Joshua Bennett
In the Orthodox Church, confirmation, or Chrismation, is typically administered immediately after baptism and shortly before one's first reception of Holy Communion. This differs from the practice in Western churches, where confirmation is reserved for those who have reached the age of reason. In the Orthodox tradition, confirmation involves anointing the new Christian with holy oil, known as myron, in the sign of the cross on various parts of the body. This sacrament is believed to impart the Holy Spirit and is considered an extension of Pentecost, when the Apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit. While the Orthodox Church encourages the baptism of infants, confirmation is not delayed until a later age and is often received at the time of baptism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Confirmation in Orthodox Church | Sacrament of Chrismation |
| When is it administered? | Immediately after baptism |
| At the age of 15 in Norway | |
| At the age of 9-10 for first communion | |
| At the age of 14-16 | |
| At the age of 18-20 | |
| At the time of conversion to Orthodoxy | |
| Before the first reception of Holy Communion |
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What You'll Learn
Confirmation follows baptism immediately
In the Orthodox Church, confirmation, or Chrismation, immediately follows baptism. This is because, from a theological viewpoint, confirmation grants a seal and extra graces that are deemed extremely useful when living a Catholic life. Therefore, it is best to receive a confirmation right after baptism.
The Orthodox Church encourages the baptism of infants, following the custom of the early Church. During the baptism, the child is anointed with holy chrism, a special oil, by a priest. The Sacrament of Chrismation immediately follows the baptism and is never delayed until a later age. This is because the Sacrament imparts the Holy Spirit in a special way, and the life of each Orthodox Christian is sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
In the Catholic Church, all trinitarian baptisms are valid, including those performed by the Orthodox Church. Confirmation holds more weight than baptism because the recipient makes the oaths, not their parents. However, some people argue that later confirmation is beneficial as it allows the recipient to understand what is happening and can rekindle faith in families.
In the Orthodox Church, confirmation is administered at the same time as baptism and Holy Communion. This means that confirmation cannot be received twice. Therefore, if someone was baptised in the Orthodox Church and later confirmed in the Catholic Church, they would still be considered Orthodox from a Catholic perspective.
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Confirmation is a recognition of being of age
Confirmation is a significant milestone in the life of a Catholic, marking their coming of age and full membership in the Church. In the Orthodox Church, this sacrament is known as Chrismation, and it is typically administered immediately after baptism, with no significant delay, and shortly before the individual's first reception of Holy Communion. This practice is in contrast to Western churches, where confirmation is often reserved for those who have reached the "age of reason."
In the Orthodox tradition, Chrismation is viewed as a personal Pentecost, imparting the Holy Spirit in a unique way. The sacrament involves anointing the individual with holy oil, known as "myron," which is a mixture of forty sweet-smelling substances and pure olive oil. This anointing is done in the sign of the cross on various parts of the body, including the forehead, eyes, nostrils, mouth, ears, chest, hands, and feet. Each time the priest anoints a body part, they utter the words, "The Seal and Gift of the Holy Spirit."
While the Orthodox Church generally encourages the baptism of infants, following early Church customs, confirmation is not delayed until later ages. Instead, it immediately follows baptism for individuals of any age. This practice underscores the belief that confirmation is intimately connected to baptism, and delaying it is not in line with Orthodox tradition.
The act of confirmation or Chrismation serves as a recognition of being "of age" within the community. It signifies that the individual is now a full member of the Church and has the necessary seal and grace to live a devout Catholic life. This understanding of confirmation as a coming-of-age ritual is also reflected in the Catholic Bar Mitzvah, where young people confirm their membership in the Church and are acknowledged as mature members of the community.
While the Orthodox Church emphasizes the immediate conferral of Chrismation after baptism, there may be some variations in practice, especially when dealing with converts from other Christian denominations. In such cases, the local bishop has discretion and can determine the prerequisites for receiving the sacrament of Chrismation. Nonetheless, the fundamental belief remains that confirmation is a recognition of being of age and a full participant in the life of the Church.
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Confirmation is a personal Pentecost
In the Orthodox Church, the Sacrament of Chrismation (Confirmation) follows immediately after baptism and is never delayed until a later age. This sacrament is often referred to as one's personal Pentecost.
Confirmation is prefigured in the actions of anointing and laying on of hands in the Old Testament, when someone was consecrated for a special mission or office, such as priests, prophets, and kings. In the New Testament, the laying on of hands is the primary sign of Confirmation. When the Apostles lay hands on the baptized, the Holy Spirit falls upon them, continuing Pentecost in the Church.
Just as the Holy Spirit came upon the Apostles at Pentecost and empowered them to witness to Christ, so too does Confirmation fill us with that same power of the Holy Spirit. This is described as "the full outpouring of the Holy Spirit as once granted to the apostles on the day of Pentecost" (CCC 1302). Confirmation brings an increase and deepening of baptismal grace, uniting us more firmly with Christ and rendering our bond with the Church more perfect.
The Sacrament of Confirmation applies the graces and gifts of Pentecost to each individual personally. While it is often associated with a coming-of-age or an opportunity for those baptized as infants to make the faith their own, this is not the primary focus. Rather, Confirmation imparts the Spirit in a special way, granting the power to profess faith in Christ publicly and boldly.
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Confirmation is received at any age
In the Orthodox Church, confirmation, or Chrismation, is typically administered immediately after baptism and shortly before one's first reception of Holy Communion. This is different from the practice in Western churches, where confirmation is reserved for those who have reached "the age of reason".
In the Orthodox Church, confirmation can be received at any age but always follows baptism. For instance, in Norway, it is common to be confirmed at the age of 15. In some cases, confirmation may be performed at the same time as baptism, especially for infants. However, the specific practices may vary depending on the local bishop's guidelines.
The sacrament of Chrismation is an important ritual in the Orthodox Church. It involves anointing the individual with holy oil, known as "myron," which is a mixture of forty sweet-smelling substances and pure olive oil. This anointing is done in the sign of the cross on various parts of the body, such as the forehead, eyes, nostrils, mouth, ears, chest, hands, and feet. Each time the priest anoints a part of the body, they say, "The Seal and Gift of the Holy Spirit."
While confirmation is typically associated with the Orthodox Church, it is worth noting that some individuals may be baptised in an Orthodox Church but later confirmed in a Catholic Church. In such cases, from a Catholic perspective, the Orthodox confirmation is still valid, and an individual cannot receive the sacrament of confirmation twice.
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Confirmation is a prerequisite for communion
Confirmation, or Chrismation as it is known in the Orthodox Church, is a significant rite of passage for individuals to affirm their commitment to their faith. In the Orthodox tradition, Chrismation is typically administered immediately after baptism and before an individual's first reception of Holy Communion. This practice underscores the importance of Confirmation as a prerequisite for receiving the Eucharist, signifying a person's readiness to fully participate in the sacramental life of the Church.
The Sacrament of Chrismation is deeply rooted in the Orthodox faith. During this rite, the newly baptised Christian is anointed with holy oil, known as "myron," on various parts of the body in the sign of the Cross. Each anointment is accompanied by the priest's words, "The Seal and Gift of the Holy Spirit," invoking the presence and power of the Holy Spirit upon the individual. This ritual symbolises the strengthening and empowerment that comes from the Holy Spirit, much like the early Church experienced on the day of Pentecost.
The practice of receiving Confirmation before Communion holds theological significance. From a theological perspective, Confirmation imparts a "seal and extra graces" that equip individuals to live a faithful life within their religious community. By receiving Confirmation, individuals are granted a special outpouring of the Holy Spirit, empowering them to more fully understand and embrace their faith. This, in turn, prepares them to worthily receive the Eucharist, which is the source and summit of the Christian life.
Moreover, Confirmation serves as a public affirmation of one's membership in the Church. It is akin to a Catholic bar mitzvah, where individuals confirm their allegiance to their faith community. By receiving Confirmation, individuals are recognised as mature members of the Church, ready to take on the responsibilities and privileges that come with full communion. This includes not only the reception of the Eucharist but also the expectation of living out one's faith through service, witness, and participation in the life of the Church.
While the Orthodox Church traditionally administers Confirmation immediately after baptism, there may be variations in practice depending on personal and regional factors. For instance, in some regions, Confirmation may be received around the age of 15, allowing individuals to consciously understand and affirm their faith. Nonetheless, the underlying principle remains that Confirmation precedes Communion, ensuring that individuals are spiritually prepared to receive the Eucharist and actively participate in the sacramental life of the Church.
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Frequently asked questions
Orthodox Christians have often been validly baptized, confirmed, and received the Eucharist from infancy, and thus do not have to receive any of these sacraments again. However, to be formally received into the Catholic Church, one must approach the Eastern eparchy most closely resembling their original rite.
Confirmation in the Catholic Church is typically conferred on the faithful above the age of discretion, which is generally taken to be about 7 years old. However, the age range for confirmation can vary from 7-18 years old, depending on the Episcopal Conference's decision or other factors such as the danger of death or grave reasons.
In Eastern Catholic Churches, confirmation is called Chrismation with holy Myron, and it can be administered conjointly with baptism. In contrast, the Latin Church's sacrament of confirmation is typically conferred separately from baptism and requires anointing by the imposition of the hand.
