Other Sacraments
Religious Studies A: AQA GCSE Religions, topic 2.3.5
Examples of Sacraments and Sacramental Signs
Many Churches believe that Jesus instituted the sacraments of baptism and the Eucharist, but the Catholic and Orthodox Churches believe that Christ also instituted five other sacraments:
Confirmation
- The sacrament of confirmation includes the sign of the laying on of hands by the bishop or priest, asking for the Holy Spirit to come upon the person.
- This sacrament gives the grace of God to strengthen a Christian’s commitment to God.
Reconciliation
- The sacrament of reconciliation includes the sign of the prayer of absolution, expressing God’s forgiveness.
- This sacrament is about the grace that comes from being forgiven, including a sense of inner peace
Matrimony
- The sacrament of matrimony includes the sign of the exchange of vows before God.
- This sacrament is about God’s grace to help the couple remain faithful to each other.
Holy orders
- The sacrament of holy orders includes the sign of anointing with holy oil, symbolising the priest being specially set apart to do God’s work.
- This sacrament is about the priest’s duty to be courageous in preaching the Gospel.
Anointing of the sick
- The sacrament of the anointing of the sick also involves anointing with holy oil, symbolising the strength needed to face illness and death.
- The sacrament is about the sick person’s courage to accept pain in union with Jesus.
Test yourself on Other Sacraments
Which sacrament includes the sign of the exchange of vows before God?
In Christianity, which sacrament is about a priest's duty to be courageous in preaching the gospel?