From the anointing of King David in the pages of Scripture to the oil lamps that still glow before the icons of Holy Land churches, olive oil has carried a sacred place in Christian worship for thousands of years. Below is a look at why olive oil became the chosen balm for anointing, how it is used in the Bible, and how it continues to light the altars and chapels of the East.
Olive Oil as an Anointing Balm
There are many reasons olive oil became the natural choice for an anointing balm.
- It is edible and remains fresh for a long time.
- Unlike dairy products, it does not quickly sour.
- Unlike wine, it does not turn bitter.
- It is never diluted with water, yet as a liquid it remains easy to pack and to transport from place to place.
- Its rich golden color, its texture and taste, its nourishing quality, and the unmistakable feeling of oil being applied to the forehead , including the way it lingers afterward , are all powerful and lasting sensations.
- The deep connection between olive oil and the olive tree, a symbol of the continuity of people, community and civilization, gives it added meaning. The olive branch itself stands as a sign of God's salvation, returned to Noah and his family after the great flood of the Biblical forty days. Even the making of olive oil carries a quiet theology: the many years of waiting for the first fruits of a young olive tree, the long count to the harvest, and the slow transformation of the bitter fruit into a life giving liquid , all of it speaks to the patient work of allowing God to bring His will to completion through time, circumstance and the labors of human hands.
Watch: Harvesting Olive Trees in the Holy Land
Anointing Oil in the Bible
More than seventy Biblical verses speak of the act of anointing with oil. Most famously, David was anointed by the Prophet Samuel with oil in 1 Samuel 16:13:
"Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah."
Today, Christians across many denominations recreate this act of blessing in the sacraments, and in countless smaller forms of consecration. Even the coronation services of monarchs once included an anointing with oil in remembrance of King David. Unlike incense, which requires a multi part process for its creation, the most historic oil used in the Holy Land is simply olive oil.
Olive Oil in Oil Lamps
In the Holy Land and across other parts of the Christian East, olive oil serves another important liturgical purpose. The use of oil lamps, sometimes called lampadas, is a common practice. Oil lamps were the alternative to wax candles, which until recently were extremely rare and expensive , and of a lesser quality than in the North Atlantic cultures, owing to the lack of raw materials in sufficient quantity. Orthodox churches in particular are known for their use of oil lamps, although in places such as Russia and Ukraine, sunflower or corn oil is more common.
Olive Oil in Churches
Olive oil burns exceptionally well, making it ideal as a fuel for the illumination of icons, altars and other sacred spaces in churches. Given how many lamps must be lit even in a modest village church each day, olive oil makes an excellent and lasting donation to any parish.
Orthodox and Melkite Village Churches
Anyone who has visited an Orthodox or Melkite (Greek Catholic) village church on a major feast day , a feast of the Virgin Mary, of Saint George, of Saint Nicholas, or of the Prophet Elijah , will have seen the Christian faithful bringing olive oil as an offering to their heavenly intercessors, in thanksgiving, in petition for a pressing need, or at the start of a new venture.
The Tomb of Saint George
In places such as the Tomb of Saint George in the city of Lod, near Tel Aviv, holy oil is poured over the stone sarcophagus of the saint and then collected by pilgrims with tissues, cotton swabs and even small syringes, to be carried home as a blessing for their families.
So the next time you walk through the grocery store, take a second look at your shopping list and consider keeping a bottle of pure olive oil in your cupboard. You never know when you may want it for something far greater than cooking.
We at Bethlehem Handicrafts are proud to put the Holy Land in your hand by giving you the finest original Bethlehem olive wood carvings, crafted with care in the Holy Land.
Made by Christian Hands. Loved by Christian Hearts.
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