Editing Consecration in Christianity (section)

==== Churches, altars, and other ritual objects ====
[[Chrism]], an [[anointing]] oil, is (usually scented) olive oil consecrated by a bishop.

Objects such as [[paten]]s and [[chalice (cup)|chalices]], used for the sacrament of the Eucharist, are consecrated by a bishop, using chrism. The day before a new priest is ordained, there may be a vigil and a service or Mass at which the ordaining Bishop consecrates the paten(s) and chalice(s) of the ordinands (the men who are transitional deacons, about to be ordained priests).

A more solemn rite exists for what used to be called the "consecration of an altar", either of the altar alone or as the central part of the rite for a church. The rite is now called the [[Dedication (ritual)|dedication]].<ref>''[[Caeremoniale Episcoporum]]''. chapters IX–XI</ref><ref>''[[Roman Missal]]'', Ritual Masses for the Dedication of a Church and an Altar</ref>  Since it would be contradictory to dedicate to the service of God a mortgage-burdened building, the rite of solemn dedication of a church is carried out only if the building is debt-free.