On Friday, 25 September 2015, His Grace, Archbishop Suheil Dawani was invited by, and accompanied, the Armenian Patriarch, His Beatitude Nourhan Manougian, to the blessing and consecration of the Holy Muron Chrism at Holy Etchmiadzin (the oldest Cathedral in the world, and the mother see for Armenian Christians).
The blessing and consecration of the Holy Muron (Chrism) was conducted by His Holiness Karekin I on, Sunday, 27 September 2015. H.E. Archbishop Moushegh Mardirossian, Prelate, and H.E. Archbishop Shahan Sarkissian, Prelate of Aleppo, represented His Holiness Aram I at the Muron, were also present. The blessing and consecration of the Holy Muron (Chrism) is a sacred and mysterious service, which is traditionally held once every 5 to 7 years.
Muron has two essential elements: a cauldron of olive oil and balsam are mixed with more than 40 varieties of incense, flowers, spices, flower essences, oils and leaves. Forty days prior to the service, the caldron is placed on the altar of the Cathedral and covered with a woven veil and each day a special service is offered after the evening service, in preparation for the blessing on the 40th day. The service dates back to the time of the apostles when St. Thaddeous (Jude), anointed King Abgar and healed him. During the preparation, the oil from the old Muron is mixed with the new.
