Last Tuesday during Holy Week, the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island asked me to photograph their first Chrism Mass since the Covid-19 pandemic began last March. Much has changed since my last Chrism Mass in 2019. For example, a much smaller number of priests attended due to restrictions because of Covid-19. The solemn procession of priests entering the Cathedral from outside was skipped. The pews were gone, and in their place were a group of wooden chairs meticulously placed to meet spacing requirements. The liturgy was reserved for priests only.
So what is the Chrism Mass? Well, I took it upon myself to do a little self-edification and research. See, I’m not a cradle Episcopalian so I had no experience with this liturgy growing up. I knew it had to be more than the liturgy where all the priests dress in red. I knew it was important just by its mere placement during Holy Week. Christos is the Greek word for the Hebrew Messiah, or the anointed one. The ecclesiastical Latin chrism, which comes from the Greek, Khrisma, which means ‘anointing’. The ancient Hebrews anointed their priests, kings and prophets with olive oil to signify the spirit of God was upon them. Olive oil was a daily staple of Hebrew life. It was used to heat lamps, to cook with, to help in health and beauty. To the Hebrews it represented abundance and joy.
In Christianity, we are anointed in sacramental rites in order to establish ourselves as followers of Christ, and to mark ourselves as adherents to the church’s mission in the world. As Christ was anointed by God, so we are anointed. Each year, the bishop consecrates these anointing oils during the Chrism Mass. It usually occurs on the Tuesday or the Thursday of Holy Week. There are three different oils to be blessed. The Oil of Catechumens is used to baptize. The Oil of the Sick is used in the Sacrament of Anointing the Sick. The last oil is the Holy Chrism, which has balsam added, and it is used in Baptism, Confirmation and the Holy Orders. This oil is the oil the bishop breathes on! ( I always wondered about that and now I know. ) This recalls the passage of John 20:22 where Christ breathed on the apostles. Chrism Mass is one of the most solemn and important Masses of the entire year not only because it’s where Christians publicly celebrate their unity and mission as members of the Body of Christ, but it’s where those three oils that play such an important part of the life of the Church are blessed by the bishop.
Matthew Pritchard Photography 