Chrism

Chrism (Greek χρίω chrio " I anoint ", derived from χρῖσμα chrisma " anointing oil " and χριστός Christós "the anointed one ", see Christ, and Myron ) is an anointing oil used in the Roman Catholic and Old Catholic Church, which in the dispensation of various sacraments and sacramentals used. Chrism is made of olive oil, the fragrant balms are added.

The spiritual sense of the admixture is that the anointed with chrism, the Christians, the " aroma of Christ ", that the gospel should spread. The oil is a symbol of health, joy, strength, and happiness ( cf. Psalm verses Ps 45.8 EU; 23.5 EU; 104.15 EU).

It uses the chrism for the anointing

• After baptism (if the confirmation is not immediately followed by )
• In Confirmation (as its essential character )
• At the consecration of a priest or a bishop (as subordinate characters)
• The altar at his ordination
• The bells at their blessing ( optional)
• A chalice in his consecration.

In the anointing of the sick and the anointing of the catechumens ( during preparatory to baptism catechumenate or immediately before baptism ) for the anointing oil sick or catechumens are used. The three holy oils (or on an earlier day easter close ) typically by the Bishop consecrated in the Chrism Mass on the morning of Holy Thursday in the cathedral church.

The Myron of the Eastern Churches is similar to the Western chrism in meaning and application. Its production (with numerous aromas ) and consecration have become more complex with time and therefore take no more annually.

The ointment vessels for storage of chrism are called Chrismarium "or Chrismatorium and often form with dedn vessels for the other two Holy Oils a unit.