Firs - what is it? A special oil that is used in various rituals. There are a lot of references and instructions on this subject in the Holy Scriptures. Many consider oil to be a magic wand for ailments, but each is given only according to 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, as well as how it should be, is very important. Let's analyze this issue in more detail.
Traditionally, oil has always been considered a healing oil. Its description and uses are very common in the Bible. Used during unction, also called the sacrament of unction. A sick person during this ritual may be granted healing or relief.
It is also used during various holidays, as fir oil is considered a special sign, joyful. In the old days, it could also 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 appearance of a connection with Christ, as well asfight against sins and increase strength for this.
Also, oil was used to consecrate various parts of buildings and sacred objects.
A separate mention should be made of lamp oil, which is usually pure olive oil, but incense can also be added. When choosing, you need to look at its purity and smell in order to comply with Holy Scripture. Here are some properties of quality oil:
- the taste of such oil is a bit burning;
- if the ambient temperature drops below eight degrees Celsius, it will change color and turn white;
- color is greenish oil.
Composition of oil
Elei - what is it? Namely, what is its composition, or what can be included in it? As mentioned above, oil can be called oil, the basis of which is olive oil. Also, it may include 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, consecrating and lighting in lamps. Pure olive oil can be eaten.
How to prepare this oil and how to store it
Now let's look at how oil is prepared, what kind of composition is this? It is 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 for.
There are also oils that have beenconsecrated on the relics, they can have miraculous power. And very useful for those who are spiritually or physically sick.
You need to store such oil near the home altar or where the icons are. For it, you can purchase a special container, which is sold at temples. It is not recommended to keep it in the refrigerator or medicine cabinet.
The Sacrament of Unction (unction)
So, we figured out how to cook oil, what it is in general. But in more detail it is necessary to consider its use during the unction. This is a special ritual that is performed in case of illness (spiritual or bodily), but not only. It can also be performed by a he althy person, since it is believed that during this sacrament sins that a person has committed, but forgot about them, are forgiven. It is recommended to do this once a year.
During this ceremony, oil is used, which is consecrated by a special prayer. The priest must anoint the sick with this oil seven times.
The holy oil that was used during the ceremony cannot be used for lamps or poured out. If unction took place for a suffering person, then you can take it with you and smear sore spots or eat it. It can also be used by those who have not passed the rite. Often this oil is compared to holy water, but it should not be sprinkled on rooms.
In principle, you can not take it with you after the ceremony, but leave it to the clergy. In the old days, everything that remained from the unction was burned.
What is miro
This is a special blend of oils, and also thereincludes many other components (incense, fragrant herbs). Miro is quite an ancient substance. It was made back in the Old Testament. Then its application was wider. The kings ascended the throne after chrismation, and this action was also performed on the high priests and prophets.
Now it is mainly used during baptism. The Sacrament of Confirmation appeared at a time when the tradition for the newly baptized was the laying on of the hands of a bishop or an apostle, resulting in the Gift of the Holy Spirit, as well as a blessing.
As the number of Christians increased over time, it became impossible to do so. Therefore, the Sacrament of Chrismation appeared, since this oil is prepared with the direct participation and blessing of the head of the church.
Composition of myrrh
In the composition of this oil, according to legend, there were originally about fifty components. At the present time, their number has decreased to forty.
Traditional in the composition of myrrh is high quality pure fir. Next, a necessary component will be grape wine. Miro, whose oil is used in church rituals, simply cannot be prepared well without it. Wine will prevent burning during brewing and possible ignition.
The rest of the ingredients for the oil are incense. There is no clear guidance on this in the church charter, so oils and substances may differ and change. Here are some possible ones:
- rose petals and rose oil;
- incense;
- violet roots, galangal;
- of oils may still belemon, nutmeg and others.
Miro cooking
In order to prepare this oil, there is a special ceremony. Only the head of the church (metropolitan or patriarch) can prepare myrrh, which cannot be said about church oil. This happens during Holy Week. It is brewed for three days and this action takes place not every year, but every few years.
The rite begins on Maundy Monday, when prayers are made in order to start brewing this fragrant oil. Items that are needed are sprinkled with holy water. On Monday, the myrrh should boil (oil and wine). At this time, prayers are read and the oil in the cauldron is stirred so that it does not burn.
The next day, on Good Tuesday, in the cauldron in which the future myrrh is brewed, more grape wine is added, and fragrant substances must also be added. Also, the reading of prayers continues all day long.
On Great Wednesday the world-brewing ends. Incense is added to the cauldron and the oil is cooled.
Also the myrrh must be consecrated. This happens on Maundy Thursday during the Divine Liturgy.
Further, the myrrh in special vessels (myrrh) is transferred to temples, where it is kept on the throne.
For what rites and rituals is the world intended
This oil is commonly used to anoint children and adults after the sacrament of baptism has passed. Also, this ceremony can take place separately, in the event that a person of a different faith. The oil thatcertain areas of the body are anointed after baptism, as if sealing a person with the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Usually this ordinance happens only once in a lifetime. Only earlier, a person could twice receive the anointing of myrrh, 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 anoint the walls, the throne, the antimension.
Catholics still have a tradition of using oil during the ritual of ordination of a bishop or priest. And also, as in Orthodoxy, it is used for consecration.
