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Seal

The seal of the Holy Spirit given in Chrismation — and the seal of confession that binds the confessor to silence.

Sphragis (seal) has two primary theological uses. First: the seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit given in Chrismation — the baptized person is sealed with the Holy Spirit as God's own possession (Ephesians 1:13-14). Second: the seal of confession — the absolute prohibition on a confessor ever revealing what was confessed to him, under any circumstances. The seal of confession is inviolable in Orthodox canon law; its violation would be among the gravest sins a priest could commit.