3-065-658 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sketches in Moscow, by our special artist: ancient vase in the Kremlin, 1874. 'In the most ancient part of the Kremlin is an old sacristy, in which is kept a very old vase. It is of copper, silvered over, and ornamented with mother-of-pearl. It is believed to contain a portion of the "costly pound of ointment" which was used by Mary Magdalene. The tradition is that it came from Byzantium, in the very early days of the Church. Every Lent a solemn ceremony is gone through by the Metropolitan of Moscow, assisted by his principal clergy. This is the preparation of the oil for baptismal unction, which is one of the important parts of the Russian-Greek rite of baptism. The finest oils are put into two boilers in the sacristy; white wine, gums, balsams, and spices are added, and a drop or two of the precious ointment is taken from the ancient vase and added to the whole. After being thoroughly incorporated a drop of the chrism is put back, and thus it becomes the source of an endless supply. This chrism is used at the coronation of the Emperor, at the consecration of all churches, and at the baptism of every orthodox Russian. Every drop used is supposed to have a portion, however minute, of the " costly pound of ointment".' From "Illustrated London News", 1874.