CHRISM. — From the 5th century onwards the Greeks were accustomed to mix aromatic substances with the holy oil, and the Latins, a little later, the balsam (q.v.). Thus the C., which the Greeks call Myron, is a mixture of oil and balsam.
In its consecration, which the bishop solemnly performs during the Mass of Holy Thursday (cf. also CIC, can. 734), an anaphora, that is, a prayer of thanksgiving in the manner of a Preface, is recited; and for this reason it was anciently called oil of anaphora (Didache, new fragment; St Hippolytus, Traditio apostolica, II, 109, ed. Funk, Tübingen 1902). As an effect of the consecration, the positive sanctification and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in the soul are emphasized. The C. is used in Baptism, in Confirmation (cf. also CIC, can. 780-81), in the consecration of a bishop, of a church, of an altar, of a chalice and paten, in the coronation of an emperor or king, and even in the blessing of bells. It symbolizes the communication of grace (Roman Catechism, pt. II, ch. 3, no. 6). The C. must be renewed every Holy Thursday and kept in a special vessel.
