The Holy Mystery of the Myros Anointing

Filled with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2, 4

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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

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anointing formula

The celebrant says the following when anointing the nine parts of the body:
  • Forehead: The fragrant oil poured out upon you, in the name of Jesus Christ, be the seal of heavenly gifts of imperishability.

  • Eyes: This seal in the name of Christ enlighten your eyes that you may never fall asleep into death.

  • ears: The anointing of holiness will make you listen to the divine commandments.

  • Nose: May this seal, in the name of Christ, bring you a sweet savor from life to life.

  • Mouth: This seal in the name of Christ be a guard for your mouth and a firm door for your lips.

  • Hands: May this seal in the name of Christ be an occasion for good deeds, virtuous actions and virtuous conduct.

  • Heart: This seal, in the name of Christ, establish in you a pure heart and renew right mind within you.

  • Move: May this seal in the name of Christ give you a shield of strength, with which you may quench all fiery darts of evil.

  • feet: The divine seal straighten your way to eternal life, so that you do not falter.

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