Archbishop Sahag Mashalian, Patriarch of the Constantinople See of the Armenian Apostolic Church, arrived in Armenia today to attend the reconsecration of Holy Miuron (Chrism) and the Etchmiadzin Mother Cathedral.

The Armenian Apostolic Church consecrates miuron every seven years in autumn.

The right to bless the Holy Miuron is bestowed upon the Catholicos of All Armenians once every seven years.

The Holy Miuron is composed of olive oil, rose water and forty-eighth herbs and flowers. To protect the purity of the ingredients, the lid of the cauldron is sealed with uncooked dough, and the entire mixture is boiled in water in another larger cauldron for three days and nights.

The covered cauldron is then placed on the main Etchmiadzin Cathedra altar. Miuron is used to anoint ordained clergy, newly baptized, churches, and stone crosses.