Oil - what is it? A special oil that is used in various ceremonies. There are many references and directions in the scriptures. Many consider spruce a magic wand for ailments, but everyone is given only by his faith. Therefore, the use of oil without internal spiritual work is useless. Equally important in the bosom of the church is the world.
What is oil and where is it used?
Knowing how to use church oil, and how it should be, is very important. Let us examine this question in more detail.
Traditionally, oil has always been considered a healing oil. Its description and uses are very common in the Bible. Used during the reunion, also called the sacrament of unholy. The sick person may be given healing or relief during this ritual.
It is also used during various holidays, as oil of oil is considered a special sign, joyful. In the old days, it could be used to anoint especially honored guests.
Also, oil is needed during baptism, namely, before the rite itself. They are anointed with various parts of the body, which means the emergence of a connection with Christ, as well as the struggle against sins and increased strength for this.
Oil was also used to consecrate various parts of buildings and sacred objects.
Separately, it should be said about the lampadonna oil, which is usually pure olive oil, but incense can be added. When choosing, you need to look at its purity and smell in order to comply with the Holy Scriptures. Here are some properties of quality oil:
- the taste of this oil is a little burning;
- if the ambient temperature drops below eight degrees Celsius, it will change color and turn white;
- the color is a greenish oil.
Oil composition
Oil - what is it? Namely, what is its composition, or what can be included in it? As mentioned above, the oil, the basis of which is olive, can be called oil. Also, it may contain several fragrant oils, if they do not have a pungent odor, they must also be clean. For example, pink.
With the addition of fir trees, they are most often used for anointing, consecration, and kindling in icon lamps. Pure olive oil can be eaten.
How to make this oil and how to store it
Now consider how the oil is cooked, what kind of composition is it? It is being prepared very strictly. The main thing here is pure olive oil, if necessary, fragrant components are added. Then the clergyman reads special prayers, depending on what the oil will be intended for.
There are also oils that were sanctified at the relics; they can have miraculous powers. And very useful for those who are sick spiritually or bodily.
You need to store such oil near the home altar or where the icons are. For him, you can purchase a special container, which is sold at the temples. It is not recommended to keep it in the refrigerator or in the medicine cabinet.
The sacrament of unholy (unification)
So, we have figured out how to cook oil, what is it all about. But a more detailed consideration should be given to its use during unction. This is a special ritual that is performed during an illness (spiritual or physical), but not only. It can also be carried out by a healthy person, since it is believed that during this sacrament the sins that a person committed but forgot about them are forgiven. It is recommended to do this once a year.
During this rite, oil is used, which is consecrated with a special prayer. The priest must anoint the sick person with this oil seven times.
The holy oil that was used during the ceremony cannot be used for icon lamps or poured. If the unification took place for a suffering person, then you can take it with you and smear sore spots or eat. Also, it can be used by those who did not pass the rite. Often such oil is compared to holy water, but they should not be sprinkled with the premises.
In principle, it is possible not to take it with you after the ceremony, but to leave the clergy. In the old days, all that was left of unction was burned.
What is miro
This is a special blend of oils, and it also includes many other components (incense, fragrant herbs). Miro is quite an ancient substance. It was made in the Old Testament era. Then its application was wider. The kings ascended the throne after anointing; they also performed this action on the high priests and prophets.
Now it is mainly used during baptism. The sacrament of anointing appeared at a time when the tradition for the newly baptized was to put on the hands of a bishop or apostle, resulting in the gift of the Holy Spirit, as well as a blessing.
As more Christians grew over time, this became impossible to do. Therefore, the Sacrament of Anointing appeared, as this oil is prepared with the direct participation and blessing of the head of the church.
Miro composition
According to legend, the composition of this oil initially contained about fifty components. At present, their number has decreased to forty.
The traditional composition of the miro is pure high quality fir. Next, grape wine will be a necessary component . Miro, whose oil is used in church ceremonies, simply cannot be prepared properly without it. The wine will prevent burning during cooking and possible fire.
The remaining ingredients for oil are incense. The church charter does not have clear instructions on this subject, so oils and substances may vary and vary. We list some of the possible ones:
- rose petals, as well as rose oil;
- incense;
- roots of violet, galangal;
- of oils may still be lemon, nutmeg and others.
Cooking miro
In order to prepare this oil, there is a special rite. Only the head of the church (the metropolitan or the patriarch) can prepare the world, which cannot be said about church spruce. This happens during Holy Week. It is brewed for three days and such an action does not occur every year, but once every several years.
The ceremony begins on Great Monday, when prayers are performed in order to start cooking this fragrant oil. The items that are needed are sprinkled with holy water . On Monday, the world should boil (oil and wine). At this time, prayers are read and the oil is stirred in the boiler so that it does not burn.
The next day, on Great Tuesday, in the cauldron in which the future of the world is brewed, grape wine is added, and fragrant substances must also be added. Also, prayers continue throughout the day.
On Great Wednesday, the world ends. Incense is added to the cauldron and the oil is cooled.
Also, the world must be sanctified. This happens on Maundy Thursday during the Divine Liturgy.
Next, the world in special vessels (myrrhiza) is transferred to the temples, where it is stored on the throne.
What ceremonies and rituals is the world intended for
This oil is usually used to anoint children and adults after the sacrament of baptism has passed . Also, this rite can take place separately, in the event that a person of a different faith. Oil, which is anointed with certain parts of the body after baptism, as if seals a person with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Usually this sacrament happens only once in a lifetime. Only earlier could a person receive the anointing of the world twice, the oil of which was used during the ascension to the throne of the king.
In the Orthodox Church, this fragrant substance is necessary for the consecration of new churches. They are anointed with walls, a throne, antimins.
Catholics have a tradition of using oil during the ritual of ordaining a bishop or priest. And also, as in Orthodoxy, it is used for sanctification.