Kottayam: The Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church has celebrated the consecration of chrism (holy oil) at a special function at the Catholicate Chapel at Devalokam near Kottayam.
This is after a gap of nine years that the consecration of chrism was being held in the Indian Orthodox Church.
Celebration
Catholicos Baselius Mar Thoma Paulose II, head of the church, on March 23 led the seven-hour process of the celebration, assisted by other metropolitans, priests and deacons.
Chrism literally means perfumed oil.
Olive oil is the main ingredient, with more than a dozen spices and herbs going into its preparation. The perfumed oil is used for anointing in church sacraments.
Nine times since 1876
According to church authorities, consecration of chrism comes within the exclusive purview of Patriarchs or Catholicoi who will personally act as the chief celebrant during the ceremony.
The ceremony has been held nine times since 1876 in the Indian Orthodox Church, they said.
The latest such celebration was in 2009 when the then Catholicos Baselius Mar Thoma Didymos I led the ceremony as the chief celebrant.
(Source: The Hindu)