Holy Unction

The Meaning of Holy Unction

The Sacrament of Holy Unction (Euchélaion or "Prayer Oil") is the Church's specific prayer for healing—both physical and spiritual.

  • Healing Ministry: Christ’s ministry included healing the sick, a power that remains in the Church through the Holy Spirit.

  • Not "Last Rites": Unlike the Western concept of "Extreme Unction" reserved for the dying, Orthodox Unction is for any sick person, regardless of the gravity of the illness. It is not a preparation for death but a request for recovery and forgiveness.

  • The Goal: The primary purpose is healing and forgiveness. However, it is always prayed with the caveat "Thy will be done." Even if physical healing does not occur, the sacrament sanctifies the suffering, uniting it with the sufferings of Christ so that it leads to salvation rather than despair.

The Service of Unction

The rite is "sobornal" (communal) in nature, ideally gathering as many of the faithful as possible.

  • Structure: The full service involves seven priests, reading seven Epistles and seven Gospels, followed by seven prayers of blessing over the oil. (Though seven priests are ideal, fewer can perform it).

  • The Anointing: After blessing the oil (usually olive oil), the priests hold the Gospel book over the sick person's head, reciting a prayer of healing. The person is then anointed with the oil in the name of the Lord.

Practical Guidelines

  • When is it Performed?

    • Holy Wednesday: It is celebrated corporately once a year during Holy Week, commemorating the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with costly ointment (John 12:3).

    • As Needed: It can be performed individually throughout the year whenever a believer is sick and "calls for the presbyters" (James 5:14).

  • Who Can Receive It?

    • It is reserved for baptized Orthodox Christians in good standing.

  • Taking Oil Home:

    • While common, the practice of taking holy oil home is discouraged. The anointing itself is a sacramental act to be performed by the priest, not a private remedy to be applied later by the layperson.

  • Relationship to Confession:

    • Does not replace Confession: Although the service includes prayers of absolution, it does not replace the Sacrament of Confession. Ideally, one should go to Confession before receiving Holy Unction.