Chrismation

In direct connection with the Holy Sacrament of Baptism stands the Holy Sacrament of Chrismation, which is performed together with baptism.
Chrismation is a Holy Sacrament in which a special substance, Holy Chrism, is used to anoint all parts of the body through which we receive this world: the forehead, eyes, nostrils, mouth, ears, chest, shoulders, hands, and feet.
Holy Chrism is an oily substance, prepared from precious aromatic plants, which the Patriarch himself consecrates on Holy Thursday and sends to priests throughout the dioceses and parishes.
The priest anoints our senses while pronouncing the formula: The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit, while the godparent confirms: So be it.
Just as a newborn needs food for physical growth, so does a spiritual newborn need spiritual food for growth – God’s grace.
Baptism is spiritual birth, and chrismation is spiritual food for the newly baptized.
Through the chrismation of all senses, the entire person is made into God’s Temple.
After chrismation follows the litany – a procession three times around the baptismal font, while singing one verse from the Apostle Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians (3:27): You who are baptized into Christ have put on Christ, alleluia.
This procession forms a circle that has no end, a circle that symbolizes eternity (eternal unity of the baptized and chrismated with Christ).
After reading the Apostle and Gospel, the washing (wiping) of the holy chrism is performed, so that it may be preserved from desecration, and the cutting of hair.
By cutting the hair, a person offers the fruit of their body as a sacrifice and makes a vow to God.
Every day is a battle for Christ and for the salvation of the soul.
Arm yourself as soon as you wake up. Be ready for someone to embitter you, insult you, mock you. Prepare the weapons of kindness, patience, forgiveness, prayer. Do not cross the threshold before you take this weapon of yours.
Be ready for someone to ask you for help, protection, instruction. Do not cross the threshold before you carry your weapons of mercy, courage, wisdom, love.

The Holy Sacrament of Chrismation

What is the Holy Sacrament of Chrismation?
It is a Holy Sacrament through which a baptized person receives the gifts of the Holy Spirit in strength, wisdom, and other gifts that help them preserve the true faith and live a holy life.

How is this sacrament performed on baptized persons?
The priest anoints individual parts of the baptized person’s body with holy chrism while pronouncing the words: “The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit. Amen.”

Where are these words taken from?
From the holy Apostle Paul, who said: “Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (2 Cor. 1:21-22).

Why is the forehead anointed first?
To consecrate the mind so that it may think about God and His law.

Why the chest?
To consecrate the heart so that it may love God.

Why the eyes?
To consecrate them so that they may see God’s goodness in every creature.

Why the ears?
To consecrate them so that they may hear God’s words.

Why the cheeks?
To consecrate them and express joy for good deeds done and shame for sin.

Why the mouth?
To consecrate it so that it may glorify the Lord God and always speak truth and good.

Why the hands?
To consecrate them so that they may always do good and noble deeds before God.

Why the feet?
To consecrate them so that they may walk the right Christian path that leads to the Kingdom of God.

How could we say this briefly?
To consecrate the entire person, both soul and body, to be holy as God is holy.

Is it proper to perform the Holy Sacrament of Chrismation immediately after baptism?
It is proper according to Holy Scripture and according to Holy Tradition, because baptism with water signifies cleansing, and chrismation signifies sanctification by the Holy Spirit. Read these passages: 1 John 2:20-27; 2 Cor. 1:21-22; Acts 8:14-16. One should not be separated from the other (also read the book of Exodus 29:4-7).

Does the priest perform the Holy Sacrament of Chrismation?
Yes, but not without the bishop’s participation in it.
Bishops prepare and consecrate the holy chrism, without which the priest cannot complete the Holy Sacrament of Chrismation.

Did a practice exist in the Old Testament as a prefiguration of the Holy Sacrament of Chrismation?
Yes. The ancient kings were anointed (1 Samuel 10:1; 16:13, Psalm 89:20). Now all Christians are chrismated, because Christ has made us to be “priests and kings before God His Father” (Revelation 1:6).

God’s Grace

In the work of our salvation, both God’s grace and our free will participate. Grace is the approval or action of the Spirit. A person may desire virtue, but to bring this desire into action, God’s help is always needed. Those who are baptized into Christ are secretly given God’s grace, but it works according to the measure of God’s commandments. The mind and reason of a Christian in contact with the Holy Spirit acquire constancy and firmness, tranquility, do not scatter and do not submit to vain thoughts; but abide in Christ’s peace and in the love of the Spirit. According to Christ’s words, such people have passed from death to life. What sensory light is to our eyes, grace is to our soul. And what darkness is to our physical eyes, sin is to the human soul. God’s grace is acquired through humility. For it is said in Holy Scripture: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

St. John Chrysostom