The Sacrament of Confirmation is called Chrismation by the Eastern Churches. The term is often interchanged in the CEC and is associated with the sacraments of Christian initiation; baptism and Holy Eucharist. In Latin tradition, Confirmation is imposed by the Bishop or a specially designated minister when the person receiving the Sacrament is from 12 to 17 or to adult converts. Confirmation in the Eastern tradition is immediately after Baptism.

The Church recognizes both Scriptural backgrounds and Apostolic Tradition for the practice of this Sacrament. Confirmations increases and deepens baptismal grace, brings about a firmer union with Christ, intensifies the adoption as children of God, increases the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, and some believe "releases" the Holy Spirit more fully in the life of the Christian. Additionally, a confirmation imprints the indelible character of Christ on the recipient and thus is only received once as is Baptism.

Protestants and evangelicals often have other terms for Confirmation. It is called "Entire Sanctification", "Baptism of the Holy Spirit", "Release of the Spirit", or some other term. Whatever the term, the effect is a life changing event in the life of the Christian.

Scripture shows that the Lord Himself was "confirmed" at His Baptism by the Holy Spirit descending in the form of a Dove. In Acts 8:14-17 there is the record of the Samaritan Christians who had been baptized by St. Philip and when St. Peter and St. John came, the Apostles "laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Spirit". Then in Acts 19:1-6 the Apostle St. Paul "imposed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them."

In II Corinthians 1:20, 21, the Scripture states that "He that confirmeth [ho de behaion] with you in Christ and hath anointed us, is God who also hath sealed [sphragisamenos] us, and given us the pledge [arrabona] of the Spirit in our hearts." Also, St. John tells the faithful: "You have the unction [chrisma] from the Holy One, and know all things"; and again: "Let the unction [chrisma] which you have received from him, abide in you."

The Church Fathers took these records and the record of the Ancient Israel anointing with oil those chosen ones of God as the basis for the Sacrament. Tertullian states (De Bapt., vi) "After having come out of the laver, we are anointed thoroughly with a blessed unction according to the ancient rule . . . The unction runs bodily over us, but profits spiritually . . . . Next to this, the hand is laid upon us through the blessing calling upon and inviting the Holy Spirit." With only slight variation, this is the universal witness of the Church Fathers.

Following Scripture and Apostolic Tradition, the Charismatic Episcopal Church administers through its Bishops (who are ordained in Apostolic Succession) the Sacrament of Confirmation.

A fuller detail from a Latin Church perspective may be found at CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Confirmation.