The Five Symbolic Acts of Confirmation

This article was originally published June 8, 2025. The accompanying photo is of the adults confirmed Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

On Sunday, April 27, we celebrated with joy as dozens of members of our church family were confirmed or received. If you were present at the service, you may have noticed the bishop performing five distinct symbolic actions during each confirmation or reception. These gestures are rich with meaning and connect us to the deep tradition of the Church.

1. The Laying on of Hands
The bishop begins by placing his palms firmly on the head of each confirmand. This symbolizes the weight of over 2,000 years of Christian history, passed down through generations of believers. It is a gesture of continuity—of being grafted into a story far bigger than ourselves.

2. The Anointing with Oil
Next, the bishop anoints the confirmand’s forehead, tracing the sign of the cross—the same sign marked at baptism. This act reminds us of the cost of our redemption and the seal of God’s covenant. It is a sign that we belong to Christ, bought with a price, and set apart for his purposes.

3. The Invocation of the Holy Spirit
With hand raised, the bishop prays for the Holy Spirit to come upon the confirmand. This is a call for renewed strength and spiritual power to walk in the way of Jesus and to bear his light in a world that so desperately needs it.

4. The Gaze of Christ
The bishop then looks intently into the eyes of each confirmand. This moment reflects how God sees us—personally, intimately, lovingly. To be known and seen in this way is a powerful reminder of our identity: beloved and forgiven.

5. The Symbolic Slap
Finally, the bishop gives a gentle slap on the cheek. Though this gesture may surprise some, this ancient tradition is an important reminder that the way of Jesus often involves rejection and sacrifice. Yet even in the face of hostility, we are called to respond with grace: when the world curses, we bless; when it resents, we forgive; when it persecutes, we rejoice.

May the spiritual truths, which these sacred signs represent, continue to shape the lives of those confirmed—and stir all of us to walk more faithfully in the way of the cross.