Services - The Chapel of the Holy Spirit

Worship, Sacraments, & Pastoral Services

PASTOR: H. E., Archbishop X F. Paul Garland

367 Hazlettville Road, Hartly, DE 19953-2177

Telephone: 302-674-4290 / 302-222-4725

DEACON ASSOCIATE: The Rev. Fr. Deacon John C. Smith

429 Troon Road, Dover, DE 19904

Telephone: 302-736-6044 / 302-670-6020

WORSHIP AND STUDY

Divine Liturgy is celebrated according to the Rite of St. Tikhon. This Orthodox Western Rite is modeled on the Liturgy of the 1928 Book of Common Prayer.

SUNDAYS: Celebration of Divine Liturgy (with Holy Eucharist) 11:00 AM

HOLY DAYS: Celebration of Divine Liturgy (with Holy Eucharist) 12:00 Noon (As Announced)

WEDNESDAYS: BIBLE STUDY: (Sep. - Dec.: OLD TESTAMENT) (Jan. - May: NEW TESTAMENT)

THE SACRAMENTS

The Great Sacrament of our Church is the salvation of humankind through Christ Jesus our Lord. These ritual observances which we have called sacraments are holy ceremonies through which Divine Grace is transferred to humankind and which cleanses, sanctifies, and guides one to salvation. They are necessary for our salvation. The sacraments are sent from God. Their beginnings are found in the pages of the Holy Scriptures and in the ancient Traditions of the Church. Among the seven sacraments, four are necessary for one's salvation. The remaining three may be received at one's request.

1. BAPTISM: This is the first of the seven sacraments. According to the Gospel of Matthew (28:19), Jesus Christ commanded it, saying to his disciples: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Adults who desire to receive Baptism must first participate in catechetical instruction -- be taught about the faith. In infant baptism, the responsibility for teaching and rearing the child in the faith rests squarely upon the parents and the godparents. At baptism one is cleansed from original sin and from all other sins that may have been committed up until that moment. The person is reborn and becomes a member of the Church, the mystical body of Christ. Baptism is performed by three immersions in water, just as Christ ordained. (Those desiring Baptism may contact the Chapel at 302-222-4725).

2. CHRISMATION: Chrismation is also known as Holy Chrism. With baptism, one is reborn into a new life. However, one still possesses free will, the choice to follow the will of God or to be deceived and follow the ways of evil. Chrismation is a God-sent sacrament. It is based upon the practice of the apostles in giving the gift of the Holy Spirit to others; "Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit", and "when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came upon them" (Acts 8:17; 19:6). Chrismation is done immediately following baptism. The Priest anoints the newly baptized person on all members of the body, using the following phrase: "The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen."

3. HOLY EUCHARIST: The central sacrament of the Church is the Holy Eucharist. It was established by Christ himself: "Now when the even was come, he sat down with the twelve. . . And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, 'Take, eat; this is my body.' And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, 'Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins'" (Matthew 26:20,26-28). The Holy Eucharist is the spiritual nourishment of humanity. The Eucharistic Table is open to all baptized Christians who believe the bread and wine to be the true Body and Blood of Christ.

4. HOLY UNCTION: This sacrament is for the "healing of the soul and the body". We read in the Epistle of James: "Is any sick among you? 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: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him" (James 5:14-15). The sacrament of Holy Unction is celebrated every time a Christian needs it. Historically, the sacrament of Holy Unction was celebrated in conjunction with the sacrament of Repentance and Confession. (Persons who may desire or need prayer and/or anointing for the sick or dying are encouraged to call the Chapel at 302-222-4725 or the Chancery at 302-674-4290).

THE SACRAMENTS

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5. HOLY MATRIMONY: This sacrament was established by God, announced in the Old Testament. "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and replenish the earth, and subdue it;'" (Genesis 1:27-28a). This divine establishment of the sacrament was reaffirmed by Christ by his presence at the wedding at Cana and by his response to the questioning Pharisees: "Have you not read that he who made them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two but one flesh" (Matthew 19:4-6). (If you wish to make arrangements for pre-marital counseling and a wedding, please contact the Chapel number 302-222-4725 or the Chancery at 302-674-4290).

6. ORDINATION TO THE HOLY PRIESTHOOD: This sacrament is also sent from God. It was established by Christ with the calling of his disciples, giving them the authority to loose and bind the sins of the people, and sending the Holy Spirit upon them on the day of Pentecost. The Apostles have since then given the authority of the priesthood to their successors, as is noted in many passages of Scripture, such as: (The Apostles) "prayed and laid their hands upon them" (Acts 6:6, 13:3) or as St. Paul writes to the clergy at Ephesus, "Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God." (Acts 20:28). The priesthood has three orders, namely: the Diaconate, the Presbyterate or Priesthood, and the Episcopate or Bishops. In speaking of the priesthood, St. Paul tells us very clearly when he said that "one does not take the honon (the priesthood) himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was" (Hebrews 5:4). (Men who are interested in pursuing a vocation in the Diaconate or Priesthood are encouraged to contact Archbishop + Paul (Garland) at either 302-222-4725 or 302-674-4290, or via e-mail: bppavlos@comcast.net .

7. REPENTANCE AND CONFESSION: Jesus Christ established the sacrament of repentance and confession after his Resurrection. In addressing his disciples, he said: "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven. If you retain the sins of any, they are retained" (John 20:22-24). The words of Christ are very clear. In essence they and their successors were and are instruments of Christ. It is Christ who forgives the sins of humanity. He gave this authority to the Apostles and their successors. Humanity sins, even after baptism, therefore this sacrament is absolutely necessary for our cleansing from sin, our purification, and for the washing of our spiritual selves. When there is true repentance and confession, remission of sins follows. No sin is unforgiveable except for the sin of unrepentance, which is in essence, blastphemy against the Holy Spirit.

PASTORAL SERVICES

Pastoral services are simply obedience to the Great Commandment of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is the loving care of his flock as he commanded us to do: "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these" (Mark 12:20-31). (If you desire or need any of the following pastoral services, please call 302-222-4725 or 302-674-4290 or e-mail bppavlos@comcast.net ).

1. Hospital visitation of the sick or dying (The Sacrament of Holy Unction, upon request).

2. Home visitation of the sick or dying (the Sacrament of Holy Unction, upon request).

3. Home visitation with episcopal blessing of the domicile, by appointment.

4. The conduct of funerals and final interment of the deceased, by appointment.

5. Pastoral counseling by appointment.

6. Blessing of pet companions, upon special request.

7. Conduct of catechetical instruction upon appointment.

8. The Sacrament of private Repentance and Confession, by appointment.

9. The Sacraments of Holy Baptism and Chrismation, by appointment.