On Sunday, April 8 2012, following the doxology on Palm Sunday, the Ecumenical Patriarch blessed the Archon Myrepsos (Perfumer) George Savvits who, along with his colleagues, assisted in the preparation of the Holy Myron (Myrrh).
The preparation ceremony was completed at the Phanar. After the Divine Liturgy of the Pre‑sanctified gifts, the Patriarch entered the holy sepulcher and, after a brief service, placed in the boilers rose oil, musk, and other sweet‑smelling oil. On this day, all preparations for making the Holy Chrism (Myrrh) are completed.
The Holy Myron (Myrrh) will be transferred in small silver and alabaster containers that will be taken to the Patriarchal Church of St Andreas tomorrow, Great Thursday. The Holy Myron will be transferred to the Patriarchal Church by 24 priests and 35 hierarchs holding small silver and alabaster containers and the Patriarch holding a silver container during a Divine Liturgy.
During the Divine Liturgy that will be held by the Ecumenical Patriarch, the Myrrh will be sanctified. Every container will be deposited around and on the altar. At the end of the liturgy, the alabasters and the containers will be transferred to the Holy Myrrh Center of the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
The preparation and the sanctification of the Holy Myrrh happens approximately every ten years; a ceremony of great significance for the Orthodox Church and always takes place during the Holy and Great Week at the Ecumenical Patriarchate.
The Holy Myron is used in Orthodox churches during the ceremony of baptism and symbolizes the offers of the Holy Spirit to the Christian Orthodox neophytes.
This is the third time Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew sanctifies the Holy Myron during his service.
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