The Seven Sacraments

The Tigray Orthodox Tewahedo Church teaches that the seven sacraments, also called mysteries, are essential channels through which the faithful receive the invisible grace of the Holy Spirit. Each sacrament has a biblical foundation and a specific role in the spiritual life of believers.

This sequence reflects a meaningful progression: beginning with what the Church believes (the Creed), moving to how those beliefs are authoritatively interpreted (the Dogma (The Five Pillars of Mystery)), and culminating in how believers actively engage with those truths (the Sacraments).

Click on each Sacrament below to learn more.

  • Purpose: Entry into the Kingdom of God and rebirth through water and the Spirit.

    Biblical Basis: John 3:5, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 2:8.

    Practice: Children are baptized—boys on the 40th day, girls on the 80th day after birth—symbolizing the Old Testament purification laws. Baptism is performed by immersion or sprinkling, always in the name of the Holy Trinity. After baptism, a cord (Mateb) is placed around the neck as a sign of Christian identity.

    Significance: Cleanses sin, grants new spiritual life, and is performed only once.

  • Purpose: Bestowal of the Holy Spirit upon the baptized.

    Biblical Basis: Acts 8:14-17, Acts 19:5-6.

    Practice: Immediately after baptism, the believer is anointed with holy oil (Myron). Originally, the Holy Spirit was given by the laying on of hands, but as the Church grew, anointing with oil became the norm.

    Significance: Grants spiritual strength and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Like baptism, it is performed only once.

  • Purpose: Participation in the true Body and Blood of Christ for spiritual nourishment and unity with God.

    Biblical Basis: Matthew 26:26, 1 Corinthians 11:23-25, John 6:51-55.

    Practice: Bread and wine are consecrated during the Divine Liturgy and become the Body and Blood of Christ. Believers receive communion after confession and fasting.

    Significance: Central to Christian life, it is the culmination of all sacraments and is repeated regularly.

  • Purpose: Forgiveness of sins committed after baptism through repentance and confession.

    Biblical Basis: Matthew 16:19, John 20:21-23.

    Practice: The faithful confess their sins to a priest (father confessor), who grants absolution. Penance is repeated as needed for spiritual healing.

    Significance: Restores the believer’s relationship with God and the Church.

  • Purpose: Sanctification of the union between a man and a woman, reflecting the unity between Christ and the Church.

    Biblical Basis: Genesis 1:27, Matthew 19:4-6, Ephesians 5:32.

    Practice: Performed in the church by a priest or bishop, with both parties being members of the Orthodox Church. The sacrament is celebrated with Holy Communion and is indissoluble except in cases of adultery or death2.

    Significance: Grants grace for mutual love, fidelity, and the raising of children in faith.

  • Purpose: Healing of physical and spiritual illnesses through prayer and anointing with oil.

    Biblical Basis: Mark 6:13, James 5:13-15.

    Practice: Administered by priests or bishops to those who are ill, seeking both physical healing and forgiveness of sins12.

    Significance: Offers comfort, healing, and spiritual strength in times of sickness.

  • Purpose: Consecration of clergy (deacons, priests, bishops) to serve the Church and administer the sacraments.

    Biblical Basis: Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 6:1-6, Ephesians 4:11.

    Practice: Ordination is conferred by a bishop through the laying on of hands and prayer. There are three ranks: deacon, priest, and bishop. Only bishops can ordain2.

    Significance: Grants authority and grace to serve the Church and its sacraments.

Summary Table: The Seven Sacraments

Sacrament Purpose/Grace Bestowed Minister Frequency
Baptism Rebirth, forgiveness of sin Priest/Bishop Once
Confirmation (Myron) Gift of the Holy Spirit Priest/Bishop Once
Holy Communion Union with Christ, spiritual life Priest/Bishop Repeated
Penance Forgiveness, spiritual healing Priest/Bishop Repeated
Matrimony Sanctification of marriage Priest/Bishop Once
Unction of the Sick Healing, forgiveness Priest/Bishop As needed
Holy Orders Authority to serve and administer Bishop Once per rank

The sacraments are considered spiritual medicine—preventive, curative, and supplementary—addressing the needs of the soul much like medicine does for the body. Some sacraments (Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Orders) are performed only once and are considered imperishable, while others may be repeated as needed for the spiritual benefit of the faithful.