H
Hesychios
Guest
Syro Malabar Church Effects Changes In Five Sacraments
KOCHI (ICNS) – The Syro Malabar Church has introduced amendments in the five sacraments of baptism, confirmation, marriage, anointing of sick and confession. Church leaders said the fresh liturgical changes would help the Oriental Church to move in a new spiritual direction.
According to a communiqué issued by Syro Malabar Church Major Archbishop Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, the new book of sacraments has come into effect in all parishes and dioceses from Jan. 6.
Auxiliary Bishop Sebastian Adaynthrath of Ernamulam-Angamaly, who headed the liturgical committee that proposed the new sacrament rules, said that the changes would help the Church to “Indianize in a new direction.”
He said the liturgical amendments have finalized after an extensive round of discussions with all the bishops, theologians, clergy and lay leaders of the Church.
According to the amended sacraments, baptism and confirmation will be conducted together because “birth and growth are inseparable.” They were held separately earlier. The term ‘confirmation’ will be replaced by ‘chrismation’ as chrism means sacred oil.
Eucharist, which is usually held at the age of seven or eight, can also be given at the time of baptism and chrismation.
The new book of sacrament has reintroduced the pre-baptismal anointing and authorizes a priest to bless the oil during baptism, which was now done only by the bishop.
The custom of using only olive oil has also been changed. Any vegetable oil, including coconut oil, can be used for baptism from now. The priests will hereafter say “you are baptized” instead of “I baptize you.”
The oil for anointing the sick can also be blessed by the priest. Until now, only bishops had this privilege.
During confession, the priests will now say “you are forgiven” instead of “I absolve your sins.”
Marriages will also undergo a change, according to the new book of sacraments. The Church would allow the exchange of garlands, like in Hindu marriages, from now. The priest conducting the marriage ceremony would bless the garlands.
+T+
Learn more about the Syro-Malabar church at CNEWA
KOCHI (ICNS) – The Syro Malabar Church has introduced amendments in the five sacraments of baptism, confirmation, marriage, anointing of sick and confession. Church leaders said the fresh liturgical changes would help the Oriental Church to move in a new spiritual direction.
According to a communiqué issued by Syro Malabar Church Major Archbishop Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil, the new book of sacraments has come into effect in all parishes and dioceses from Jan. 6.
Auxiliary Bishop Sebastian Adaynthrath of Ernamulam-Angamaly, who headed the liturgical committee that proposed the new sacrament rules, said that the changes would help the Church to “Indianize in a new direction.”
He said the liturgical amendments have finalized after an extensive round of discussions with all the bishops, theologians, clergy and lay leaders of the Church.
According to the amended sacraments, baptism and confirmation will be conducted together because “birth and growth are inseparable.” They were held separately earlier. The term ‘confirmation’ will be replaced by ‘chrismation’ as chrism means sacred oil.
Eucharist, which is usually held at the age of seven or eight, can also be given at the time of baptism and chrismation.
The new book of sacrament has reintroduced the pre-baptismal anointing and authorizes a priest to bless the oil during baptism, which was now done only by the bishop.
The custom of using only olive oil has also been changed. Any vegetable oil, including coconut oil, can be used for baptism from now. The priests will hereafter say “you are baptized” instead of “I baptize you.”
The oil for anointing the sick can also be blessed by the priest. Until now, only bishops had this privilege.
During confession, the priests will now say “you are forgiven” instead of “I absolve your sins.”
Marriages will also undergo a change, according to the new book of sacraments. The Church would allow the exchange of garlands, like in Hindu marriages, from now. The priest conducting the marriage ceremony would bless the garlands.
+T+
Learn more about the Syro-Malabar church at CNEWA