The sacrament of Holy Baptism involves new birth, forgiveness of sins, reception of the Holy Spirit, union with the body of Christ and the Church, and entry in to the Kingdom of God. New birth implies birth from God, the Trinity. Birth from the Holy Trinity means transference of the characteristics of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

The Indian Orthodox Church believes in seven sacraments: Holy Baptism, Holy Mooron (Chrismation), Holy Confession, Holy Qurbana, Holy Matrimony, Holy Orders (Priesthood) and Holy anointing of the sick. Of these the Holy Baptism, Holy Mooron and Holy Orders are the three sacraments which shall not be repeated.

We believe that in a mysterious way the bread becomes the body and wine becomes the blood of our Lord. It was after blessing the bread and wine that our Lord said, "This is my body" and "This is my blood". Just as our Lord was perfect God and perfect man, without any change in the godhood and man-hood, after the blessing, the bread is, both bread and the body of our Lord. Also after blessing, the wine is both wine and blood of our Lord. Protestant churches say that the bread and wine are only the symbols of the body and blood of our Lord.

Eastern churches give primary importance to worship....

 
While we believe in the general priesthood of all believers (I Pet. 2:9), we believe in the special priesthood also. This was handed down from the apostles to the bishops and priests, through apostolic succession. We believe that the bishops and priests act as the symbols and representatives of God. Our Lord says that the sins forgiven by the authorized persons, will be forgiven by God. "Receive ye the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven, if you retain the sins of any, they are retained" (St.John 20:23).