The priest is God’s servant and representative who administers the Sacraments. Priesthood reminds us of the ever presence of God among us. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven”. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. Anointing the sick is used to heal physical as well as spiritual illnesses, ” is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. Death will overtake those who do not receive them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink His blood, you have no life in you” John 6:53. As believers, in receiving His holy Body and Blood, we are enlivened and abide in Christ, “He who eats My flesh and drinks My blood abides in Me and I in him” John 6:56. The Holy Communion transforms us into children of God, through His grace. We become pure and avoid perishing, ” I tell you, no but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” Luke 13:3. As a result, our sins are forgiven and absolved. Confession and repentance prepare us for unity with God, by renouncing our daily sins and trespasses. “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God” John 3:5. In Baptism, we are “born again” in a spiritual sense and destined to inherit the Kingdom. Unction or anointing of the sick, Priesthood and Marriage are not obligatory. Baptism, Chrism and Confirmation, Communion and Confession and repentance are obligatory.
The Sacraments of the Church are divided into obligatory and non-obligatory. And this chain of command and order is called “Apostolic Succession”.
Holy Tradition, on the other hand, is handed down the Church from Christ to His disciples and finally the priests. Holy Scriptures consists of the Old and New Testaments. Our Syrian Orthodox Church derives her doctrine from Divine Revelation: Holy Scriptures and Holy Tradition. The Holy Sacraments can only be performed by ordained archbishops and priests who derive their authority from the Church. It is only through faith and with God’s help that we are able to appraise and appreciate their deep spiritual meaning and significance. Holy, because they convey God’s grace and mysterious, because we cannot actually see the continuous act of the Holy Spirit on them. The seven sacraments of the Church, instituted by Christ, His disciples and the early fathers of the Church, are fundamentally important to receive and know about.