Holy Chrismation

Holy Chrismation: The Seal of the Holy Spirit

After Jesus’ ascension to heaven, His disciples gathered together at an upper room in Jerusalem, in anticipation of the descent of the Holy Spirit. Present with the male disciples were the faithful women disciples, most notably, the Most Holy Virgin Mary (Acts 1:14). When the day of Pentecost came (this was the Jewish harvest feast when the first fruit sheaves of barley were brought to the Temple as a thanksgiving offering to God), the Holy Spirit arrived with the sound of a mighty rushing wind that enveloped all the disciples. He visibly manifested over each of them as tongues of fire. They began speaking in different languages, signaling that God’s Spirit and His gospel message would spread all over the world through the missionary travels of the disciples.

In the 8th chapter of his letter to the church at Rome, the Apostle Paul expounds on the special relationship that forms when a person receives the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.” (Romans 8:9) Receiving the Holy Spirit is the official seal of adoption for being acknowledged in the Kingdom of Heaven as a child of God. “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” (Romans 8:15-17) In uniting with the faithful of the Church, the Holy Spirit aids in prayer from the heart. “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” (Romans 8:26)

Holy Chrismation is a sacrament in the Holy Orthodox Church where baptized believers are received through anointing with chrism (i.e. fragrant myrrh). “Now he which establishes us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22) This sacrament bestows on the new believer the full reality of Pentecost. The holy chrism is prepared on Holy Thursday by the bishops, who are the legitimate successors to the Apostles. The new mix of chrism ingredients are added to the original consecrated batch that contains traces of the chrism prepared in the first century. This amazing reality connects modern Orthodox Christian to the early Christian Church. During the service of Holy Chrismation, the new believer is anointed with the chrism on their face, upper limbs and lower limbs with the pronouncement of: “The seal of the Holy Spirit” to which the church replies in loud voice: “Seal!” Over time, the Spirit reveals to the believer the special charisma, or gift, to be used in God’s work for the advancement of His Kingdom. The Spirit also works to sanctify and lead the believer, bringing him/her ever closer to God, revealing His perfect will, providing spiritual encouragement, spiritual knowledge and discernment, and the power to overcome sinful habits, reasonings and pursuits. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” (Romans 8:14)