Theย mysteryย ofย holy unction
Theย mysteryย ofย holy unctionย provides both physical and spiritual healing withย holy oilblessed by theย Holy Spirit. It is most commonly celebrated duringย Holy Weekย on Holy Wednesday evening, but private services are also common. Everyone in theย parishย in good ecclesiastical standing may be anointed with the holy oil for the healing of spiritual and bodily ills. As this is one of theย sacramentsย of theย Orthodox Church, it may be administered only to Orthodox Christians.
The oil carries God’sย graceย both to renew the body and to cleanse the spirit. The service follows the apostolic tradition mentioned in theย New Testament: “…let him call for 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 save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (Jamesย 5:14-15).
Holy unction is aย mysteryย of great comfort to the faithful. It provides uplifting and asks for patience to accept the will of God whatever the physical outcome.
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