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Unlike in the Western churches (e.g., [[Roman Catholic Church|Roman Catholic]] and [[Anglican Communion|Anglican]]), where confirmation is typically reserved to those of "the age of reason," chrismation in the Orthodox Church (as well as the [[Eastern_Catholic|Eastern Rite Catholic Churches]]) is normally administered immediately after [[baptism]] and immediately (or at least shortly) before one's first reception of Holy Communion.
Chrismation is practiced by anointing the new Christian with [[chrism]], which is holy oil (Gk. ''myron''). The myron is a "mixture of forty sweet-smelling substances and pure olive oil" (Gialopsos, 35). The Christian is anointed with this oil in the sign of the Cross on his forehead, eyes, nostrils, mouth, ears, breastchest, hands and feet. Each time, the priest administering the sacrament says, "The Seal and Gift of the Holy Spirit."
The sacrament of chrismation is an extension of the day of [[Pentecost]], on which the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Apostles. It is by Chrismation that a person becomes a layperson—a member of the ''laos'', the people of God. Bishop [[Kallistos (Ware) of Diokleia]] explains: