Academic Periodical

The sacrament of Chrismation needs to be considered in close relation with the sacraments of Repentance (confession) and Baptism into Christ, which are united in the greater sacrament of Enlightenment, i. e. entering, becoming part of the Church. The sacrament of Chrismation holds a special place in this list having to do with the reception of the gift of life in the Holy Spirit. This sacrament is a testimony to the prophetic nature of Christianity and the messianic status of Christians. The present article also analyses the historic and liturgical as well as the canonical aspects of the sacrament of Chrismation, in particular the rites of receiving apostates and the heterodox into the Orthodox Church.