The holy oil, chrism, which will be used to anoint King Charles III during his coronation on 6 May has been consecrated at a ceremony in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem on Friday.
It was created using olives which had been harvested from groves on the Mount of Olives, a mountain ridge which runs from Jerusalem’s Old City which has major religious symbolism for Christians and Jews.
The olives came from the Monastery of Mary Magdalene and the Monastery of the Ascension, and were pressed just outside Bethlehem before being perfumed with sesame, rose, jasmine, cinnamon, neroli, benzoin and amber as well as orange blossom.
The oil, which plays an integral role in the ceremonies of many religions over centuries, was made sacred by the Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, and the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, The Most Reverend Hosam Naoum.
Camilla, Queen Consort, will also be anointed with holy oil and crowned, as was Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother when she was crowned Queen in 1937.
The Archbishop of Canterbury said: “I am honoured and grateful that His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III and Archbishop Hosam Naoum have consecrated the oil that will be used to anoint His Majesty The King.
“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.
Read More:
New details discovered on 700-year-old throne – which is covered in graffiti
King commissions new music for coronation – including an anthem by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Camilla to wear Queen Mary’s crown without controversial Koh-i-Noor diamond
“Since beginning the planning for the coronation, my desire has been for a new coronation oil to be produced using olive oil from the Mount of Olives. This demonstrates the deep historic link between the coronation, the Bible and the Holy Land.
“From ancient kings through to the present day, monarchs have been anointed with oil from this sacred place. As we prepare to anoint the King and the Queen Consort, I pray that they would be guided and strengthened by the Holy Spirit.”