Explainer: The anointing of King Charles III and why it matters
By 
Catherine Pepinster2023-03-08T09:41:00
Holy oil for the anointing of King Charles III at his coronation on 6 May has recently been consecrated in Jerusalem. Catherine Pepinster explains the significance of anointing kings, why this oil is special and how its consecration was such an historic moment
How important is the anointing ceremony of a British monarch?
When the King’s coronation takes place on 6 May 2023, it will include three significant ceremonies: his taking of oaths, his anointing and then the crowning. It is the anointing which is the most sacred moment.
Why is that?
Related articles
-
Regular ColumnistsPower to preach
At Pentecost we remember how the Holy Spirit equipped the first Christians with supernatural gifts so they could witness for Christ. May the same be true today, says Lucy Peppiatt
-
OpinionCharging for holy water is unbiblical. God’s power can’t be sold
A Nigerian church has come under fire for selling ‘miracle products’ supposedly imbued with healing properties. The Bible does talk about holy water, anointing the sick with oil and even inanimate objects healing people – but God’s power shouldn’t come with a price tag, warns Kate Orson
-
OpinionMy open letter to King Charles as he faces cancer
Following King Charles’ cancer diagnosis, Claire Gilbert writes an open letter about the lessons she learned while battling the illness, and the strength she drew from the teachings of the ancient mystic, Julian of Norwich
More from News Analysis
-
OpinionExplained: Why it’s taking so long to choose the next Archbishop of Canterbury
The election of Pope Leo XIV has focused attention on another Church in need of a new leader. Yet what took the Catholic Church just two weeks will take the CofE almost a year. Why does it take so long, and what has gone wrong already? Tim Wyatt offers his guide to the appointment of the next ABC
-
News AnalysisThe Catholic Church has its first US-born Pope. What do we know about Leo XIV?
Cardinal Robert Prevost has been elected as the 267th leader of the Catholic Church. Pope Leo XIV was an unexpected choice, so here’s what we know about the Augustinian priest who was formerly a missionary in Peru
-
News Analysis70 Christians have been beheaded in DRC. The world must act now
Christians are being targeted by Islamic Extremists in the Democratic Republic of Congo. As the country descends further into war and chaos, Illia Djadi says that if the international community doesn’t intervene, this slaughter will be just one of many
- Issues
- Topics A-Z
- Writers A-Z
- © 2025 Premier Christianity
Site powered by Webvision Cloud