Do nuns recieve a sacrment on becoming a nun?

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

DominvsVobiscvm:

That depends on which Orthodox theologian you are talking about, and how he defined a “Mystery”.

Although it’s not considered dogmatic for you guys, it seems to me that the vast majority of you guys believe in only seven “Mysteries,” where this word is used in the same sense as “Sacrament.”

I can agree with that, when we view the usage of Mystery to be the same a Sacrament.

But the blessing of water at Pashca as well as the monastic consecration can be seen as Mysteries also, but I do not think they are seen at the same level as the 7.

 

[DominvsVobiscvm]

The Orthodox Church in America seems to take the seven-fold numeration for granted.

This statement on monasticism sems to indicate what it is the Orthodox consider to be necessary for something to properly be called a “Mystery”:

Although not considered as one of the sacraments of the Church since it is not essential to the Christian life as such and is not a necessary element for the very existence of God’s People, monasticism has played an important role in Christian history and is highly valued by the Orthodox Church.

And according to the Greek Orthodox Church:

In recent centuries, the Orthodox Church has recognized seven mysteries for sacraments: baptism; chrismation; the eucharist; penance; the priesthood; marriage; and the annointing of the sick (Euchelaion).

While the New Testament does not specifically enumerate the holy mysteries, it is clear that the Apostolic Church received people through baptism and chrismation (confirmation); celebrated the eucharist at least weekly on the Lord’s day; readmitted penitents through an act of penance; selected and ordained her ministers; sanctified the union of husband and wife; and extended the healing ministry of Christ to those in need of divine succour. It is evident, therefore, that the Church gave special attention to these acts from the beginning, despite the absence of explicit testimony from Scripture, the early Fathers or the Ecumenical Councils.

and:

The Orthodox Church has never formally determined a particular number of Sacraments. In addition to the Eucharist she accepts the above six Mysteries as major Sacraments because they involve the entire community and most important are closely relation to the Eucharist. There are many other Blessings and Special Services which complete the major Sacraments, and which reflect the Church’s presence throughout the lives of her people.

and again:

The Special Services are often referred to as Non-sacramental Services in the sense that they are events of community worship which are not usually counted among the major Sacraments. However, they clearly have a sacramental quality in the sense that they reveal the presence of the Holy Trinity. Many of these Services, such as the Funeral, the Blessing of Water, and the Entrance into Monastic Life, just to name a few, are very significant to the life of the Church. The various Blessings are brief ceremonies which are occasional and do not necessarily involve directly the entire parish community.

So it would seem that the Catholic “Sacraments” correspond to the Orthodox “Major Mysteries” and our “Sacramentals” to the “Special Services.”

Any thoughts on this prodromos? I don’t think the Orthodox fall under the condemnations of Trent, at least not on this issue.

 

[Irish_Melkite]

Irish Melkite:

The Polish National Catholic Church deems preaching and hearing the Word of God to be a sacrament.

DominvsVobiscvm:

According tothis Belief Statement of theirs they only recognize seven.

Eric,

Yes, they do. However, they consider Baptism and Confirmation to be a single Sacrament, as they deem Confirmation to be the completion of Baptism. The “Word of God” is their 7th Sacrament.

We are a Sacramental Church administering Baptism and Confirmation, Word of God, Penance, Eucharist, Matrimony, Holy Orders and Healing of the Sick.

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Many years,

Neil