What is Soborovanie and how is it conducted? Sacrament of Sobor

If you have a question: "What is soborovanie and how is it conducted?", We recommend spending some time and reading our article: here you can find a full answer. You will also learn what the Gospel says about the baptism, how it will be prepared for it, and what you need to do with oil and grain after it.

Rite of Sobor. Its purpose

In the Christian tradition, there are some sacraments that are very important for believers. One of those can be considered a sobor, or anointing. The origins of this rite go back to the Gospel times, but the ritual itself in today's interpretation has been significantly changed.

To understand what is soborovanie and how it is conducted, it is necessary to find out what its purpose is. The main purpose of the sacrament is healing. And the healing is not only physical ailments, but also mental ones. Also during the rite absolution occurs, of which a person could forget and not confess. It is even believed that soborovanie in something akin to confession.

This mystery is called in different ways. Initially, it was an anointing, for the rite used oil, which was anointed man. In the future, it was called only the Sacrament of Sobor. And the whole point is that several priests (seven) perform the rite, that is, the cathedral.

Evangelical and historical references to the origin of the rite

What is the essence of the Sobor? To understand, you need to go deeper into history. As already mentioned, the origins of the sacrament should be sought in the Gospel time, in particular, it refers to the period when Jesus lived. His actions to heal the sick and found their reflection in the rite of sobor, or anointing. Later such wonderful deeds were continued by his apostles.

The first healing ceremonies took place by laying on of hands, but after a while, in the epistle written by the apostle James, it could be read that the sick man can call the church ministers to pray and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. If the suffering man has faith, he will be healed, and all sins will be forgiven him (referring to those he forgot about). In the modern version of the sacrament, the laying on of hands was replaced by anointing with oil, and in memory of the ancient rite the Gospel is placed on the forehead of the patient.

The first procedures of anointing in Russia were very simple, only psalms and several prayers were read. In addition, rituals were held mainly at home. Only since the sixth century this mystery began to acquire the kind that it now has.

When the Sobor is Conducted

What else do you need to know about such a ritual as sobor? How to pass it. When exactly it is conducted. For sick parishioners who can not visit the temple and survive the service, rituals at home are allowed in any of the days agreed with the clergy.

There are also traditional Sabbath days. They fall for the time of Lent or Christmas. Usually it's not one day, but several, as there are many who wish to heal the soul. All this should be known in the chosen temple, since such sacraments are not held in all. By the way, find out beforehand that there is no proofreading of the possessed before the sobor, as this is not welcome at all.

Who can be bothered?

In order to understand what is soborovanie and how it is conducted, one should also deal with the question of who can pass this ritual. Any Christian who has reached the age of seven can be sobbed. The younger are not allowed to pass this ritual. However, some clerics believe that in exceptional cases, when the child is sick, it is quite appropriate.

Also, women can not be sabbatical during critical days. Therefore, if it did, then it is better to refrain from this rite.

Many people are sure that this mystery is resorted to when a person is lying on his deathbed. In fact, this is not so. The rite is conducted not only on a person who is sick or will soon leave this mortal world. After all, what is soborozhirovanie (how to go through this ritual - we will discuss below)? This is not the last confession and remission of sins before the transition to another world, and certainly not a burial service, God forbid! Yes, in the first place this sacrament is painful, but during the ritual at home sacred oil is anointed not only by those who need it, but also all household members, blessing them. Therefore, do not expose yourself to the fear of an imminent death. Very many patients after soborozhii recovered or they became much better. Those who are already dead Christians and those who are unconscious are not allowed to enter the sacrament.

So, as already mentioned, absolutely healthy people can be harnessed, however, not more often than once a year (usually in the Great Lent). This mystery releases from forgotten sins, and also heals from mental illnesses. But it should be remembered that the soborhood itself will not replace confession and communion.

Preparing for the ceremony

Some believers have a question before going through the sabotage: how to prepare for this rite? Special preparations are not required. However, the believer before the sacrament should receive communion and confession. The same must be done after the rite is completed. As you can see, confession is an integral procedure. If you suddenly decided that all sins will be released, it is only necessary to go through the sobor, it is not so. In fact, a person should sincerely repent that he ever did something unconsciously committed.

Also, before the council, the priests prepare special items that will be needed during the sacrament. The person who came to the temple should buy a candle. It is not necessary to fast (except in cases when they are made at the Great Lent).

What is necessary to perform the rite

Usually, the following items are needed for the ritual at home and in the church:

• Covered with a clean cloth (tablecloth) table (in the church used analoy);
• Grains of wheat (other grains are allowed) placed on a platter (symbolize life itself, as well as renewal, both physical and spiritual);
• A vessel for the sanctification of oil;
• Seven candles;
• Seven sticks, which must be wrapped in cotton wool;
• Vegetable oil (usually olive, which for the ancients had a special value);
• A little red wine (symbolizes the blood of the Lord).

In addition, the clergyman uses the Gospel and the cross. As you can see, it is still necessary to prepare some items to hold the sobor. How to prepare for a person who wants to go through this mystery is written above.

Conducting a Rite in the Church

The sacrament is traditionally held in the church (except for the weak believers, who can not come because of illness). The rite is performed by seven priests, but one is allowed in special cases. Why seven? The whole point is that during the rite so many times the texts from the Apostle, the Gospel, and also the prayers are read. Seven times he is anointed with a sacred oil.

Before the rite begins, all parishioners should light the candles. The soborization in the temple is divided into three parts (conditionally):

• Singing a moleben;
• The sanctification of oil;
• Anointing with oil.

In the first part there are chants and prayers, and also those who came to the sobor are listed by name. The sacrament begins with the words "Blessed be our God ...", then the process is a shortened morning service, which is performed at a time when fasting. By the way, modern trebnik are completely different from the ancient ones, and some prayers differ significantly (and the rite itself too). Perhaps, that is why there were some persistent prejudices.

In the second part, the oil for anointing is consecrated. To do this, mix wine and vegetable oil in a separate vessel. Wine is an obligatory component, as it symbolizes the blood of the Lord shed for the salvation of mankind by Jesus Christ. Then seven candles should be lit, and the priest should read a special prayer for the sanctification of the oil.

And in the end, there is anointing of the sobors. At the same time, the Apostles, the Gospel, a short litany, and a special prayer, which deals with forgiveness and healing, are read.

The last part is performed seven times, but each time different passages from the Gospel and the Apostles are read. At the very end, after seven times anointing, all parishioners surround the clergy. The latter utter a prayer and put an open gospel on everyone. Then comes the kissing of this holy book, and afterwards - the litanies and the bows of the parishioners. At this the sacrament is finished.

Carrying out the ritual at home

Usually the Sacrament is performed in the church even over the sick. However, if there is no possibility to come to the temple and make a ceremony there, the priests can visit the patient at home. The ceremony is almost the same as in the temple. At the sacrament all relatives can be present, during the ritual they are also anointed with sacred oil.

What to do after the administration

After the sobor, the believer must take communion, and also he can take home the grains that were used during the sacrament, and the holy oil. At home all this can be added in small quantities to food. As for the oil, the painful places are anointed with a cross.

Note! If before the next soborozhirovaniya you have left fir and cereals, they need to be burned, and ashes bury in a place where almost no one goes. You can also give the remains to the temple to burn them there (in some there are special ovens for the destruction of dilapidated ritual objects). It should be noted that in antiquity everything that remained from the soborage was not given to the parishioners, but was burned. Even now, in some churches, fir and wheat can be given only if specifically requested by the one who is made.

Parishioners who passed the rite

Those parishioners who consciously, with deep faith and repentance, have passed the sacrament of sabotage, mark significant spiritual relief. As for physical healing, we note that it does not necessarily happen immediately after the rite. However, in the future, if you believe the words of the parishioners who witnessed the miracle, a person can be healed, especially if you regularly pray. The main thing here is not to forget about the Lord, about your sins, which led to physical infirmity.

After the sacrament, very many, especially those who are mentally ill, feel the comfort and intercession of the Most High. If anyone was destined to leave this world after the rite, they managed to bless their relatives (except for very serious cases) and depart with a pacified soul.

The difference between anointing and soborozhany (anointing)

We hope, now you understand how the soborhood goes. However, there is a very similar sacrificial sanctification - chrismation. The essence of both rites is anointing with sacred oil, but the act of sobor is performed more often by the aching believers (spiritually or physically). Chrismation is performed once in life, immediately after the person's baptism or if he moved to Orthodoxy from another faith.

They also anoint the parishioners with holy oil during the Vigil, but this is not considered a separate sacrament, but only a part of the divine service.

Myths about Sobor

If you have already understood how the sabotage is going on, let's discuss some aspects of this sacrament, about which an incorrect impression may be formed. For example, as already mentioned, some believe that this rite is performed only over the dying, therefore, it somehow accelerates the demise of the suffering. Of course, this is not so in fact.

This is not the last mystery, however, a healthy person should not be ostracized more than once a year. For those who are on the deathbed, it is necessary to go through three sacraments: confess (if he is able), receive communion and soboratsya. Perhaps that is why this myth arose, but no one says that confession is only for the dying? Therefore, soborozheniya should not be afraid, because in addition to bodily diseases, there are also spiritual ones, which are also healed. And also there is absolution of sins, about which they have not been told or forgotten.

Conclusion

So now you know what is going on and how it is conducted. In conclusion, it can be said that this is a very important rite for believers, as there is a complete forgiveness of all forgotten sins, as well as spiritual and physical healing. Of course, this is possible only on condition of sincere repentance and having faith in the power and omnipotence of the Almighty.

As for the actual absolution of sins, there is a reservation here. If you concealed something in confession (and only after it), then there will be no forgiveness for such deeds or thoughts. Sins must be truly forgotten by man - willingly or unwillingly. The same who regularly confesses, passes the sacrament of sabotage (and not only), can help not only himself, but also other people who are related to him in kinship. Thus, turning to the Lord in prayer and the hope of his mercy, visiting the church and analyzing your life and actions will help you to be saved and cleansed from your sins.