Abstract

The Orthodox tradition accents the need for the sacramental life in the life of every member of the Church. The sacramental life is possible only in the Church, which is the mystical Body of Christ and human and divine organism, that is the life of life of God in man and man in God. The Church is a mystery which can be known by faith and participation in its life. Father Sergei Bulgakov stated, “come and see”, because one comes to know what the Church is by the experience of faith. Making the gifts of redemption one’s own is accomplished in the Christ’s Church. By administering the sacraments, and in particular, the Holy Eucharist, the Church becomes the place in which man is transformed. St. Cyril of Jerusalem states that participants in the Holy Eucharist are united with the Body and Blood of Christ. St. Nicholas Cabasilas claims that the Eucharist is a point of cumulation and that it is not possible to go beyond this point or to imagine anything more holy. We can only learn how to preserve this Treasure after receiving the Eucharist. In order to become a participant in the Holy Mysteries, one must properly prepare oneself by being born “of water and Spirit” and “entering into the Church.” In the first centuries of Christianity, mainly adults became members of the church in baptism after personally accepting the truth of the faith. The sacrament of “entering into the Church” was proceeded by the catechumenate process. Catechumens were gradually led into the life of the Church by means of special rites, such as exorcisms, participation in prayers and instruction in the spirit of the Holy Scriptures. This was a very intensive period of preparation to experience the mystery of Christ’s Resurrection. This preparation also was connected with the Holy Liturgy. Preparation in the Orthodox tradition has deep significance. It is an inseparable element of every service and every activity of the Church. The task of preparation is to incorporate members in such a way that their whole lives are transformed and are led to the fullness of the Kingdom of God. The task of the Church is to prepare us to experience a foretaste of the Kingdom of God in this life by the act of salvation accomplished by Jesus Christ. The Orthodox Church cares for each of its members while realizing its mission of salvation beginning with the first day of life. In the rite of the first day, the Church asks for God’s blessing for the mother and child and that the first day of his life would be the beginning of salvation. In the rite of the eighth day, the prayers are focused on the child. Here, the Church prays for the seal of the light of God on the newborn and protection against the forces of evil by the power of the Cross of Christ. Naming the child accents the child’s individuality and uniqueness. Next follows the act of the catechumenate, in which the rite of casting out of evil spirits (exorcism) takes place. This is not a relic of the past as some would like to think. The Church, having awareness and experience which confirms the activity of the dark powers of evil, which desire to harm humankind, emphasizes the essence and necessity of this ritual. In it, one renounces Satan, cuts himself off from evil and casts it out in the Name of God. After these acts, the candidate is baptized. In the Name of the Holy Trinity, the catechumen is baptized by immersion three times. The font symbolizes the tomb and rising from the baptismal waters, the Resurrection. In the baptismal waters, one dies to sin and rises the new life. Clothed in Christ immediately after baptism, one experiences a “personal Pentecost” in the Sacrament of Chrismation when “sealed with the Holy Spirit”. Next, in accordance with the practice of the Church of the first centuries, one receives the Holy Eucharist, which is the fulfillment of the process. “Entering the Church” is above all new life, but not just a better life, more moral or devout, but an ontologically new life in comparison with the former. This is the new life that St. Paul describes as “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him’ (Romans 6:8).