The Sacraments of the Orthodox Church—often referred to as Holy Mysteries—possess a dual nature. They are both visible and invisible, outward and inward. Each sacrament involves a physical element through which God's grace is mystically and personally imparted.

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For example, in the Holy Eucharist, we partake of the Body and Blood of Christ, though what we see appears as bread and wine. In Holy Baptism, there is the outward washing with water, but also the inward cleansing from sin. This union of material and spiritual reflects the mystery of the Incarnation, when Christ, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, took on human flesh and sanctified it by the Holy Spirit.

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In most Sacraments, the Church uses material elements—bread, wine, water, oil—as instruments of the Holy Spirit. These acts are also deeply personal, as God's grace is given individually to each Christian. This is why, during the sacraments, the priest often invokes the person's name. For instance, during Holy Communion, the priest says:

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"The servant of God, [Name], partakes..."

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While Orthodox tradition commonly refers to Seven Sacraments, this number is not dogmatically fixed. The precise number of Sacraments was not standardized until around the 17th century. The Church Fathers themselves held varying views—some listed two, others six, some ten, and even those who named seven often differed on which ones were included.

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Many other sacred acts—such as the Blessing of Waters at Theophany, the Monastic Tonsure, the Burial Service, and the Blessing of Objects—also fit the criteria of sacramental grace. Therefore, the number seven is used mainly as a teaching tool, not as a theological limit.

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The Seven Sacraments, traditionally named, are:

1. Holy Baptism

2. Holy Chrismation

3. The Holy Eucharist

4. Repentance (Penance or Confession)

5. Holy Orders

6. Holy Matrimony

7. The Anointing of the Sick