 Eastern Orthodox churches in particular attach great importance to the oil said to have been originally blessed by the Twelve Apostles.The practice of "chrismation" (baptism with oil) appears to have developed in the early church during the later 2nd century as a symbol of Christ, rebirth, and inspiration.The earliest surviving account of such an act seems to be the letter written "To Autolycus" by Theophilus, bishop of Antioch.