The consecration of the chrism could be performed
by none but the Bishop, and he alone could anoint the forehead Apost. Const.
iii. § 16: “Let the Bishop anoint those that are
baptized with ointment (μύρῳ).”, Presbyters being allowed to anoint the
breast, but only with chrism received from the Bishop See the
authorities in Bingham, Ant. xii. c. 2, §§ 1,
2.. The several ceremonies are thus
explained in the Apostolical Constitutions iii. 17.: “This baptism is given into the
death of Jesus: the water is instead of the burial, and the oil
instead of the Holy Ghost; the seal instead of the Cross; the ointment
is the confirmation of the Confession Const. Apost.
vii. c. 22..”