The Unction of the SickThe Unction of the Sick

What do you do when your sick?What do you do when your sick?

What is the first thing you do What is the first thing you do when you get sick?when you get sick?

Mom usually takes you to go Mom usually takes you to go see a doctor and he takes your see a doctor and he takes your temperature and gives you temperature and gives you medication.medication.

What is another thing you What is another thing you SHOULD do when you get SHOULD do when you get sick?sick?

Tell your father of confession Tell your father of confession about your sickness. about your sickness.

God uses doctors and priests God uses doctors and priests in the healing process.in the healing process.

The SacramentThe Sacrament The Unction of the Sick is a sacrament in which The Unction of the Sick is a sacrament in which

the priest prays seven prayers on the sick the priest prays seven prayers on the sick people and then anoints them with the Holy Oil.people and then anoints them with the Holy Oil.

It is referred to in Arabic as “Kandeel” because It is referred to in Arabic as “Kandeel” because the priest used to use an oil lamp “Kandeel” with the priest used to use an oil lamp “Kandeel” with 7 “oil-lamps” each of which is lit at the beginning 7 “oil-lamps” each of which is lit at the beginning of each prayer.of each prayer.

Now the priest just uses a dish with oil in it and 7 Now the priest just uses a dish with oil in it and 7 pieces of cotton, arranged in the shape of a pieces of cotton, arranged in the shape of a cross, which are lit at the beginning of each cross, which are lit at the beginning of each prayer.prayer.

So why do we have 7 prayers?So why do we have 7 prayers?

St. James said; “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the St. James said; “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with 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, oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven Confess be forgiven Confess youryour trespasses to one another, and pray for trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like of a righteous man avails much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruitagain, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit.” .” (James 5:14 -18)(James 5:14 -18)

Elijah the prophet prayed Elijah the prophet prayed 7 times 7 times before the rain came! before the rain came!

(1kings 18:44).(1kings 18:44).

When was this Sacrament When was this Sacrament established ?established ?

We do not know the exact time We do not know the exact time or occasion when our Lord or occasion when our Lord instituted this Sacrament, which instituted this Sacrament, which is no surprise for there are many is no surprise for there are many things that the Lord did that were things that the Lord did that were not written one by one not written one by one (Jn (Jn 21:25), 21:25), but we but we know that the know that the Lord said:Lord said:

“ “Heal the sick, cleanse the Heal the sick, cleanse the leper.” leper.” (Mt 10:8)(Mt 10:8)

“ “Whatever city you enter, Whatever city you enter, and they received you … and they received you … heal the sick who are heal the sick who are there.” there.” (Lk 10:8-9)(Lk 10:8-9)

The apostles carried out the The apostles carried out the SacramentSacrament

The Apostles ministered this sacrament: “So The Apostles ministered this sacrament: “So they went out and preached that people should they went out and preached that people should repent. And they cast out many demons, repent. And they cast out many demons, and and anointed with oil many who were sickanointed with oil many who were sick, and , and healed them” (Mark 6:12-13).healed them” (Mark 6:12-13).

St. James stressed on the importance of this St. James stressed on the importance of this sacrament: “Is anyone among you sick? Let him sacrament: “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (James has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (James 5:14-15).5:14-15).

Confession before the SacramentConfession before the Sacrament

The purpose of this sacrament The purpose of this sacrament is to heal the spirit. If the spirit is to heal the spirit. If the spirit heals, they body may also heals, they body may also heal. How do we heal our heal. How do we heal our spirits?? spirits?? St. James answersSt. James answers: :

““Is anyone among you sick? Let Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. Lord will raise him up. And if he And if he has committed sins, he will be has committed sins, he will be forgiven Confess forgiven Confess youryour trespasses trespasses to one another, and pray for one to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healedanother, that you may be healed.”.”

The importance of a Priest’s visitThe importance of a Priest’s visit There is no objection to seeking medicine and There is no objection to seeking medicine and

the doctors, but equally important (or even more the doctors, but equally important (or even more important) is seeking the priest (church).important) is seeking the priest (church).

A sick person should ask the priest to come and A sick person should ask the priest to come and officiate the Sacrament of the Unction of the officiate the Sacrament of the Unction of the Sick, so that he may be granted healing from Sick, so that he may be granted healing from God. But he MUST have faith that God is able to God. But he MUST have faith that God is able to heal him “And the prayer of faith will save the heal him “And the prayer of faith will save the sick”.sick”.

A person cannot however rely completely on A person cannot however rely completely on medicine and deny the power of God.medicine and deny the power of God.

The Priest’s visit to the sick person to The Priest’s visit to the sick person to minister the Unction freely (Matthew minister the Unction freely (Matthew 10:8), is a living proof of the “living 10:8), is a living proof of the “living Body of Christ”.Body of Christ”.

The best time for administering the The best time for administering the Sacrament is early morning when the Sacrament is early morning when the sick can be able to take communion.sick can be able to take communion.

The rite of the AnointingThe rite of the Anointing On the forehead: this is the region of thoughts and On the forehead: this is the region of thoughts and

senses.senses. On the chest: where the heart is: “Keep your heart with On the chest: where the heart is: “Keep your heart with

all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life” (Proverbs 4:23).(Proverbs 4:23).

On the hands: they are the tools of labor.On the hands: they are the tools of labor. God is blessing the person’s thoughts, senses, heart, God is blessing the person’s thoughts, senses, heart,

and labor. He is anointed in the Name of the Holy Trinity, and labor. He is anointed in the Name of the Holy Trinity, who sanctifies everything.who sanctifies everything.

Anyone not baptized cannot be anointed. “Whatever city Anyone not baptized cannot be anointed. “Whatever city you enter, you enter, and they received you and they received you … heal the sick who … heal the sick who are there.” are there.” (Lk 10:8-9)(Lk 10:8-9)

The sick person is to continue anointing himself/herself The sick person is to continue anointing himself/herself for seven days in the same manner,and with faith that he for seven days in the same manner,and with faith that he will be granted healing.will be granted healing.

How should the sick person prepare and How should the sick person prepare and do before, during, and after thedo before, during, and after the

sacrament?sacrament? Have faith in God’s healing power.Have faith in God’s healing power. Have faith and trust in the priest who will minister the Have faith and trust in the priest who will minister the

Sacrament as he has faith in the physician that will Sacrament as he has faith in the physician that will administer his treatment.administer his treatment.

Confess before the Unction, and take Communion Confess before the Unction, and take Communion afterwards.afterwards.

He/ she (as well as all who will attend) must be fasting, He/ she (as well as all who will attend) must be fasting, as much as he/ she can: 9 hours if possible, or less with as much as he/ she can: 9 hours if possible, or less with absolution of the father of confession.absolution of the father of confession.

Be physically clean.Be physically clean. Live with God and serve Him as did Peter’s mother-in-law Live with God and serve Him as did Peter’s mother-in-law

(Matthew 8:15) and Mary Magdalene (Mark 15:4) when (Matthew 8:15) and Mary Magdalene (Mark 15:4) when they were healed.they were healed.

Thank God regardless of the outcome.Thank God regardless of the outcome.

Why do people sometimes receive this Why do people sometimes receive this Sacrament and yet are not healed?Sacrament and yet are not healed?

Sometimes the person may not have enough faith or the Sometimes the person may not have enough faith or the sickness may be for death, which is the “greatest” sickness may be for death, which is the “greatest” healing of all bodily diseases.healing of all bodily diseases.

The sickness may be for discipline, which God will The sickness may be for discipline, which God will remove when He sees that it has performed its function, remove when He sees that it has performed its function, as an example Job’s sickness for seven years and as an example Job’s sickness for seven years and Miriam, Moses’ sister’s leprosy for seven days (after Miriam, Moses’ sister’s leprosy for seven days (after Moses prayed for her) (Numbers 12).Moses prayed for her) (Numbers 12).

The sickness may be for edification; Lazarus the poor The sickness may be for edification; Lazarus the poor who had skin sores. Also, St. Paul who prayed three who had skin sores. Also, St. Paul who prayed three times to be healed but God said to him, “My strength is times to be healed but God said to him, “My strength is made perfect in weakness” made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9).(2 Cor 12:9).

We need to understand that in this Sacrament we do not We need to understand that in this Sacrament we do not dictate to God what to do but rather ask for his mercies.dictate to God what to do but rather ask for his mercies.

Why does the Church perform this Sacrament Why does the Church perform this Sacrament to the whole congregation on the last Friday of to the whole congregation on the last Friday of

the Lent?the Lent?

During the Holy Week of Pascha, the During the Holy Week of Pascha, the Church does not perform this Sacrament Church does not perform this Sacrament and therefore performs it and anoints the and therefore performs it and anoints the entire congregation on the last Friday of entire congregation on the last Friday of the Lent. Moreover, many are weak from the Lent. Moreover, many are weak from fasting and this anointing helps them to fasting and this anointing helps them to continue with the scheduled prayers and continue with the scheduled prayers and food abstinence of the Pascha.food abstinence of the Pascha.

ConclusionConclusion

The Lord is the True Physician of our The Lord is the True Physician of our souls. He heals all our illnesses through souls. He heals all our illnesses through His Holy Sacrament of Unction of the Sick. His Holy Sacrament of Unction of the Sick. We must prepare ourselves with We must prepare ourselves with repentance and a strong faith and we will repentance and a strong faith and we will be healed.be healed.

Memory VerseMemory Verse

““Is anyone among you sick? Is anyone among you sick? Let him call Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” will be forgiven”

(James 5:14 -15)(James 5:14 -15)