World Religious Symbols
Sacrament
Understanding

Wikipedia Encyclopedia states Sacrament as being:
In Western Christian belief practice, a sacrament is a rite, instituted by Christ, that mediates grace, constituting a sacred mystery. The Eastern Orthodox Church, however, views the sacraments, what it typically calls the Holy Mysteries, not so much as dispensers of grace, but instead as a means for communing with God, an entering into and participation in heavenly things while nevertheless still on earth in this life, viewing the Church and indeed all of creation sacramentally. Views concerning both what rites are sacramental, and what it means for an act to be sacramental vary among Christian denominations and traditions. Christian churches, denominations, and sects are divided regarding the number and operation of the sacraments, but they are generally held to have been instituted by Jesus Christ. The sacraments in the Orthodox Church have historically been called the "holy mysteries."

Usually seven sacraments are counted: baptism, chrismation (or confirmation), holy eucharist, penance, matrimony, holy orders and the unction of the sick. The practice of counting the sacraments was adopted in the Orthodox Church from the Roman Catholics. It is not an ancient practice of the Church and, in many ways, it tends to be misleading since it appears that there are just seven specific rites which are "sacraments" and that all other aspects of the life of the Church are essentially different from these particular actions. The more ancient and traditional practice of the Orthodox Church is to consider everything which is in and of the Church as sacramental or mystical.

The PODR as the gift of life eternal is by its very nature, in its fullness and entirety, a mystical and sacramental reality. It is the life of the Kingdom of God given already to those who believe. And thus, within the PODR, everything we do, our prayers, blessings, good works, thoughts, actions, everything participates in the life which has no end. In this sense everything which is in the PODR and of the PODR is a sacrament of the Kingdom of God.