The Holy Spirit (The Lord Giver of Life) Part II We already talked about the works of the Holy Spirit in general listing the dispensations of the Holy Spirit of God from creation to Pentecost. This article, addresses specifically the works of the Holy Spirit in the new testament church through the sacraments which were initiated by Christ and his disciples and are accepted as a whole by all Apostolic churches and in part by many other churches. There are seven sacraments recognized by the believers since the days of the Apostles: 1) Baptism, 2) Myroon (Confirmation), 3) Penance (repentance & confession), 4) Holy Eucharist, 5) Anointing of the Sick, 6) Matrimony, and 7) Priesthood. "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even, the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me .." (John 15:26). This is the Holy Spirit which descended on Jesus when he was baptized in the Jordan River as a sign to the believers those who were present heard a voice saying this is my son, with whom I am pleased, to whom ye listen. We will talk in details about our own baptism, confirmation, penance, and Holy Eucharist as gifts which are required by all believers. Matrimony and anointed of the sick are if desired or needed. Priesthood is a special gift for those who desire to serve God starting from the ranks of subdeacon, deacon, archdeacon, priest, archpriest, bishop, archbishop, and patriarch, respectively. The holy Eucharist (communion) is listed first in most church books, but if you think about the steps in the life of a believer, you have to follow the order above mentioned. 1. Baptism The Holy Spirit is given to us in baptism, we also receive the confirmation after water baptism by the laying of hands and anointing with oil (the oil of confirmation or Myroon), to be baptized with water and Spirit. This order was reversed on some occasions as mentioned in the book of acts about the conversion of Cornelius and his house, for example. In normal circumstances, it is better to follow the normal order of Baptism as the first sacrament, followed by confirmation or Myroon. In baptism, we are cleansed from the sins we inherited being the descendants of Adam and those who followed him, Adam's sin. In confirmation, we are receive the Holy Spirit of God, so God will dwell in us from thereon. This is following the instructions of Jesus to Necodimus: "Verily, Verily I say unto you, Except a man be born of water and of the spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5). An adult has to have complete faith and full understanding to receive the Holy Spirit in the sacraments (Baptism and Confirmation): "Phillip said (to the Ethiopian Eunuch, the minister of Kindaka the Queen of Ethiopia), If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest (be baptized). And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God. And they commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water .., and he baptized him." (Acts 8:35-38). In our church in America many adults are being baptized, they have to receive instructions in the faith before they can truly receive these precious gifts. The traditional churches do baptize children, rightfully so. The children of believers are to be baptized as soon as possible, on their parents faith. Giving the parent or guardian (Eshbeen) full responsibility to raise that child in the orthodox faith observing all commandments. Boy should be baptized soon after they are 40 days old, girls when they are 80 days old or soon after. This is not to favor boys over girls, but in obedience of the law concerning purification of women: "But if she bears a maid (female) child, then she shall be unclean two weeks .. and shall continue in the blood of her purifying threescore and six days (66 + 14 days or 80 days). (Lev 12:4-6). Remember that Christ came not to tear down but to complete the law. The church recognizes also that some newborns might not be healthy in which case they can be baptized immediately, but someone other than the mother has to bring the child forward, the mother is fully participating by attendance, and celebration. She only can not bring it forward (carry the child). The tradition of infant baptism goes back to early Christianity. It was mentioned in the writings of St. Arianos, Origen, St. Gregory Theologos, and St. Augustine among others. The church warns against repeating baptism. Families have to keep records and not commit the grave foolishness of repeating baptism: "For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are sanctified." (Heb 10:14). In our church, we had to baptize a 20 years old young lady, and her 19 years old brother because there parents neglected to baptize them when they were young. Our priest had to remind the parents to think very carefully and try to remember if they were baptized, since they were not, they received baptism as adults. so, so he took the cup, Through immersion in the water is how baptism is performed in the orthodox way, by immersion you are buried with Christ, an by coming out you are resurrected with him. Baptism cleanses us from all our previous and inherited sins by the works of the Holy Spirit (you die with Christ, are buried with him, and rise with him" That is the mystery of Baptism. 2. Confirmation (Myroon) Myroon or confirmation is the sacrament by which those who are born anew (again) in baptism receive the Seal of the Spirit, the gift of the Father. By Baptism we receive the new birth, the forgiveness of our sins, and by Myroon we are affixed into this birth, and are sealed: "In whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of Promise." (Eph 1:13). Myroon is the anointing with oil according to Apostolic teachings. This is the act of laying of hands which is an important part of the sacrament, going back to the time of the Apostles: .. they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost (Spirit) Came on them .. " (Acts 19:1-8).The oil used in the Coptic Orthodox Church for the imparting of the Holy Spirit is a mixture of 30 different precious oils including: myrrh, aloes, cassis, spikenard, saffron, calamous, cinnamon, and frankincense crushed to fine powder and mixed with pure olive oil and boiled on a slow fire made from special woods. This is the same as the oil used to anoint kings in the old testament tradition. This oil is prepared only when needed with much prayers and veneration by the pope accompanied by many bishops and priests. Pope Cyril (Kyrillos) VI prepared the Myroon once in his reign. Pope Shenouda III (our present pope) prepared the Myroon, so far, four times. The last time it was prepared, was during paschal week, 1995. The veneration of the making of Myroon is because it is used for the sacrament of confirmation. the gift received in this sacrament is the Holy Spirit of God, nothing less. 3. Penance Penance is the sacrament of forgiveness of sin, reconciliation, through repentance, confession, and absolution. It is the sacrament by which we receive God's healing forgiveness for sins committed, voluntarily, and involuntarily, after baptism. This sacrament is also called reconciliation because it reconciles us not only with God, but with the Church (body of believers) and ourselves. All the aspects of reconciliation are important for a healthy mind, sole, and spirit. As members of Christ's body, everything we do affects the whole body. Sin wounds and weakens the body of Christ; the healing we receive in penance restores health and strength to the church as well as ourselves: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (I John 1:9). Penance requires getting together with the priest and confessing all your sins talking directly (face to face, not through a partition) to the man who is entrusted with the responsibility to hear confession and keep all your secrets in the strictest of confidence. That is part of his ministry (service). The priest will also give you advice as a spiritual father and in some cases will recommend spiritual exercises to help you get over persistent bad habits. The priest receives a special measure of the Holy Spirit to be able to hear confession and give impartial advice, and keep you secrets. The priest also, will follow up with you in matters of importance. When you finish the confession, the priest will pray with you and for you. He then gives you absolution by the authority in him as a priest of God: ".. He (Christ) breathed on them and said receive ye the Holy Spirit. Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them, and whosoever sins ye retain, they are retained." (John 21:22:23). 4. The Holy Eucharist The Holy Eucharist or sacrament of sacraments is the most sacred mystery in the Christian faith. It is usually mentioned first, because it is the gift of renewal. People of other denominations talk about renewal and being born again. We talk less, but in reality we act more on this principal. We are renewed (born again) every time we partake of the Holy Eucharist. the Holy Eucharist is a gift of the Spirit, because the Holy Spirit completes the transformation as we will explain later. This sacrament was instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ himself as St. Paul taught us what he has received from the Lord himself: "For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: and when he had given thanks he broke it and said: Take this, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manne when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: This do ye, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." (I Cor 11:23-26). Because as St. Paul stated: At the Last Supper, on the night when he was betrayed, our saviour instituted the Eucharist sacrifice of his body and his blood. He did this in order to teach us to partake of him. When Jesus instituted the sacrament, it was through his divine power. When the church practices the sacrament, it is through the power of the Holy Spirit in the celebrant (Patriarch, bishop, or priest) that the transformation takes place. Also, it is through the faith of those who partake that they receive the body and blood of Christ and not bread and wine as some think. It is also important for the reader to understand that the cross of Jesus "Him Crucified" is a Godly act perpetuated (repeated) in the life of the church until Jesus Comes back. The Holy Eucharist is this perpetuation of the Cross until Jesus comes back.. One has to prepare oneself to receive Christ in the Eucharist by cleansing the heart and mind through repentance leading to confession and absolution by the priest. The process of repentance, confession and absolution is a process which leads to receiving another gift of the Spirit, penance or reconciliation. Because as Paul said: "Whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord." (I Cor 11:27). In the Eucharist Jesus, through the works of the Holy Spirit entrusts to his beloved spouse the church a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament (mystery) of love, a sign of unity, we partake of him and become one with him. It is a bond of Charity (caring love), a paschal banquet in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us. It is important to note that He said:".. Take eat, this is my body and he took the cup, .. and gave it to them saying drink ye all of it: For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." (Matt 26: 26-28). This is the reason we believe that the sacrament is true transformation, the works of the Holy Spirit, and is not just a memory as some say. We also fully recognize the words of Paul the Apostle "For I have received of the Lord ..." It is not Paul's interpretation of what the sacrament is knowing that he was not even converted when the Last Supper took place, he received this revelation, truth, from the Lord Jesus Christ. 5. Unction (Anointing of the Sick) The most neglected gift of the Holy Spirit, is the one of the most beneficial blessings of being Christian. We can receive divine healing if we ask for it in faith, believing that God answers the prayers of those who call him in honesty and truth: "Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders (priests) of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." (James 5:14). It is also important to realize that we have to believe even if we do not see the evidence immediately because as Christians, we should not fear even death: "For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things to come ... shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom 8:37-39). 6. Matrimony (Marriage) The sacrament of Holy marriage, or life-giving oneness is a gift of the Spirit in which a man and a woman are united (become one): "At the beginning made them male and female. And said for this cause shall a man leave father and mother and cleave to his wife: and they twain (two) shall be one flesh?" (Matt 19:4-6). Although it is important to look for compatibility and appropriateness, it is more important to make sure that you are making the right choice. We recommend that you consult your spiritual adviser, you priest, your close relatives: father, mother, sisters, brothers, .. etc. and your close friends. It helps if you consult people who know you and your future spouse. Take your time, have a long enough engagement. AN engagement period is required for a church wedding in our Coptic Orthodox Church. and when you stand in front of God, and the Church, you both have to be ready to love and cherish, forever do we part. The Holy Spirit will bless such matrimony and you union will be a oneness with God as well. 7. Priesthood The sacrament of Priesthood or Holy Orders is the imparting of a special dispensation of the Holy Spirit on those who are called to become deacons (servants), priests (teachers/preachers), and bishops (administrators/leaders) of the church of God. There are three major orders: Episcopate, Priesthood, and Deaconate. One has to achieve the lower rank before aspiring to receive the higher one. Lets start with the Deaconate (Servants). Deacons receive their Holy Orders sacrament from the a bishop who possesses the fullness of the sacrament of Holy Orders. When a bishop ordains a deacon, he has to receive good recommendation from the local priest that the person is ready to receive the rank for which he is nominated. There are five ranks of Deaconea: Aghnastos (reader), Apsaltos (singer), sub-deacon, deacon, and archdeacon. A deacon is a fully commissioned servant who can assist in church service and teaching. An archdeacon, is a person ready for the priesthood. If an archdeacon was married before receiving the rank, it is well. If he was not married, he has to either get married before receiving that high rank in church service or remain unmarried like Paul the Apostle, and our fathers the monks. The person qualified and recommended by the local congregation to become priest has to have achieved some of the ranks of deaconea. The ordination will elevate him to the archdeacon level before being ordained priest. In the Coptic church, a person has to be married before he can be ordained priest. Our fathers the monks achieve the priesthood, but this is different. They stay unmarried and if they choose to get married after becoming monks and/or receiving the priesthood, they lose both honors. A priest can not marry again if he looses his wife (if she passes away). These are the laws of most Orthodox churches, they come from the teachings of the Apostles (Discolia) and the teachings of the Fathers of the Church. Bishops are chosen from the ranks of monks (celibate clergy). They are like the bible said: ".. there be)' eunchs, which have made themselves, eunchs for the kingdom of heaven. He that is able to receive it, let him receive it." (Matt 19:12). A bishop is ordained by at least two bishops, by the laying of hands. In our Coptic Orthodox Church, the Pope leads the bishops in ordaining another bishop. They are bishops for episcopates, those are like being wed to the episcopate, he can not resign or retire unless under extreme difficult circumstance if at all. These days, we have many general bishops who are ordained and give responsibilities as the pope sees fit to help with the church administration. General bishops can get assigned later on to an episcopate if one is vacant. Episcopate assignment requires the approval of a majority of the people through petition. In the Coptic church, the pope is chosen from the monks and/or bishops. Three or four most qualified individual are nominated by petitions, approved as qualified candidates by the Holy Synod (the council of bishops and heads of monasteries). An altar+) lot is performed in which the names of all qualified candidates plus a blank are included is on a pre-announced Sunday, usually, at the Great Cathedral in Cairo. The drawing is performed after the Liturgy, usually a child is asked to draw a name, the name that gets selected, is the chosen person to become Pope and Patriarch. This way the church has gone through nomination, and recommendation, and the Holy Spirit does the appropriation. The selection is usually followed by the ordination by the laying of hands of all the bishops in attendance. This is an event, no bishop would want to miss. That is how our church selects the Pope and Patriarch of the see of St. Mark. This succession unbroken started by St. Mark the evangelist, our first patriarch. We are blessed in our generation to have had the departed Pope Cyril (Kyrillos) VI, the 116th pope, and our present Pope and Patriarch is Pope Shenouda III, the 117th of the popes of Alexandria. Glory Always be to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Holy Trinity, One God. Amen. C) 1997; Dr. William A. Hanna; St. Mary & St. Abraam Coptic Orthodox Church; 1843 Ross Ave.; St. Louis, MO 63146; USA Please Consider Sending A Donation: St. Mary & St. Abraam Coptic Orthodox Church 1843 Ross Ave. St. Louis, MO 63146; USA (This Will Help pay the Building Loan. Also, we are planing a Second Edition of the Essays For Orthodox Youth Book. Visit Our Home Page: http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Heights/2894)