Baptism and Chrismation
Baptism is the mystery of becoming a member of the church. The baptism is in two parts. It includes both the sacrament of baptism as well as the sacrament of chrismation. For a child to be baptised to be a member of the orthodox church, the must have orthodox parents, or at least one parent whose child is a member of the orthodox church. Consent of both parents is required for baptism. If you wish to join the orthodox church as an adult, and you have previously been baptised in a christian church in the name of the Holy Trinity, baptism will not be served again. Instead, only the sacrament of chrismation is served when joining.
The Sacrament of Confession
The sacrament of confession is meant to support the repair of the religious and spiritual life of a person. The sacrament is participated in by a person when necessary, especially during periods of fasting. When joining the orthodox church as an adult, one always participates in the sacrament of confession before their chrismation.
Communion
The most important and central sacrament of the Church is the sacrament of the Holy Communion. The sacrament means connection with Christ and his whole body (as in the Church) and all its members (as in the parishioners). Participation in the communion also signifies unity and membership of the Church. That is why communion in the orthodox church can only be participated by members of the orthodox church, and that is why orthodox christians do not participate in communion in other christian communities. Communion is a part of the communion service, the liturgy. The material used in the communion is bread and wine that, according to the belief of the orthodox church transform into the body and blood of Christ.
Engagement and Consecration into Marriage
In the orthodox church, the sacrament of marriage is heavily associated with seeking a blessing from God for a union as well as confirming it through the sacrament. This is why consecration can only be served in the orthodox church is at least one of the people being consecrated is a member of the orthodox church, and the other one is a member of a christian church, for example Lutheran or Catholic. If one of the spouses is not a member of a christian church, the consecration can be performed elsewhere, for example at the registry office, and the marriage can be blessed in an orthodox church in a prayer service.
Blessing of Homes
The blessing of a home is a prayer service where a home is sanctified in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit through the sprinkling of holy water. The priest usually brings holy water with him for the service. If this is not the case, the home blessing begins with a small sanctification of water. The blessing of a home is usually served when moving to a new home, but it can also be served at another time.
Anointing of the Sick
The sacrament of anointing of the sick, or the holy unction, can be served to any member of the orthodox church at a church, at home or for example at a hospital. Anointing of the sick is not only served to the dying or very ill, but instead any member of the Church can participate in the service. Anointing of the sick can be served to an individual orthodox christian or people gathering in a general service. A general anointing of the sick has traditionally been served during the Great Fast in the Turku parish. The general anointing of the sick can be participated by all members of the orthodox church who feel they need it.
Burial and Remembering the Deceased
When a member of the orthodox church dies, relatives contact the parish of the deceased immediately. The details of the burial service are discussed with the parish and the serving priest: when and where the burial will take place, and where the deceased will be buried. If the priest is wished to be at the memorial service after the burial, it is also good to discuss this beforehand. The burial service itself is a liturgical service that does not include separately planned parts. In the orthodox church, the aim is to bury the deceased as quickly as possible. The orthodox burial service is before all else prayer for the eternal soul of the deceased.
Relatives can ask the priest to also serve a panihida, a liturgical memorial service for the deceased, if they wish to do so. Traditionally a panihida is served on the day of the death, on the third day after the death, 40 days after the death and a year after the death as well as annually on the day of the death of the deceased.