King Charles is going to be anointed at his coronation in May by Chrism oil consecrated by the Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III and the Anglican Archbishop Hosam Naoum in Jerusalem.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, said in a statement that he was honored that the Patriarch and archbishop have consecrated the anointment oil.

“I’m so honored and grateful that His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III and the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem have consecrated the Chrism oil that will be used to anoint The King at his Coronation in May,” he said.

“I want to thank His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III for providing the Coronation Oil from the Mount of Olives – which reflects The King’s personal family connection with the Holy Land and his great care for its peoples.

“I’m also delighted that the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, the Most Revd. Hosam Naoum, shared in the consecration at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.”

The Archbishop of Canterbury added, “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.

“It has been created using olives harvested from two groves on the Mount of Olives, at the Monastery of Mary Magdalene and the Monastery of the Ascension – near the burial place of the King’s grandmother, Princess Alice of Greece.

“The Chrism oil, which uses olives pressed just outside of Bethlehem, is perfumed with sesame, rose, jasmine, cinnamon, neroli, benzoin, amber and orange blossom – the same recipe used at the late Queen’s Coronation.”

He said that from ancient kings and now to the present day, monarchs have been anointed with oil from this sacred place.

King Charles’ father is a descendant of the Greek royal family and was raised by his grandmother of Russian origin. He visited several times the monastery of St. Catherine in Sinai and Mount Athos in Greece. He also requested that his coronation ceremony include Orthodox prayers prepared by a Greek priest.

Source: Palestine News & Info Agency