First let us define what the sacraments mean and how many sacraments we have.

In Orthodox Christianity, Sacraments, also known as Holy Mysteries, or unseen grace, are granted to the church or to the believer through the work of the Holy Spirit invoked by the priest and are considered essential for salvation as they are seen as channels through which God’s grace is received. These sacraments, instituted by Christ, are not merely symbolic rituals but are believed to be grace-filled encounters with God. While all seven sacraments play a role, some are considered redemptive and necessary for salvation, while others are non-redemptive.

The Orthodox Church recognizes Seven Sacraments.

• Baptism
• Chrismation (Confirmation)
• Eucharist
• Confession and repentance
• Anointing of the sick
• Holy Orders
• Marriage

Do you need the 7 Sacraments to be saved?

The Church affirms that for believers some of the sacraments of the New Covenant are necessary for salvation. We cannot work our way into heaven without God’s grace. We know that faith, works, and grace are the ingredients that are necessary for salvation.

Are the Sacraments biblical?

All the sacraments have a clear Biblical basis, intrinsically and implicitly. These Sacraments are considered outward signs of inward grace, instituted by Jesus Christ, and entrusted to the church, through which Divine grace is channeled. They are categorized as sacraments of initiation (Baptism, confirmation, Eucharist), sacraments of Healing (Reconciliation, anointing of the sick), and sacraments at the service of Communion (Holy Orders, Matrimony).

Sacraments of Initiation:

Baptism:

The first sacrament, and foundational sacrament cleanses the soul from original sin and becomes a new creation in Christ. Baptism is the entry point into the life of grace and the Church. It is through baptism that a person receives the Holy Spirit, the indwelling presence that empowers the believer and becomes a member in the church and into the Christian community, symbolizing a new life in Christ (Acts 16:22). Without baptism, one cannot fully participate in the other “sacred mysteries“ because it is the door through which one enters the spiritual life.

Confirmation:

Confirmation is the second sacrament of Christian initiation. This sacrament strengthens and seals the grace received in baptism, and the baptized belongs to Christ. The priest anoints the baptized person with Chrism (oil mixtures) on 36 points on their body and is a seal of the Holy Spirit, sanctifying every part of the body for divine purpose. Through it, the believer receives the fullness of the Holy Spirit to live out their faith boldly, deepening their commitment to the Christian faith and enabling them to witness for Christ. The ritual affirms that the Holy Spirit dwells in and works through every part of the believer.

• Baptism initiates the Christian life; Confirmation empowers
• Baptism gives the Spirit; Confirmation activates the Spirit’s gifts.
• Baptism makes one a child of God; Confirmation makes one a soldier of Christ.

Eucharist:

Also known as Holy Communion, it is a sacred meal where the Orthodox believe they receive the body and blood of Christ, for salvation, forgiveness of sins, and eternal life is for everyone who partakes of it. The Orthodox Church believes the bread and wine become the true Body and Blood of Christ through the Holy Spirit.

• Sacrifice: The Eucharist is a re-presentation (not repetition) of Christ’s one sacrifice on the cross.
• Communion: It unites the believer with Christ and with the entire Church—living and departed.
• Spiritual Nourishment: It sustains the soul, strengthens faith, and deepens love.
• Not symbolic: it is the real presence of Christ.

Sacraments of Healing:

Reconciliation (Repentance and confession)

This sacrament provides forgiveness for the sins through contrition, confession to the priest, and acts of penance, restoring the individual’s relationship with God and the Church.

• Repentance (Contrition): Sincere sorrow for sin and a firm purpose of amendment.
• Confession: Verbal acknowledgment of sins before a priest.
• Absolution: The priest, by the authority of Christ, grants forgiveness.
• Satisfaction (Penance): Acts to repair the harm caused by sin and restore spiritual discipline.

The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick

It is the second Sacrament of Healing. It involves anointing with oil and prayers for physical and spiritual healing, especially for those seriously ill or near death (James 5:14).

Sacraments at the service of Communion:

These Sacraments are considered essential for Orthodox life, providing grace, strength, and guidance throughout different stages and experiences.

Holy Orders:

This sacrament ordains men to the priesthood or diaconate, enabling them to serve the church as spiritual leaders and administer sacraments. Priests proclaim the Word, celebrate the sacraments, and shepherd the faithful.

Matrimony (Marriage):

This sacrament unites a man and a woman in a lifelong covenant of love, mirroring the union of Christ and the Church.

Conclusion

Baptism has saved you from original sin, and this is the first salvation you have received. It has made you a son of God and made you worthy to receive the blessings of His blood. But you sin every day and need your sin to be blotted out by the blood: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8).  Since you sin every day and need the body of Christ sacrificed for you, you need the holy sacrifice as an atonement for your sins. The holy sacrifice in the sacrament of  the Eucharist is nothing but an extension of Christ’s sacrifice. Therefore, you cannot be saved from your sins without it, which is given on our behalf for salvation and forgiveness of sins. Through it, we are established in the Lord, as He said. (You can find out more about this topic here on St-Takla.org in their articles and other books.)

Is repentance necessary for salvation? Yes, in fact, without repentance you cannot be saved. You may be asking: How is this? I believed, I was baptized, and I was justified. Yes, you were baptized and saved from original sin, but what about your actual sins that you commit every day? Where do you escape from them? And how do you escape from them?

We are not saying that through repentance alone a person is saved, for repentance without the blood of Christ is useless. What we are saying is that repentance makes a person worthy to be washed and cleansed by the blood of Christ and thus be saved. The blood of Christ is like a great treasure, but we approach it through repentance, and we take from it and become enriched. However, if we do not use repentance, the treasure remains a treasure, retaining its value, but we remain far from it, poor and perishing of hunger. The father’s tenderness is present, the new garment is present, and the fatted calf is present, but the prodigal son must approach the father through repentance to obtain all these.  Let us then confess that: “God gave to the nations repentance that leads to life” (Acts 18).

The importance of repentance is made clear by the words of our Lord Jesus Christ:  “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). This verse indicates that repentance is a means of salvation that saves from destruction. It also indicates that without repentance, sinful man perishes. “For God overlooked the times of ignorance, and now commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). Not only that they repent, but that they also do “works worthy of repentance” (Acts 26:20).

References:

• St.Takla.org
• Microsoft Copilot