- Father Maxim, what is Unction?
Unction, or as it is also called Blessing of Anointing, is a church Sacrament in which, by anointing the body with specially consecrated oil (oil), the grace of God is invoked on a person, healing mental and physical infirmities. The establishment of the Sacrament dates back to apostolic times. The letter of the Apostle James says: “If any of you is sick, let him call the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will heal the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.”(James 5:14-15)
In addition to physical healing, the Sacrament also asks for remission of sins - for most diseases are the result of sin, while sin itself is a spiritual disease. According to the explanation of the teachers of the Church, during the Blessing of Anointing, sins that are forgotten (but not deliberately hidden in confession!) are forgiven, for example, because of their insignificance for a person. However, the totality of these sins can place a heavy burden on the soul and cause not only a disorder of spiritual health, but also, as a consequence, physical illnesses.
The Blessing of Anointing is called Unction because, according to the charter of the Church, it is supposed to be performed by seven priests (a council of clergy). The number seven is a symbolic sign of the Church and its fullness; That is why the very following of the Sacrament consists of reading, after certain prayers, seven different passages from the Apostle and the Gospel, telling about repentance, healing, the need for faith and trust in God, compassion and mercy. After each such reading and prayer appeal to God for the remission of the sins of the patient, he is anointed with consecrated oil (oil) mixed with wine - that is, anointing is also performed seven times. However, the Church allows the Sacrament to be performed by three, two, or even one priest - so that he performs it on behalf of the council of priests, says all the prayers, performs the readings, and anoints the sick person seven times.
— In what cases does a person need to receive unction? There is still a fairly widespread opinion that Unction is performed only before death.
— The Blessing of Anointing is performed on Orthodox believers over seven years of age who suffer from physical and mental illness. The latter can also be understood as a difficult spiritual state (despondency, grief, despair) - for its cause can be (and, as a rule, is) unrepentant sins, perhaps not even realized by a person. Consequently, the Sacrament can be performed not only on those suffering from severe bodily ailments or dying. In addition, few of those living in our time can consider themselves absolutely physically healthy, even in the absence of serious illnesses... The Blessing of Unction is not performed on patients who are in an unconscious state, as well as on violent mental patients.
The sacrament can take place both in the temple and in other conditions. According to established tradition, general Unction in many churches is performed during the days of Great Lent, primarily on the Worship of the Cross or Holy Week in the evening before Maundy Thursday or Great Saturday.
— How should one prepare for the Unction?
— There is no need for special preparation before the Sacrament, but it will be useful and reasonable to combine it with confession and with the acceptance of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, because according to the faith of the Church, Unction also provides forgiveness of forgotten sins, and naturally, the person who confessed has sincerely cleansed his soul repentance, he will receive unction with greater benefit for himself. As a special case, we can say that, in addition to very special situations, women during periods of regular weakness do not proceed to Unction, as well as to any other Sacrament. The Blessing of Anointing, unless there is a particularly serious illness or difficult circumstances, should be undertaken no more than once a year.
— Do the words of the Apostle James that you quoted: “if anyone falls ill, let him call the elders...” mean that Orthodox Christians do not need medical help at all? Is healing only possible through spiritual means such as Unction?
- No, of course, the Blessing of Anointing as a spiritual healing does not eliminate the laws and forces of physical nature. It spiritually supports a person, provides him with gracious help to the extent that, according to God’s vision, is necessary for the salvation of the soul of the patient. Therefore, Unction does not cancel the use of medicines.
- How to properly use the oil taken from the temple after the Unction, and what should be done with the wheat grains?
- You can either add oil to the food you prepare, or, in case of certain ailments, after praying, apply it to yourself in a cross shape. Wheat grains, which are still used at Unction for sticking candles into them on the central table, can be used absolutely at your own discretion. If you want, sprout them, if you want, bake them into a pie, if there are enough of them, there are no instructions from the church charter here.
Unction (Blessing of Unction) is often confused with Confirmation and with anointing during the All-Night Vigil. What are their differences?
— Confirmation and Blessing of Anointing are two completely different Sacraments. Confirmation takes place, as a rule, immediately after Baptism. And in it the gifts of the Holy Spirit are given, which help us grow and strengthen in that new spiritual life into which we have just been born in Baptism. In some special cases Confirmation is performed separately; Suppose we accept into Orthodoxy a person from a non-Orthodox denomination (for example, from traditional Protestants or from the majority of Old Believer movements), the validity of whose Baptism we recognize, but do not consider other sacraments to be valid.
Of course, one should distinguish from both Sacraments the anointing with consecrated oil, which is performed during the All-Night Vigil, and which people who are just approaching the church fence or who have recently entered it sometimes mistake for some kind of sacred rite. This is only anointing with holy oil, which was blessed at the previous All-Night Vigil, when the litia was celebrated - part of the service during which the blessing of wheat, wine, oil and bread is performed. It is with this very consecrated oil that anointing is performed at the All-Night Vigil. Let us repeat, this is not a church Sacrament.
If you have a question: “What is unction and how is it carried out?”, we recommend that you spend a little time and read our article: here you can find a complete answer. You will also learn what the Gospel says about the Blessing of Oil, how to prepare for it, and what should be done with the oil and grain after it.
The rite of unction. Its purpose
In the Christian tradition, there are some sacraments that are very important for believers. One of these can be considered unction, or consecration of oil. The origins of this ritual go back to evangelical times, but the ritual itself in today's interpretation has been significantly changed.
To understand what unction is and how it is carried out, you should find out what its purpose is. The main purpose of the sacrament is healing. Moreover, healing not only physical ailments, but also mental ones. Also during the ritual, there is absolution of sins that a person might have forgotten and not confessed. It is even believed that unction is somewhat akin to confession.
This sacrament is called differently. Initially, it was the consecration of oil, since the ritual used oil, which was used to anoint a person. Later they began to call it nothing other than the sacrament of unction. And the whole point is that the ritual is performed by several priests (seven), i.e., a council.
Gospel and historical references to the origin of the ritual
What is the essence of unction? To understand, you need to delve into history. As already mentioned, the origins of the sacrament should be sought in the Gospel time, in particular we are talking about the period when Jesus Christ lived. His actions to heal the sick were reflected in the rite of unction, or consecration of oil. Subsequently, such miraculous deeds were continued by his apostles.
The first healing rites took place through the laying on of hands, but after some time in the message written by the Apostle James, one could read that a sick person could call the ministers of the church to pray and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. If a suffering person has faith, then he will be healed, and all sins will be forgiven him (meaning those that he has forgotten). In the modern version of the sacrament, the laying on of hands has been replaced by anointing with oil, and in memory of the ancient ritual, the Gospel is placed on the forehead of the sick person.
The first procedures for the consecration of oil in Rus' were not at all complicated; only psalms and a few prayers were read. In addition, the rituals were carried out mainly at home. Only from the sixth century did this sacrament begin to take on the form that it has now.
When is the unction performed?
What else do you need to know about such a rite as unction? How to pass it. When exactly is it carried out? For sick parishioners who cannot visit the temple and attend the service, it is allowed to conduct the ritual at home on any of the days agreed upon with the clergy.
There are also traditional days of unction. They fall during Lent or Christmas. Usually this is not one day, but several, since there are many people willing. You should find out about all this in the chosen temple, since not all of them perform such sacraments. By the way, find out in advance that before the unction, proofreading of the possessed is not carried out, as this is not at all welcome.
Who can take unction?
In order to understand what unction is and how it is carried out, one should also understand the question of who can undergo this ritual. Every Christian who has reached the age of seven can take unction. Younger children are not allowed to undergo this ritual. However, some clergy believe that in exceptional cases when the child is sick, this is quite appropriate.
Also, women should not undergo unction during their menstrual periods. Therefore, if this happens, then it is better to refrain from this ritual.
Many people are sure that this sacrament is resorted to when a person is on his deathbed. Actually this is not true. The ritual is performed not only on a person who is sick or will soon leave this mortal world. After all, what is unction (we’ll discuss how to go through this ritual a little lower)? This is not the last confession and absolution before moving on to another world, and certainly not the funeral service, God forbid! Yes, first of all, the sick undergo this sacrament, but when carrying out the ritual at home, they anoint with sacred oil not only the one who especially needs it, but also all household members, blessing them. Therefore, you should not expose yourself to the fear of imminent death. Many sick people recovered or became much better after the unction. Christians who have already died and those who are unconscious are not allowed to participate in the sacrament.
So, as already mentioned, unction can be taken absolutely no more often than once a year (usually during Lent). This sacrament frees people from forgotten sins and also cures mental illness. But it should be remembered that unction itself will not replace
Preparation for the ceremony
Some believers have a question before undergoing unction: how to prepare for this rite? No special preparations required. However, the believer must take communion and confess before the sacrament. The same must be done after the completion of the ceremony. As we see, confession is an integral procedure. If you suddenly decided that all sins will be forgiven if you just undergo unction, then this is not so. In fact, a person should sincerely repent if he has ever done anything unknowingly.
Also, before the unction, the clergy prepare special items that will be needed during the sacrament. The person who comes to the temple should purchase a candle. It is not obligatory to fast (except when taking unction during Lent).
What is needed to perform the ritual
Typically, the following items are needed to perform the ceremony at home and in the temple:
- a table covered with a clean cloth (tablecloth) (in church a lectern is used);
- grains of wheat (other grains are also allowed) placed on a platter (symbolize life itself, as well as renewal, both physical and spiritual);
- vessel for blessing oil;
- seven candles;
- seven sticks that need to be wrapped in cotton wool;
- vegetable oil (usually olive, which was of particular value to the ancients);
- a little red wine (symbolizes the blood of the Lord).
In addition, the clergyman uses the Gospel and the cross. As you can see, it is still necessary to prepare some items in order to carry out the unction. How to prepare for a person who wants to undergo this sacrament is written above.
Conducting a ceremony in a church
The sacrament of unction is traditionally carried out in the temple (with the exception of weak believers who cannot come due to illness). The ceremony is performed by seven clergy, but one is allowed in special cases. Why seven? The whole point is that during the ritual, texts from the Apostle, the Gospel, and also prayers are read exactly that many times. The person receiving the unction is anointed with sacred oil seven times.
Before the ceremony begins, all parishioners must light candles. The unction itself in the temple is divided into three parts (conditionally):
- prayer singing;
- blessing of oil;
- anointing with oil.
The first part contains chants and prayers, and also lists by name those who came to the unction. The sacrament begins with the words “Blessed is our God...”, then the process is a shortened morning service, which is performed while fasting lasts. By the way, modern missals are not at all similar to the ancient ones, and some prayers are significantly different (and the ritual itself too). Perhaps this is why some persistent prejudices arose.
In the second part, the anointing oil is consecrated. To do this, mix wine and vegetable oil in a separate vessel. Wine is an essential component, as it symbolizes the blood of the Lord shed for the salvation of mankind by Jesus Christ. Then seven candles should be lit, and the clergyman should read a special prayer to consecrate the oil.
And finally, the congregation is anointed. At the same time, the Apostles, the Gospel, a short litany are read, as well as a special prayer that speaks of forgiveness and healing.
The last part is performed seven times, but each time completely different passages from the Gospel and the Apostles are read. At the very end, after the sevenfold anointing, all the parishioners surround the clergy. The latter say a prayer and place an open Gospel on each person. Then comes the kissing of this sacred book, and after that there are litanies and bows of the parishioners. This completes the sacrament.
Conducting a ceremony at home
Usually performed in church even on the sick. However, if it is not possible to come to the temple and perform the ceremony there, then the priests can visit the patient at home. The ceremony takes place almost the same as in the temple. All relatives can be present at the sacrament; during the ritual they are also anointed with sacred oil.
What to do after unction
After unction, the believer must take communion, and he can also take home the cereals that were used during the sacrament and the sacred oil. At home, all this can be added in small quantities to food. Sore spots are anointed with oil in a cross pattern.
Note! If you have oil and grains left before the next unction, then you need to burn them and bury the ashes in a place where almost no one walks. You can also give the remains to the temple to be burned there (some have special ovens for destroying old ritual objects). It should be noted that in ancient times everything that remained from the unction was not given to the parishioners, but was burned. Even now, in some churches, oil and wheat can be given only if the one who is collecting the unction specifically requests it.
Parishioners who underwent the ceremony
Those parishioners who consciously, with deep faith and repentance, have undergone the sacrament of unction, note significant spiritual relief. As for physical healing, we note that it does not necessarily happen immediately after the ceremony. However, in the future, if you believe the words of parishioners who witnessed the miracle, a person may well be healed, especially if he prays regularly. The main thing here is not to forget about the Lord, about your sins, which led to physical weakness.
After the sacrament, many, especially those who are mentally ill, feel calm and intercession from the Almighty. If anyone was destined to leave this world after the ritual, they had time to bless their relatives (except in very difficult cases) and depart with a peaceful soul.
The difference between confirmation and unction (blessing of oil)
We hope you now understand how unction takes place. However, there is a sacrament very similar to the consecration of oil - anointing. The essence of both rites is anointing with sacred oil, but unction is performed more often on sick believers (spiritually or physically). Confirmation is performed once in a person’s life, immediately after a person’s baptism or if he has converted to Orthodoxy from another denomination.
Parishioners are also anointed with holy oil during the All-Night Vigil, but this is not considered a separate sacrament, but only part of the service.
Myths about Unction
If you already understand how unction works, let's discuss some aspects of this sacrament that may give the wrong impression. For example, as already mentioned, some believe that this ritual is performed only on the dying, therefore, it somehow speeds up the death of the sufferers. Of course, this is not really true.
This is not the last sacrament, but a healthy person should receive unction no more than once a year. For someone on his deathbed, it is imperative to undergo three sacraments - confession (if he is able), receive communion and unction. Perhaps this is why this myth arose, but no one says that confession is only for the dying? Therefore, you should not be afraid of unction, because in addition to physical illnesses, there are also mental illnesses, which are also healed. And also there is a remission of sins that were not told or forgotten.
Conclusion
So, now you know what unction is and how it is carried out. In conclusion, we can say that this is a very important rite for believers, as there is complete forgiveness of all forgotten sins, as well as spiritual and physical healing. Of course, this is only possible under the condition of sincere repentance and faith in the power and omnipotence of the Almighty.
As for actual remission of sins, there is a caveat. If you concealed something during confession (and the council is held only after it), then there will be no forgiveness for such actions or thoughts. Sins must really be forgotten by a person - voluntarily or involuntarily. Anyone who regularly confesses, undergoes the sacrament of unction (and not only) can help not only himself, but also other people who are related to him. Thus, turning to the Lord in prayer and hoping for his mercy, visiting church and analyzing your life and actions will help you be saved and cleansed from sins.
Unction is a sacrament of cleansing and forgiveness of sins, usually performed by several clergy. It is from the conciliar celebration that the name comes. How does this sacrament differ from ordinary confession, at which a person is also absolved of his sins? The fact is that confession is of a more conscious nature and is designed to free the believer from those sins that he notices in himself and which he can confess to the clergyman and the Lord. At the same time, cleansing also occurs from those sins that a person can commit involuntarily and not even be aware of it.
The power of unction is very great; it is no coincidence that it is used to alleviate the suffering of the seriously ill and dying. Of course, the sacrament does not guarantee complete healing, it is the will of the Lord, but it often happens that patients begin to feel much better or even recover. This sacrament should not be perceived as a panacea for all ills, because any prayer reaches the Lord and will definitely be heard by him. The power of unction lies, first of all, in the faith of the person himself, and not in the rituals and chants performed in the temple.
Both the sick and the completely healthy can gather unction, because a person can cleanse his soul and open himself before the Lord not only in a state of serious bodily illness or when. Usually they gather together once a year, but if you feel the need to undergo this sacrament additionally, do not stop yourself. There are no specific dates or canons for performing unction, therefore, if a person is ready for it and feels an urgent need, it is necessary.
One of the obligatory attributes of the sacrament is anointing with oil as a sign of cleansing the body from sin. The priest anoints the congregation while reading prayers. The cycle of reading the scriptures and anointing is repeated seven times, after which the believers apply themselves. The oil remaining after the ceremony can be taken home by the congregation to also be anointed with it. According to church tradition, the same oil is poured into the coffin of the deceased to give eternal life.
Seriously ill people should not be afraid of the sacrament of unction. There is a superstition that it is necessary to receive unction only for the dying and only when the feeling of an imminent end is approaching. It is for this reason that many people believe that after the unction their days will be numbered. This idea is completely unfounded and completely false. How much a person is allotted in this world depends neither on the performance of this or that ritual, but solely on the will of the Lord. If he wishes, the sick person can be completely healed or live long enough even after the unction.
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There are seven sacraments in the Christian Orthodox tradition. These are special sacred rites necessary to invoke the grace of the Holy Spirit and sanctify the human Person. The main idea of human existence is the desire for holiness. Therefore, participation in the sacraments that sanctify the human person is simply necessary.
What is unction
There are seven church sacraments, one of which is. In theology one can also find another name for this sacred rite - consecration of oil. The history of establishment takes us back to the time of the apostles. The Epistle of James says that if someone gets sick, he should call the elders of the Church to pray over him and (). This is faith and hope that faith will save the sick person and the Lord will heal him. It turns out that unction is necessary for a person as a means of helping with illnesses. Everyone has one or another serious or minor illness, and a person inherently strives to preserve his body.
Many people incorrectly believe that unction is only held. This is a serious misconception. The Sacraments of the Church are not for death, but for life! Often unction is given to the sick precisely in order to alleviate their torment and suffering.
It is necessary to realize that unction is beneficial not only for the body. Thus, it is determined that in this sacrament a person is forgiven of forgotten sins. But not those that he forgot out of laziness, but those committed out of ignorance or that completely disappeared from memory. The soul of the person approaching this shrine is purified and grace descends on the person, which strengthens and gives spiritual strength to the believer.
There are seven sacraments in the Orthodox Church, one of which is unction. In this sacrament, believers are asked for divine grace to heal various physical and mental ailments. It is also believed that forgotten sins are forgiven in the sacrament of unction.
The sacrament of unction is otherwise called consecration of oil. The very name of consecration of oil indicates that a person is sanctified from special oil (vegetable oil). The anointing of a person with holy oil is the main component of the sacrament.
Most often, unction is performed in churches during fasting, but the time for the consecration of oil can be different - the performer of the sacrament (priest) can choose the time himself. Historically, the sacrament of unction was performed by seven or several priests - a conciliar service took place. Hence the name of the sacrament.
Unction begins with the usual rite - the prayer “To the Heavenly King,” the Trisagion according to the Our Father, “Come, let us worship our King God.” Next, Psalm 142 is read, followed by a small litany. Sometimes the psalm and litany are shortened.
After this, certain troparia are sung, the 50th Psalm is read, after which the canon about the sick is read by the priest. After the canon, special stichera and a troparion for the sick are sung by the choir. Then the great litany with special petitions for the sick, the priest’s prayer for the sick and troparia to holy healers. Next, excerpts from the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament (from the Apostle and the Gospel) are read. After reading the sacred texts, the clergyman reads certain two prayers for the sick. At unction, it is customary to read passages from the Holy Scriptures seven times. After the proclamation of the texts of the Apostle and the Gospel, the anointing occurs.
After the seventh anointing, the priest pronounces a special litany, stichera are sung, and the dismissal is performed.
It can also be noted that there is a widespread practice of performing the sacrament of unction before the bed of a sick person. This may be at home or in a hospital. In this case, the priest can shorten the sacrament (fear for the sake of a mortal). The canon and one set of passages of Holy Scripture are read. After this, a one-time anointing occurs.
In Christian Orthodox practice, there are seven sacraments, participation in which grants a person special divine grace. Unction is one of these sacred rites.
The sacrament of unction is otherwise called the consecration of oil. This formulation is determined by the fact that during the sacred rite a person is anointed with holy oil (oil) to heal mental and physical ailments. It is also believed that forgotten sins are forgiven during unction.
The custom of anointing the sick with oil has been known since biblical times. The Apostle and Evangelist Mark in his good news tells that Christ called the twelve apostles and commanded them to anoint the sick with oil for healing. This is described in the 6th chapter of the Gospel of Mark. In addition, the Bible also contains specific instructions for anointing a sick person with oil to alleviate bodily ailments. The conciliar letter of the Apostle James says that a sick person should call church elders to receive anointing with oil. For the sake of the faith of the sick person and the prayers of the clergy, the Lord is able to grant healing and health to a person in need (James 5: 14-15). Thus, the indication of the sacrament of unction is contained directly in the New Testament texts of the Bible.
The sacrament of unction itself (more precisely, its rite) has changed over the centuries. In biblical times, the main performers of the sacrament were the holy apostles. Later, when the Christian faith became more widespread, the blessing of oil was performed by the priests of the Church. This is precisely what the Apostle James points out in his conciliar letter.
The rite of unction has also changed since the first centuries. Approximately the following, which is still carried out in Orthodox churches or at home, took shape in the 15th century.
In Rus', until the 19th century, the sacrament of unction was called the “last anointing.” However, Saint Philaret Drozdov insisted that this name for the church sacrament be withdrawn from use due to the inconsistency with the main essence of the sacred rite. The sacrament of unction was performed not only on the dying, but also simply on sick people. This is precisely the practice that the Russian Orthodox Church adheres to now.
Unction is one of the seven Orthodox sacraments, which a believer is recommended to begin to heal his soul and body. Despite the great benefits of the consecration of oil, there are superstitions among the people that distort the idea of the very essence of the sacrament.
The Orthodox church tradition, drawing truth from the Holy Scriptures, defines unction (blessing of oil) as a sacrament during which a person receives divine grace that heals mental and physical ailments. In addition, in the holy sacrament a person is forgiven of forgotten sins. Believers believe that in the sacrament of unction a Christian can receive healing from physical illnesses; in church practice, there are known cases of miraculous healings from various ailments. Often the sacrament is performed on sick people. From this practice, many mistakenly draw a conclusion about the very essence of the sacred rite, believing that unction must be performed before death.
The main superstition regarding the blessing of oil is that the sacrament must be performed before bodily death. Many people mistakenly believe that death itself follows this sacred rite. Therefore, some people in relatively healthy condition are afraid to begin unction. This interpretation of the sacrament has nothing to do with the Orthodox faith. In the church there are no sacraments performed for the purpose of imminent death or that carry any harm to a person. On the contrary, all sacraments are a means of helping a person during his life. Therefore, unction is performed not only before death, but at any time with the aim of asking God for grace to heal the body and soul. The Blessing of Anointing is performed not for death, but for life. Of course, unction can also be performed on a dying person, but this is done so that the person receives help and relief from his serious illness.
In modern times, it is difficult to find a completely healthy person. Therefore, we can talk about absolute health only in terms of relativity. It follows from this that any Christian believer has the right to begin sacred rites. In addition, we must not forget about the spiritual component - forgiveness in the sacrament of forgotten sins. By these we mean those sins that a person has forgotten in his life or committed in ignorance, but not those actions that were hidden during confession.
There are other superstitions regarding unction. Thus, it is mistakenly believed that after this sacrament it is necessary to maintain virginity. There is no prohibition on marriage after this sacrament in the Orthodox Church.
Another superstition is the ban on eating meat after unction for the rest of your life. But this statement also has no Orthodox justification. Believers observe fasting on the days established by the Church, which in no way depends directly on the blessing of oil. A derivative of this superstition is the obligatory fasting not only on Wednesday and Friday, but also on Monday.
What is Unction?
Unction (or Blessing of Unction) is a Sacrament in which, through anointing with consecrated oil (oil), God's help is given for the healing of mental and physical ailments. The Sacrament of Anointing is called Unction because, as a rule, several priests gather together to perform it - a council.
Why is it necessary to undergo unction?
- According to the teachings of the Church, the source of disease lies in sin, and the first prediction of disease in the human race appeared after the fall of the first people. When a paralytic was brought to the Savior for healing from an illness, He directly draws attention to the source of the illness and says: “Son, your sins are forgiven you” (Mark 2:3-11). In the same exact relationship, sin and bodily weakness are put in the Apostle James, who, having spoken about the healing of a sick person through anointing with oil and prayer, notes that at the same time the healed person’s sins are also forgiven (James 5:15). It cannot be argued that all illnesses, without exception, are a direct consequence of sin, but nevertheless, most illnesses are recognized in Christianity as a consequence of sin, and the prayers of the Sacrament of Anointing are permeated with this thought.
For the forgiveness of sins there is the Sacrament of Confession, but the moral causes of illness are not always visible to a person; on the contrary, many of them are hidden from the judgment of his conscience. The sick person, due to his weakness, cannot fulfill all the conditions of true repentance. During the Sacrament of the Blessing of Anointing, a whole council of His servants stands before the Lord for the exhausted sick person and, with the prayer of faith on behalf of the entire Church, begs God to grant the person, along with bodily health, remission of sins. We believe that for the sake of the prayers of the Church in the Sacrament of Anointing, the sick are absolved of sins for which he could not receive resolution in the Sacrament of Repentance: long-standing sins, forgotten and unconfessed, subject, however, to a general repentant attitude; sins committed in ignorance; sins that were the cause of the disease, but which the patient did not know about; sins that the patient, due to his grave weakness, is not able to tell his confessor at the moment or cannot now atone for with good deeds. All these and similar sins are forgiven by the grace of God to the sick person through the Sacrament of Anointing.
Can Unction speed up a person's death?
Can not. But the life span of any person depends only on the will of the Heavenly Father, Who often sends bodily illness to admonish and change life. And the Lord can prolong the life of a dying person for the purpose of allowing him to adequately prepare for the transition to eternity.
Unfortunately, persistent prejudices are associated with the Sacrament of Anointing, which repel the faint-hearted from the very possibility of resorting to the saving action of God's grace. People prone to superstitions are afraid of Unction, believing that this is “the last Sacrament and it will hasten the death of themselves or the relatives who receive it. In no case should one believe such prejudices that those who have recovered after the Blessing of Anointing should never again eat meat; that one must fast, in addition to Wednesday and Friday, also on Monday; that he cannot have marital relations, should not go to the bathhouse, take medicine, etc. These fantasies undermine faith in the gracious power of the Sacrament and destroy the spiritual life of the person who accepts these fantasies. In addition, they introduce temptation into the minds of “outsiders”, those who do not belong to the Church, but who sympathize with it.
How to prepare for the Unction?
You must receive the priest's blessing for Unction. Find out when it is held, come at a certain time, sign up at the candle shop, tell your name, buy a candle. If possible, before the Unction it is advisable to confess in advance what is recognized as a sin.
When does Unction take place?
During Lent, unction is performed several times. If necessary, it can be performed at any other time.
Usually Unction is performed at home at the bedside of the sick, but during Lent it takes place in churches. In this case, the words of the Apostle James: “Is any of you sick” (James 5:14) are taken in a broad sense, that is, they mean not only those who are physically sick, but also those who suffer spiritually - having sorrow, despondency, heaviness from sinful passions.
Is it necessary to fast before the Unction?
There is no special fast before the Unction. But since Unction in churches is usually performed during Lent, its observance is the duty of any Orthodox Christian.
Who can take unction?
Any baptized Orthodox Christian who has the blessing of a priest can take unction. Children under 7 years old, as a rule, are not given unction.
There is a misunderstanding of the essence of the Sacrament of Unction, which is expressed in the fact that it is allegedly required only by the dying and only for the remission of sins. This sacrament was established by the Holy Church according to the words of the holy Apostle James: “Is any of you sick, let him call the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will heal the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him” (James 5:14-15). The prayers of the Rite of Anointing speak not of death, but of a return to life, but a renewed life, cleansed of sins.
Is it possible to administer unction to a sick person when he is unconscious?
Participation in all Sacraments must be conscious and voluntary.
If a sick person who is in an unconscious state has previously participated in church sacraments and expressed a conscious desire to receive unction at a time when he could give an account of his actions, then the possibility of performing the Sacrament of Anointing on him should be consulted with a priest.
Is it possible to unction infants?
For infants under seven years of age, the Sacrament of Anointing is not performed on the basis of the words of the Apostle James: “let him call the elders... and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him” (James 5:14-15), which presupposes in the sick person the strength of faith, the presence of spirit and consciousness of one's sins.
What to do if the patient cannot be taken to the church for Unction?
We need to invite a priest to your home.
If after Unction you remember a sin, is it necessary to talk about it at Confession?
Unction does not cancel or replace the Sacrament of Repentance. If after Unction you remember a sin, then you need to confess it.
What to do with the oil left over from last year's Unction?
You can anoint yourself with the oil left after the Unction - apply it crosswise to sore spots, or add it to food. If you use it with reverence and faith, then any use of the “cathedral” oil will serve as a blessing from God.
Is it possible to smear sick, unseemly places with holy oil?
Man was created by God and there is nothing bad in him, therefore it is allowed to smear any place when it hurts. But usually, the following parts of the body are anointed with holy oil with prayer in a cross shape: forehead, cheeks, chest, palms and hands, legs.
What to do after Unction?
After Unction, it is necessary to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.
During Great Lent, the Sacrament of Unction is celebrated in many churches. What does it mean? In what cases is it necessary to take unction and how often? How to prepare for it? And is it possible to perform this Sacrament at home?
“Is any of you sick, let him call the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will heal the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him” (James 5:14-15).
Unction is not performed on infants, because a baby cannot consciously commit sins.
No other sacrament is associated with so many superstitions and prejudices as with unction. They say that after unction you cannot marry, you cannot wash, you cannot eat meat, you must fast on Mondays; and most importantly, that only dying people can receive this sacrament. All this is not true!
This is not a parting word for the next world, but healing for this life is in repentance. It originates from the apostles, who, having received power from Jesus Christ, “anointed many sick people with oil and healed them” (Mark VI, 13).
Sacrament of Anointing, one of the seven sacraments of the Church, which consists of helping the sick who expect recovery from physical and mental ailments, and grants the sick forgiveness of forgotten, unconfessed sins (but not deliberately hidden). Due to the imperfection of memory, a person may not confess all his sins, so there is no need to say how great the value of Unction is. The Sacrament of Anointing exists in the Church for this reason, so that when a person begins to heal the body, he does not forget about the soul and the cause of illness - sin.
The 19th-century Orthodox writer Evgeniy Poselyanin wrote: “It is not at all said that the disease must be fatal or that the person should be in a helpless state. We must not forget that in Christianity, mental suffering is also recognized as a disease... So, if I suffer in spirit from the death of loved ones, from grief, if I need some kind of gracious push to gather my strength and remove the shackles of despair, I can resort to to the unction."
Confirmation is often confused with unction. Anointing with consecrated oil, which is performed during the All-Night Vigil, is not a Church Sacrament..
In addition, Unction, as spiritual healing, does not eliminate the forces and laws of physical nature. It supports a person spiritually, providing him with grace-filled help, to the extent that, according to God’s vision, this is necessary for the salvation of the sick person. That's why Unction does not cancel the use of medications, given by the Lord to heal our illnesses.
PRACTICAL TIPS: how to prepare for unction?
But before you take part in this Sacrament, you need come early and prepare. The performance of this Sacrament is paid. But it is necessary not only to pay, but also to HAVE ENTERED YOUR NAME to the list of congregants. Then the priest will read these names several times during the celebration of the Unction. Therefore, you must first approach the church bench.
It is also necessary buy a candle, which you will hold in your hands during the entire Sacrament of Unction. It lasts about 1 - 1.5 hours.
Also before take either 2 large handkerchiefs or 2 pieces of absorbent fabric (gauze)- one will be needed to wipe off excess oil from hands and face, the other to secure it on the neck so that oil did not drip onto clothes.
Women also need to take headscarf(considering that your face will be oily and it will be very difficult to straighten your hair).
They also usually bring with them a bottle of oil(at your discretion, large and small, homemade oil or from the store). And place it on the table for unction (in the center).
You need to dress like this so that the neck is well open and you can unbutton the blouse on the chest - they will anoint you with oil. There should be no droops or fringes hanging from the sleeves - the backs of the hands will also be anointed. The forehead must be open for the same thing.
Don't wear gold on the neck and fingers, the bracelets will also get dirty and get in the way.
After the unction, do not forget to pick up your bottle of oil.
This oil can be added little by little to food. You can also anoint sick parts of the body (crosswise) with consecrated oil. This oil, like cereal, is used little by little throughout the year - until the next post.
A used oil bottle should be burned. Do the same with handkerchiefs and rags, with which you wiped excess oil on your face during Unction.
Unction usually performed in a temple, but if it is impossible to deliver a seriously ill person, can also be taught at home.
When the sacrament is performed at home, it is necessary to do next preparations: in the patient’s room, in front of the icons, place a table covered with a clean tablecloth. A dish with wheat grains is placed on the table (if it is not available, it can be replaced with other grains: rye, millet, rice, etc.).
In the middle of the dish, a vessel in the shape of a lamp (or just a clean glass) is placed on the wheat to consecrate the oil. Seven candles are placed in the wheat. In separate vessels (bowls or glasses), pure oil and a little red wine are placed on the table.
How does unction take place?
A lectern with the Gospel is placed in the center of the temple. Nearby there is a table on which there is a vessel with oil on a dish with wheat. Seven lighted candles and seven anointing tassels are placed in the wheat - according to the number of passages from the Holy Scriptures read.
All the congregation hold lit candles in their hands. This is our testimony that Christ is the light of our lives.
With the exclamation “Blessed is our God now, and ever, and unto ages of ages,” the prayer begins, listing the names of those gathered. Then the priest pours wine into the vessel with oil and prays for the consecration of the oil, for the sake of healing and cleansing the flesh and spirit of those who will be anointed with it.
Wine is poured into oil in memory of the Merciful Samaritan, about whom the Lord spoke in His parable: how a certain Samaritan took pity on a man beaten and robbed by robbers, and “bandaged his wounds, pouring in oil and wine” (Luke 10:34), and wine added to it in a small amount symbolizes the Redeeming Blood of the Savior. The combination of oil and wine is done in imitation of the medicine that the Samaritan used for the sick.
In addition to wine and oil, when performing the Sacrament of the Gathering, grains of wheat or millet are used. These grains symbolize the germ of life, and after the death of the body - resurrection.
So, chants are heard, these are prayers addressed to the Lord and the saints who became famous for their miraculous healings. This is followed by reading an excerpt from the epistles of the apostles and the Gospel, which tells us about miraculous healings of illnesses. After which the priests anoint everyone’s forehead, nostrils, cheeks, lips, chest and hands on both sides in a cross pattern with consecrated oil. This is done as a sign of cleansing all our five senses, thoughts, hearts and works of our hands - everything that we could have sinned with.
What was said in the following: “Thou hast given unto the holy oil the image of Thy Cross” shows that the very illnesses of the believer are mysteriously united with Christ’s sufferings, serving as a painful but beneficial reminder of them, true compassion, and, during spiritual struggle and prayer, the communion of His sufferings.
Before each anointing, the priest pours out his soul in prayer before the Lord, feeling his unworthiness and the greatness of the sacrament, and the needs of the sick, like a mirror of his own infirmities, and recalls numerous examples of pardon for sinners and healings in the Old and New Testaments.
At each anointing, the prayer is read: “Holy Father, physician of souls and bodies, having sent your only begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who heals every ailment and delivers from death, heal also your servant (or your handmaid) from those who hold him (or her) bodily and mental infirmities and revive him (or her) with the grace of Thy Christ”... This is followed by a prayerful invocation of the Most Holy Theotokos, the Life-giving Cross, John the Baptist, the apostles and all the saints.
During the anointing of oil, the rector of the temple on his knees reads a prayer for the granting of health and lists the names of the people who are now participating in the Sacrament of Unction.
Then the priests return to their places. Prayers are read again, special chants are sung, and again excerpts (but different ones) from the Apostles and the Holy Gospel are read. Afterwards, the priests again anoint the forehead, nostrils, cheeks, lips, chest and hands on both sides with holy oil in a cross pattern.
And so only seven times. Each time other passages from the Apostles and the Holy Gospel are read. (Which passages from the Apostles and the Holy Gospel are read, what is the meaning of these readings - read below)
The Blessing of Anointing of the congregation ends with the placing of the Gospel on their heads, holding it with the letters downwards, as if the healing hand of the Savior Himself is on the head of the sick person and at the same time praying to the Lord for the forgiveness of all his sins: “Lord Jesus Christ, I do not lay my sinful hand on the heads of those who have come to You to ask remission of sins; but Thy strong and strong hand, which is in this Holy Gospel, and I pray Thee with them, our Savior, Thyself accept Thy servants who repent and grant them forgiveness...”
An immediate recovery cannot be expected from Unction. Alas, sometimes in people’s minds this sacrament turns into something self-sufficient, external, almost magical. Some people perceive Unction as a medical procedure, there is no thought about its spiritual aspect... The consequences here can be very sad - without receiving the expected physical recovery, a person is offended: how is it possible, I defended a long service, did everything that was required, but there is no result !
In any case, grace acts through the consecrated oil, but this effect is revealed, according to God’s vision, differently: some are completely healed, others receive relief, and in others the strength is awakened to endure the illness complacently. Forgiveness of sins, forgotten or unconscious, is always granted to the one receiving the council.
Healing is a free gift from an All-Good loving God, and not the inevitable result of some external actions. All those approaching the sacrament of Unction should remember this. We must think about our life, about our sins, and strive to cleanse ourselves of them. The Sacrament of Unction is partly akin to the Sacrament of Repentance. As a special case, we can say that, in addition to very special situations, women during periods of regular weakness do not proceed to unction, as well as to any other sacrament.
READING OF THE APOSTLES AND THE HOLY GOSPEL AT THE COLLECTION
First reading— Epistles of the Holy Apostle James on the establishment of the Sacrament of Anointing (James 5: 10-16). The Gospel (Luke 10:25-37) is about a Samaritan who had mercy on his neighbor who was wounded by robbers. Following this, remembering the benefits of God to the human race, enlightened and redeemed by Him, and the grace of service given to the prophets and apostles.
Second reading- Rome. 15:1-7, where the Apostle Paul commands the strong to bear the infirmities of the weak and, following the example of Christ, to please not themselves, but their neighbors, for good, calling on God for patience and consolation. He instills that all members of the Body of Christ should praise God with one accord.
In the second Gospel (Luke 19:1-10) we are talking about the publican Zacchaeus, who turned to faith when Jesus Christ visited him.
Third reading— 1 Cor. 12, 27-13, 8, where the various ministries of the members of the Church of Christ are first counted, and then love is exalted above all else as the main goal and means of Christian life. The third Gospel (Matthew 10:1:5-8) tells of the sending of the disciples to preach in Judea, when the Lord gave them the power to cast out unclean spirits, heal every illness and raise the dead.
In the fourth reading— 2 Cor. 6, 16-7, 1 - the Apostle Paul calls believers temples of the Living God and calls on them to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, “performing holiness in the fear of God.”
The subsequent Gospel reading (Matthew 8:14-23) tells of the Savior Himself’s healing of Peter’s mother-in-law, who was lying in a fever, as well as many demon-possessed, in fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah, who says: “He took upon Himself our infirmities and bore our illnesses” ( Isaiah 53:4).
Fifth Apostolic reading - 2 Cor. 1, 8-11 - the Apostle Paul sets as an example his deliverance by the Lord in the midst of persecution, when he no longer hoped to remain alive, and commands to trust in God.
The corresponding Gospel (Matthew 25:1-13) contains the parable of the Lord about the five wise and five foolish virgins who did not prepare oil for the meeting of the Bridegroom and therefore remained outside the wedding feast - the Kingdom of Heaven. “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man will come,” the Lord calls at the conclusion of this parable.
In the sixth reading of the Apostle - Gal. 5, 22-6, 2 - the Apostle Paul calculates the spiritual fruits, instructing shepherds to correct those who sin in the spirit of meekness. “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way fulfill the law of Christ,” he urges.
The Gospel of Matthew (15:21-28), read next, tells of the great faith of a Canaanite wife, who with a bold effort asked for the health of her daughter.
The series of readings from the Epistles of the Holy Apostle Paul ends with a passage from 1 Thess. 5, 6-19, containing the apostle’s call to the faithful to console the faint-hearted, support the weak, and forgive evil. “Always rejoice. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the spirit,” he appeals to our hearts.
Finally, Saint Matthew the Evangelist(9:9-13) tells how he was called from a publican by the Lord and became an apostle, and quotes the words of Jesus Christ to the Pharisees who grumbled against Him: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick; Go and learn what it means: I want mercy, not sacrifice. For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
ABOUT THE COLLECTION IN QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
- In what cases does a person need to receive unction? There is still a fairly widespread opinion that Unction is performed only before death.
The Blessing of Anointing is performed on Orthodox believers over seven years of age who suffer from physical and mental illness. The latter can also be understood as a difficult spiritual state (despondency, sorrow, despair), because its cause can be (and, as a rule, is) unrepentant sins, perhaps not even realized by a person. Consequently, the Sacrament can be performed not only on those suffering from severe bodily ailments or dying. In addition, few of those living in our time can consider themselves absolutely physically healthy, even in the absence of serious illnesses... The Blessing of Unction is not performed on patients who are in an unconscious state, as well as on violent mental patients.
The sacrament can take place both in the temple and in other conditions. According to established tradition, general Unction in many churches is performed during the days of Great Lent.
— How often can one resort to the Sacrament of Unction?
— Unless there is a particularly serious illness or difficult circumstances, the Blessing of Anointing should be attempted no more than once a year.
- How should you prepare for the Unction?
There is no need for special preparation before the Sacrament, but it will be useful and reasonable to combine it with confession and with the acceptance of the Holy Mysteries of Christ, because according to the faith of the Church, Unction also provides forgiveness of forgotten sins, and, naturally, the person who confessed has sincerely cleansed his soul repentance, he will receive unction with greater benefit for himself. As a special case, we can say that, in addition to very special situations, women during periods of regular weakness do not proceed to Unction, as well as to any other Sacrament.
Do the words of the Apostle James you quoted: “If anyone falls ill, let him call the elders...” mean that Orthodox Christians do not need medical help at all? Is healing only possible through spiritual means such as Unction?
No, of course, the Blessing of Anointing as a spiritual healing does not eliminate the laws and forces of physical nature. It spiritually supports a person, provides him with gracious help to the extent that, according to God’s vision, is necessary for the salvation of the soul of the patient. Therefore, Unction does not cancel the use of medicines.
– How to properly use the oil taken from the temple after the Unction, and what should be done with the wheat grains?
Oil can either be added to the prepared food, or, in case of certain ailments, after praying, you can independently apply it to yourself in a cross shape. It can also be used by those who have not taken unction (there is no indication in the statute that this is prohibited), but this alone does not replace participation in the Sacrament. But it happens that people forget about it, and then people ask what to do with the rancid oil. So next time, don’t be embarrassed if everyone takes it, but you don’t have such a need - this is not necessary. A used oil bottle should be burned. Do the same with the handkerchiefs and rags that you used to wipe off excess oil on your face during Unction.
Wheat grains, which are still used at Unction for sticking candles into them on the central table, can be used absolutely at your own discretion. If you want, sprout them, if you want, bake them into a pie, if there are enough of them, there are no instructions from the church charter here.
– Unction (Blessing of Unction) is often confused with Confirmation and with anointing during the all-night vigil. What are their differences?
Confirmation and Blessing of Anointing are two completely different Sacraments. Confirmation takes place, as a rule, immediately after Baptism. And it contains the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which help us grow and strengthen in that new spiritual life into which we have just been born. In some special cases Confirmation is performed separately; Suppose we accept into Orthodoxy a person from a non-Orthodox denomination (for example, from traditional Protestants or from the majority of Old Believer movements), the validity of whose Baptism we recognize, but do not consider other sacraments to be valid.
Of course, one should distinguish from both Sacraments the anointing with consecrated oil, which is performed during the all-night vigil and which people who are just approaching the church fence or who have recently entered it sometimes mistake for some kind of sacred rite. This is only anointing with holy oil, which was blessed at the previous all-night vigil, when the lithium was celebrated - part of the service during which the blessing of wheat, wine, oil and bread is performed. It is with this very consecrated oil that anointing is performed at the all-night vigil. Let us repeat, this is not a church Sacrament.
