Confirmation or the anointing of myrrh is an inseparable part of baptism and takes place after baptism. Through the Mystery the Anointed One receives the gifts of the Holy Spirit for spiritual strengthening, for the establishment and preservation of the Christian faith and for victory against all devilish temptations and deceptions. The Holy Mystery of the Anointing is the consummation of baptism and is a personal Pentecost for each individual Christian.
What is the meaning of the Myros anointing?
The anointing of Myros is performed immediately after baptism and immediately (or at least shortly) before the first participation in Holy Communion.
In the myrrh anointing, the new Christian is anointed with myrrh from Etchmiadzin. It is prepared in Surb Etchmiadzin and blessed by the catholicos and the bishops of the church present there and passed on to the dioceses. The forehead, eyes, nostrils, mouth, ears, chest, cross, hands and feet of the newly baptized Christian are anointed with this oil and in the sign of the Holy Cross.
The Holy Mystery of the Anointing of Myrrh is an extension of the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the apostles. The anointing signifies the incorporation of the baptized into the new chosen people of priests, kings and prophets, as well as their acceptance into eschatological kingship. On the other hand, the anointing is understood as a gift of the divine gifts, an armament of the newly baptized in the fight against Satan and evil.
The book of Acts testifies that a form of confirmation existed in the earliest church. As the Christian church expanded in number and geography, the apostles were no longer the only ones preaching the gospels and baptizing people as Christians. The Acts 19:1-12 reports that some who had received “the baptism of John the Baptist” were eager to be baptized in the name of Jesus: “But when they heard, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus; and when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied."(Acts 19:5-6) Another testimony of the Myrosis anointing in the early church we read in chapter 8: “Now when the apostles who were in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John; they came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus alone. And they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8:14-18).
We read the first detailed account of the baptism and anointing of the Armenians in Agatangelus, who baptized King Trdat III. described by St. Grigor Lusavoritsch (Gregor the Illuminator).
What is the meaning of the Myros anointing?
The anointing of Myros is performed immediately after baptism and immediately (or at least shortly) before the first participation in Holy Communion.
In the anointing of myrrh, the new Christian is anointed with myrrh from Etchmiadzin. It will be prepared in Surb Etchmiadzin and blessed by the Catholicos and the bishops of the church present there and forwarded to the dioceses. The forehead, eyes, nostrils, mouth, ears, chest, cross, hands and feet of the newly baptized Christian are anointed with this oil and in the sign of the Holy Cross.
The Holy Mystery of the Anointing of Myrrh is an extension of the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the apostles. The anointing signifies the incorporation of the baptized into the new chosen people of priests, kings and prophets, as well as his acceptance into the eschatological kingship. On the other hand, the anointing is understood as a gift of the divine gifts, an armament of the newly baptized in the fight against Satan and evil.
The book of Acts testifies that a form of confirmation existed in the earliest church. As the Christian church expanded in number and geography, the apostles were no longer the only ones preaching the gospels and baptizing people as Christians. The Acts 19:1-12 reports that some who had received “the baptism of John the Baptist” were eager to be baptized in the name of Jesus: “But when they heard, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus; and when Paul laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied."(Acts 19:5-6) Another testimony of the anointing of Myros in the early church we read in chapter 8: “Now when the apostles who were in Jerusalem had heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them; who, coming down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit; for it had not yet fallen on any of them, but they alone were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 8:14-18).
We read the first detailed account of the baptism of the Armenians in Agatangelus, when he describes the baptism of King Tiridates by St. Gregory Lusavorisch (Gregory the Illuminator).
ANNOUNCING IN ANCIENT CULTURES
The use of mostly fragrant ointment oils or balms for care and healing purposes was already known in the ancient oriental cultures of Mesopotamia and Egypt. It was usually only available to the wealthy. The advanced cultures in the Fertile Crescent already knew anointing rites that went beyond the healing and nurturing use of the oil. In Sumer, Akkad and Babylon they were practiced as legal acts in the appointment of priests and officials. The Egyptian pharaoh anointed his highest minister as a sign of the transfer of power. The anointing of the kings of Israel mentioned in the Old Testament probably goes back to this model (source: Wikipedia).
SHARAKAN AT PENTECOST
anointing formula
The celebrant says the following when anointing the nine parts of the body:
Become an Armenian Apostolic Christian
How to become a part of the Church, who can be baptized in the Armenian Apostolic Church, what does conversion from another Christian community mean and what is re-entry. You can find answers to these questions in this section.
According to the teaching of the Armenian Apostolic Church, initiation into the Church of Jesus Christ begins with Holy Baptism. It is the door to the community of believers. It is customary among Armenians to baptize infants. But there are also many adults who have not yet been baptized.
The proper baptism, performed with water and in the name of the triune God, is a one-off event (cf. the agreement signed by the Armenian Apostolic Church as well Baptismal recognition in Magdeburg 2007), it may not be repeated or undone.
Incorporation into the Church is completed on the one hand by the Myrrh Anointing and by receiving Holy Communion, which take place immediately after Baptism, and on the other hand by practicing the liturgical life of the Church. The commitment to a common faith of the Armenian Apostolic Church and the recognition of its church hierarchy play an indispensable role.
TIP: Are you looking for detailed information on baptism and contact persons who can help you with your request? You are welcome to contact the parish priest responsible for your area, the chancellery of the diocese or read more information on the following page: BAPTIZATION PREPARATION.
Even if you have already been baptized in a faith or church community, you can choose the Armenian Church and find a new spiritual home here.
Members of another church or religious community with which the Armenian Church is not in communion who express a desire to be received into the Armenian Church will:
a.) when duly baptized and anointed, received into the Church through the mystery of penance; b.) If they have been duly baptized but not anointed, they are admitted into church fellowship through the mysteries of penance and the anointing of myrrh.
In both cases, the pastoral accompaniment of the candidate and the public pronouncement of the creed of the Armenian Apostolic Church is an absolute must.
TIP: Are you looking for detailed information about the transfer and contact persons who will help you with your request? You are welcome to contact the parish priest responsible for your area, the chancellery of the diocese or read more information on the following page: CONVERSION.
INFO: Communion fellowship exists with the following churches: Ethiopian Orthodox Church,
Coptic Orthodox Church, Syrian Orthodox Church and Indian Orthodox Church.
Have you already been baptized in the Armenian Apostolic Church, but left and now want to rejoin the church? The doors are open.
However, members of the Armenian Church in Germany should distinguish between official and church entry and exit. Since the Catholic and Evangelical Churches in Germany are recognized as corporations under public law and pay church taxes, official withdrawal from the church does not always automatically lead to excommunication.
When we talk about leaving the Armenian Apostolic Church, we mean excommunication. Thus, those who have left are deprived of all the rights that church members are entitled to. He is not allowed to take part in the religious life of the church. According to Canon Law, people who received Haghordutyun (Communion) less than once a year automatically left the Church.
Resumption of full church fellowship is possible through the mystery of Khostovanutyun (confession, penance) and Haghordutyun (receiving the Eucharist, communion).
TIP: Are you looking for detailed information on re-entry and contact persons who can help you with your request? You are welcome to contact the parish priest responsible for your area, the chancellery of the diocese or read more information on the following page: REENTRY.
Are you a baptized Armenian Christian living in Germany? Then you should apply for diocesan membership in your local Armenian parish and support the church with your contribution.
According to the statutes of the Diocese of the Armenian Church in Germany, every Armenian who has been baptized in the Armenian Apostolic Church, professes its teaching and rites and has reached the age of 18 should apply for membership in the Armenian congregation responsible for his or her area of residence .
As a member of the diocese, you help us with your donations to finance the tasks and services of our church in Germany. You help the Armenian congregations to finance places of worship as well as premises for congregation work (e.g. rent, additional costs, repairs, maintenance, etc.). They make it possible for Armenian art and culture to be preserved and cared for, for young people to be passed on our tradition and for them to take their lives into their own hands, for old people not to be alone, for people in difficult situations, both in Germany and in Armenia , is helped. With your contribution you promote faith, education, culture and social welfare.
TIP: Detailed information on membership in the Diocese of the Armenian Church in Germany is available here: MEMBERSHIP.
The Holy Mysteries of the Church