THE SEVEN SACRAMENTS—Symbols of Our Faith
What is a Sacrament? Saint Paul provides us our first definition of sacraments. In the Latin Bible, "sacramentum" is used to translate the Armenian word KHORHOOT, which in English means mystery. Mystery is the word Saint Paul used as he referred to God’s plan of always wanting to save, renew, and unite all things to Christ. Saint Paul also teaches us that it is through Christ Our Savior that the sacraments are most perfectly revealed. Jesus is mysteriously present in these seven sacramental blessings and is Himself the officiant through the person of the priest.

One way to understand the meaning of the word sacrament is to look at it as a way of living our lives in the eyes of God. Even in our daily lives, the things we do and say in a sense are a sacrament. As we awake daily, wash ourselves and nourish our bodies we develop a certain plan, routine, or habit. The sacraments of the Church are precisely this: they are the sacred symbols of a Divine plan for humanity that one must follow to attain salvation in God’s Heavenly Kingdom. They are His way of living a life inspired and sanctified by God’s presence through Jesus Christ.

The seven Sacraments are Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Communion, Confession, Marriage, Holy Orders, and Anointing of the Sick and the Departed.

Armenian Christians perceive that the sacraments are outward signs instituted by Christ to give Grace. The following provides a brief summary of the seven sacraments and their relationship to key moments in our lives as well as the particular values of Jesus they celebrate.

SACRAMENT LIFE EVENT VALUES OF JESUS

Baptism
(m’grdootiun)

 Birth The offering of oneself to God or the presentation of the child by the godparent and accepting his message of salvation.
Confirmation
(g'noonk)		 Development & growth To be a committed Christian, living a life of service to the Lord and continually reaffirming this life by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Communion
(soorp badarak) 		Experiencing daily life together by sharing and partaking of abundant fruits of the earth By the strength of the Holy Spirit we become united and bound together by the body and blood of our Lord to live a life of love.
Confession
(khosdovanootiun)		 The wayward life of Sin and Guilt. Forgiveness through repentance and re-instatement with the Christian community.
Marriage
(soorp b'sag)		 Two become one in heart, soul and mind.A kingdom is established and a family begins. Ministry of love to spouse and children.
Holy Orders
(tsernatrootiun
yev odzoom) 		Service and Vocation. God’s love comes to his people through his specially chosen servants.
Anointing of the sick and the Departed
(verchin odzoom)		 Overcome by disease and ill health, a person approaches death Healing of the spirit, soul and body. The grace of courage to endure.

Christ instituted the Sacraments and He becomes the true celebrant of each. We as Armenians make them part of our lives.

 

Extract from THE SACRAMENTS - by The Reverend Garabed Kochakian

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