What's happened?
Oil is called sacred oil. They get it in a very difficult way. First you need to collect the myrrh that exudes from some icons and relics of saints. After this, it is added to vegetable (olive) or vaseline oil. In addition, lamp oil is dripped into these compositions from undying lamps located strictly next to the icons. The resulting viscous liquid is poured into consecrated vessels and sold.
Most often, believers use oil for healing from various ailments. It can be used to treat both children and adults. To achieve a positive effect, you need to know how to use oil correctly.
Composition of oil
Oil - what is it? Namely, what is its composition or what may be included in it? As mentioned above, oil can be called oil that is based on olive oil. It may also contain several fragrant oils, if they do not have a strong odor, they must also be clean. For example, pink.
With the addition of oils, they are most often used for anointing, consecration and lighting in lamps. Pure olive oil can be eaten.
The healing power of oil - what is it?
Oil can be any oil that has been blessed. Now you need to learn about its properties. Firstly, blessed oil improves physical condition, relieves pain, and relieves headaches. Secondly, it calms you down. The effect of using this oil comes very quickly and lasts for a long period of time.
The oil obtained after the consecration of oil has the most powerful healing properties. Many people suffering from illnesses come to church on the day of the ceremony in order to then experience its miraculous effect on themselves.
Oil that was consecrated at lamps in places of great power is also considered powerful. The same is said about the sacred oil, which was brought along with the relics of Orthodox saints and icons.
To get rid of headaches you need to apply it to your temples. For severe allergies, eczema and skin rashes, damaged areas of the skin are treated with gauze or a cotton swab dipped in the sacred composition. After this, the tampon or gauze must be burned! Throwing them away is strictly prohibited.
Church oil is suitable for the treatment of all diseases. It can even heal infertility. To do this, just apply it to the lower abdomen.
The oil should be kept at home next to the icons. It is important to remember when using oil that such oil should not be placed in the refrigerator or near strong heat sources (stove, radiator, heating devices), but this is true. This may negatively affect its properties.
How to use blessed oil?
First of all, truly believing Christians can use the composition for medicinal purposes. Since healing comes not only from the oil itself, but also from faith and prayers. People who follow God's path will most quickly experience the miraculous properties of the oil. If the illness is severe and does not go away for a long time, it is important to attend all communions and confessions, read prayers before going to bed and in the morning, and also study the Bible.
You need to apply the oil to the affected area of the body before going to bed. This should be done in a cross pattern, starting from the right side to the left, clearly above the place that needs healing. After application, rub in the oil until completely absorbed. You can also apply oil using a consecrated church brush or the wick of a candle purchased in the church.
Preparation of myrrh
In order to prepare this oil, there is a special ritual. Only the head of the church (metropolitan or patriarch) can prepare myrrh, which cannot be said about church oil. This happens during Holy Week. It is cooked for three days and this action does not happen every year, but once every few years.
The ritual begins on Maundy Monday, when prayers are performed in order to begin cooking this fragrant oil. Objects that are needed are sprinkled with holy water. On Monday the myrrh (oil and wine) should boil. At this time, prayers are read and the oil in the cauldron is stirred so that it does not burn.
The next day, on Holy Tuesday, more grape wine is added to the cauldron in which the future myrrh is boiled, and it is also necessary to add aromatic substances. Also, the reading of prayers continues throughout the day.
On Great Wednesday the creation of the world ends. Incense is added to the cauldron and the oil is cooled.
The myrrh also needs to be sanctified. This happens on Maundy Thursday during the Divine Liturgy.
Next, the myrrh in special vessels (mirnitsa) is transferred to churches, where it is kept on the throne.
Oil symbolism
Biblical understanding and a clear answer to the question of what it is deserves special consideration. Olive oil was called oil in the Holy Scriptures. He is mentioned 20 times in the book. In the Old Testament it was used to anoint the head of the High Priest and his descendants, to sprinkle the Tabernacle, and to mark the saints and the elect.
In the New Testament, anointing with oil occurs only four times. The reason for all these procedures remains unclear, although it is said that the sacred oil was applied to the head during periods of prosperity, prosperity, abundant harvest, festivals and celebrations. A person with oil on his head was considered blessed and successful.
Oil was also applied in order to gain joy, strength and protection from God, his blessing and favor. Such oil had to be renewed every day through anointing.
The process of anointing itself was the act of transferring supernatural powers and abilities to a specific person.
If we talk about whether the use of oil is important for modern believers, then there is no clear answer. There are no clear instructions regarding this in the Bible, although there is no prohibition on this ritual either.
Composition of myrrh
According to legend, this oil originally contained about fifty components. At present, their number has decreased to forty.
The traditional composition of myrrh is pure high quality oil. The next necessary component will be grape wine. Myrrh, the oil of which is used in church ceremonies, simply cannot be prepared well without it. The wine will prevent burning during cooking and possible fire.
The remaining ingredients for the oil are incense. There are no clear guidelines on this in the church bylaws, so oils and substances may vary and vary. Let's list some possible ones:
- rose petals, as well as rose oil;
- incense;
- roots of violet, galangal;
- Oils may also include lemon, nutmeg and others.
Meanings of the word oil. What is oil?
Oil (ancient Greek ἔλαιον - olive oil) is the Church Slavonic name for olive, and later for other vegetable oil in Orthodox church use. Oil (olive oil) has been used since ancient times for skin care.
OIL [from Greek. ἔλαιον], olive oil, in Christ. Church is one of the substances of the sacraments, used in the most important liturgical rites and endowed with rich symbolic meaning.
Oil is consecrated oil, usually olive oil mixed with incense. Since ancient times, oil has been considered a healing substance. Since Old Testament times, oil has signified grace, joy, and revival.
Orthodox encyclopedia "ABC of Faith"
Oil is the purest part of the oil squeezed (knocked out) from olive fruits, one of the important food products in ancient times (4Ts 4.2). Oil, along with bread and wine, was considered one of the most important agricultural products...
Vikhlyantsev V. Bible dictionary. — 1994
ELEI The old Russian name for olive oil, used until the end of the 19th century, combined two types of olive oil - the highest grade, called Provencal, and the lowest grade, “wooden” oil.
Pokhlebkin V.V. Great Encyclopedia of Culinary Arts
Yeley-Igai is a river in Russia, flowing in the Tomsk region. The mouth of the river is located 957 km along the right bank of the Vasyugan River. The length of the river is 12 km. According to the state water register of Russia, it belongs to the Verkhneobsky basin district.
Olive, oil, oil
Olive, oil, fir I. M. is an evergreen tree, widespread in Palestine, as well as its fruit. M. cultivated, called olive ((Olea europaea sativa) Heb. zayit; Greek elaya)…
Brockhaus Biblical Encyclopedia
ANOINTING - in the Orthodox Church. liturgy, the general name for various types of anointing with consecrated oil (see articles Oil, Blessing of Oil, Baptism), primarily the anointing of the faithful with oil at the all-night vigil.
ANOINTING OF ANOINTING is a rite performed in the Orthodox Church. c. at the festive all-night vigil. During the litia, the blessing of bread, wheat, wine and oil (olive oil used for burning in lamps in front of icons) takes place.
Humanitarian Dictionary. — 2002
ANOINTING [Unction; Greek τὸ εὐχέλαιον (ἅϒίον ἔλαιον), lit. - prayer oil (holy oil)], one of the 7 church sacraments, in which, when anointing the body of a sick person with specially consecrated oil, the grace of God is called upon it...
Blessing of oil (or unction) is a sacrament of the Orthodox and Catholic churches, consisting of anointing the body with consecrated oil, one of the seven sacraments, which, according to the teachings of the Orthodox and Catholic churches, serves as spiritual healing for bodily ailments.
Unction (blessing of oil) Unction, or Blessing of Unction, is one of the seven Sacraments of the Church, consisting of priests anointing a sick person with blessed oil, with the reading of the Gospel, the Apostle and prayers invoking Divine grace.
What is myrrh
This is a special mixture of oils, and also includes many other components (incense, fragrant herbs). Miro is a fairly ancient substance. It was made back in the Old Testament era. Then its use was wider. Kings ascended the throne after anointing, and this action was also performed on high priests and prophets.
Nowadays it is mainly used during baptism. The Sacrament of Confirmation appeared in those days when the tradition for the newly baptized was to lay hands on a bishop or apostle, as a result of which he received the Gift of the Holy Spirit, as well as a blessing.
As Christians became more numerous over time, this became impossible to do. That is why the Sacrament of Confirmation appeared, since this oil is prepared with the direct participation and blessing of the head of the church.
The meaning of the word oil
oil in the crossword dictionary
Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language, Dal Vladimir
m. church. lat. and German olive, wood oil. Holy oil, consecrated according to the rites of the church, for anointing Christians on various occasions.
Cal. lean hemp oil; talk and Olya M. Oliya F. Little Russian The truth is oil, it floats to the top everywhere. Permission for wine and oil, days on which the monastery charter allows monks this food. Unctuous, related to oil. Unctuous pod or knot, used. when anointing with oil. Eleinik, -Nichek Kaluzhsk. hard lamp for an icon, ark. Anoint someone with oil, anoint someone, church. smear St. oil, making the image of the cross on his forehead. -sya, to be anointed with oil. Anointing cf. this action. Bless someone, church. unction to St. oil, oil. -sya, to be unctioned. Blessing of Oil Wed. a church sacrament performed by seven priests, and if necessary by one, over the sick; Unction with oil. Oil-bearing or oil-forming gas, chemical. carbonaceous, hydrogen dioxide.
Explanatory dictionary of the Russian language. D.N. Ushakov
oil, plural no, m. (Greek elaion).
Olive oil, used. in a church service (church).
trans. About something. soothing, healing mental pain, etc. (poet.). The wounds of my conscience received pure oil from your fragrant speeches. Pushkin.
Explanatory dictionary of the Russian language. S.I.Ozhegov, N.Yu.Shvedova.
-i, m. Olive oil, used. in church rituals. Anointing with oil.
adj. unctuous, -aya, -oe.
New explanatory dictionary of the Russian language, T. F. Efremova.
Olive oil used in church services.
Low grade olive oil; wood oil.
trans. What soothes heals mental pain.
trans. Exaggerated courtesy, cloying tenderness in speech, in address; sweetness.
Wikipedia
Oil is the Church Slavonic name for olive and later other vegetable oil in Orthodox church use. Oil. Oil is used for anointing, unction and litia. The image of oil as a symbol of God's mercy is found frequently in Scripture. Currently, purchasing olive oil of various stages of purification is not very difficult. Oils blessed by bishop's prayer are prepared for use in churches.
Anointing is also performed on those who join the church, having been baptized earlier, for example, in childhood, but for some reason turned away from the path of God. If such a person repents and expresses a desire to become a church member, the ministers anoint him with oil during confirmation, on the basis where by a sick person it is necessary to understand not only a physically sick person, but also a spiritual one. The need for restoration to church membership corresponds to the need for spiritual healing, which is accompanied by anointing. Some Reformed churches give a more practical meaning to the use of unction oils than the traditional Orthodox Church, in which the use of oils takes on the status of Sacraments. However, such a practical approach among Orthodox Reformed people does not exclude the spiritual significance of using oils with incense to propitiate the Lord God, exalt him and glorify him. Before celebrating the liturgy with Holy Communion, church ministers rub the parts of the body exposed from vestments with fragrant oils.
In the old meaning, this is the Russian name for olive oil, used until the end of the 19th century. It combined two types of olive oil - the highest, called Provençal, and the lowest - wood oil. Also in the Russian language a concept was formed: “to pour oil,” that is, to flatter. This is an allusion to the ritual of "anointing" with special oil, which was part of the ceremony performed in ancient times when the kings of Israel were enthroned and the high priests were ordained.
The Mystery of Holy Oil. How is the Blessing of Anointing performed?
The Mystery of Holy Oil
It is interesting to note that in church liturgical books the Sacrament of the Blessing of Unction is simply called Oil or Holy Oil.
Why oil? Let's remember the Gospel parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-35). A certain Samaritan met a man injured by robbers on the road, took pity on him, bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine. In general, in ancient times, spruce was often used as a medicine, which, enveloping the wound with a thin film, softens it and at the same time does not allow dirt to penetrate inside. In this case, what is important for us is that the Samaritan’s libation of oil was a manifestation of mercy.
Likewise, in the Sacrament of Unction, oil is a symbol of God’s mercy poured out on man. And not just a symbol. This substance is truly united with God’s grace, which mercifully heals our soul and body.
Let us also remember that the Venerable Seraphim of Sarov, interpreting the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:3-4), understood oil as an image of the grace of the Holy Spirit, which must be acquired like the wise virgins. Let us also note that oil is a pure substance and therefore symbolizes purity and sincerity, without which it is impossible to acquire grace. Oil also signifies the zeal of Christians, because the wise virgins, when meeting the groom, did not forget to take oil with the Lamps.
Even in the Old Testament, anointing someone with oil symbolically expressed the influx of grace onto that person. Thus, kings, prophets and high priests were anointed, which signified their entry into the field of God’s chosen service. Oil is also widely used in the New Testament Church. In particular, anointing with holy oil is performed in the Sacrament of Baptism before three times immersion in water. Let us also remember polyeleos, the very name of which (from Greek “much oil”) means that at this moment of the service all the lamps filled with oil are lit. As Blessed Simeon, Archbishop of Thessaloniki wrote, “there is nothing of unimportance in the Church of the Great God and our Savior Jesus Christ, and nothing in it is allowed without significance: for it is the Church of the Living Word Himself. Everything here has a deep meaning." During polyeleos, a lot of fire and light becomes a symbol of grace, warming and enlightening the soul. The polyeleos ends with the anointing of all present with holy oil.
And how many cases are there known of the streaming of myrrh from icons or relics of saints, when fragrant oil miraculously exudes, with which they are anointed for blessing. There is also a tradition according to which lay people can take oil from churches, which was in lamps near holy relics, in front of miraculous and generally revered icons, and then, with faith and prayer, anoint themselves and their neighbors with it in a cross pattern. At the same time, a short prayer formula is pronounced: In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen . Even in the 4th century, Saint John Chrysostom testified that those who in his time were anointed with such oil with faith and reverence received healings. And the Monk Seraphim of Sarov, talking with those who came and accepting confession from some, read a prayer of permission over them and, in conclusion, anointed his forehead with oil from the lamp that burned in front of the holy icon in his cell. Because, as blessed Simeon of Thessaloniki rightly said, “the oil of the lamp... is sanctified by burning before the Lord,” and therefore, we add, that it is sanctified by pure prayer addressed to God.
So, oil is a symbol of the purity and zeal of sincere Christians, a symbol of God’s mercy and mercy addressed to man, and a symbol of the grace of the Holy Spirit, healing the soul and body of a person. Therefore, the use of oil in the Sacrament of Unction is not accidental, but deeply symbolic and filled with grace-filled power.
In the history of the Church, the action of God's grace was often combined with oil. Thus, Saint Palladius, Bishop of Elenopolis (368 - 430), tells that in his time in Egypt, on Mount Nitria, there lived an ascetic named Benjamin, whose virtuous life had lasted for eighty years. For his high deeds of virtue, he was awarded the gift of healing, so that he would lay hands on the sick person or give him blessed oil, and the sick person would completely recover.
The ancient Christian author Presbyter Rufinus (IV century), in his work “The Life of the Desert Fathers,” also describes some cases. In particular, Saint John, who lived in the Egyptian desert, became famous for his gift of clairvoyance and miracles, healed the sick in the following way. To avoid the slightest vanity, he did not allow the sick to be brought to him, but, having blessed the oil, passed it on to them, and, being anointed, they were healed of every ailment. One day, the senator's wife lost her sight. She began to ask her husband to take her to Saint John, but her husband replied that the ascetic did not accept women. Then the wife insisted that John at least be informed about her illness and ask for his prayers. The husband sent an embassy to John, and the ascetic, having prayed and blessed the oil, gave it to the sick woman. She anointed her eyes with oil for three days and regained her sight.
It is said about Saint Ammon (IV century) that in his time a terrible dragon (probably a large crocodile - author) devastated neighboring areas and many people died from it. The inhabitants of this country came to Saint Ammon and asked him to deliver them from the beast. To make it more convincing, they brought with them a boy, the son of a shepherd, who went crazy at the first sight of the dragon. The elder anointed the boy with oil and restored him to health. It remains to add that then Saint Ammon, in the name of Christ, killed the dragon.
The following amazing story is connected with the Monk Macarius (IV century). In a certain Egyptian city, one father of a family had a maiden daughter. Suddenly everyone, out of superstition, imagined that she was not a person, but a horse. They brought her to Macarius. "What you need?" - asked the reverend. “Well, this was our daughter,” the parents answered, “but evil people, with the help of sorcery, turned her into a horse. Pray to the Lord to break the spell.” Saint Macarius said to this: “What are you saying? What I see in front of me is not a horse, but a girl, and there is nothing equine about her. Your imagination is deceiving you. This is a demonic obsession, nothing more.” He brought the girl and her parents into his cell, knelt down and began to pray, ordering the girl’s parents to pray as well. Then he anointed her with oil in the name of the Lord, thereby exposing the general delusion, and everyone again began to see only the girl.
So, saints often used oil as a substance with which God’s grace was united through prayer. When anointing with this oil, the body is healed, and the soul is freed from the power of demonic obsessions and spells. In ancient history, there was even a case when the Roman emperor Septimius Severus (193 - 211) for a long time maintained favor towards Christians, due to the fact that the Christian Proculus healed him with oil from diseases.
But, probably, the reader will be surprised to learn that in the Sacrament of the Blessing of Anointing there is a disproportionately greater grace at work than during the aforementioned anointings (unless in the case of St. Macarius we are talking about the Sacrament of the Blessing of Anointing). All of the listed anointings with holy oil are outwardly similar to the Blessing of Unction, but do not have a sacramental, religious and sacramental character. The oil from lamps, used by holy ascetics to heal the sick, was not specially, according to the rite of the Sacrament established by the Church, consecrated by the elders, but received consecration through use in the temple, during services before holy relics or icons, or through personal prayer. Anointing with oil brought spiritual and physical benefits not so much because of the power it contained, but because of God’s special mercy for the piety of those who performed the anointing and for the faith of those who accepted it. In the Sacrament of Unction, the gracious action has its source not in the personal piety of the clergyman and not in the proximity of the oil to the shrines, but in the sacramental gift imparted to the Sacrament of Unction. Thanks to the special rite of the Sacrament of the Oil of Unction, it itself becomes a shrine that affects the patient, even if he has difficulty controlling his mental and physical powers and if the priest is far from holiness.
What did the apostle James mean?
In the Holy Scriptures of the New Testament, in the Catholic Epistle of the Apostle James, there are these words: 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 forgive him. Confess your faults to each other and pray for each other in order to be healed: the fervent prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much (James 5:14-16). This is a fairly deep, heartfelt depiction of the essence and meaning of the Blessing of Unction. These words are especially worth paying attention to.
Protestants reinterpret these words in their own way, trying to exclude the meaning of the secret service of the priests of the Church. But in the words of the Apostle James it is the Church Sacrament that is described, and not a simple medical action. In this regard, we highlight the following characteristic features:
1. In case of illness, a Christian calls not ordinary doctors and not ordinary elders (from Greek “presbyter” means “eldest”), but rather the elders of the Church, that is, priests - successors of the holy apostles by gifts of grace.
2. In the East, oil was often used as a healing remedy, but for a simple anointing with oil one person would be enough, but the Epistle commands to call elders, that is, a council of priests.
3. The New Testament instructs elders to pray and then anoint the sick person with oil. This means that we are talking about a special sacred rite. The anointing itself is not done just like that, but in the name of the Lord according to the authority given to the apostles.
4. Let us also note that in simple medical practice, oil was not considered a cure for all diseases. Medicine relies on the chemical properties of substances that may have the desired effect in some cases and not in others. And holy oil is used regardless of the type of illness.
5. Healing is based not simply on anointing, but on prayer and faith: the prayer of faith will heal the sick, and anointing with consecrated oil is a visible action through which grace is bestowed.
6. The fruit of such anointing is not only the healing of the sick, but also the forgiveness of sins: and if he has committed sins, they will forgive him, which a simple anointing with oil would not give, that is, we are talking specifically about the Sacrament of the Church, in which grace cleanses the soul and heals the body .
From the words of the Apostle James it is clearly seen that in the Sacrament of the Blessing of Unction two Divine gifts are sent down to people from above.
One is physical healing. After all, spiritual shepherds, priests, who have been given a special gift to intercede for people before God, pray for the sick during Unction. The priest anoints the sick person with consecrated oil in the same way as the holy apostles, when healing the sick, prayed and anointed them with oil (see Mark 6:13), and each priest is the successor of the holy apostles in terms of gifts of grace. In addition, the Unction is often attended by relatives and friends of the patient, who also pray. The patient himself prays as much as his strength allows. It turns out a whole cathedral of worshipers in full accordance with the very name of the Sacrament of Unction. And the Lord promised: Truly I also say to you that if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven (Matthew 18:19). This common prayer of faith, the prayer of the elders who perform the Blessing of Unction, the prayer of the one who receives the Sacrament of the sick person and his relatives and friends, saves the sick person.
Another gift is forgiveness of sins. This gift makes a person pure and provides him with the most precious treasure - the Kingdom of Heaven. Usually people pay attention only to the first gift - to those visible miracles (in particular, bodily healings), which, by the grace of God, can be given in the Church, and do not notice the most important thing. However, at the Blessing of Anointing, disproportionately more is granted than just physical healing, which, by the way, according to God’s Providence, may not happen. At the Blessing of Unction, remission of sins is given - and for the eternal salvation of the soul this is the most important gift, irreplaceable by anything else.
However, in connection with the remission of sins served at the Unction, it is important to know that the Blessing of Unction does not replace the Sacrament of Repentance. At the Unction, not absolutely all sins are forgiven, but only those committed out of ignorance and forgotten due to human weakness. Therefore, in order to receive the Blessing of Unction in a worthy manner, it is advisable to first confess your sins as fully as possible.
How is the Blessing of Anointing performed?
So we came to the church for Unction, and perhaps, due to severe illness, we invited the elders (or one priest) to our home. A table is placed in front of us, with a dish of wheat on it. The grains symbolize new life - deliverance from disease and the future general resurrection.
A small vessel with oil is placed in a dish with wheat. As we have already said, oil signifies the mercy of God. He is a visible sign of the grace of healing. Red wine is added to the oil - let us remember the parable of the Good Samaritan, who poured not only oil but also wine onto the wounds of a beaten man (wine was used as a disinfectant). Red wine is added in remembrance of the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, shed on the Cross for the human race.
Around the vessel, seven wax candles are placed in wheat, which are lit when the Sacrament is performed. And between the candles there are seven sticks, entwined with cotton wool at one end and serving for anointing the sick person seven times. The Gospel and the Cross are also placed on the table.
The priests, dressed in phelonions, stand near the table with lighted candles in their hands. Candles are distributed to everyone present. We see how the first of the priests censes the table and all those present; the swirls of incense, hugging those present, symbolize the grace of the Holy Spirit, healing in the Sacrament.
The first priest, facing the east, proclaims: Blessed is our God always, now and ever and unto ages of ages . And the Sacrament begins to take place, by participating in which we completely surrender ourselves, our lives, salvation and healing into the hands of God.
In the celebration of the Sacrament of the Blessing of Anointing, three essential parts can be distinguished: prayer singing, the consecration of the oil and the anointing of the congregation with it.
Prayer singing is reminiscent of Lenten Matins.
Lord, hear my prayer, inspire my supplication in Thy truth, hear me in Thy righteousness, and do not enter into judgment with Thy servant, for everyone who lives will not be justified before You... - in the words of the psalmist king David, the participants in the Unction address God (Ps. 142, 1 – 2). The penitential troparia are sung: Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us; Baffled by any answer, we offer this prayer to You as the Master of sin: have mercy on us...
We hear the fiftieth psalm: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy, and according to the multitude of Your mercies, cleanse my iniquity... And then the spiritual shepherds read the canon and pray for our healing, forgiveness of our sins, sanctification and salvation of our soul: Master and Lord, Grant healing to Thy ailing servant, have mercy, have mercy on him who has sinned many times, and forgive sins, O Christ, for he may glorify Thy Divine power.
So, the rite of Unction contains, firstly, a call to repentance and, secondly, a petition for bodily healing. After all, the source of every disease is sin - the Blessing of Anointing destroys the root of the disease, and once the cause disappears, the effect - the disease itself - can be taken away. Thus, in the Blessing of Anointing, healing is given through forgiveness. Just remember that sometimes a sin is forgiven, but the Lord leaves its consequences, including illness, for our own good. And we humbly await God's mercy.
Continuing to perform the Sacrament, the pastors of the Church consecrate the oil. How?
First of all, special petitions are offered - for the consecration of the oil: To be blessed with this oil with the power and effect and influx of the Holy Spirit. And about the one who gathers together, that is, about you and me: About the servant of God (name), and about God’s visit to him, and about the grace of the Holy Spirit coming to him.
And then a special prayer is read for the oil, so that by the grace of God it may serve us to heal mental and physical infirmities, to drive away all passions, to remove the filth of the flesh and spirit and all evil, so that through this the most holy name of God - the Father, and the Son, and Holy Spirit. Let us note that it is not the oil itself that will heal, but the grace of God that descended on the oil through the prayer of the shepherd of the Church.
We hear the singing of troparions to the Lord, the Mother of God, the saints, in particular those famous for the gift of healing: St. Nicholas, the Great Martyr Demetrius, the healer Panteleimon and all the unmercenary saints. So, those who have already given healings during their lifetime will intercede for us before the Lord - the saints - the Heavenly Church does not forget the suffering children of the earthly Church.
And then comes the most important thing - the seven anointings. Each anointing is preceded by reading selected passages from the books of the Apostles and the Gospel, which mention the healing of mental and physical ailments. Let us try to listen carefully to these texts, because they contain the entire teaching of the Church on mental and physical illness. By accepting this admonition with our own hearts, we will gain something more important than just physical healing.
Before each of the seven anointings, spiritual shepherds say a special prayer, to which we join with all our hearts.
Before the first anointing, the priest asks the Lord: Sanctify this oil, and make it... for complete deliverance from sins..., for the inheritance of the Kingdom of Heaven, and that it be the oil of gladness, the royal robe, the armor of strength, the joy of the heart, eternal joy.
And before each anointing of the congregation, the priest reads the prayer: 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 (name) from the bodily and mental infirmities that beset him, and revive it with the grace of Thy Christ... The prayer ends with invoking the name of the Mother of God and mentioning many saints. This is a secret prayer, pronounced only by a priest.
Father anoints our foreheads, nostrils, cheeks, lips, chest, hands on both sides in a cross pattern. And with each anointing of the holy oil, the saving, merciful, healing grace of the Holy Spirit invisibly acts on us.
When performing the Sacrament, the person receiving the cathedral is anointed with holy oil seven times. If the Unction is performed by seven priests, then each of them anoints us once - therefore, a whole council of priests takes part in anointing us with holy oil.
After the seventh anointing, the first priest opens the Gospel and, holding it with the letters down, places it, like the all-healing hand of the Savior Himself, on our heads, turning with prayer to God for the forgiveness of all our sins: Holy King, Most Gracious and Most Merciful, Lord Jesus Christ, Son and the Word of the Living God, not desiring the death of a sinner, but as if I were to turn and live to be him... Accept yourself and your servant, who repents of his sins, with your usual love for mankind, despising all his sins... as is your majesty, so is your mercy, and it befits you all glory, honor and worship, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
We hear several more prayer petitions, in which mercy, life, health, salvation and forgiveness of sins are asked for the one who has received the Sacrament, and then stichera are sung to the holy unmercenary healers and the Mother of God. And the dismissal is pronounced, at which the holy Apostle James, the brother of the Lord, is remembered; in his Council Epistle the doctrine of the Blessing of Anointing is clearly set out. We kiss the Cross and the Gospel, ask everyone for forgiveness, which is required after the completion of this Sacrament, and with peace in our souls we continue our path in life.
It would seem that the rite of Unction should be as brief as possible. After all, it is performed on the sick, often in serious condition. In fact, the rite of Anointing is the longest among the rites of the seven Sacraments. This is a whole Lenten service! And perhaps this is how the wisdom of God’s Providence is revealed. Illnesses greatly exhaust us, and in order to receive healing, we also need to be patient. The long rite of the Blessing of Anointing leaves an indelible impression on the soul; during seven prayers and readings, we seem to come into contact with eternity, in which the soul perceives the mercy of God.
In order to become worthy participants in God’s mercy, it is necessary to prepare for the Sacrament.
