Anointing Oils Used By the Orthodox Christian Church Services (?)

[freespirit2001]

I am a Liberal Christian ( a Methodist Christian) and I was looking for crystal fragrant oil bottles on the internet. In my search, I found two bottles below on a web site offering these bottles for sale for the Orthodox Church as "Orthodox Church Anointing Oil Bottles"...(below in the thumbnail.) I have never heard of "Anointing Oil" used in any of our Church services. How is it used in the Orthodox Christian Church services? What services require its use? What kind of oil is used? How long has this use of anointing oil been going and where did this use of anointing oil originate?

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

I was wondering if a Liberal Christian could obtain a bottle and use it in prayer and honor for spiritual purposes in their faith.

I also think of these passages in the bible about offering acceptable fragrance offerings to the Lord:
[bible]Ephesians 5:1-2[/bible]
[bible]2 Corinthians 2:15-16[/bible]
[bible]Psalms 51:17[/bible]
[bible]Psalms 51:7[/bible]
Our own liberal Church upbringing tends to make me feel a liberal offering in prayer is also acceptable to God:
[bible]1 Timothy 4:4[/bible]

 

[Oblio]

Welcome to TAW

Orthodox have special annointing oils that are used in several Mysteries of the Church. This oil is used for the Mystery of Holy Chrismation (annointing with Holy Chrism) which is usually performed after Holy Baptism or sometimes alone if the persson was earlier Baptised in a Trinitarian church (this often happens with converts). The oil is also used in the Mystery of Unction, or healing. This is performed in the case of sickness, impending death, or in many traditions during Holy Week just prior to Pascha (Easter). We believe in partaking of this even if we may not be physically ill because we are all spiritually sick and in need of the Great Physician who works through physical items (water, oil ...) to bestow His uncreated Grace upon us.

It would not be possible to receive any of the specially blessed Chrism (this is done once a year by the Metropolitan or Patriarch and distributed throught the Church)
for personal use (even if you were Orthodox). This is because the annointing is done through those who have been ordained through Apostolic succession and is not a function of the laity.

Other sources of Holy oil are available, I myself was given a small vial from St. Nektarios' church in Greece. I placed a drop in each of my oil votives to mix with the regular olive oil that I burn in front of my icons.

 

[Oblio]

I forgot ...

The Holy Chrism is a mixture of olive oil and aromatics.

Hopefully someone will post a link as to the preparation.

 

[Matrona]

Holy Chrism has something like forty ingredients. The use of Chrism is tied into our beliefs on Apostolic Succession and isn't available to the laity.

Other kinds of oil are used in our devotions. At my baptism, I was anointed with olive oil prior to being immersed.

Olive oil is also used in vigil lamps. (Vigil lamps consist of a wick made to float on oil inside a votive glass, and they are lit before icons and near the relics of a saint. When an Orthodox Christian is ill, he or she may be anointed with oil taken from one of these vigil lamps during prayers for healing.)

Sacramentals are not available for use outside the Church, so I would suggest using a regular high-quality olive oil, which is what we use for our vigil lamps.

 

[Fotina]

here's link complete with explanation and pictures on The Consecration of Holy Chrism
http://oca.org/pages/events/2004/04.april/0408southcanaanpa-chrism/index.html

answer from OCA Q&A:

[font=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]ANSWER: "Holy Chrism" -- in Slavonic "Myron" -- is not something one purchases. It is made during Holy Week by the Metropolitan and then distributed to all parishes through his office for use in the Holy Mystery of Chrismation. Hence, it is not available through bookstores or vendors, nor is it given to individuals, only to parishes. It is never sold, nor is there a price set upon it.
While olive oil is one of the ingredients in Holy Chrism, there are dozens of other ingredients. The process of making Holy Chrism takes several days, as the ingredients are boiled and blended in the days leading up to Great and Holy Thursday.
If your parish priest has determined that he is in need of Holy Chrism, he should contact his diocesan bishop, who will provide him with enough to fill the parish's needs. [/font]

 

[Nickolai]

here's link complete with explanation and pictures on The Consecration of Holy Chrism

I love the fact that it has to be stirred for two days straight. Good thing they have lots of Clergy to switch off.

 

[Fotina]

I love the fact that it has to be stirred for two days straight. Good thing they have lots of Clergy to switch off.

The GOA site has more on the history:

http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article8420.asp

 

[freespirit2001]

The GOA site has more on the history:

http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article8420.asp

This article was great Fotina!
I find this tradition using "Holy Chrism" and the "Sacrament of Chrismation" very beautiful in your Church. I am glad to learn more about this anointing oil and Sacrament in the Orthodox Church. I am a little sad we did not grow up with this kind of tradition in our Liberal Churches.
I also love the names that were used by the Orthodox Church through the ages:
"oil of Thanksgiving,""oil of anointing,""Chrism,""Chrism of Thanksgiving,""Chrism from heaven,""Mystical Chrism,""myrrh,""Divine Myrrh,"Holy Myrrh," and "Holy Chrism"

The many ingrediants used in the oil symbolize the variety of Gifts in the Holy Spirit.

I am very greatful for this beautiful knowledge!

I also like how it goes back in time to the early christians. The first reference of this tradition was recorded in The Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytos.

 

[freespirit2001]

Holy Chrism has something like forty ingredients. The use of Chrism is tied into our beliefs on Apostolic Succession and isn't available to the laity.

Other kinds of oil are used in our devotions. At my baptism, I was anointed with olive oil prior to being immersed.

Olive oil is also used in vigil lamps. (Vigil lamps consist of a wick made to float on oil inside a votive glass, and they are lit before icons and near the relics of a saint. When an Orthodox Christian is ill, he or she may be anointed with oil taken from one of these vigil lamps during prayers for healing.)

Sacramentals are not available for use outside the Church, so I would suggest using a regular high-quality olive oil, which is what we use for our vigil lamps.

I love high-quality extra virgin olive oils....I don't think the extra-virgin oils are used in lamps and in fragrant oil blends? I love the tradional use of this oil in lamps...I hope I can get back someday having an olive oil lamp like you mentioned. What kinds of oil flasks do you use in your own home? Do you have any decorative ones?

 

[Fotina]

This article was great Fotina!
I find this tradition using "Holy Chrism" and the "Sacrament of Chrismation" very beautiful in your Church. I am glad to learn more about this anointing oil and Sacrament in the Orthodox Church. I am a little sad we did not grow up with this kind of tradition in our Liberal Churches.
I also love the names that were used by the Orthodox Church through the ages:
"oil of Thanksgiving,""oil of anointing,""Chrism,""Chrism of Thanksgiving,""Chrism from heaven,""Mystical Chrism,""myrrh,""Divine Myrrh,"Holy Myrrh," and "Holy Chrism"

The many ingrediants used in the oil symbolize the variety of Gifts in the Holy Spirit.

I am very greatful for this beautiful knowledge!

I also like how it goes back in time to the early christians. The first reference of this tradition was recorded in The Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytos.

Thanks for the question as I learned alot too and has added to my appreciation of the Orthodox Church.

 

[Fotina]

I am very greatful for this beautiful knowledge!

To put it all in context, here's a link explaining Orthodox baptism and chrismation and text of the services.

Please visit us again.

http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/baptism_e.htm

 

[freespirit2001]

To put it all in context, here's a link explaining Orthodox baptism and chrismation and text of the services.

Please visit us again.

http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/baptism_e.htm

Fotina, again I have to say, I am so honored to hear of this sacrament of the Orthodox Churches, and how much it honors the Holy Spirit. I have gone to bed at night thanking the Lord about finding this out about the Orthodox Churches that honor God's Holy Spirit in this way. It is so beautiful and meaningful to me. I will look into the web site you have given me. I also want to meditate on the joys I feel about finding this out about your Church's use of "Holy Chism" and the significance of "Holy Chrism" and its relevance to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I was wondering what European countries have this service, and do ALL the Christian Orthodox Churches ( that are mentioned as Christian Orthodox Churches here) have this "Chrismation" service?

I want to thank-you so much for the spiritual knowledge you have shared with me about the Orthodox Christian Church. I am very thankful and grateful to all who have shared here, who have blessed me with such wonderful knowledge and insight! This is so wonderful to hear! I have had such blessings in my dreams...I am very grateful to all here, in The Ancient Way Congregation! Very very beautiful knowledge....


I was hoping to ask you, if you mind ( or any other Orthodox Christians), do you mind me posting an anointing oil bottle in my "Specialty Items" on the top of the page in honor of the thoughts of the Orthodox Christian Church's Sacrament of Chrismation. Not many other Christians I know of, actually know this about "Anointing Oil" of the Othodox Christian Church.

I have asked LibertyChic to make an anointing oil bottle for our specialty items in the armor department at the top of the page. I don't know, I just thought I would mention it, maybe you might want to ask LibertyChic to make a special Holy Anointing Oil Bottle in recogntion and honor of the Chrismation in the Orthodox's Church for only Orthodox Christians to use in their specialty items?

 

[Fotina]

Fotina, again I have to say, I am so honored to hear of this sacrament of the Orthodox Churches, and how much it honors the Holy Spirit. I have gone to bed at night thanking the Lord about finding this out about the Orthodox Churches that honor God's Holy Spirit in this way. It is so beautiful and meaningful to me. I will look into the web site you have given me. I also want to meditate on the joys I feel about finding this out about your Church's use of "Holy Chism" and the significance of "Holy Chrism" and its relevance to the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I was wondering what European countries have this service, and do ALL the Christian Orthodox Churches ( that are mentioned as Christian Orthodox Churches here) have this "Chrismation" service?

I want to thank-you so much for the spiritual knowledge you have shared with me about the Orthodox Christian Church. I am very thankful and grateful to all who have shared here, who have blessed me with such wonderful knowledge and insight! This is so wonderful to hear! I have had such blessings in my dreams...I am very grateful to all here, in The Ancient Way Congregation! Very very beautiful knowledge....


I was hoping to ask you, if you mind ( or any other Orthodox Christians), do you mind me posting an anointing oil bottle in my "Specialty Items" on the top of the page in honor of the thoughts of the Orthodox Christian Church's Sacrament of Chrismation. Not many other Christians I know of, actually know this about "Anointing Oil" of the Othodox Christian Church.

I have asked LibertyChic to make an anointing oil bottle for our specialty items in the armor department at the top of the page. I don't know, I just thought I would mention it, maybe you might want to ask LibertyChic to make a special Holy Anointing Oil Bottle in recogntion and honor of the Chrismation in the Orthodox's Church for only Orthodox Christians to use in their specialty items?

I'm so happy for you and pray God continue to bless and lead you.

The Holy Chrism is only the tip of the iceberg to the depth and beauty of the Church and all it offers. There are Eastern Orthodox churches in Europe and every continent, I think, including Antarctica. All follow the same services including Holy Chrismation. Some have called the Orthodox Church the "greatest secret in America" because we are not well known though we are the oldest expression of Christianity.

The link I gave you is very detailed so take your time. Holy Baptism and Holy Chrismation are the initiation rites of the Orthodox Church and fulfilled in receiving the Mystery of Holy Eucharist.

At the center of the Holy Chrismation service, the priest anoints with chrism the eyes, ears, lips, hands, and feet of the candidate saying each time, "The Seal of the Holy Spirit" and all present exclaim, "Sealed". It gives you goose bumps!

I'm new to CF so don't know about the specialty items but sounds good.

Again, you're welcome to visit TAW anytime.