On March 3rd, 2023, the oil of chrism that will be used to anoint King Charles III at his Coronation was consecrated in Jerusalem by the Patriarch of Jerusalem, His Beatitude Patriarch
Theophilos III, and by The Most Reverend Hosam Naoum, the Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem. The anointing is a significant moment in the Coronation and is considered one of the most sacred moments. It has never been photographed or filmed.
Following the presentation of the Monarch to the people and taking the Coronation oath, the Monarch sits in the Coronation chair, and a golden canopy is held above them. The Archbishop of Canterbury then pours the consecrated oil into the Coronation spoon before anointing the Monarch with it. A cross is made on the Monarch's head, hands, and heart. The Monarch then kneels for a prayer. Queen Camilla will also be anointed before her Coronation with the same oil.
The Chrism oil used to anoint King Charles III and Queen Camilla has been made from olives grown on the Mount of Olives. The trees grow at two monasteries there, the Monastery of the Ascension and the Monastery of Mary Magdalene, where King Charles III's grandmother, Princess Alice, is buried.
During the consecration of the oil, the Archbishop of Canterbury expressed his gratitude and 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."
The Archbishop of Canterbury also emphasized the historic link between the Coronation, the Bible, and the Holy Land. He said, "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."
The Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla will take place at Westminster Abbey on May 6th, 2023. Photo by עומר מרקובסקי, Wikimedia commons.