Crismación

Crismación, also known as chrismation, is a Christian sacrament in which a person is anointed with holy chrism, a consecrated, perfumed oil. In the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic traditions, chrismation is closely linked to baptism and is understood as the sealing of the baptized with the gift of the Holy Spirit and the strengthening of grace received at baptism.

The rite typically involves a bishop or priest who administers the anointing with chrism and the laying on of hands. The chrism used is prepared and consecrated in a ceremony led by a bishop, and the anointing is performed with a series of cross-shaped gestures on the person’s body. The practice symbolizes the recipient’s incorporation into Christ’s Body and their reception of the Holy Spirit’s gifts, along with heightened participation in the life of the Church.

Theological significance centers on the idea of a spiritual seal or confirmation of baptismal grace. Chrismation is understood as granting or strengthening the gifts of the Holy Spirit, empowering the faithful for Christian life and service, and affirming unity with the Church.

Timing and practice vary by tradition. In most Eastern churches, chrismation follows immediately after baptism, including for infants. In the Latin (Roman) rite of the Catholic Church, Confirmation is typically a distinct sacrament administered later, usually by a bishop, though in certain circumstances a priest may confer it with episcopal permission. Some Protestant bodies use the term chrismation as a synonym for Confirmation or for the anointing in related rites.