HOLY SACRAMENTS OVERVIEW

      The whole liturgical life of the Church revolves around the Eucharistic sacrifice and the sacraments. There are seven sacraments in the Church: Baptism, Confirmation or Chrismation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing of the Sick, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.

      The Holy (Sacramental) Mysteries of the Church are physical signs that confer and reveal an invisible reality. It is through the Holy Mysteries that one participates in the life of Christ. Here is what the Catechism of the Ukrainian Catholic Church says about the Holy (Sacramental) Mysteries:

      "The saving and sanctifying action of the church is accomplished in seven Holy Mysteries…through these sacred actions of the Church, Christ grants the grace of the Holy Spirit. Through these Mysteries the Church sanctifies the faithful on their journey to the fullness of life in Christ. Through visible signs (e.g., water, chrism, bread and wine, the laying on of hands), Christ builds up his Church in the Holy Mysteries. In the liturgical actions of the Mysteries, it is God’s grace that acts, and believers enter into God’s life. By participating in the visible form of a Mystery - that is, through the liturgical action - we become partakers of God’s salvific action of grace”.

      The sacraments bring us into the life of the Church (the sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Chrismation and Holy Eucharist), sustain us (Eucharist, Reconciliation or Confession and Anointing of Oil), and sanctify reflect our vocation (marriage and holy orders, or Cheirotonia).

      Not all services offered by the Church are sacramental, but often they are offered in conjunction with sacraments. For example, the Order of Burial is not “sacramental”; however, families of the deceased often include celebration of (Eucharistic) liturgy as part of the funeral services.

      Here you are the preach of His Beatitude Patriarch Sviatoslav Shevchuk about meaning of the Holy Sacraments (video in the Ukrainian language):

      Some sacramental services require special worship. Therefore, goodwill offerings to support the clergy’s efforts in conducting this Divine Liturgy are welcome. You can find detailed information about the various sacraments on this webpage. For additional information, please contact the Parish Office.