Holy Chrismation

Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples. And he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said, “No, we have never even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They said, “Into John’s baptism.” And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them; and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.

Acts of the Apostles 19.1-7

 

After Baptism, Chrismation is the second sacrament of the Church. Chrismation is the application of a special oil, called Holy Chrism, which has been consecrated by our Patriarch. As the priest applies the Chrism on the forehead, eyes, nose, mouth, ears, chest, hands, and feet, he proclaims, “The Seal of the Gift of the Holy Spirit.” In the New Testament, the Apostles imparted the gift of the Holy Spirit upon newly illumined Christians by the laying on of hands, as in the passage above; Holy Chrism, because it is consecrated by the hand of a direct heir to the Apostles, our Patriarch, is an extension of this practice.

Those who enter the Orthodox Church as adults are in certain cases received through Chrismation rather than baptism if they can document that they have already been baptized 1) in water 2) in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and 3) in a Christian confession that believes in the Holy Trinity. Please consult Fr. Gregory to inquire what specific path is needed for you to enter the Church.