Holy Oblation

Please use this form to submit a Holy Oblation for the health and blessings of a loved one or in memory of a departed loved one.

Date(Required)

Please indicate the date (Sunday) your Holy Oblation should be listed in the Liturgical Guide. Names are added to the Prayer List for one week by offering Holy Oblation or for up to 40 days in the case of an ongoing serious illness by contacting the church office.

Intended Recipient

Oblation Type(Required)

Living

Departed

In thirty words or less, please write your Holy Oblation(s) as you want it to appear in the bulletin. Follow this example: For the health and blessings of (name) on his/her/their (occasion) offered by (name). May God grant you many years.

In thirty words or FOR A DEPARTEDless, please write your Holy Oblation(s) as you want it to appear in the bulletin. Follow this example: In memory of the (optional: length of time) falling asleep in the Lord of (optional: the servant of God/the handmaiden of God) (name) offered by (name). May his/her /their memory be Eternal!

Oblation

Contact Info

Your Name(Required)

First Last

Phone(Required)

Email(Required)

This email will receive a confirmation.

Donation Instructions

You have two options when offering Holy Oblations:

Baking Holy Bread and bringing it to the Church. Please arrange delivery with Subdeacon Nicholas (616) 808-1917.
Making a donation. It is more typical these days for our Liturgical Preparations team to bake Holy Bread on your behalf. If you choose this option, please make a donation below or through Venmo. Offer any amount you choose.

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Understanding the Holy Oblation in the Antiochian Orthodox Church

Welcome to the Antiochian Orthodox Church! We’re thrilled to have you join our community. One of the beautiful and meaningful rituals you’ll encounter during our worship services is the Holy Oblation.

1. The Divine Liturgy:
Our primary worship service is called the Divine Liturgy, where we come together as a community to offer our prayers and praises to God.

2. The Holy Oblation:
At a particular moment in the Liturgy, the priest, representing the entire congregation, offers bread and wine to God. These gifts symbolize the offering of our lives and the fruits of our labor to God.

3. Transubstantiation:
Through a sacred process known as transubstantiation, we believe that the bread and wine become the actual body and blood of Christ. This transformation is not a mere symbol but a profound mystery that lies at the heart of our faith.

4. Communion:
Following the consecration of the gifts, the faithful partake in the Holy Communion, receiving the body and blood of Christ. This act of communion symbolizes our union with Christ and with one another as members of the Church.

5. Intention and Prayer:
When offering during the Holy Oblation, individuals may have specific intentions. It could be for the well-being of the living, the repose of the departed, or other personal prayers. It’s a moment of connection between the individual believer and God.

6. Community Participation:
The Holy Oblation is a communal act. While the priest performs the ritual, it represents the collective offering of our lives, struggles, and joys as a community.

7. Welcome to the Journey:
As a newcomer, you’re invited to witness and participate in this sacred journey. Feel free to ask questions, and know that you are part of a rich and ancient tradition that seeks to draw us closer to God through worship and sacrament.

If you have any further questions or if there’s anything you’d like to explore, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to support you on your spiritual journey.

Blessings,

Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church