sacrament

Table of Contents

Introduction
Nature and significance
Types and variations
- Types
- Variations
  - Sacramental ideas and practices in preliterate societies
  - Sacramental ideas and practices in the ancient Near East
  - Sacramental ideas and practices in the Greco-Roman world
  - Sacramental ideas and practices in the Indo-Iranian world
  - Sacramental ideas and practices of pre-Columbian America
Theology and practice of sacraments in Christianity
- Baptism
- Confirmation
- The Eucharist, or Lord’s Supper
- Penance
- Ordination
- Marriage
- Last unction
Conclusion

References & Edit History Related Topics

For Students

sacrament summary

Read Next

Marriage. A couple getting married during a church wedding ceremony. (religion, ceremony, bride, groom)

The Seven Sacraments of the Roman Catholic church

Discover

July, 2006, Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery STS-121. See attached for full caption information.

Will Light-Speed Space Travel Ever Be Possible?

Artist interpretation of a Space meteoroid impact. Meteor impact. Asteroid, End of the world, danger, destruction, dinosaur extinct, Judgement Day, Planet Earth, Doomsday Predictions, comet

10 Failed Doomsday Predictions

Queen Elizabeth II addresses at opening of Parliament. (Date unknown on photo, but may be 1958, the first time the opening of Parliament was filmed.)

All 119 References in “We Didn’t Start the Fire,” Explained

African Americans demonstrating for voting rights in front of the White House as police and others watch, March 12, 1965. One sign reads, "We demand the right to vote everywhere." Voting Rights Act, civil rights.

Timeline of the American Civil Rights Movement

Illustration for Demystified "How Dangerous is Quicksand"

How Deadly Is Quicksand?

Ice Sledge Hockey, Hockey Canada Cup, USA (left) vs Canada, 2009. UBC Thunderbird Arena, Vancouver, BC, competition site for Olympic ice hockey and Paralympic ice sledge hockey. Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, Vancouver Olympics

10 Best Hockey Players of All Time

Agnes with a lamb near her feet. St. Agnes (Saint Agnes) design drawing for stained glass window by J&R Lamb Studios, ink, mount size 10.5 x 14.5 in.

Roman Catholic Saints

sacrament: Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

News •

The Funeral of Pope Francis • Apr. 26, 2025, 5:17 AM ET (ABC News (Australia))

Topics

Eucharist ordination confirmation chrismation anointing of the sick religious symbolism and iconography sacramental ritual sacrifice purification rite rite of passage consecration baptism anointment gift exchange exorcism triumph first-fruits ceremony

Dig Deeper: More Articles That Discuss This Topic

Key People

Nevin, John Williamson

John Williamson Nevin

American Protestant theologian

List

Marriage. A couple getting married during a church wedding ceremony. (religion, ceremony, bride, groom)

The Seven Sacraments of the Roman Catholic church