SACRAMENTAL RITES

IN THE COPTIC ORTHODOX

CHURCH

2nd Edition

His Grace Bishop Mettaous

Abbot Of El-SYRIAN Monastery

2
 CONTENTS

Foreword, by His Grace Bishop Moussa

Introduction, by His Grace Bishop Mettaous

Part One
x Sacrament of Baptism

Part Two
x Sacrament of Confirmation

Part Three
x Sacrament of Repentance & Confession

Part Four
x Sacrament of Holy Eucharist

Part Five
x Sacrament of Unction of the Sick

Part Six
x Sacrament of Holy Matrimony

Part Seven
x Sacrament of Priesthood

5
 Foreword

I am delighted to have the blessing of presenting this

important ritual encyclopedia to the beloved Coptic readers.

His Grace the great Bishop Mettaous is one of the

prominent scholars of Ritual Theology in our contemporary
era, and all his writings are useful, necessary references, as
they include a scientific spirit, an elaborate research and
spiritual gratification. The church meant the rite to be a
living expression of enlightened thinking and a spirit
sparkling by divine love.

The “Sacramental Rites” encyclopedia is an urgent need for

our Coptic Orthodox Library, as there are no elaborate
references now, about this enlivening topic. So here comes
this encyclopedia, a gratification for the church’s children
and an enrichment to the Coptic Library, at the right time,
led by the Holy Spirit of God.

I do not need to elaborate about the gratifying, attractive

style of His Grace Bishop Mettaous who satisfied us in his
books, such as “Spirituality of the Rites of the Holy
Liturgy” and “The Eminence of Monasticism” as well as
many other spiritual, theological and ritual topics.

We perceive a blessed, educational revival in the era of His

Holiness Pope Shenouda III, by books, cassettes and video
films, shared by many bishops, priests, monks, servants, led
by His Holiness, his direct shepherdhood and unique
example.

May the Lord bless these efforts and gratify us with more
writings by His Grace Bishop Mettaous, by the prayers of

6
his Holiness Pope Shenouda III. May the grace of the Lord
bless us.

Bishop Moussa
General Bishop

7
 =
In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
one God Amen.

Introduction To The First Edition

The seven Sacraments of the Church are the channels by

which we receive the graces and blessings of the Holy
Spirit.

The Holy Spirit has existed in the church since the day of
Pentecost, when He dwelt in it according to the Lord’s
promise: “I will pray to the Father, and He will give you
another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever,
even the Spirit of Truth when the world cannot receive,
because it neither sees Him nor knows Him, but you know
Him for He dwells with you, and will be in you” (John
14:16,17).

The Holy Spirit works in the church through the

Sacraments, giving us His gifts, blessings and comfort, and
teaches us and guides us to the way of truth. “But the
Comforter, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in
My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your
remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26).

8
The Seven Sacraments of the Church are:

1- Sacrament of Baptism.
2- Sacrament of Confirmation
3- Sacrament of Confession
4- Sacrament of Eucharist
5- Sacrament of Unction of Sick
6- Sacrament of Matrimony
7- Sacrament of Priesthood.

The Lord Christ instituted all these Sacraments, and the

Holy Bible mentions them in detail.

1- Sacrament of Baptism

Instituted by the Lord Jesus by His Baptism in the

River Jordan and by His words to Nicodemus
saying: “Most assuredly I say to you, unless one is
born again he cannot see the kingdom of God...
Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of
water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom
of God” (John 3), and by saying to our fathers the
Apostles, “Go therefore and make disciples of all
nations, baptising them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew
28:19).

2- Sacrament of Confirmation

Instituted by Lord Jesus when He said: “If anyone

thirsts let him come to Me and drink. He who
believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his
heart will flow rivers of living water”. But this He

9
 spoke concerning the Spirit whom those believing
in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not
yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified”
(John 7:37-39). About the Sacrament of
Confirmation, in the Book of Acts it is mentioned :
“Now when the Apostles who were at Jerusalem
heard that Samaria had received the Word of God,
they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they
had come down, prayed for them that they might
receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen
upon none of them. They had only been baptised
in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid
hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit”
(Acts 8:14-17).

The Holy Spirit was received by the laying of hands,

but when the number of believers increased, the
Apostles were unable to keep track of each
individual to lay upon them their hands in order to
receive the Holy Spirit. So they made the Myron out
of certain oils mixed with spices; the same spices
which were brought to the tomb to embalm the
shrouded Christ. It was approved for the dwelling of
the Holy Spirit, and allowed the priests to anoint the
newly baptised by the Myron to receive the gift of
the Holy Spirit, to dwell in them, in order to become
temples of the Holy Spirit.

3- Sacrament Of Repentance

Instituted by the Lord Jesus when He said to His

pure disciples: “Assuredly I say to you, whatever
you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and
whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in

10
 heaven” (Matthew: 18:18), and after Resurrection
He said, “As the Father has sent me, I also send
you and when He had said this, He breathed on
them, and said to them “Receive the Holy Spirit. If
you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them,
if you retain the sins of any, they are retained”
(John 20: 21-22).

4- Sacrament Of The Eucharist (Thanksgiving)

Instituted by the Lord Jesus in the upper room in

Zion, on the night of His passion when He took
bread, blessed it and broke it, and gave it to His
disciples saying, “Take eat, this is My Body. Then
He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He
gave it to them, and they all drank from it and He
said to them “This is My Blood of the new covenant
which is shed for many” (Mark 14: 22-24).

5- Sacrament Of The Unction Of The Sick

Instituted by the Lord Jesus when He said to His

disciples, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers”
(Matthew 10:8), and, “Whatever city you enter …
heal the sick who are there” (Luke 10:8). The
Apostles then put the Lord’s words into practice :
“They anointed with oil many who were sick and
healed them” (Mark 6:13). Our teacher St. James
the Apostle advised believers to practice it, by
saying, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call
for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over
him, anointing him with oil in the name of the
Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick,
and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has

11
 committed sins, he will be forgiven” (James 5:14-
15).

6- Sacrament of The Holy Matrimony

Instituted by the Lord Jesus who blessed the

Sacrament of Matrimony by attending the wedding
of Cana of Galilee, where, “He manifested His
glory and His disciples believed in Him” (John 2:
1-11). Also, teacher St. Paul says, “This is a great
mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the
Churches” (Ephesians 5:32). This means that the
physical union between a man and his wife is a sign
and symbol of a greater spiritual matter, that is, of
the unity of heart and soul, resembling the unity of
Christ and the Church.

7- Sacrament of Priesthood

Instituted by the Lord Jesus when He chose His

twelve disciples among many of His followers, and
called them Apostles. The selection was
accomplished after a whole night of prayer, when the
Lord Jesus went out to the mountain to pray (Luke 6:
12-13), and then sent them to preach saying, “The
Kingdom of Heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:7).
The Lord said to them, “I chose you and appointed
you that you should go and bear fruit, and that
your fruit should remain” (John 15:16). He gave
them the authority saying, “Assuredly I say to you,
whatever you bind on earth will be bound in
heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be
loosed in heaven” (Matthew 18:18). After the
resurrection, the Lord, “Breathed on them and said

12
 to them: “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive
the sins of any, they are forgiven them. If you
retain the sins of any, they are retained” (John
2:23), and to them only, He said, “Go therefore and
make disciples of all the nations, baptising them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that
I have commanded you” (Matthew: 28:19-20). He
gave the mystery of His Holy Body and Blood only
to them saying, “Do this in remembrance of Me”
(Luke 22:19).

Definition of a Church Sacrament

The Church Sacrament is an invisible grace we receive by

practicing a visible rite, and a visible sign or substance
performed by a priest.

1- In the Baptism the substance is water by which we

receive the second birth from Water and Spirit.

2- In the Confirmation the substance is the oil of

Myron, by which the Holy Spirit dwells in us.

3- The sign of the Sacrament of Confession is the

confessing person, who accepts the prayer of
absolution at the end of Confession to gain
forgiveness of sins.

4- The substance of the Sacrament of Communion is

the bread and wine, by which we eat the Holy Body
and Precious Blood of Emmanuel our God.

13
5- The substance of the Sacrament of Unction of sick is
oil, by which we receive physical and psychological
remedy.

6- The sign of the Sacrament of Matrimony is the bride

and groom who receive the prayers, so the Holy
Spirit dwells upon them and unites them in body and
spirit.

7- The sign of the Sacrament of Priesthood is the

ordained person, who accepts the prayers of the
Sacrament of Priesthood and the laying of hands for
a certain priestly rank, to gain the grace for starting
church services - whether Sacraments or authority
for various church matters and management.

Redemptive and Non-Redemptive Sacraments

There are four redemptive Sacraments out of the Seven

Sacraments. They are necessary for eternal salvation, and
every believer should practice them in order to gain eternal
salvation. These are :

1- Baptism 2- Confirmation
3- Confession 4- Communion

The other three Sacraments are non-redemptive and

unnecessary for eternal salvation.

14
5- Sacrament of Unction of the Sick
Given for the remedy of those who are physically or
psychologically unwell only.

6- Sacrament of Matrimony
For those who want to marry for the purpose of
sharing lives and bearing children. However, there
are many monks and nuns, and those who live
celibate lives who gain eternal life with merit.

7- Sacrament of Priesthood
Reserved only for those who are ordained as a
deacon, priest or bishop. However, the majority of
the Congregation have no priestly ranks, but are
called for redemption and eternal life.

Physical Medicine and Spiritual Medicine:

Physical medicine has three classes of medicine:-

x Preventive Medicine: like vaccination given to children

against smallpox, paralysis and others, to protect them
against these diseases.

x Curative Medicine: prescribed for a person after having

had the doctor diagnose the reason for illness.

x Supplementary Medicine: various vitamins, prescribed

by the doctor to strengthen the human body, giving
energy and immunity against a disease once more.

The same applies to the soul in that resembles the body; it is

15
prone to spiritual diseases like sin, satanic warfare’s and
others.

Our great physician, the Lord Jesus made the church our
spiritual hospital, and the priest as its spiritual physician, as
St. John Chrysostom once said, “Are you a sinner? Go to
the Church which is a hospital not a court”. In the church
you will find the spiritual physician who is the priest. Tell
him your sins, as he accurately examines everything and
prescribes the appropriate cure.

The spiritual medicines are the Seven Sacraments of the

Church, which are preventive, curative and supplementary.

x PREVENTIVE

= Sacrament of Myron: by which the Holy Spirit dwells to

fortify against sin and evil, helps to overcome sin
and provides victory in spiritual struggle.

= Sacrament of Matrimony: protects the couple from

falling into the sin of adultery.

x CURATIVE

= Sacrament of Baptism: provides the cure from the

original sin for children, and from the committed sins of
those older.

= Sacrament of Confession and Repentance: for those who

repent and confess, this sacrament provides the cure and
forgiveness of their sins.

16
= Sacrament of Unction of the Sick: provides cure for those
who are physically and psychologically ill, caused by sin.

x SUPPLEMENTARY

= Sacrament of Communion:- after receiving the Holy

Body and precious Blood of the Lord Jesus, we gain
power to help us in overcoming the evil one.

= Sacrament of Priesthood:- Priesthood gives the priest

grace and power in his struggle as he strives to be our
example in attitude, and not be a stumbling block, but
rather to keep himself pure from sin, and accept the great
rank of priesthood in reverence. He should remember
what our teacher St. Paul said: “We have become a
spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men” (1
Cornithians 4:9).

An Unperishable Feature

Certain Church Sacraments are performed with an

unperishable feature, so must not be repeated again at any
time.

= By Baptism we are made children of God our Father,

and this is unperishable.

= By Chrism we are made soldiers of our great King,

and this is unperishable.

= By Priesthood we are made servants and priests of

the great High Priest, and this is unperishable.

17
But the rest of the Sacraments are performed repeatedly as
needed.

Conditions To Accomplish The Seven Sacraments

For every Sacrament of the seven, there are three essential

and necessary conditions in order to administer them :

= An adequate substance for the Sacrament like water

for Baptism, bread and wine for the Sacrament of
Communion, oil for the Unction of the Sick, and so
on.

= An ordained priest by the laying on of the apostolic

hand.

= Invocation of the Holy Spirit by the priest, by

praying certain prayers for the dwelling of the Holy
Spirit and sanctification of the Sacrament.

That is why the Sacraments must be administered in a

correct official way according to the order given by God, as
our Good Saviour instituted and organised them, placing the
adequate substance and specific prayers for every
Sacrament, placed by the fathers guided by the Holy Spirit.
The Sacrament is not true and effective for the believers
unless it is administered correctly according to God’s will,
and the placement of the fathers guided by the Holy Spirit,
and handed over by the Church and Holy Councils.

These pages, dear reader, are a detailed study in the rituals

and prayers of the Seven Church Sacraments in our Coptic

18
Orthodox Church, according to the original situation as
placed by our fathers the saints, and it is a humble trial to
explain these rites and prayers, clarifying the wisdom of
their organisation, and also a trial to manifest the spirituality
of these rituals and specific prayers of the Seven
Sacraments.

We pray to God to make it a success and a blessing for

every person studying these rites and every reader of this
book, through the intercessions of our pure mother St. Mary
and the prayers of our blessed father Pope Shenouda the III,
Amen.

Bishop Mettaous
Bishop and Abbot of El-Syrian Monastery

19
 =

In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
one God Amen.

Introduction To The Second Edition

The First Edition of this book was published in 1991, in two

parts, by the Bishopric of Youth in Egypt. As stock ran out,
it was requested that this book be republished.

Now we present it to you, dear reader, in a new edition, as

we collected the two parts in one edition to facilitate its
acquirement.

We hope the book satisfies you in its new edition, and may
you help us by your prayers so the book becomes a blessing
and benefit for whoever reads it.

Through the intercessions of our mother St. Mary and all the
saints, and the prayers of our blessed father Pope Shenouda
III and his partner in the Apostolic service, our honoured
father His Grace Bishop Moussa, the General Bishop of
Youth Affairs. May the grace of the Lord blesses us, Amen.

Bishop Mettaous
Bishop of El-Syrian Monastery
only takes place once.

20