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Chrismation

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Chrismation is the Mystery whereby the Holy Spirit is received by the Neophyte - as did the Apostles at Pentecost.

Chrismation ( "Confirmation" in the Latin and Protestant Churches) immediately follows Baptism, for one cannot have received Baptism without having received at the same time the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:38
"Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

Bishop Kallistos of Diokleia teaches that in the holy Mystery of Chrismation, the Neophyte becomes "a ' laiikos ', i.e. a "layperson" in the true meaning of that word, viz. a full member of the people of God" ( laos tou Theou ):

"Through Chrismation every member of the Church becomes a prophet and receives a share in the Royal Priesthood of Christ; all Christians alike, because they are chrismated, are called to act as conscious witnesses of the Truth."

He cites I Jn. 2:20, "You have an anointing (charisma) from the Holy One, and know all things."

The Priest prays:

"Blessed are You, Lord God of all Creation...Sun of Righteousness.

"By the manifestation of Your only-begotten Son, You Dawned the light of Salvation on those in darkness...

"O Lord, compassionate King of all, give...the gift of your Holy, all-powerful, and Divine Spirit, and let her partake of the Holy Body and precious Blood of Your Christ.

"Keep her in Your holiness, strengthen her in the Orthodox Faith.

"Rescue her from the Evil one and all his cunning,

"And, by a liberating reverence for You, sustain her in purity and justice..."

The Priest using Holy Myron, a special Ointment, anoints the Neophyte.

Each time saying, "The Seal of the Gift of the Holy Spirit", the priest anoints the Neophyte on the forehead, the eyes, the nostrils, the lips, the ears, the breast, the hands, and the feet.

The Liturgy of the Word

Immediately after Chrismation, the priest laying his epitrakhil on the Neophyte, leads them in Procession around the Font and then forward into the Sanctuary of the Church to receive Holy Communion.

The Hymn of Entrance of the Newly-Baptised Laity is sung:

All You, who have been baptised in Christ, have put on Christ. Alleluia!

The Prokimen (Psalm refrain) is intoned:

The LORD is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the refuge of my life, of whom shall I be afraid?

The Apostolic Reading (Romans 6:3-11) is chanted by the Reader:

"...when we were baptised in Christ Jesus, we were baptised in His death...so that as Christ was raissed from the dead by the Father's glory, we too might live a new life...we shall also imitate Him in His Resurrection.

"...Christ...having been raised from the dead will never die again. Death has no power over Him any more. ...You too must consier yourselves to be dead to sin, but Alive for God in Christ Jesus."

The Gospel (Matt 28:16-20) is then proclaimed:

"...after the Lord's Resurrection... Jesus came forward and addressed them in these words:

'...Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations.

'Baptise them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

'Teach them to carry out everything I have commanded you.

'And know that I am with you always, until the end of the world!'"

The Deacon then leads the community in prayer for the newly baptised:

- that they may maintain a pure profession of faith,

- lead a life devoted to God,

- always fulfilling the teaching of Christ...

Immediately after Chrismation, the Newly-baptised is given Holy Communion - as per Canon Law. In our parish, as Baptism takes place as part of Divine Liturgy, the Neophyte receives Communion at that Eucharist. (cf. the following webpage)

Receive the Body of Christ
Taste the Fountain of Immortality

First Holy Communion

Canon Law of the Catholic Church (Can 697) prescribes that the Eucharist be administered as soon as possible after Baptism and Chrismation.

In our parish, Baptism is always integrated with Divine Liturgy (following the most authentic Liturgical Theology).

So after Chrismation, we proceed with the rest of Divine Liturgy and the Neophyte then receives First Holy Communion at Communion time.

All who are Baptized have not only the Right but also the Duty to receive Holy Communion. This includes Baptized Infants and Children.

We always bring Baptized Infants and Children to Holy Communion - unless there is some real concern that they have grave sin upon their consciences.

If their Baptism is valid, then it is a grave and serious matter to deny Infants and Children access to the Lord's Table and the Blessed Sacrament.

As Canon Law states: "the administration of the Divine Eucharist to infant neophytes is not limited to only the moment to the celebration of Initiation.

"Eucharist is the Bread of Life, and infants need to be nourished constantly, from then on, to grow spiritually."

After communion, the Priest takes the Neophyte through the Holy Doors into the Altar.

The Priest takes the Neophyte around the Holy Table.

At each corner, the Neophyte kisses the Holy Table (just like during the Ordination to the Priesthood). Meanwhile the Song of Simeon is sung by the Congregation.

Now, O Master,
You have kept Your Promise,
Let Your Servant go in Peace.
With my own eyes I have seen
the Salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people.
A light to reveal You to the Gentiles
and the Glory of your people Israel.

Follow this Link for a Sound-clip: The Song of St. Simeon "Nynyi Vidpuskayesh"

The Ablution

On the 8th day, the Neophyte is brought forward forward for Ablution (in our parish, after the Ambo prayer).

The Priest prays:

"O Master, LORD our God...who have regenerated your newly-baptised Servant by water and the Spirit...

"Lay your almighty Hand upon her (him) by the power of your goodness. Maintain unassailed the working of the Spirit and make her (him) worthy of life everlasting and of your favour..."

And again:

"She (he) who has been clothed in You, O Christ our God. Along with us, bows her (his) head before You. Keep her (him) ever a warrior invincible in every attack of those who assail her (him) and us. And by your invincible Crown show us all to be victors in the end. For You are the Merciful One who saves us...

Then the Priest with a liturgical sponge sprinkles the Neophyte with water and symbolically washes them, saying:

You are justified. You are illumined. You are washed... You have received anointment with the holy Chrism. You are sanctified: In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit

The Tonsure

The Priest then ritually cuts the hair of the Newly-baptized. He cuts the hair in the form of the Cross - i.e. cutting from the front, the back and the 2 sides of the Neophyte's head.

The Priest prays:

"O LORD our God...let your blessing descend upon her (his) head. And, as You blessed David the King by the hand of your Prophet Samuel, bless also the head of your servant (Name), by the hand of me, a Sinner,

"inspiring her (him) with our Holy Spirit: that as she (he) grows in stature, even unto old age, may she (he) send up glory to You; and behold the good of the Jerusalem all the days of her (his) life...

Numbers 6:18 "Then at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, the Nazirite must shave off the hair that he dedicated. He is to take the hair and put it in the fire that is under the sacrifice of the fellowship offering. "

Acts 18:18 "Paul stayed on in Corinth for some time. Then he left the brothers and sailed for Syria, accompanied by Priscilla and Aquila. Before he sailed, he had his hair cut off at Cenchrea because of a vow he had taken."

After this we proceed with the Dismissals at the end of the Divine Service.