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A '''sacrament''' is a special religious rite in the [[Christian]] Churches.

A '''sacrament''' is a special religious rite in the [[Christian]] Churches.

The [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic Church]] recognizes seven sacraments: [[Baptism]], [[Confirmation]] (Chrismation), the [[Eucharist]], [[Confession|Penance and Reconciliation]] (Confession), the [[Anointing of the Sick]] (Extreme Unction, Last Rites), [[Holy Orders]] and [[Marriage]] (Holy Matrimony).<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P3E.HTM ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' 1210], The Vatican. Accessed 24 March 2007</ref>  

The [[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic Church]] recognizes seven sacraments: [[Baptism]], [[Confirmation]] (Chrismation), the [[Eucharist]], [[Confession|Penance and Reconciliation]] (Confession), the [[Anointing of the Sick]] (Extreme Unction, Last Rites), [[Holy Orders]] and [[Marriage]] (Holy Matrimony).<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P3E.HTM ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' 1210], The Vatican. Accessed 24 March 2007</ref> The ''Catechism of the Catholic Church'' defines the sacraments as "perceptible signs (words and actions) accessible to our human nature. By the action of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit they make present efficaciously the grace that they signify".<ref>[http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p2s1c1a1.htm CCC 1084], The Vatican. Accessed 8 May 2016</ref> 

At the time of the [[Protestant Reformation|Reformation]], [[Protestant]] Churches sought to define the number of sacraments as those insituted by Christ Himself, while retaining the others as rites. For example, Holy Matrimony was not a new practice at the time of Christ. Then too, Jesus does not appear to have instituted Holy Unction, although the anointing of the sick by church elders is mentioned in the [[New Testament]]. Both Holy Matrimony and anointing of the sick, among others, were retained as rites by the Magisterial Protestants (Lutherans, Reformed and Anglicans).  

 

At the time of the [[Protestant Reformation|Reformation]], [[Protestant]] Churches sought to define the number of sacraments as those insituted by Christ Himself. For example, Matrimony was not a new practice at the time of Christ. Then too, Jesus does not appear to have instituted Holy Unction, although the anointing of the sick by church elders is mentioned in the [[New Testament]].  

Though not dogmatic about the number of sacraments, the [[Lutheranism|Lutheran Churches]] generally teach three sacraments (Holy Baptism, Holy Absolution and Holy Eucharist), identifying four others as rites: confirmation, ordination, matrimony, and anointing of the sick.<ref name="Galler2025">{{cite web |last1=Galler |first1=Jayson S. |title=Word & Sacrament |url=https://www.pilgrimlc.org/word-sacrament |publisher=Pilgrim Lutheran Church |access-date=9 May 2025 |language=English |date=2025 |quote=...generally in the Lutheran Christian tradition we speak of three sacraments.}}</ref>

Though not dogmatic about the number of sacraments, the [[Lutheranism|Lutheran Churches]] generally teach three sacraments (Holy Baptism, Holy Absolution and Holy Eucharist), identifying four others as rites: confirmation, ordination, matrimony, and anointing of the sick.<ref name="Galler2025">{{cite web |last1=Galler |first1=Jayson S. |title=Word & Sacrament |url=https://www.pilgrimlc.org/word-sacrament |publisher=Pilgrim Lutheran Church |access-date=9 May 2025 |language=English |date=2025 |quote=...generally in the Lutheran Christian tradition we speak of three sacraments.}}</ref>

The Community of Christ (Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) names eight sacraments: [[Baptism]], [[Confirmation]], The Blessing of Children, [[Eucharist|The Lord's Supper]], Marriage, Administration to the sick, Ordination, and the Evangelist's blessing.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Communication Services of Community of Christ, Independence Mo. |url=http://www.cofchrist.org/sacraments/default.asp |title=Community of Christ: The Sacraments |publisher=Cofchrist.org |date= |accessdate=2008-11-25}}</ref>

The Community of Christ (Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) names eight sacraments: [[Baptism]], [[Confirmation]], The Blessing of Children, [[Eucharist|The Lord's Supper]], Marriage, Administration to the sick, Ordination, and the Evangelist's blessing.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Communication Services of Community of Christ, Independence Mo. |url=http://www.cofchrist.org/sacraments/default.asp |title=Community of Christ: The Sacraments |publisher=Cofchrist.org |date= |accessdate=2008-11-25}}</ref>

The only significant Christian Churches that observe no sacraments at all, in the usual sense of the word, are the Friends (Quakers), Salvation Army, and Unitarians. Most [[Baptists]], instead of referring to sacraments, refer to the two ordinances, namely, baptism and the Lord's Supper, and regard those as symbolic acts of obedience.<ref>[http://www.baptistdistinctives.org/articles/baptiststwoordinances.shtml Baptists' Two Ordinances]</ref><ref>[http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp#vii Baptism and the Lord's Supper], from the [[Southern Baptist Convention]]</ref> The [[Mennonite]] [[Anabaptist]] tradition names seven ordinances: "baptism, communion, footwashing, marriage, anointing with oil, the holy kiss, and the prayer covering."<ref name="Hartzler2013">{{cite book |last1=Hartzler |first1=Rachel Nafziger |title=No Strings Attached: Boundary Lines in Pleasant Places: A History of Warren Street / Pleasant Oaks Mennonite Church |date=30 April 2013 |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |isbn=978-1-62189-635-7 |language=English}}</ref>

The only significant Christian Churches that observe no sacraments at all, in the usual sense of the word, are the Friends (Quakers), Salvation Army, and Unitarians. Most [[Baptists]], instead of referring to sacraments, refer to the two ordinances, namely, baptism and the Lord's Supper, and regard those as symbolic acts of obedience.<ref>[http://www.baptistdistinctives.org/articles/baptiststwoordinances.shtml Baptists' Two Ordinances]</ref><ref>[http://www.sbc.net/bfm/bfm2000.asp#vii Baptism and the Lord's Supper], from the [[Southern Baptist Convention]]</ref> The [[Mennonite]] [[Anabaptist]] tradition names seven ordinances: "baptism, communion, footwashing, marriage, anointing with oil, the holy kiss, and the prayer covering."<ref name="Hartzler2013">{{cite book |last1=Hartzler |first1=Rachel Nafziger |title=No Strings Attached: Boundary Lines in Pleasant Places: A History of Warren Street / Pleasant Oaks Mennonite Church |date=30 April 2013 |publisher=Wipf and Stock Publishers |isbn=978-1-62189-635-7 |language=English}}</ref>

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