Chrism

[filipinopilgrim]

In addition to the Patriarch of Constantinople (who gives chrism to all the Greek Orthodox and Arab churches) and the Patriarchs of Moscow, Serbia and Romania as well as the Metropolitan of the OCA, who are the other heads of autocephalous and autonomous churches who make and bless Chrism? (I understand that ROCOR consecrated chrism in 1950, which has lasted them until the present, but that they will henceforth receive chrism from Moscow; they had received chrism from Serbia from the 1920's to 1950.)

I'd also like to know why chrism seems to last so long in Orthodox churches. It isn't often that the chrism is blessed, right? And is it true that in some areas, century-old chrism is still used?

[ozgeorge]

There doesn't seem to be a hard and fast rule about autocephaly. The Church of Greece and the Church of Cyprus are Autocephalous, yet they both receive their Chrism from the Patriarchate of Constantinople.

A lot of Chrism is consecrated at once in a large cauldron, and very little is used at each Chrisimation. After a Baptism in the Greek practice, the Chrism is administered from a bottle which has a metal stylus on the inside of the lid which is used to apply the Chrism (a bit like the way some perfume samples are distributed like the ones below), so very little is used at a time.

[stashko]

have you ever heard that it  never spoils.. is this a sign that it has miraculous properties...i my self believe it is a miracle....

[Thomas]

There is an excellent article on the Greek Orthodox Website that explains the process for the making of Chrismation it is located here: http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article8420.asp

It describes the last time it was made at the EP.  It notes that it is sent out to all canonical Orthodox Churches in communion with the EP, even if they  make their own.  As I understand it, that chism is added to the Chrism the other jurisdictions make, so in a way it is a continuation of the intercommunion of the Orthodox Church itself.

Thomas

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