As kings, priests, and prophets were anointed: the Coronation of King Charles III.

Tomorrow, we are going to witness one of the most historic events in our lifetimes, one that most people alive today will witness for the first time; a moment that will bring Christendom together in their celebration of the only Christian Coronation of our day, that of King Charles III.

Coronations are important for two reasons, a monarch is not merely a head of state but he is an anointed Christian ruler who becomes such in a rite that is similar to the sacrament of ordination and which goes back thousands of years to the very establishment of our faith. A Coronation is a testament to the continuity of our faith.

The British monarch is the Defender of the Faith, a title which finds its roots in the very establishment of Christianity as we know it, under Roman Emperor Constantine with the Edict of Milan in 313 AD, when Christianity became the state religion and in which the monarch would be an extra voice in the life of the Church’s episcopal system, the Church of England is the only branch of Christendom that maintains this to this day, now that all other Roman and Eastern anointed head of states are no more.

This ancient practice going back to Roman times, and de facto constituting the oldest continuing form of Christianity as we know it, continues to this day and was adopted by Rome when it became Byzantium. It was the Greek Byzantines who shaped the rite as we know it to this day. The ancient rite of the Coronation then spread throughout Europe, it followed the expansion of new European nations, such as the Holy Roman Empire which then inspired the Coronations of France, Austria and England itself, even the Russian crown which followed on the steps of Byzantium.

The first English monarch to be crowned at Westminster Abbey in 1066 was William the Conqueror himself, tomorrow Charles III will be the fortieth. The current ritual is based on that of the 14th century Liber Regalis of Edward II and is set in the beautiful language of the Book of Common Prayer. The rite of Coronation consists of important key moments, it begins with a set of vows and oaths, as those set forth to defend the Protestant Episcopal faith in the English realm, to be a servant of his people, etc. as at the ordination, the monarch is then presented with the King James Bible. The St. Augustine Gospels, which will be carried in procession, go back to the 6th c. and came with the saint from Rome when he evangelized England under Saint Gregory the Great - they are as old as British Christianity itself. The service then continues with an invocation of the Holy Spirit, through the ancient song of the Church “Come Holy Ghost our souls inspire”, the same that is sung at the ordination of deacons, priests, and bishops. 

The anointing of the monarch by the Archbishop of Canterbury, on hands, chest, and head with Chrism oil blessed by the Greek patriarch in Jerusalem, is the most important moment and is of a sacramental nature. This is effectively the moment in which the monarch becomes ontologically such, and therefore is suitably dressed in the old Byzantine kingly vestments that mimic those of a priest: Colobium Sindonis, Supertunica and Girdle, the Stole and Robe Royal, Rings and Gloves all. A moment so sacred that it shall be hidden behind a canopy. 

The Archbishop utters the following words and prayers during the anointing:

Be your hands anointed with holy oil.

Be your breast anointed with holy oil.

Be your head anointed with holy oil,

as kings, priests, and prophets were anointed.

And as Solomon was anointed king by Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet, so may you be anointed, blessed, and consecrated King over the peoples, whom the Lord your God has given you to rule and govern; in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The King is then crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury with the Crown of Saint Edward, remodelled on the same relic worn by Saint Edward the Confessor, whose shrine lies beyond the reredos at the Abbey. He will be given the orb and sceptre, signs of power, both sacred and temporal. The beauty of having an anointed monarch as head of state is that all the Crown Jewels are used and are not merely part of some museum collection, sitting still and collecting dust day after day; they still form part of the life of the nation and its traditions. Finally, the ritual will conclude with the administration of Holy Communion to mark the sacramental nature of this ancient rite with the very body and blood of Christ. The monarch will then leave the Abbey wearing the Imperial State Crown, marking the completion of this journey and the beginning of his reign as an anointed monarch.

The ceremonial will be memorable, thanks to the pageantry only the British can pull off - the music will be classic and will include Parry’s “I was Glad” and Handel’s “Zadok the Priest”.

We are very lucky as Anglicans to claim this ancient rite as our own and to have our very rituals and traditions so relevant in the modern world. Tomorrow, millions will watch one of the most ancient Anglican liturgies and so should you, wherever you are in the Anglican Communion. Our prayers at this time are with their majesties, the King and Queen, who will be crowned tomorrow. Long live the King!

God save our gracious King,

Long live our noble King,

God save the King!

Send him victorious,

Happy and glorious,

Long to reign over us,

God save the King!