The fragrant chrism oil that will be used to anoint King Charles during his coronation in May was made sacred in Jerusalem yesterday. A ceremony took place in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where the holy oil was consecrated by the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, and the Anglican archbishop in Jerusalem, Hosam Naoum. It has been created using olives harvested from two groves on the Mount of Olives, at the Monastery of Mary Magdalene and the Monastery of the Ascension. The olives were pressed just outside Bethlehem and the oil has been perfumed with sesame, rose, jasmine, cinnamon, neroli, benzoin, amber and orange blossom. The king will receive the sovereign’s orb, sceptre and coronation ring and will be crowned and blessed during the ceremony at Westminster Abbey on 6 May. Camilla, the Queen Consort, will also be anointed with holy oil and crowned. The archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said: “I want to thank especially His Beatitude for providing this coronation oil, which reflects the king’s personal family connection with the Holy Land and his great care for its peoples. I am also delighted that the Anglican archbishop in Jerusalem shared in the consecration of the oil.” From ancient kings through to the present day, monarchs have been anointed with oil from this sacred place. The oil is based on that used at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II on 2 June 1953, with a formula that dates back hundreds of years. Chrism is also used on Holy Thursday in all Cathedrals around the world when the oils are blessed for the use for Baptisms, Confirmations, Ordination of priests and Consecration of Bishops, as well as the anointing of the sick.
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