Unction & Visitation of the Sick
“Is any among you sick, let him call for the presbyters 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. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”
When a loved one is sick, in the hospital or home bound it is appropriate to contact the clergy to visit to offer prayers for their recovery, offer the eucharist or Holy Unction. One may also request prayers for healing and Holy Unction following the Divine Services. Holy Unction cannot be taken home by the laity, and must be administered by the clergy.
The Sacrament of Holy Unction stands as a testament to the fact that the “healing ministry of Christ is a primary task of the Church, which is the presence of Christ in this sick and fallen world. We are Christ’s presence in the world, and we, as the Church, are charged with bringing healing to those around us….Jesus’ healing ministry addresses the entire person. We learn [through the Gospels] that physical illness is but a symptom f the sickness that pervades the whole world, which has its source in sin (though not necessarily the individual sin of the sick person). In this case, Jesus removes the source of the illness before he cures the symptoms. (The Anointing of the Sick, 11; 15, Meyendorf).
Holy Unction is olive oil which has been blessed. Through the course of the service seven epistle readings, seven gospel readings, and seven prayers are read to consecrate the oil. “In the ancient world, long before the modern hospital and sophisticated technology of modern medicine, anointing with oil was commonly practiced by pagans and Jews alike. Olive oil, abundant in the Mediterranean world, was the ‘aspirin’ of the age. Philo, the first-century Jewish writer, notes that Syrians, Babylonians, Indians and Scythians all prepared special ointments using oil and other ingredients. It was commonly used among the Romans also. Thus the Christian practice of using oil was nothing new, simply the Christianization of elements from the cultures in which they lived” (The Anointing of the Sick, 32, Meyendorf). The Church, in carrying out its mission to sanctify the world and all aspects of life, naturally integrated “actions from daily life—washing, eating, drinking, the laying on of hands. There is nothing uniquely Christian about any of these. What makes them Christian is their integration with prayer and thanksgiving, their inclusion in the life of the Church and of each of her members” (The Anointing of the Sick, 32, Meyendorf).
Many are familiar with the tradition of celebrating the sacrament of Holy Unction on Holy Wednesday, but it can be offered throughout the year. In fact, it is logical to offer it at the outset of a fasting period since Holy Unction is for the remission of sins and restoration of health of soul and body. It is sensible to participate in this sacrament at such a time out of preparation for the coming feast.
