View source for Chrismation

{{short description|Initiation rite also known as confirmation}}
[[File:Crowning by Syro-Malabar Major Archbishop Mar George Alencherry.jpg|thumb|[[Syro-Malabar]] Catholic [[George Alencherry|Major Archbishop]] crowning a baby during chrismation]]
{{Eastern Orthodox Church sidebar |expanded=theology}}
'''Chrismation''' consists of the [[sacrament]] or [[Sacred Mysteries|mystery]] in the initiation rites of [[Eastern Christianity]] as practiced in the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], [[Oriental Orthodox Churches]], [[Assyrian Church of the East]] and [[Eastern Catholic churches]]. The sacrament is more commonly known in [[Western Christianity]] as [[confirmation (sacrament)|confirmation]], although some languages such as [[Italian language|Italian]], [[Maltese language|Maltese]] and [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]] normally use the terms ''cresima'', ''griżma (tal-isqof)''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-06-12 |title=Il-messaġġ tal-Arċisqof lill-adolexxenti tal-iskola San Anton li għamlu l-Griżma |url=https://church.mt/il-messagg-tal-arcisqof-lill-adolexxenti-tal-iskola-san-anton-li-ghamlu-l-grizma/ |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=Archdiocese of Malta |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-05-25 |title=X'inhi Griżma tal-Isqof? |url=https://bekids.mt/xinhi-grizma-tal-isqof/?lang=mt |access-date=2024-12-31 |website=BeKids |language=mt-MT}}</ref> and ''crisma'' ("chrismation") rather than ''confermazione'', ''konferma'' or ''confirmação'', respectively ("confirmation").

The term ''chrismation'' comes about because it involves [[anointing]] the recipient of the sacrament with [[chrism]] (holy oil), which according to [[Eastern Christianity|eastern Christian]] belief, the [[Apostles in the New Testament|Apostles]] sanctified and introduced for all priests to use as a replacement for the [[Laying on of hands#Eastern Christianity|laying on of hands]] by the Apostles.<ref>{{cite web |last=Menevisoglou |first=Pavlos |year=2000 |title=The Sanctification of the Holy Chrism |url=https://www.goarch.org/-/the-sanctification-of-the-holy-chrism |publisher=Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America |access-date=11 June 2017 |archive-date=22 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170522032055/https://www.goarch.org/-/the-sanctification-of-the-holy-chrism |url-status=live }}</ref>

Chrism consists of a "mixture of 40 sweet-smelling substances and pure [[olive oil]]"{{sfn|Gialopsos|1997|p=35}} [[Consecrated#Eastern churches|sanctified]] by a bishop with some older chrism added in,{{sfn|Sokolof|1899|p=103}} in the belief that some trace of the initial chrism sanctified by the Apostles remains therein.

==Liturgical form==

===Eastern Orthodox Church===

====Common part of the rite====
The priest anoints the recipient with chrism, making the [[sign of the cross]] on the forehead, eyes, nostrils, mouth, ears, breast, hands, and feet using the following words each time: "The seal of the gift of the [[Holy Spirit in Christianity|Holy Ghost]]" (in [[Greek language|Greek]]: {{lang|grc|Σφραγὶς δωρεᾶς Πνεύματος Ἁγίου}}; in {{Langx|cu|Печать дара Духа Святаго}}).

The chrism is washed off by a priest seven days later, according to the written [[Rubric (ecclesiastical)|rubrics]],{{sfn|''The Great Book of Needs''|2000|pp=47–52}} the newly baptized wearing their white [[Chiton (costume)|chitons]] and not washing their anointed parts for that period.  However, in the case of infant baptism (and often also with adult chrismation contemporary practice), the ablution is performed immediately after the rite of chrismation.{{sfn|Sokolof|1899|pp=118–119}}

====As part of the baptismal rite====

Typically, one becomes a member of the Church by baptism and chrismation performed by a priest as a single service,{{sfnm |1a1=Sokolof |1y=1899 |1pp=116–117 |2a1=''The Great Book of Needs'' |2y=2000 |2pp=61–87}} or subsequent to baptism performed by a layman.{{sfnm |1a1=Sokolof |1y=1899 |1pp=117–118 |2a1=''The Great Book of Needs'' |2y=2000 |2pp=115–119}} While chrismation is often performed without baptism, baptism is never performed without chrismation; hence the term "baptism" is construed as referring to the administration of both sacraments (or mysteries), one after the other.

====At the reconciliation of apostates====

In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] the mystery may be conferred more than once as it is customary to receive apostates by repeating chrismation;<ref>[http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith7101] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120108184051/http://www.goarch.org/ourfaith/ourfaith7101|date=2012-01-08}} "Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America — The Stand of the Orthodox Church on Controversial Issues", Retrieved 2011-12-28</ref><ref>[http://www.orthodox.net/articles/baptism.html] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111055639/http://www.orthodox.net/articles/baptism.html|date=2012-01-11}} "St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Church, McKinney, Texas — Chrismation and special circumstances", Retrieved 2011-12-28</ref> according to the ''Book of Needs'', the priest "taking the Holy Chrism, he anoints him (her) according to the order of those who are baptized ..." towards the end of the "Prayers of Purification for One Returning to the True Faith from Apostasy".{{sfn|''The Great Book of Needs''|2000|pp=115–119}}

This practice is thus attested to in the ninth century by [[Methodios I of Constantinople|Saint Methodius of Constantinople]] in "The Rule of Methodius, Patriarch of Constantinople, Concerning the Return from Apostasy of Various Persons to the True Orthodox Faith":
<blockquote>
If a child ... is in apostasy ... let him be washed. Upon leaving the bath, girded with a linen cloth, let him be anointed with Chrism, as one who is baptized.  And let him put on a new robe in the manner of those who have been baptized.

If ... one who is of age has renounced his impending torment ... then let him be washed and anointed with Chrism according to the accepted Rite. And when the Liturgy is celebrated, let him be counted worthy of the Holy Things, occupying himself in Church and the Liturgy, as them that are baptized ...{{sfn|''The Great Book of Needs''|2000|pp=113–114}}
</blockquote>

====At the reception of certain converts====

Although normally administered in conjunction with baptism, in some cases chrismation alone may be used to receive [[Religious conversion#Christianity|convert]]s to Orthodoxy through the exercise of ''[[Economy (Eastern Christianity)#Ecclesiastical economy|economia]]''.  Although practice in this regard varies, in general, if a convert comes to Orthodoxy from another Christian confession and has previously undergone a rite of baptism in the Trinitarian Formula ("in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost"), he or she may be received into the Orthodox Church through the sacrament of chrismation, after which he or she would receive the Holy Eucharist.  On the other hand, if a convert comes from a group which practices an invalid, non-Trinitarian baptism (such as [[Mormons]], [[Jehovah's Witnesses]], or [[Oneness Pentecostals]]) or from one that does not practice baptism at all (such as [[Religious Society of Friends|Quakers]] or [[The Salvation Army]]), baptism is a prerequisite for chrismation—an initiate must always be validly baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost before any further sacraments can be administered. The use of ''economia'' is at the discretion of, and subject to the guidelines imposed by, the local [[bishop]].{{sfnm |1a1=Sokolof |1y=1899 |1pp=119–120 |2a1=''The Great Book of Needs'' |2y=2000 |2pp=133–114}}{{verify source|date=June 2017}} Converts from non-Christian religions also need to be baptized before chrismation.

The sacrament of chrismation is an extension of the day of [[Pentecost]], when the Holy Ghost was poured out on the Apostles.  It is by chrismation that a person becomes a layperson &mdash; a member of the ''laos'' (laity), the people of God. [[Metropolitan Kallistos]] (Timothy Ware) explains:

<blockquote>Through Chrismation every member of the Church becomes a prophet, and receives a share in the royal priesthood of Christ; all Christians alike, because they are chrismated, are called to act as conscious witnesses to the Truth.  "You have an anointing (''chrisma'') from the Holy One, and know all things" ({{Bibleverse||1John|2:20}}).{{sfn|Ware|1963|p=279}}</blockquote>

===Oriental Orthodox churches===
Chrismation in Oriental Orthodoxy is similar to that of Eastern Orthodoxy but is performed according to their sacramental theology, and may vary according to the particular church.

==Sacramental theology==
{{More citations needed section|date=December 2024}}

===Eastern Churches===
Whereas in Western Christian theology, [[confirmation]] is seen as completing or sealing of the baptismal covenant, the conferral of full membership, the perfecting one's bond with the Church, and/or the strengthening of gifts of the Holy Ghost to enable the recipient to live the Christian life, in the Eastern Orthodox tradition chrismation is understood more fundamentally as the bestowal of the Holy Ghost—that is, as the transmission to that person of the experience of the Day of Pentecost (cf. Acts of the Apostles 2:1-4ff), along with the attendant gifts of the Spirit that are given to all the faithful, and any unique or special gifts that God deems appropriate for that person, to enable him or her to realize his or her intended potentiality as a child of God and as a unique member of Christ's Body, the Church. Hence the significance of the sacrament or mystery of chrismation is understood quite distinctly from that of baptism, much as Pentecost is distinct from the Passion and Resurrection.

Whereas in the [[Western Christianity|western churches]] (e.g. [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] and [[Anglican Communion|Anglican]]) confirmation is typically reserved to those of "the age of reason", chrismation in the [[Eastern Christianity|Eastern churches]] (including [[Eastern Catholic|Eastern Rite Catholic Churches]]) is ordinarily administered immediately after [[baptism]], most commonly infant baptism. After receiving this sacrament, the recipient is eligible to receive the [[Eucharist]]; one who has not been chrismated is viewed as not qualified to receive the Eucharist, since they have not yet received the Holy Ghost. Baptism is followed immediately (or at least soon afterwards) by the person's first reception of Holy Communion.

The sacramental rite of chrismation may be performed by a [[presbyter]] (priest). In the Eastern tradition, chrismation shows the unity of the church through the bishop in the continuation of the Apostolic faith, because the chrism used is prepared and consecrated by a bishop (normally the leading bishop of an autocephalous Church, or – for some autocephalous churches – by the Patriarch of Constantinople) and is presented to the priest by the bishop and (together with the [[antimension]]) and is the symbol of the priest's permission from the bishop to perform the sacraments (see [[Faculty (instrument)|faculty]]). Although priests in the Eastern churches are universally granted this faculty, it is thus ultimately considered a sacrament granted by a bishop and associated with that Apostolic office. Furthermore, because some of the previously sanctified chrism is mixed with the newly sanctified chrism, there is a belief that the chrism contains a remnant of, or at least a connection to, the same chrism which was sanctified by the [[Apostles in the New Testament|Apostles]] in the first century, and thus is a symbol of [[apostolic succession]].

===Oriental Orthodox===
The Coptic Orthodox Church follows a tradition that states while the Apostles used to give Confirmation by the laying on of the hands, they found they were not able to travel to lay hands as the number of converts grew. Thus they ordered the collection of the spices which were used to anoint Christ's body, and they were mixed with oil, forming, according to Coptic tradition, the first chrism, or "myron",<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Holy Myron – Literature – Resources |url=https://www.suscopts.org/resources/literature/539/the-holy-myron/ |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States}}</ref> which, according to tradition, was brought to Egypt by St Mark.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Sacrament of Confirmation - CopticChurch.net |url=https://www.copticchurch.net/introduction-to-the-coptic-church/sacraments/2_confirmation |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=www.copticchurch.net}}</ref> The Coptic communion believes that, since that time, the "myron" has been remade 41 times.<ref>{{Cite web |title=H.H. Pope Tawadros II Begins the Making of the Holy Myron Oil for the 41st time in the History of the Coptic Orthodox Church - Coptic Orthodox Church |url=https://copticorthodox.church/en/2024/03/11/h-h-pope-tawadros-ii-begins-the-making-of-the-holy-myron-oil-for-the-41st-time-in-the-history-of-the-coptic-orthodox-church/ |access-date=2024-12-20 |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Assyrian Church of the East===
Some similar views to the Orthodox Churches regarding sacramental theology of chrismation are held by the Assyrian Church of the East, which recognizes only two ecumenical councils, the [[First Council of Nicaea]] and the [[First Council of Constantinople]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Assyrian Church of the East |url=https://cnewa.org/eastern-christian-churches/the-assyrian-church-of-the-east/ |access-date=2024-12-20 |website=CNEWA |language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Christianity}}
* [[Washing and anointing]]
*[[Confirmation in the Catholic Church]]

==References==
===Notes===
{{reflist|35em}}

===Bibliography===
{{refbegin|indent=yes|colwidth=35em}}
* {{cite book
|last=Gialopsos
|first=Philip G.
|year=1997
|title=The Seven Sacraments of the Greek Orthodox Church
|publication-place=Richmond, Virginia
|publisher= Black Swan Books
}}
* {{cite book
|last=Sokolof
|first=Dimitrii
|year=1899
|publication-date=2001
|title=Manual of the Orthodox Church's Divine Services
|url=http://www.ccel.org/ccel/sokolof/services.toc.html
|place=Jordanville, New York
|publisher=Holy Trinity Monastery
|isbn=978-0-88465-067-6
|access-date=11 June 2017
|via=Christian Classics Ethereal Library
|archive-date=2 July 2017
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702051031/http://www.ccel.org/ccel/sokolof/services.toc.html
|url-status=live
}}
* {{cite book
|year=2000
|publication-date=2000
|title=The Great Book of Needs
|volume=1: The Holy Mysteries
|place=South Canaan, Pennsylvania
|publisher=Saint Tikhon's Seminary Press
|isbn=978-1-878997-56-2
|ref={{harvid|''The Great Book of Needs''|2000}}
}}
* {{cite book
|last=Ware
|first=Timothy (Kallistos)
|author-link=Kallistos Ware
|year=1963
|publication-date=1997
|title=The Orthodox Church
|url=https://archive.org/details/orthodoxchurch00ware
|url-access=registration
|publisher=Penguin Books
|publication-place=London
|isbn=978-0-14-013529-9
}}
{{refend}}

{{Sacraments of the Assyrian Church of the East}}

[[Category:Christian terminology]]
[[Category:Eastern Christian liturgy]]