Repeated Chrismation?

[suissemissed]

I’ve heard that the Orthodox Churches allow for repeated Chrismation in some circumstances… is that true? And if so, what is the theology behind that, and do the Eastern Catholic churches have this practice? I know that in the Latin Church, Confirmation cannot be repeated.

 

[TheChaldean]

I don’t think so since its usually done immediately after Baptism in most Eastern Catholic Rites and Eastern Orthodoxy.

 

[josephdaniel29]

I’ve heard that the Orthodox Churches allow for repeated Chrismation in some circumstances… is that true? And if so, what is the theology behind that, and do the Eastern Catholic churches have this practice? I know that in the Latin Church, Confirmation cannot be repeated.

I’ve heard of individuals being re-chrismated if they have fallen away from the Church, such as becoming a Muslim or Hindu. It’s not very common.

 

[mardukm]

I too would like to know the theological rationale behind re-chrismation in the Eastern Tradition.

The Oriental Tradition, AFAIK, does not re-chrismate. For example, just from the resources I have off-hand without doing much research (don’t have the time), I can offer this link from the Syriac Orthodox which states that Chrismation (as well as Baptism and Holy Orders), can only be administered once - sor.cua.edu/Intro/index.html.

Blessings,
Marduk

 

[suissemissed]

I can offer this link from the Syriac Orthodox which states that Chrismation (as well as Baptism and Holy Orders), can only be administered once - sor.cua.edu/Intro/index.html.

I saw that link too when I was researching… but apparently the Syriac Orthodox don’t speak for the whole of Orthodoxy, since I know other eastern Churches do re-Chrismate (I believe Hesychios mentioned it once on these forums…). I haven’t had much luck in finding any other information.

As far as I know, the Latin Church teaches that Confirmation is the “seal of the Holy Spirit.” As such, it imprints a character or “mark” upon the souls of those who receive it, and thus (like Baptism) it can’t be lost even by apostasy, and it can’t be repeated.

I mean, isn’t Chrismation a very holy Sacrament? I would think that the apostolic Churches would have preserved the truths about the Mysteries extremely carefully… Either you can re-Chrismate or you can’t

Sorry, the issue’s just been bugging me

 

[msgrtom]

During the early persecutions, there were ‘rigorists’ who wanted those who denied Christ out of fear or during torture to go back to catechumen status and apply for readmission to the Church by repeating baptism and crismation (and orders, if applicable). One of the authors of the period, whose name I don’t recall, left us these unforgettable words. “The old people in the Church, who had known the Apostles personally, ‘who still had the voices and the words of the Apostles ringing in their ears,’ objected strongly that baptism, chrismation and orders can never be repeated because they ‘confer an indellible seal’.” I LOVE those words!

 

[suissemissed]

One of the authors of the period, whose name I don’t recall, left us these unforgettable words. “The old people in the Church, who had known the Apostles personally, ‘who still had the voices and the words of the Apostles ringing in their ears,’ objected strongly that baptism, chrismation and orders can never be repeated because they ‘confer an indellible seal’.”

Can you list a source for this? I did a Google search and nothing came up…

 

[josephdaniel29]

I too would like to know the theological rationale behind re-chrismation in the Eastern Tradition.

The Oriental Tradition, AFAIK, does not re-chrismate. For example, just from the resources I have off-hand without doing much research (don’t have the time), I can offer this link from the Syriac Orthodox which states that Chrismation (as well as Baptism and Holy Orders), can only be administered once - sor.cua.edu/Intro/index.html.

Blessings,
Marduk

Just for clarification. Are we talking about re-chrismation in regards to initial reception into the Church or for those who have apostatized from the faith?

 

[suissemissed]

Just for clarification. Are we talking about re-chrismation in regards to initial reception into the Church or for those who have apostatized from the faith?

Both, I suppose Do Orthodox consider Chrismation for apostates to be different from the Chrismation received upon initial reception into the Church? Latins just see Confirmation as a “Sacrament of initiation” only, and thus non-repeatable.

 

[kitkatty]

I have never heard of rechrismation in the Eastern Catholic Church`s

 

[josephdaniel29]

Both, I suppose Do Orthodox consider Chrismation for apostates to be different from the Chrismation received upon initial reception into the Church? Latins just see Confirmation as a “Sacrament of initiation” only, and thus non-repeatable.

Some Churches have regulations dealing with the reception of converts and others leave all or part of that to the prerogative of the local bishop. Some will always baptize all converts, some will only baptize those from certain confessions and others will receive by chrismation those who have been baptized according to the Orthodox form (triple immersion in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit). For example, the Russian Church baptizes those from Protestant confessions but receives Roman Catholics by chrismation.

As to the re-chrismation of Orthodox who have apostatized from the faith, I have heard of the practice but I’m not that familiar with it. I imagine it is extraordinarily rare. Perhaps it’s just seen as a way of reintegrating the individual into the Church. Perhaps it is believed that they lost the gift of the Holy Spirit when they abandoned the Church and they are being resealed. I don’t know.

In Christ
Joe

 

[Nine_Two]

As far as I know, the Latin Church teaches that Confirmation is the “seal of the Holy Spirit.” As such, it imprints a character or “mark” upon the souls of those who receive it, and thus (like Baptism) it can’t be lost even by apostasy, and it can’t be repeated.

My understanding is that Chrismation is the seal of the Holy Spirit however the Holy Spirit is not present (so to speak) where it is not wanted. If one repents of apostasy it should be reapplied.

On the topic of those who have been confirmed in their own tradition coming over to the Orthodox, I suppose it is because we cannot vouch for the validity of other faiths Chrismations.

I mean, isn’t Chrismation a very holy Sacrament? I would think that the apostolic Churches would have preserved the truths about the Mysteries extremely carefully… Either you can re-Chrismate or you can’t

The East and West look at the nature of “Sacraments” very differently. Looking at the East with a Latin view will only cause confusion.

Sorry, the issue’s just been bugging me

Why is it bugging you?

 

[suissemissed]

My understanding is that Chrismation is the seal of the Holy Spirit however the Holy Spirit is not present (so to speak) where it is not wanted. If one repents of apostasy it should be reapplied.

That same logic could be used in re-baptizing too, couldn’t it, since both Baptism and Chrismation impart the Spirit? Do Orthodox re-baptize Christians from other denominations, even if they’ve been immersed three times with the Trinitarian formula?

The East and West look at the nature of “Sacraments” very differently. Looking at the East with a Latin view will only cause confusion.

I know that Orthodox call the Sacraments “Mysteries” (I think the Latin word “Sacrament” actually comes from the Greek word for mystery), and I know that in the East the Mysteries aren’t numbered like in the West… but beyond that I don’t know much of the differences regarding how the two branches of Christendom view them. Could you please expound on that a little?

Why is it bugging you?

I just want to know about my Faith (and the different versions of it which are professed around the world) as much as possible I don’t like being in ignorance, haha

 

[Aramis]

Some Orthdox (rather sloppily) refer to certain special blessings with the oils as chrismation even tho they are not the Sacrament of Reception of the Seal of the Holy Spirit (In latin terms, Confirmation).

Some EC’s do, also. Equally as lingustically sloppy.

 

[JohnVIII]

I can only give you opinions as to why re-Chrismation happens in the Eastern Churches, but, just to let you know, I personally have been Chrismated 3 times in Russian and Greek Orthodox Churches, and then after that I joined the Roman Catholic Church and was re-Chrismated there too, making it 4 times in all. Everyone has told me that the RCC should not have done it again, but it happened!

Peace!

 

[angelic06]

I can only give you opinions as to why re-Chrismation happens in the Eastern Churches, but, just to let you know, I personally have been Chrismated 3 times in Russian and Greek Orthodox Churches, and then after that I joined the Roman Catholic Church and was re-Chrismated there too, making it 4 times in all. Everyone has told me that the RCC should not have done it again, but it happened!

Peace!

Well, I’ll join that everyone…I can understand if the Eastern Orthodox wanted to re-chrismate those coming from the Roman and Eastern Catholic churches—but vice versa? That is not in accord with the Catholic view of Eastern Orthodox sacraments.

On a related note, some youth were chrismated yesterday by our pastor at the Maronite Catholic parish I go to. Congratulations to them!

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

I have never heard of rechrismation in the Eastern Catholic Church`s

That’s because Eastern Catholics do not re-Charismate.

This question is about Orthodox Church practices so I do not know why it is in the Eastern Catholicism sub-forum.

 

[suissemissed]

That’s because Eastern Catholics do not re-Charismate.

This question is about Orthodox Church practices so I do not know why it is in the Eastern Catholicism sub-forum.

Actually, in my original post, I do ask if the Eastern Catholic Churches re-Chrismate To re-sum up my questions: (A) Do Orthodox re-Chrismate (apparently yes, some of them do, but others don’t), (B) where did this practice come from, and (C) do Eastern Catholics also have this practice? (apparently not).

 

[Nine_Two]

Some Orthdox (rather sloppily) refer to certain special blessings with the oils as chrismation even tho they are not the Sacrament of Reception of the Seal of the Holy Spirit (In latin terms, Confirmation).

Some EC’s do, also. Equally as lingustically sloppy.

Yes, anyone calling unction “Chrismation” can be accused of being sloppy in their language. They are very different things.

 

[josephdaniel29]

That same logic could be used in re-baptizing too, couldn’t it, since both Baptism and Chrismation impart the Spirit?

No it couldn’t.

There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; - Ephesians 4:4-5

I acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins - Symbol of the Faith

Do Orthodox re-baptize Christians from other denominations, even if they’ve been immersed three times with the Trinitarian formula?

We do not “re”-baptize anyone. The Orthodox Church does not accept heterodox baptisms. Converts from other Christian confessions are sometimes baptized and sometimes, through the principle of economia, the individual may be received by chrismation. The belief being that whatever was lacking in their heterodox baptism is completed and filled by the Holy Spirit at their chrismation.

There are some exceptions to the above statement. There have been times and places in history where individuals from the Roman Catholic Church may have been received by a renunciation of errors and a statement of faith. That was the case primarily in the few centuries immediately following the schism. To my knowledge that is not the case anywhere anymore and hasn’t been for many, many centuries.

In Christ
Joe