Unveiling the Sacred Anointing Ceremony – A Glimpse into the Rituals and Traditions

By: MRT Desk

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The coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla is approaching quickly, set to take place on Saturday May 6. Buckingham Palace is now revealing more details about the event, which will see Britain crowning a new monarch for the first time in over 70 years, since the late Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation in 1953.

This coronation will involve some changes to traditional rituals, as King Charles wishes to have a more modern ceremony. However, the most sacred part of the ceremony will not be foregone. The anointing of the sovereign will take place before the investiture and coronation and will be carried out by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The Archbishop will use an anointing spoon, a silver-gilt spoon with an oval bowl decorated with pearls and engravings, to pour holy oil from the ampulla (vessel). The ampoule and anointing spoon were used at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth and have been in use for centuries.

The archbishop will anoint the sovereign on the hands, chest, and head, a tradition that goes back to the Old Testament. This anointment confirmed monarchs as directly appointed by God until the 17th century. Though monarchs are no longer considered divine, the anointing ceremony still confirms them as Supreme Governor of the Church of England.

At Queen Elizabeth’s coronation, the anointing ceremony was hidden from public view, while she sat in the coronation chair under a golden canopy. The same words are likely spoken during Charles’ anointing, replacing “queen over the peoples” with “king over the peoples.”

The sacred oil used traditionally at coronations contains civet oil and ambergris, but the oil to be used at Charles’s coronation is suitable for vegans. It is made with olive oil, pressed on the outskirts of Belén and scented with essential oils. These changes reflect modern sentiments against animal cruelty.

As the coronation nears, excitement and anticipation continue to grow. The combination of modern practices with age-old rituals promises to create a unique and memorable occasion.

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