As to members of the Holy Orthodox Church
living in districts beyond the reach of Orthodox clergy, I direct that
the ancient custom of our Holy Church be observed, namely, in cases of extreme
necessity, that is, danger of death, children may be baptized by some pious
Orthodox layman, or even by the parent of the child, by immersion three times
in the names of the (persons of the) Blessed Trinity, and in case of death such
baptism is valid: — but, if the child should live, it must be brought to an Orthodox
priest for the Sacrament of Chrismation.
In the
case of the death of an Orthodox person where no priest of the Holy Orthodox
Church can be had, a pious layman may read over the corpse, for the comfort of
the relatives and the instruction of the persons present, Psalm 91 and Psalm
118, and add thereto the Trisagion (“Holy God, Holy Strong One,” etc). But be
it noted that so soon as possible the relative must notify some Orthodox bishop
or priest and request him to say the Liturgy and Requiem for the repose of the
soul of the departed in his Cathedral or parish Church.
As to
Holy Matrimony, if there be any parties united in wedlock outside the pale of
the holy Orthodox Church because of the remoteness of Orthodox centers from
their home, I direct that as soon as possible they either invite an Orthodox
priest or go to where he resides and receive from his hands the holy Sacrament
of Matrimony; otherwise they will be considered excommunicated until they
submit unto the Orthodox Church’s rule.
I further
direct that Orthodox Christians should not make it a practice to attend the
services of other religious bodies, so that there be no confusion as to the
teaching or doctrines. Instead, I order that the head of each household, or a
member, may read the special prayers which can be found in the hours of the
Holy Orthodox Service Book, and such other devotional books as have been set
forth by the authority of the Holy Orthodox Church.
By St. Raphael of Brooklyn
Source:
http://www.orthodoxchurchquotes.com/2014/07/01/st-raphael-of-brooklyn-instructions-to-orthodox-christians-with-no-orthodox-clergy-nearby/
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