О Миропомазании
The Nature and Scriptural Basis of Chrismation
Chrismation is defined as a sacrament of grace, supported by apostolic testimony regarding the seal of the Holy Spirit.
What is Chrismation? Chrismation is a Sacrament in which parts of the believer’s body are anointed with consecrated chrism—a blend of oils and fragrant spices—1 in the name of the Holy Spirit the gifts of the Holy Spirit are given, which nourish and strengthen a person in the spiritual life. What does Holy Scripture say about this Sacrament? Regarding the inward working of this Sacrament, Holy Scripture speaks through the Evangelist John: "You have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things."✦ "The anointing that you received from Him remains in you, and you don't need anyone to teach you; but as this very anointing teaches you about all things, and it is true and is no lie, remain in what it has taught you" (1 John✦ 2:20, 27). In the same way, the Apostle Paul also says: "It is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, who has also sealed us and given the pledge of the Spirit in our hearts" (2 Corinthians 1:21–22). From this also come the words spoken at Chrismation: The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit.2
The Apostolic Tradition and Authority
The practice of Chrismation is traced to the apostolic laying on of hands and the historical witness of the Church Fathers.
Regarding the outward action of Chrismation, it should be assumed that the words of the Evangelist John apply to it as well.✦ It is also known that the apostles used the laying on of hands to bestow the gifts of the Holy Spirit upon those who had been baptized (see✦ Acts 8:14–17). However, the successors of the apostles began using Chrismation in its place, for which the anointing practiced during Old Testament times may have served as a precedent (see✦3 Exodus 30:25; 1 Kings✦4 1:39. Saint Dionysius the Areopagite. On the Ecclesiastical Hierarchy, chapter 4.
The Consecration and Meaning of Holy Chrism
The authority to consecrate chrism is reserved for the hierarchy, and the specific anointings symbolize the sanctification of the believer's entire being.
What makes holy chrism distinctive? The right to consecrate holy chrism belongs to the highest hierarchs as successors of the apostles, who performed the laying on of hands to bestow the gifts of the Holy Spirit.✦5 What is the meaning of anointing parts of the body with holy chrism? Anointing the forehead signifies the sanctification of the mind or of our thoughts. Anointing the breast represents the sanctification of the heart or of one's desires. The anointing of the eyes, ears, and lips—the sanctification of the senses. The anointing of the hands and feet is the sanctification of a Christian's works and of all his conduct.
Read the original Latin
Что такое Миропомазание? Миропомазание есть Таинство, в котором верующему при помазании частей тела освящённым миром (составом из масел и благовоний – ред.) , во имя Святого Духа подаются дары Святого Духа, взращивающие и укрепляющие в духовной жизни.
Что говорится об этом Таинстве в Священном Писании? О внутреннем действии этого Таинства говорится в Священном Писании у евангелиста Иоанна: «Вы имеете помазание от Святаго и знаете все. Помазание, которое вы получили от Него, в вас пребывает, и вы не имеете нужды, чтобы кто учил вас; но как самое сие помазание учит вас всему, и оно истинно и неложно, то, чему оно научило вас, в том пребывайте» (1Ин. 2:20, 27). Подобным образом и апостол Павел говорит: «Утверждающий же нас с вами во Христе и помазавший нас есть Бог, Который и запечатлел нас, и дал залог Духа в сердца наши» (2Кор. 1:21–22). Отсюда и взяты слова, произносимые при Миропомазании: Печать дара Духа Святаго.
О внешнем действии Миропомазания Следует предполагать, что слова евангелиста Иоанна относятся и к нему. Также известно, что апостолы, для подавания крещаемым даров Святого Духа, употребляли рукоположение (см. Деян. 8:14–17). Преемники же апостолов вместо этого стали употреблять Миропомазание, чему могло послужить примером помазание, употреблявшееся во времена Ветхого Завета (см. Исх. 30:25; 3Цар. 1:39.
Святой Дионисий Ареопагит. О церковной иерархии, гл. 4).
В чём состоит особенность святого мира? Право освящать святое миро принадлежит высшим иерархам как преемникам апостолов, совершавших рукоположение для подавания даров Святого Духа.
Что означает помазание святым миром частей тела? Помазание чела (лба) означает освящение ума или мыслей.
Помазание груди – освящение сердца или желаний.
Помазание глаз, ушей и губ – освящение чувств.
Помазание рук и ног – освящение дел и всего поведения христианина.
Scripture echoes
- ↩1John.2.20 — And you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.
- ↩1John.2.20 — And you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.
- ↩1John.2.20 — And you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you all know.
- ↩Acts.8.14-Acts.8.17 — Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. Acts.8.15 — who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. Acts.8.16 — for it had not yet fallen on any of them; they had only been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts.8.17 — Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
- ↩Exod.30.25 — You shall make it into holy anointing oil, a blended compound, the work of a perfumer; it shall be holy anointing oil.
- ↩Exod.30.25 — You shall make it into holy anointing oil, a blended compound, the work of a perfumer; it shall be holy anointing oil.
- ↩Acts.8.14-Acts.8.17 — Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. Acts.8.15 — who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. Acts.8.16 — for it had not yet fallen on any of them; they had only been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts.8.17 — Then they laid their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
Notes
- 1 ↩Миропомазание rendered as Chrismation (Orthodox usage); мир rendered as consecrated chrism. The parenthetical note is an editorial gloss in the source.
- 2 ↩«Печать дара Духа Святаго» is the fixed Orthodox formula pronounced at Chrismation (Миропомазание); rendered in its traditional English liturgical form rather than paraphrased.
- 3 ↩Миропомазание rendered as Chrismation (Orthodox sacramental term for anointing with holy chrism), not Confirmation.
- 4 ↩Russian 3Цар. (3 Kingdoms) corresponds to 1 Kings in standard Protestant/English Bible numbering.
- 5 ↩Russian «рукоположение» is the laying on of hands (apostolic imposition of hands for gifts of the Spirit); rendered as 'laying on of hands' rather than clerical 'ordination' alone, since the force here is apostolic transmission of the Spirit's gifts.
Catechism of the Orthodox Church (Longer Catechism) companion
Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat
Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.
Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.
- A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
- One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
- Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit