Chrism

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Glass vessel etched with the letters SC for sanctum chrisma containing chrism for the Roman Catholic Church

Chrism, also called

Anglican, and Old Catholic churches in the administration of certain sacraments
and ecclesiastical functions.

Name

The English chrism derives from

unction") of χρίειν ("anoint").[1] By extension, along with khrîma (χρῖμα), khrîstai (χρῖσται), and later khrísma (χρίσμα), it came to be used for the anointing oil or ointment itself. Khrísma came into Latin as chrisma, which appears in the works of Tertullian. This was adopted directly into Old English as crisma, which developed into Middle English crisme and various related spellings.[1] In Old French, the original Latin was conflated with cramum ("cream"), developing into cresme, which was also borrowed into Middle English around 1300 as creme and various related spellings. The spelling chrism after the Latin original was generally adopted in the 16th century, after which "cream" came to be restricted to its present meaning.[1]

The

skimming"), Middle Low German grēme ("grime"), Old English grīma ("mask, helm, spectre", presumably from an original sense of "covering" or "concealment"), English grime, and possibly Phrygian gegreimenan ("painted, ornamented, inscribed").[citation needed
]

Chrism is also called myron[2] or myrrh. Myron is an oil that is blessed by a bishop.[3]

Early Christian usage

Multiple early

Apostolical Constitutions" of "chrism", including documents by Theophilus (d. 181) and Tertullian
(d. 220).

The most detailed version of the practice is by

ointment or oil was "symbolically applied to the forehead, and the other organs of sense" and that the "ears, nostrils, and breast were each to be anointed." Cyril states that the "ointment is the seal of the covenants" of baptism and God's promises to the Christian who is anointed. Cyril taught that being "anointed with the Holy anointing oil of God" was the sign of a Christian, and a physical representation of having the Gift of the Holy Spirit, and it retains this meaning in Catholicism and Orthodoxy today. He says, "Having been counted worthy of this Holy Chrism, you are called Christians, verifying the name also by your new birth. For before you were deemed worthy of this grace, you properly had no right to this title but were advancing on your way towards being Christians." (On the Mysteries 3.5)[4]

Western Christianity

Latin Catholicism

Chrismatory for ritual oil from Germany, 1636[5] (silver-gilt, Victoria and Albert Museum, London
)
A bishop pouring balsam into oil at Chrism Mass

Chrism is essential for the Catholic

confirmation or chrismation and is prominently used in the sacraments of baptism and holy orders. Those to be confirmed or chrismated, after receiving the laying on of hands, are anointed on the head by the bishop or priest. In baptism, if the person baptized is not to be immediately confirmed or chrismated, the minister anoints
them with chrism. Newly ordained priests are anointed with chrism on the palms of their hands, and newly ordained bishops receive an anointing of chrism on their foreheads. It is also used in the consecration of objects such as churches and altars.

In the ancient Liturgy prior to the reforms that followed the

extraordinary form of the Roman Rite, employed by certain ecclesiastical communities, the use of chrism during the administration of holy orders differs: in the older form of the Roman Rite, priests are anointed in the hands only with the oil of catechumens
, while bishops consecrated with the old ritual are anointed both in the head and in the hands with chrism.

Before the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, chrism had to be used to

chalices as well. The sign of the cross
would be made with the chrism on the interior parts of the chalice and paten where the Eucharist would rest; the cross would then be smeared to cover the entire interior parts. The chalice and paten would need to be consecrated with the chrism again if they were re-gilded. This ritual could only be performed by a bishop or a priest with the faculties to do so. According to the new rubrics, a simple blessing suffices. However, it is still permitted that the bishop performs the consecration with chrism.

Chrism is made of

oil of the sick are also blessed at this Mass
.

These holy oils are usually stored in special vessels known as chrismaria and kept in a cabinet known as an ambry. When the oils are distributed to a priest for him to use in his ministry they are kept in a smaller vessel with three compartments, known as an "oil stock". There is also a type of oil stock that is shaped like a ring, to make the anointing easier. The "jewel" of the ring is a container with a removable lid.

Holy oils were also used, in the older form of the Roman Rite, for the anointing of kings during ceremonies of coronation. Several local rites allowed for the use of chrism in those coronation rites (e.g. in the pre-reformation English coronation rite the anointing was with chrism; Napoleon was anointed with chrism by Pope Pius VII, etc.). However, the general coronation rite of the Roman Liturgy, codified in the Roman Pontifical of Pope Clement VIII, prescribed the use of the oil of cathecumens for the anointing of kings.

The original Holy Ampulla in its relic receptacle before 1793

The

Coronation of Charles X[9] and are kept since 1906 at the Archbishopric of Reims.[10]

Anglicanism and Lutheranism

The primary use of chrism in Anglican and Lutheran churches is for the rite of chrismation, which may be included as a part of baptism, even for infants.

The oil of chrism is also commonly used in

Igreja Lusitana (Anglican Church in Portugal) states at the point of confirmation: "Os confirmandos ajoelham perante o Bispo. Este pode assinala-los na testa com o sinal da cruz, usando oleo proprio" ("The confirmands kneel before the Bishop. He may anoint them on the forehead with the sign of the cross, using the proper oil").[13]

The use of chrism in Anglican and Lutheran ordination liturgies is similarly presented as an option in most provinces. In the liturgy for the ordination of priests in the Church of England, for example, the instruction is: "The bishop may anoint the palms of the hands of each newly ordained priest, saying 'May God, who anointed the Christ with the Holy Spirit at his baptism, anoint and empower you to reconcile and bless his people'."[14] There is a similar instruction for the ordination of bishops, who are anointed on the head rather than the palms of the hands.[15]

An important and specific use of chrism is in the anointing during the

coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. During the coronation of Charles III in May 2023, specially-made, portable screens were used during the anointing to conceal the King and Archbishop from the congregation and TV cameras during this sacred rite. It is followed by the presentation of the crown jewels to the sovereign, then the actual coronation.[16]

Its other notable use is in the consecration of church buildings, where it may be used to anoint the walls, the altar/table, and the place for reservation of the eucharistic sacrament for the sick.

As in other traditions, chrism is usually based on

coronation of Charles III, monarch of the United Kingdom and several Commonwealth countries, animal-derived components were not used, the olive oil being scented with essential oils of sesame, rose, jasmine, cinnamon, neroli and benzoin, and with orange blossom.[17]

Chrism is usually consecrated by the bishop of the

Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.[17]

Latter Day Saints

Members of the Latter Day Saint movement also practice ritual anointing of the sick, as well as other forms of anointing. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints consider anointing to be an ordinance.[18]

Members of the LDS church who hold the Melchizedek priesthood may use consecrated oil in performing the ordinance of blessing of the "sick or afflicted", although the blessing may be performed without oil if it is unavailable. The priesthood holder anoints the recipient's head with a drop of oil, then lays their hands upon the head and declares the act of anointing. Then another priesthood holder joins in, if available, and pronounces a "sealing" of the anointing, and other words of blessing. Melchizedek priesthood holders are also authorized to consecrate any pure olive oil, and often carry a personal supply in case they have need to perform a blessing. Oil is not used in other blessings, such as for people seeking comfort or counsel.[18][19] The word "chrism" is not used.

In addition to the James 5:14–15 reference, the Doctrine and Covenants contains numerous references to the anointing and healing of the sick by those with authority to do so.

Eastern Christianity

Eastern Orthodox Church

Chrismarium used in Russia. The vessel is named "Alabaster" in reference to Matthew 26:7.

Within the Orthodox Church chrism plays a part in many liturgical services and sacraments. The first sacrament that uses chrism, the sacrament of

Latin occupation of Constantinople, following Latin practice.[20][21][22]

Moscow Kremlin
)

The Orthodox Church makes chrism during

Great Entrance and placed upon the altar. It consists primarily of olive oil with the addition of a range of aromatic essences, patterned after the anointing oil described in Exodus 30:22–33
. Holy Myron is confected only by a bishop, without prejudice to particular law which reserves this power to the patriarch. In Russian tradition:

[...] into each vessel of new myrrh are poured a few drops of the old myrrh [...] This is done in token of the uninterrupted connection of the Russian Church with the Greek, from which she received [...] the first consecrated myrrh.[23]

Stove for preparation of chrism, Moscow Kremlin, detail

On completion, chrism is distributed to all the bishops, who, in turn, give it to their parishes when needed. It is not made on a yearly basis, but only when supplies run short.[citation needed]

The Orthodox

icons.[25] The preparation of the chrism in the patriarchate is carried out by the college of the Kosmētores Myrepsoí (Greek: Κοσμήτορες Μυρεψοί, "Deans Perfumers"), presided by the Árchōn Myrepsós, the "Lord Perfumer". The incumbent[when?
] Archon Myrepsos is biochemist Prodromos Thanasoglou.

Further information: Perfumer (Myrepsos)

In Byzantine times the official responsible was the Grand

Saint Andrew
, pending distribution.

Oriental Orthodox Churches

Main Chrismarium in Armenian Apostolic Church. Vessel made by silver and kept in Echmiadzin's treasures museum.

In the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church (Jacobite Fraction), it is believed that Christ taught the holy apostles how to consecrate the myron or chrism. As a tradition, usually the primate or Catholicos of the East as appointed by Patariach consecrate the chrism.(Metropolitans can consecrate if needed)[26] The primate is clothed in white vestments, "corresponding to the light of his soul, and with the purity of his person, as the mystery indicates to him that it should be offered to God in purity."[27] Present with the primate are twelve priests who represent the twelve apostles, twelve censers indicating the preaching of the Gospel, twelve lamps to symbolize the luminous revelations that descend upon them and twelve fans to indicate that it is not right that the divine mysteries should be revealed to those who are unworthy.[28][29]

The Armenian Apostolic Church consecrates myrrh every seven years in autumn at Etchmiadzin Cathedral in Armenia.[30][31][32]

See also

  • Anointing of Jesus – Gospels event
  • Charisma – Charm that can inspire devotion in others
  • Ghee – Type of clarified butter from India
  • Holy Ampulla – Glass vial containing the chrism for French coronations from 1131 to 1774
  • Misha (Mandaeism) – Anointing oil used in Mandaeans religious rituals
  • Oil of Saints – Liquid which is said to flow from the relics or burial places of Christian saints

References

  1. ^ a b c Oxford English Dictionary, 1st ed. "chrism, n." Oxford University Press (Oxford), 1889.
  2. ^ For more about Myron or Holy Myron read this page from the Orthodox Syrian Church at https://mosc.in/the_church/the-holy-myron/
  3. ^ See 5th paragraph. Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States, "When and why did the church decide that the Holy Spirit be received through the Holy Myron instead of simply by the "laying of hands" as the Apostles did?" https://www.suscopts.org/q&a/index.php?qid=694&catid=191 Accessed April 6, 2024
  4. ^ Eric Segelberg, "The Benedictio Olei in the Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus", (Oriens Christianus 48, 1964)
  5. ^ "Chrismatory". Metalwork. Victoria and Albert Museum. Retrieved 2007-08-18.
  6. ^ See Roman Catholic Diocese of Peterborough website: https://www.peterboroughdiocese.org/en/get-involved/chrism-mass.aspx?_mid_=34576 Accessed April 6, 2024
  7. ^ Le Goff, Jacques; et al. Le sacre royal à l'époque de Saint-Louis d'après le manuscrit latin 1246 de la BNF (in French)
  8. ^ See Jean-Claude Bonne 2001, examining the coronation ordines from Charlemagne to Charles V, who commissioned a Livre du sacre, as C. Meredith Jones remarked, in reviewing Sir Francis Oppenheimer's monograph of the Holy Ampulla.
  9. ^ La Sainte Ampoule et le sacre des rois de France, leblogdumesnil.unblog.fr
  10. ^ [1] Content of the Holy Ampulla kept at the archbishopric of Reims
  11. ISBN 0-7151-2102-2
    , page 129.
  12. ISBN 0-00-599180-3
    , page 393.
  13. ^ Liturgia da Igreja Lusitana (Catolica Apostolica Evangelica), Igreja Lusitana 1991 (privately published), page 246.
  14. ISBN 978-0-7151-2130-6
    , page 50.
  15. ISBN 978-0-7151-2130-6
    , page 75.
  16. ^ "Sacred coronation oil will be animal-cruelty free". BBC News. 2023-03-03. Retrieved 2023-03-05.
  17. ^ a b Coughlan, Sean (3 March 2023). "Sacred coronation oil will be animal-cruelty free". BBC News.
  18. ^ a b "613 Administering to the Sick[dead link]", LDS.org Gospel Topics.
  19. ^ "Priesthood Ordinances and Blessings". Family Guidebook. Salt Lake City, Utah: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. February 2006. Retrieved 2009-09-21.
  20. ISBN 9789004203921
    .
  21. ISBN 9780226284606
    .
  22. ISBN 9780823274215
    .
  23. ^ Sokolov, Dmitry Pavlovich (1899). A Manual of the Orthodox Church's Divine Services. New York: Wynkoop Hallenbeck Crawford Co. p. 103. Retrieved 2014-07-23. [...] into each vessel of new myrrh are poured a few drops of the old myrrh [...] This is done in token of the uninterrupted connection of the Russian Church with the Greek, from which she received [...] the first consecrated myrrh.
  24. ^ Alfeyev, Hilarion (2001) Le Mystère de la foi (Cerf, Paris)
  25. ^ "The Sanctification of the Holy Chrism – Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America". Retrieved 2009-09-19.
  26. ^ "Church performs consecration of holy chrism". Matters India. 2018-03-25. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
  27. ^ "The Holy Myron". mosc.in. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
  28. ^ "Chrismation | The Holy Sacraments/Mysteries | Orthodoxy | Northeast American Diocese of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church". www.neamericandiocese.org. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
  29. ^ "The Holy Myron". mosc.in. Retrieved 2020-09-10.
  30. ^ "Armenia: Myrrh Blessing". WelcomeArmenia.com. Archived from the original on 2015-09-27. Retrieved 2015-09-26.
  31. ^ "Once-In-Seven-Years Experience". ArmeniaNow.com. 2015-09-25. Retrieved 2015-09-26.
  32. ^ Vassiliou, Tara (2012-04-03). "Muron' Olive Oil 1,700 Years in the Making". Olive Oil Times. Retrieved 2015-09-26.
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