Oil for Charles's coronation consecrated in Jerusalem

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The sacred oil to be used to anoint King Charles at his coronation in May was consecrated in Jerusalem, testifying to the British monarch's connections with the Holy Land.

His Beatitude Theophilus III, the Greek Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem, and the Anglican Archbishop of the city, Hosam Nahum, have consecrated the chrismation at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Buckingham Palace announced Friday.

The oil will be used to anoint Charles when he and his wife Camilla will be crowned in London's Westminster Abbey on May 6, which is considered the most sacred part of the solemn ceremony.

Traditionally, the oil is poured from the ampoule onto the coronation spoon, and then the sovereign's hands, chest and head are anointed.

The newly consecrated oil was made from olives harvested from two groves on the Mount of Olives, the Convent of the Ascension and the Convent of Mary Magdalene, the burial place of Charles's grandmother, Princess Alice of Greece.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, who will conduct the service , said he wanted the oil to come from the Mount of Olives, from the very beginning of planning for the coronation, and for it to reflect Charles' personal family connection.

“This demonstrates the deep historical connection between the coronation, the Bible, and the Earth. From ancient kings to the present day, monarchs have been anointed with oil from this sacred place, », — said Welby, spiritual leader of the Anglican Church.

Scented with sesame, rose, jasmine, cinnamon, neroli, benzoin and orange blossom, the oil is derived from the oil used for the coronation of the late Queen Elizabeth 70 years ago and the formula used for hundreds of years, the palace reported.

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