Dear brothers and sisters ,this our second article on Sacrament of the church () prepared by His grace Bishop Mousa Coptic Orthodox Church

The HOLY CHRYSM

When we were infants, after we emerged from the baptismal font, the priest anointed us with the "Holy Chrysm" (kidus meron) the second sacrament which is given to man immediately after baptism. It is a sacrament that is directly linked to baptism but independent of it. Both sacraments must be given together, first baptism and then the Chrysm. Why? Baptism is a "renewal" through the Holy Spirit whereas the Chrysm is an "establishing' in the Holy Spirit.

Baptism has made me a son of Christ and the Chrysm confirms me in that the Holy Spirit dwells. You surely know, dear reader, that the bishop "consecrates" a church after it is built with prayers and praise and anoints its walls, its altar, its vessels, and its icons with the holy Chrysm. It thus becomes a temple upon which the Spirit of God descends.

The same thing happens to you. You are "consecrated" by the Chrysm which makes you a temple for the Holy Spirit; 36 signs of the cross are made on you with the oil of the Chrysm.

Why 36 Signs of the Cross? Very simply, the Lord consecrates your whole being for Him. These signs are made as follows:

1.A sign of the cross on the head. Lord consecrate my thoughts"

2.Seven signs of the cross on the two nostrils, the mouth, the ears, and the eyes ... "Lord, consecrate my senses"

3.Two signs of the cross on the chest ... "Lord, consecrate my heart"

4.Two signs of the cross on the back and spine ... "Lord, consecrate my will"

5.Six signs of the cross on both arms (on all three joints) "Lord, consecrate my actions"

6.Six signs of the cross on both legs (on all three joints)... "Lord, consecrate my way"

Do you perceive, dear reader, that the Lord's aim is to consecrate your whole being so that you become a holy temple and a pure church?!

Do you perceive, dear reader, that the oil of the Chrysm has made all your members belong to Christ?! So it has become painful for any of us to "take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot" (1 Cor. 6: 15)
 

The Effects of the Holy Chrysm:

1.The holy Chrysm enlightens our minds. "But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things" (I Jn. 2: 20)

2.It grants us a strong will for sanctity: "Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us is God." (1 Cor. 1: 21)

3. It puts on us the seal of the Holy Spirit: "who also has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a deposit." (1 Cor. 1: 22); the seal is the emblem of ownership and consecration.

Dear Reader, We have received all this in our infancy, and there is no doubt that all this works in our hearts through the Spirit of God which dwells within us and through the holy teachings which we listen to at home and in church.

Will you renew with me the covenant of the Chrysm? Will you pray with me and say:

Lord, sanctify my thoughts! Lord, sanctify my senses!

Lord, sanctify my heart! Lord, sanctify my will!

Lord, sanctify my deeds! Lord, sanctify my way!

Repeat this prayer anew several times, meditating on the meaning of its words.

Then close your prayer thus: "O comforting, the Spirit of truth who is present everywhere and who fills everything, storehouse of all that is good, giver of life, please come and fill us; purify us of all defilement, O Righteous One, and save our souls."

My Lord Jesus Christ, You have anointed me with Your Holy Spirit, this fiery Spirit that led the prophet Elijah...

This gentle spirit which lived within the Virgin...

The Spirit of holiness that sanctifies the being of man...

The Spirit of gifts who grants the ministers words and strength....

But, O Lord, forgive me I do not respect the Spirit within me for lack of faithfulness, for lack of the uprightness of my intentions, and for the weakness of my requests and prayers. For You give the Spirit to those who ask You.

O Holy Spirit of God, fill my whole being so that I may belong to God and to God only!

Do not pray this for yourself only, but for all your loved ones.

May the Lord be with you.