What does chrismation mean?
Chrismation is the sacrament practiced in Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic churches in which a newly baptized person is anointed with chrism, a specially consecrated mixture of olive oil and fragrant spices blessed by a bishop. The rite is understood to confer the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit, completing initiation into the Church. It directly parallels the sacrament that Roman Catholic and Anglican tradition calls confirmation, but with one notable difference: while Western Christians typically receive confirmation years after baptism, often in adolescence, chrismation in the East is administered immediately afterward, even for infants. The word derives from Greek via Latin, rooted in 'chrism,' the sacred anointing oil itself. Chrismation is a formal liturgical term, encountered chiefly in theological writing, service books, and discussion of Eastern Christian practice, and carries connotations of solemnity, ancient continuity, and full membership in the church community.
nounIn Eastern Christian tradition, the sacrament of anointing a baptized person with chrism (consecrated oil), administered immediately after baptism and regarded as conferring the gift of the Holy Spirit; it is the Byzantine-rite counterpart to what Western churches call confirmation.
- The Eastern Christian sacrament of anointing a newly baptized person with chrism to confer the Holy Spirit, equivalent to confirmation in the West.
"The infant's baptism was followed at once by her chrismation, as is customary in the Orthodox Church."
"Following the triple immersion, the priest performed the chrismation, marking the child's forehead, eyes, ears, and other parts with consecrated oil."
"Adult converts received both baptism and chrismation during the Easter Vigil service."
Rarely pluralized, since the sacrament is usually discussed collectively or in the singular; the plural appears mainly when describing multiple ceremonies.
"The parish records list dozens of baptisms and chrismations performed over the year."
In Orthodox churches there's no waiting for teenage years — chrismation happens seconds after baptism, even for newborns.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of chrismation
The word comes from the ecclesiastical Latin 'chrisma' (anointing, ointment), borrowed from Greek 'khrisma,' meaning unguent or anointing oil, which itself derives from the Greek verb 'khriein,' to anoint. The same Greek root underlies the title 'Christ,' meaning 'the anointed one.' The term entered English religious vocabulary through translations and descriptions of Eastern Christian rites, and remains tied to the Byzantine liturgical tradition.
How chrismation is actually used
A formal, primarily religious term confined almost entirely to Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic contexts; it would be unfamiliar to many English speakers outside those traditions. In these churches it is normally given immediately after baptism, unlike Western confirmation.
Easily confused with chrismation
Chrismation is the Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Catholic name for the sacrament Western churches call confirmation, though in the East it is performed immediately after baptism rather than later in childhood or adolescence.
Chrism is the consecrated oil itself that is used in the rite of chrismation.