A sacrament is a rite in which God is uniquely active. We believe it is "a visible sign of an invisible reality or inward grace." We believe that a sacrament conveys divine grace, blessing, or sanctity upon the believer who participates in it.
In the Episcopal Church we accept seven sacraments:
Baptism: our full initiation by water and the Holy Spirit into Christ's Body, the Church.
The Eucharist, Mass, or Holy Communion: Christ comes to us bringing good news of God's grace. He has inaugurated for us a sacred meal; he summons us to have communion with him through hearing and responding to Holy Scripture and by sharing consecrated bread and wine.
Confirmation: We make an adult profession of faith by publicly taking on our baptismal covenant and receiving the laying on of hands by the bishop.
Holy Orders or Ordination: the public commissioning of persons for the ministries of deacon, priest, or bishop.
Reconcilliation of a Penitent: one-on-one confession to and pronouncement of absolution by a priest.
Anointing: No longer reserved only for the time of death, anointing with oil is also part of every healing service.
Matrimony: a solemn and public covenant between a man and a woman in the presence of God. In the Episcopal Church at least one of the parties must be a baptized Christian.
