Monday, April 29, 2013

Preparation For The Blessing of the Chrism?

This is an unusual service that I have never seen before. I believe that it is preparatory to the blessing of the Holy Chrism usually done on Great and Holy Thursday. Anyone more familiar is encouraged to offer insights or corrections to my understanding in the comments.

Update: The video was reposted and I have corrected the html.

3 comments:

Archpriest David Thatcher said...

The "owner" pulled the video, John. Sorry.

Ordo Antiquus said...

Yes, this is the beginning of the cooking of the Holy Myrrh, which will be consecrated by Patriarch Kirill on Great and Holy Thursday at Christ the Saviour Cathedral.

Unusually this is the third time that Patriarch Kirill will sanctify chrism in his five-year reign. The last times were in 2009 and 2012. Prior to Pat. Kirill, the late Patriarch Alexy had sanctified chrism for the last time in 2007.

In comparison, Patriarch Bartholomew has consecrated chrism only thrice in his more than 20-year-long reign.

Proskomen said...

His Beatitude Metropolitan Jonah performed this rite last year during Holy Week. He released a video explaining the process to his cathedral flock. And here is a video of the actual preparation of the Holy Chrism that he performed.