www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology What exactly *does* Chrismation do?

I'm new to this all, so forgive me, but it seems that this a Protestant part of me that refuses to budge, seeing as before I only felt Baptism necessary. I don't quite understand what Chrismation is for, or better put, what its practical effects are. I've read the CCC, and I've heard the stuff about anointing and priesthood and Pentecost, but I just don't understand it in a concrete sort of way. I've already been Chrismated of course, but I don't see why it's necessary. Not that I'm saying it isn't, but it seems there's a sort of lack of explanation of this Sacrament.

Reproduces Pentecost.

In chrismation, you receive the Holy Spirit.

[quote=Athanasius The L]In chrismation, you receive the Holy Spirit.[/quote]

See, that's where I get lost. Does the Holy Spirit only indwell us after Chrismation? My prior way taught me that Baptism gives us the Spirit. So maybe I should ask this in a negative manner --- what are Protestants who are only baptized lacking? I just need something concrete because this is foreign to me right now.

I mean, despite their lack of this Mystery, the Protestants seem pretty anointed...

In the East, it's very specific: "The servant of God N._____ receives the gift of the Holy Spirit, in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit". The gift of the Holy Spirit isn't something the Spirit gives you, it's simply the Spirit coming to dwell within you.

What are they anointed with; and how?

Chrismation/Confirmation completes and compliments Baptism. It is a distinct bestowal of the Holy Spirit. The 3 Mysteries of Holy Illumination (reception of the Divine Eucharist being the third) have to be considered together. That's why they are conferred also on babies and small children.

Sometimes it helps to consider what it is NOT. For example, Confirmation is NOT, as modern-day Latins tend to say, a kind of Catholic "bar mitzvah".

It reproduces Pentecost. Read Acts 2.

I just mean in Protestant Christanese their evangelical/prophetic zeal. And that bar mitzvah attitude is definitely annoying.

The way confirmation is treated in most places, it might as well be Catholic bar Mitzvah. I once heard a Latin bishop call confirmation "a sacrament in search of a theology".

Well what have we here? The Latins all comfortable with a mystery while you lot try to produce definitions!

Now me, I'm a rigid frigid mediaevalist Latin with no trouble wondering exactly what a thing is for, but here I was thinking you would say it fulfils the command of Christ which is enough.

Their "evangelical/prophetical zeal" frequently comes across to me as smug, self-congratulatory intolerance and overweening hybris bordering on slobberin'-at-the-mouth fanaticism. I lament that this way of thinkin' ain't restricted to Protestants but some Catholix and Orthodox are infected with it as well. The Third Divine Person of the Blessed Trinity ain't got NOTHIN' to do with THAT.

The tendency in Latin theological method seems to dissect everything to it's lowest common denominator. That kills mystery deader 'n a doornail.

Just bordering, huh? Would that be mere dribbling-at-the-chin fanaticism?

Pretty much one of the reasons I left Protestantism, LOL. It's almost like their belief in Total Depravity causes them to think they have to shock you out of it and not reason with you because your ability to reason is pretty much corrupt to them to begin with. Whereas Catholics and Orthodox are a lot better at it due to believing in natural virtues... when they actually do it, that is.

But what I was trying to ask is what does Chrismation do for me personally --- what does it help me with? There's the seven gifts, right? And it strengthens me in theosis (is it necessary to BEGIN theosis?)... plus it gives me extra grace for defending and propagating the Faith, right? I'm sorry, I have a hard time with abstract concepts sometimes because I'm autistic. I tend to need help to see things in practical terms. A personal Pentecost makes sense to me, but only to a certain extent because I need help to see how that's supposed to manifest.