin Kraus, our rector.

Weddings
Ephesians 5:20-33
John 2:1-11

Baptisms
Romans 6:3-11
Matthew 28:16-20

Funerals
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
John 5:24-30

For Civil Holidays
1 Timothy 2:1-7
Luke 4:16-22

In Times of Strife
Ephesians 6:10-17
Mark 11:23-26

In Times of Drought
James 5:10-16
Matthew 16:1-6

In Times of Fear of Earthquake
Hebrews 12;6-13, 25-27
Matthew 8:23-27

For the Sick
James 5:10-16
Matthew 8:14-23
Mark 5;24-34
John 4:46-54

For Those Traveling by Land
Acts 8:26-39
John 14;1-14

For Those Traveling by Sea or Air
Acts 21:1-7
Mark 4:35-41

At the Beginning of Instruction
Ephesians 1:16-19; 3:19-21
Mark 10:13-16

At the Beginning of Every Good Work
Philippians 2;12-16
Matthew 7:7-11