Sacrament

A sacrament is a Christian rite that mediates divine grace.

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Among many Protestants, the word mediates would mean only that it is a visible symbol or manifestation of invisible divine grace.

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Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox Christians, the Oriental Orthodox, Assyrian Christians, members of the Anglican, United Methodist, and Old Catholic traditions, the Independent Catholic Churches and Lutherans hold that sacraments are not mere symbols, but rather, "signs or symbols which effect what they signify", that is, the sacraments cause their recipients to receive divine grace.

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Christian churches and sects are divided regarding the number and operation of the sacraments, but they are generally held to have been instituted by Jesus. Sacraments are usually administered by the clergy to a recipient or recipients, and are generally understood to involve visible and invisible components. The invisible component (manifested inwardly) is understood to be God's grace working in the sacrament's participants, while the visible (or outward) component entails the use of water, wine, or oil that is blessed or consecrated.

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Christian: :This article is about the religious people known as Christians; for the 1980s British music group, see The Christians.For other uses of the term Christian, see Christian (disambiguation)....

Rite: A rite is an established, ceremonious, usually religious act....

Divine grace: Divine grace is the sovereign favour of God exercised in the bestowment of blessings upon those who have no merit in them. It is a Christian term for God's graciousness to humanity that he is under no need or obligation to exhibit. Most broadly, divine grace may also refer to God's gifts to humankin...

Sacrament related Images and Photos (experimental)

Lamb of God: Sacrament	Lamb of God: Sacrament	The Sacrament of the Last Supper c.1955	The Sacrament of the Last Supper c.1955
Retable of the Sacrament Chapel	St. Charles Borromeo Administering the Sacrament to Plague Victims in 1576	St. Charles Borromeo (1538-84) Administering the Sacrament to Plague Victims in 1576	Rudolf of Hapsburg Lending his Horse to a Priest Carrying the Holy Sacrament