Chrismation

Date: 23 December 2005 03:53:24

I am still on a high, almost a week after the event. Standing up there with my sponsor stating the Creed, and then proclaiming a further statement of belief, as well as the great honour and fearful mystery of partaking of 'the fountain of immortality', as some of the hymns call the Eucharist...words can't describe it. And coming 'home': it feels like home. I am so thankful and so blessed to have discover Orthodoxy, and to attend the parish I do which is truly a loving and welcoming community.

Four friends, two from the Ship, and my parents, sister, brother-in-law and niece came, which was wonderful; and it was equally a blessing to know that the thoughts of many were with me that day.

My chrismation [I was the only one] was done as part of the Divine Liturgy. Our sub-deacon brought one of his white robes for me which I wore during and after the service. After the sermon (which occurs after the Gospel reading in our parish) I was called forward with my sponsor, Wissam, and it began.

I confessed that I was coming to the Orthodox Church of my own volition and I, with my sponsor, recited the Creed:

I believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth and of all things visible and invisible.

And in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten, begotten of the Father before all ages. Light of light; true God of true God; begotten, not made; of one essence with the Father, by Whom all things were made; Who for us men and for our salvation came down from Heaven, and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and became man. And He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered, and was buried. And the third day He arose again, according to the Scriptures, and ascended into Heaven, and sits at the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again with glory to judge the living and the dead; Whose Kingdom shall have no end.

And I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Giver of Life, Who proceeds from the Father; Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified; Who spoke by the prophets.

And I believe in one Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.

I then read through a statement of confessions similar to the following, which can be found on Fr Gregory's wonderful site:

I accept and confess the Apostolic and Ecclesiastical Canons, established by the Seven Holy Ecumenical and Provincial Councils, and the traditions of the Holy Orthodox-Catholic Apostolic Church, its rules and ordinances; and likewise I will, accept and understand Holy Scripture in accordance with the interpretation which the Holy Orthodox-Catholic Church, our Mother, hath held and doth hold.

I believe and confess that there are seven sacraments of the New Testament, namely: Baptism, Chrismation, the Eucharist, Confession, the Priesthood, Marriage and Anointing with Oil, instituted by the Lord Christ and His Church, to the end that through their operation and reception, we may receive blessings from on high.

I believe and confess that in the Divine Liturgy, under the mystical forms of bread and wine, the faithful partake of the true Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, unto the remission of their sins, and unto life eternal.

I believe and confess that it is proper to reverence and invoke the Saints who reign on high with Christ, according to the interpretation of the Holy Orthodox-Catholic Church; and that their prayers and intercessions avail with the beneficent God unto our salvation. Likewise that it is well-pleasing in the sight of God that we should do homage to their relics, glorified through incorruption, as the precious memorials of their virtues.

I acknowledge that the images of our Saviour Christ, and of the Ever-Virgin Mother of God, and of the other Saints are worthy to be possessed and honoured; not unto idolatry, but that, through contemplation thereof we may be incited unto piety, and unto emulation of the deeds of the holy persons represented by those images.

I confess that the prayers of the faithful, which are offered up to God for the salvation of those who have departed this life in the faith, are favourably received, through the mercy of God.

I believe and confess that power has been given by our Saviour Christ unto the Holy Orthodox-Catholic Church to bind and to loose: and whatsoever, by virtue of that power, is bound or loosed on earth will be bound or loosed in heaven.

I believe and confess that the Foundation, Head and Great High Priest and Chief Shepherd of the Holy Orthodox-Catholic Church is our Lord Jesus Christ: and that Bishops, Pastors and Teachers are appointed by Him to rule the Church, and that the Guide and Pilot of this Church is the Holy Spirit.

I confess that this Church is the Bride of Christ, and that therein is true salvation.

I promise true obedience, unto my life's end, to the Metropolitan [name] of this Archdiocese and his lawful successors in office as the true Pastor of the Orthodox Church, and to the Priests appointed by him.

I was then chrismated: on the forehead; on the eyelids; on both nostrils; on the cheeks; on the lips; on the palms; on the wrists; on the chest; on the back; and on the feet -- all in the shape of a cross. It was a very moving event and action, and it is truly a mystery as to how outward signs convey inner truths. I was also taking in the rather beautiful smell of the oil. At each 'seal', the priest proclaimed, "The seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit' and the people responded, very loudly, "The seal!"

A final prayer and I was a member of the Orthodox Church. From our priest, our sub-deacon and my sponsor I received a kiss (well, three from each actually: the wonderful Arabic way of greeting and welcoming), and the Divine Liturgy continued.