Pat Daniel consecrates ingredients for myrrh-boiling in Bulgarian Church

Patriarch Daniel. Photo: Bulgarian Church's website

During the Cross-Exaltation week, Bulgarian Patriarch Daniel consecrated the ingredients that will be used in the ninth, in the modern history of the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, preparation of the holy chrism, writes the  UOJ in Bulgari a website.

Before the consecration of the ingredients, a liturgy of St. Basil the Great was served at the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky.

At the beginning of the day, the procedure for the ninth preparation of the holy chrism of the BOC began at the holy synod's chrism-making facility. Patriarch Daniel led the water blessing service and read a prayer for success in this gracious undertaking. On the feast of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem, the vessels will be transferred to the Patriarchal Cathedral of St. Alexander Nevsky, where, with the beginning of Holy Week, the preparation of the holy chrism will commence.

The first preparation of the holy chrism in the modern history of the BOC took place on April 6, 1950, on Holy Thursday.

On the Sunday of the Cross, according to a special liturgical rite, the ingredients are laid out, which will be kept until Palm Sunday. The actual preparation begins on Holy Monday.

The holy chrism is a sacred mixture used in the sacrament of Chrismation and for the consecration of churches and antimins. Therefore, each Local Church consecrates and keeps chrism for its liturgical needs. The composition of the chrism used in the Orthodox Church includes various ingredients, among which are olive oil, white wine, incense, rose oil, violet oil, cardamom, nutmeg, balsam, bergamot oil, clove oil, basil oil, geranium oil, lavender oil, iris roots, St. John's wort, cinnamon oil, and others. Their diversity symbolizes the multitude of gracious gifts that are acquired through it. It is boiled for three days and consecrated on Holy Thursday.

It will be reminded that the UOJ has opened a branch in Bulgaria.

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