What is "chrismation"

Chrismation \Chris*ma"tion\, n. [LL. chrismatio.] The act of applying the chrism, or consecrated oil.

Chrismation or cross-signing with ointment, was used in baptism.
--Jer. Taylor.

n. 1 (context ecclesiastical English) The sacrament of applying chrism to complete baptism in the Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches. 2 (context ecclesiastical English) In general, the act of applying chrism, or consecrated oil.

Chrismation, in the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches, as well as in the Assyrian Church of the East initiation rites, consists of the sacrament or mystery more commonly known in the West as confirmation - although Italian normally uses cresima ("chrismation"), rather than confermazione ("confirmation").

The term chrismation comes about because it involves anointing the recipient of the sacrament with chrism, which according to eastern Christian belief, the Apostles sanctified and introduced for all priests to use as a replacement for laying on of hands by the Apostles Chrism consists of a "mixture of forty sweet-smelling substances and pure olive oil" sanctified by a bishop with some older chrism added in, in the belief that some trace of the initial chrism sanctified by the Apostles remains therein.