Editing Anointing (section)

=====Orthodoxy and Greek Catholicism=====<!--linked-->
[[File:Alavastr (16-17 c, Kremlin museum) by shakko 02.jpg|thumb|right|A chrismarium used in [[Russian Empire|Russia]] before the [[Russian Revolution|revolution of 1917]]]]
In the [[Eastern Orthodox]] and [[Eastern Catholic]] churches, confirmation is known as [[chrismation]]. The Mystery of Chrismation is performed immediately after the Mystery of [[Baptism]] as part of a single ceremony. The ritual employs the sacred ''{{vanchor|myron}}'' ({{lang|grc|μύρον}}, "[[chrism]]"), which is said to contain a remnant of oil blessed by the [[Twelve Apostles]]. In order to maintain the apostolic blessing unbroken, the container is never completely emptied{{sfnp|EB|1911|p=80}} but it is refilled as needed, usually at a ceremony held on [[Maundy Thursday|Holy Thursday]] at the [[Patriarchate of Constantinople]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article8420.asp |title=The Sanctification of the Holy Chrism |author=Pavlos Menesoglou |publisher=Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America |access-date=2008-03-09 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030301104732/http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article8420.asp |archive-date=2003-03-01 }}.</ref> or the patriarchal cathedrals of the [[autocephalous]] churches.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Consecration of Holy Christ |date=5 April 2004 |publisher=Orthodox Church in America |url=http://ocaphoto.oca.org/PhotoViewer.asp?EID=186 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927051129/http://ocaphoto.oca.org/PhotoViewer.asp?EID=186 |archive-date=2011-09-27}}</ref> At the Patriarchate of Constantinople, the process is under the care of the ''[[Archon]]tes Myrepsoi'', lay officials of the patriarchate. Various members of the clergy may also participate in the preparation, but the consecration itself is always performed by the patriarch or a bishop deputed by him for that purpose. The new ''myron'' contains olive oil, [[myrrh]], and numerous spices and perfumes. This ''myron'' is normally kept on the [[Holy Table]] or on the [[Table of Oblation]]. During chrismation, the "newly illuminate" person is anointed by using the ''myron'' to make the [[sign of the cross]] on the forehead, eyes, nostrils, lips, both ears, breast, hands, and feet. The priest uses a special brush for this purpose. Prior to the 20th century, the ''myron'' was also used for the anointing of Orthodox monarchs.

The oil that is used to anoint the [[catechumen]]s before baptism is simple olive oil which is blessed by the priest immediately before he pours it into the [[baptismal font]]. Then, using his fingers, he takes some of the blessed oil floating on the surface of the baptismal water and anoints the catechumen on the forehead, breast, shoulders, ears, hands, and feet. He then immediately baptizes the catechumen with threefold immersion in the name of the [[Trinity]].

Anointing of the sick is called the "[[Sacred Mystery]] of [[Unction]]". The practice is used for spiritual ailments as well as physical ones, and the faithful may request unction any number of times at will. In some churches, it is normal for all of the faithful to receive unction during a service on [[Holy Wednesday]] of [[Holy Week]]. The holy oil used at unction is not stored in the church like the ''myron'', but consecrated anew for each individual service. When an Orthodox Christian dies, if he has received the Mystery of Unction and some of the consecrated oil remains, it is poured over his body just before burial. It is also common to bless using oils which have been blessed either with a simple blessing by a priest (or even a venerated [[monastic]]), or by contact with some sacred object, such as [[relic]]s of a saint, or which has been taken from an [[oil lamp]] burning in front of a [[wonderworking]] [[icon]] or some other [[shrine]].{{citation needed|date=June 2015}}

In the [[Armenian Orthodox Church|Armenian Church]], [[cross]]es are traditionally not considered holy until they have been anointed and prayed over, thus introducing the Holy Spirit into them. The same ritual was formerly observed in the other Orthodox churches.{{sfnp|EB|1911|p=80}}