Within the framework of organizing and arranging ecclesiastical tasks in various fields, we have accomplished the following: constituted organizational guidelines; established new dioceses and various ecclesiastical institutes; held youth forums and meetings for those in Egypt and abroad as well as conferences and seminars for priests, monastic fathers, and mothers; training courses for new priests and bishops; and follow-up visits, in addition to various interviews and meetings. All these tasks and services, and others alike, are always in need of development, modernization, and renewal so that the Church’s service will continue to be vibrant, harmonious, and effective.
With this mission in mind, ten years ago we began the process of preparing holy Myron in a manner that is suitable for the current time and resources, without changing the prayers and readings of the consecration of the oil, but only changing the method of preparation. After discussing and approving this method in the Holy Synod meetings, we began to utilize it in 2014, 2017, and 2021. Here we are again, by the grace of Christ, preparing the holy Myron in March 2024. Hereby, we establish the following principles:
Preparation of the holy oil of Myron without the use of water or fire and without any leftover residue (fibers).
Perform the preparation of the holy Myron, and its consecration prayers every three years over the course of two days
The amount prepared should be about a thousand Kilograms (~2205 lb.) of holy Myron and Ghaliloun oil (Oil of Joy)
The beginning of Great Lent was chosen as the time of preparation so that newly consecrated oil would be available for the Great Lent Liturgies and Pascha Week prayers. After which, the old leaven (i.e. consecrated Myron from previous years) is added in the “Shamm El-Nissim” liturgy (Second Day of the Resurrection), and stays at the church to be packaged appropriately for distribution to Coptic dioceses and churches in Egypt and abroad.
The quantity produced is barely sufficient for the needs of churches and dioceses to be used in the Mystery of Baptism and the Mystery of Myron (i.e. Chrismation) for the newly baptized as an alternative to the laying-of-hands during the days of our Apostles, as well as in the consecration of the holy vessels, icons, baptistries, altars, and churches. Since we have about a hundred dioceses and pastoral districts, we divide 600 kilos of Myron oil by 100 to result in six kilos (~ 221 fl oz, 1.74 g) as the share for each diocese for use over a period of three years until the preparation of a new Myron. Hence the reason for its organizing and preparation on a regular basis. It is also not wise to prepare larger quantities due to the difficulties of preparation, storage, and quality.
The work of holy Myron is that of the holy chrismation that takes the place of the laying-of-hands. As it is said in the Scripture: “He saved us through the washing of regeneration,” (i.e. the Mystery of Baptism), “and renewing of the Holy Spirit,” (i.e. the holy chrismation Mystery of Myron) (Titus 3:5). St. Paul the Apostle confirms the same to the Corinthians: “But you were washed,” (i.e. baptized), “and were sanctified,” (i.e. the holy anointing of Myron) (1 Corinthians 6:11).
The Myron began to be used in the apostolic era, when the Fathers took the mixture of the spices from the shroud of Christ that Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus placed on the Lord’s body (John 19: 39), as well as the fragrant spices brought by the Marys (Mark 16:1). The Fathers then mixed it with pure virgin olive oil and sanctified it by prayer and the word of God, creating a holy oil to be used for the Mystery of the Anointing of the Holy Spirit and a seal for believers after their baptism.
Pope Athanasius the Apostolic (296-373 AD) is considered to be the first to prepare the Myron in the history of our Church, in the city of Alexandria. It was based on the olive oil-dipped mixture of spices and fragrance St. Mark the Apostle brought with him from our Fathers, the Apostles. Consequently, the Myron continued to be prepared in our church for about 40 known times during different eras. History may have omitted the mentioning of some instances of preparing the Myron in the biographies of some patriarchs due to economic, political, or some other circumstantial problems.
The holy Myron consists of adding 27 aromatic oils, extracted from plants through a special process using various advanced techniques and instruments The mixture is then infused with a highly purified virgin olive oil that is produced within our Coptic monasteries. This all takes place over the span of two days with many prayers, biblical readings, and hymns supplicated by the Holy Synod of metropolitans, and bishops, and priests and deacons, in the monastery of St. Bishoy in Wadi El-Natrun, Egypt. Among those presiding, monks, nuns, and many people are also present, and this joy is perfected by the prayer of the divine Liturgy on the second day.
The plant-based substances used are mentioned in more than one place in the Bible: Exodus 30, 1 Samuel 10 and 16, and Song of Songs.
The word “Myron” refers to the fragrant perfume that we smell during the preparation. We no longer use fire because it causes these essential oils to evaporate. Also, having water with oil spoils oil-based fragrances over time as oil and water do not mix.
An important note: the only time the book Song of Songs is read in the Church, is during the rite of preparation of holy Myron. It is the book that puts love in its highest sense between the human soul and his or her Bridegroom, our Lord Jesus Christ. We also note that the 27 fragrances of Myron symbolize the 27 books of the New Testament, and they are mixed with virgin olive oil, symbolizing Christ, the firstborn and the focus of all the Holy Scriptures.
Best wishes for the Myron season.
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