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The seven sacraments of the Church, as eloquently put by His Grace Bishop Mettaous of El-Syrian Monastery, are “the channels by which we receive the graces and blessings of the Holy Spirit,” and were instituted by Jesus Christ. The sacraments, also known as “spiritual medicines,” include Baptism, Chrismation, Eucharist, Repentance and Confession, Priesthood, Matrimony, and Unction of the Sick. Of these sacraments, the first four are “redemptive,” and necessary for eternal salvation, while the last three are non-redemptive, and unnecessary for eternal salvation. Each sacrament is “an invisible grace we receive by practicing a visible rite” as well as “a visible sign or substance performed by a priest.” For this reason, the sacraments are also referred to as “mysteries.”

1. Baptism is the first sacrament, and through it we are born again from water and spirit by being submerged in water three times. Baptism results in the admittance of a person into the fellowship of the church.
2. Chrismation, also known as “Myron,” is the anointing with consecrated oil (Myron) of those newly baptized, and like the rest of the sacraments, is conducted by a priest. Chrism allows for the Holy Spirit to dwell in those who are newly baptized.
3. The Eucharist, or the Holy Communion, carries “the most sublime grace of all.” The Eucharist is carried out in the Holy Liturgy, during which the bread and wine become the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, and in partaking of this Body and Blood, we enter into complete communion with God.
4. Through the sacrament of Repentance and Confession, we can attain the forgiveness of our sins. True repentance requires contrition and remorse for our sins, genuine intention to improve, strong faith, and finally, verbal confession before a priest.
5. The gift of serving God is bestowed through the sacrament of Priesthood. There are three ranks in the Priesthood: the order of the deacons, who serve; the order of the Priests, who teach; and the order of the Bishops, who oversee and shepherd. Priesthood is a divine calling, and it is the sacred duty of the priest to guide the salvation of his people.
6. In the sacrament of Holy Matrimony, the Holy Spirit descends upon the bride and groom and unites them to one body.
7. In the sacrament of the Unction of the Sick, the priest anoints the sick with oil, cleansing them from physical and psychological ailments. In this sacrament, the priest also prays with the sick and their family.

The celebration took place at St. Anba Rewis Theater in the Coptic Orthodox Cathedral in Abbassiya, under the theme: “Being of one accord and of one mind” (Philippians 2:2). The program featured a series of hymns and documentary segments reflecting the significance of the Council of Nicaea.

Prior to the event, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II received His Holiness Mor Ignatius Aphrem II, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East of the Syriac Orthodox Church, and His Holiness Catholicos Aram I, Catholicos of the Armenian Orthodox Church of the Great House of Cilicia (Lebanon), at the Papal Residence in Cairo.

Also welcomed were other church leaders, including His Beatitude Patriarch Theodoros II of Alexandria and All Africa of the Greek Orthodox Church, His Grace Bishop Samy Fawzy of the Anglican Church in Egypt, North Africa, and the Horn of Africa, and Rev. Dr. Andrea Zaki, President of the Evangelical Church in Egypt. Representatives of various churches in Egypt and the Middle East, along with officials from the Middle East Council of Churches and the Egypt Council of Churches, and the Ambassador of Venezuela to Egypt, were also in attendance.

Following the formal reception, the patriarchs, church leaders, and representatives gathered in the cathedral courtyard, where they listened to a choir performance from several choral groups standing on the cathedral steps, preceded by a scout parade. The three Oriental Orthodox patriarchs then held a joint press conference before proceeding to the Anba Rewis Theater to begin the main celebration.

The event included performances by the Harvest Choir from St. George Church in El-Manial, Cairo; Syriac Orthodox hymns by the choir of the Virgin Mary Syriac Orthodox Church in Cairo; and Armenian chants sung by metropolitans of the Armenian Church.

The celebration also featured two documentary films: “The Council of Nicaea” produced by the Convent of St. George the Martyr in Old Cairo, and “Guardians of the Faith” produced by the Coptic Church Media Center.

In his address, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Alexandria expressed love and unity, announcing that his church will dedicate the year 2025 to honoring St. Athanasius the Apostolic in commemoration of 17 centuries since the Council of Nicaea.

The evening concluded with a closing word of thanks and appreciation from His Holiness Pope Tawadros II.