|| Pope Shenouda || Father Matta || Bishop Mattaous || Fr. Tadros Malaty || Bishop Moussa || Bishop Alexander || Habib Gerguis || Bishop Angealos || Metropolitan Bishoy ||
HOLY ANOINTING
H. G. Bishop Moussa
When we were infants, after we emerged from the baptismal font, the priest anointed us with
the “holy mairoun” the second sacrament which is given to man immediately after baptism. It
is a sacrament that is directly linked to baptism but independent of it. Both sacraments must
be given together, first baptism and then the mairoun. Why?
Baptism is a “renewal” through the Holy Spirit whereas the mairoun is an “establishing’ in the
Holy Spirit. Baptism has made me a son of Christ and the mairoun confirms me in that
sonship and makes me a temple in which the Holy Spirit dwells.
You surely know, dear reader, that the bishop “consecrates” a church after it is built with
prayers and praise and anoints its walls, its altar, its vessels, and its icons with the holy
mairoun. It thus becomes a temple upon which the Spirit of God descends.
The same thing happens to you. You are “consecrated” by the mairoun which makes you a
temple for the Holy Spirit; 36 signs of the cross are made on you with the oil of the mairoun.
Why 36 Signs of the Cross?
Very simply, the Lord consecrates your whole being for Him. These signs are made as
follows:
1. A sign of the cross on the head. Lord consecrate my thoughts”
2. Seven signs of the cross on the two nostrils, the mouth, the ears, and the eyes ... “Lord,
consecrate my senses”
3. Two signs of the cross on the chest ... “Lord, consecrate my heart”
4. Two signs of the cross on the back and spine ... “Lord, consecrate my will”
5. Six signs of the cross on both arms (on all three joints) “Lord, consecrate my actions”
6. Six signs of the cross on both legs (on all three joints)... “Lord, consecrate my way”
Do you perceive, dear reader, that the Lord’s aim is to consecrate your whole being so that
you become a holy temple and a pure church?!
Do you perceive, dear reader, that the oil of the mairoun has made all your members belong
to Christ?! So it has become painful for any of us to “take the members of Christ and make
them members of a harlot” (1 Cor. 6: 15)
The Effects of the Holy Mairoun:
1. The holy mairoun enlightens our minds. “But you have an anointing from the Holy One,
and you know all things” (I Jn. 2: 20)
2. It grants us a strong will for sanctity: “Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and
has anointed us is God.” (1 Cor. 1: 21) 3. It puts on us the seal of the Holy Spirit: “who also
has sealed us and given us the Spirit in our hearts as a deposit.” (1 Cor. 1: 22); the seal is
the emblem of ownership and consecration.
We have received all this in our infancy, and there is no doubt that all this works in our
hearts through the Spirit of God, which dwells within us and through the holy teachings,
which we listen to at home and in church.
Will you renew with me the covenant of the mairoun. this seal of the Holy Spirit on your life
and your inner being? Will you pray with me and say:
Lord, sanctify my thoughts!
Lord, sanctify my senses!
Lord, sanctify my heart!
Lord, sanctify my will!
Lord, sanctify my deeds!
Lord, sanctify my way!
Repeat this prayer anew several times, meditating on the meaning of its words. Then close
your prayer thus: “O comforting and heavenly angel, the Spirit of truth who is present
everywhere and who fills everything, storehouse of all that is good, giver of life, please come
and fill us; purify us of all defilement, O Righteous One, and save our souls.”
And do not pray for yourself only, but for all your loved ones. May the Lord be with you
My Lord Jesus Christ,
You have anointed me with Your Holy Spirit, this fiery Spirit that led the prophet Elijah...
This gentle spirit which lived within the Virgin..
The Spirit of holiness that sanctifies the being of man...
The Spirit of gifts who grants the ministers words and strength....
But, O Lord, forgive me I do not respect the Spirit within me for lack of faithfulness, for lack
of the uprightness of my intentions, and for the weakness of my requests and prayers. For
You give the Spirit to those who ask You.
O Holy Spirit of God, fill my whole being so that I may belong to God and to God
only!
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