Prayers

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Lessons by our Holy Fathers

[Lessons by our Holy Fathers] [twocolumns]

Orthodox Destinations

[Orthodox Destinations] [bleft]

St. Dionysius the Areopagite | Contemplation (Section VIII)

Let us now proceed to that, which follows the prayer mentioned. 

When the Hierarch has finished it, he first salutes the fallen asleep, and next, all who are present; for dear and honored by all Godlike men is he who has been perfected in a Divine life.

After the salutation, the Hierarch pours the oil upon the man fallen asleep. And remember, that during the sacred Birth from God, before the most Divine Baptism, a first participation of a holy symbol is given to the man initiated—the oil of Chrism--after the entire removal of the former clothing; and now, at the conclusion of all, the Oil is poured upon the man fallen asleep.

Then indeed the anointing with the Oil summoned the initiated to the holy contests; and now the Oil poured upon him shews the fallen asleep to have struggled, and to have been made perfect, throughout those same contests.



St. Dionysius the Areopagite