On the morning of 3 March, two senior clergy consecrated the holy oil that would be used to perform the anointing during the coronation of King Charles III. The ceremony took place at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem, traditionally associated with the crucifixion and burial of Jesus Christ.
The oil was pressed from olives harvested on the Mount of Olives, which holds a prominent role in the Bible, and was scented with sesame, rose, jasmine, cinnamon, neroli, benzoin, amber oil and orange blossom.
The ceremony was officiated by His Beatitude Patriarch Theophilos III, Head of the Greek Orthodox Church in Jerusalem, and the Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem, Most Rev. by Hossam Noum. The prestige of the oil emphasizes the monarchy’s long history and royal family ties to the Middle East.
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The anointing of holy oil in Jerusalem reinforces the deep historical roots of the British monarchy and its links to the Holy Land. As King Charles prepares for his coronation, using this sacred oil will add to the sense of tradition and continuity that underpins the monarchy’s role in British society.
what the archbishop of canterbury said
The Archbishop of Canterbury expressed his gratitude and respect for the consecration of the oil used to anoint King Charles during his coronation. He had wanted to make a new coronation oil using olive oil from the Mount of Olives since the planning for the coronation began. He sees it as a representation of the historical link between the coronation, the Bible, and the Holy Land. According to the Archbishop of Canterbury, ancient kings have been anointed with oil from this holy place to this day.
Why is the Mount of Olives important?
For Christians, the Mount of Olives is significant because it is believed to be where Jesus prayed and wept before his crucifixion, as well as where he ascended to heaven after his resurrection.
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The Mount of Olives is mentioned several times in the Bible, including in the Old Testament book of Zechariah and the New Testament books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The importance of the Mount of Olives in the Bible and religious traditions has made it an important pilgrimage site for people of various faiths.
King Charles’ grandmother, Princess Alice of Greece, is buried at the Monastery of Mary Magdalene on the Mount of Olives, further reinforcing the importance of the source of the oil.
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