For many, unification is associated with a dying church rite, because a priest is always invited to a dying person for the last anointing. I was very surprised when my sister-in-law offered to undergo unction during Great Lent. I'm not going to die, why should I take unction? But it turned out that I was greatly mistaken, and the Sacrament of Unction is carried out even for healthy young people. In this article I will tell you about the peculiarities of the blessing, when it is performed and why.

During the blessing of oil (anointing with blessed church oil), God's grace descends on a person. At this time, one can heal from serious ailments. But the main meaning of unction is to forgive even those sins that a person does not know or have forgotten. Although unction is for dying people, it is meant for all believers. Only children under seven years of age are not gathered, since they do not commit conscious sins.

Unction is one of the seven sacraments of the Church and differs from prayer or liturgy. If during the prayer service we testify to our faith, we hope for forgiveness and God's mercy. Then, during the Sacraments, God's grace descends on a person, regardless of his merits.

The sacrament of blessing of oil was established by the apostles, disciples of Jesus:

Since most diseases are caused by the sins of a person, forgiveness of sins leads to bodily healing. However, guile will not help a person receive God's grace. If at confession a believer hid his sins, counting on automatic forgiveness through blessing of oil, this option will not work. God sees the heart of man and knows all his secret thoughts. Therefore, before the unction, one should go through confession and repent of everything sincerely.

Why is unification of uncleanness called unction? Because 7 priests take part in the ceremony - the cathedral. During the anointing, 7 chapters are read from the gospel after the obligatory prayers. The number 7 in Christianity is considered sacred and denotes the completeness of something. After each reading of a chapter from the gospel, the priest anoints the believer's body with oil. In total, 7 anointing is performed.

The sacrament of unction is performed in the temple during the days of Great Lent, as well as in any other place where a seriously ill person is. If a believer assembles on Lenten days, he must observe an ecclesiastical fast. However, seriously ill people can not adhere to this rule if they are prescribed a medical diet.

What should be done after the unification of oil? It is necessary to partake of the Holy Gifts at the next Liturgy.

The Difference Between Anointing and Anointing

Some believers do not see the difference between chrismation and unction, and the anointing of the All-night Vigil. Confirmation (seal of the Holy Spirit) is carried out immediately after the baptism of a person, these are two complementary Sacraments. The anointing during the All-night Vigil does not apply to the Sacraments; it is part of the church rite.

Who needs to take unction

The blessing of oil must be performed on a dying person in order to cleanse the soul from sins. The sacrament is also performed on all Orthodox Christians suffering from physical and mental ailments. For example, despair and sadness are considered mental weaknesses that require healing. Unconscious sins, which a Christian does not take into account, weigh heavily on the soul - hence sorrow, grief and despondency appear.

The sacrament is not performed on mentally ill people and sick people in an unconscious state.

Many believers do not understand why unction is needed if there is a Sacrament of repentance? Human nature is inherently weak, and we cannot always be aware of our sins. The intercession of a council of priests for a person has tremendous spiritual strength, because God is pleased when they pray for their brothers and sisters. The council of priests pleads with the Lord to grant the believer forgiveness of sins and bodily healing, and this prayer cannot but be heard.

What sins are forgiven during unction:

• long forgotten and unconfessed;
• committed in ignorance;
• about which a seriously ill patient cannot tell for health reasons;
• which cannot be redeemed by good deeds.

Are all believers healed after the Sacrament of Unction? There is a superstition that after the blessing of oil a person will recover or die. It's a delusion. Healing may not be, because everything is God's will. The believer should strive to improve, lead a God-fearing lifestyle, and not be discouraged by unreceived healing. Unction is not a magical rite or a medical procedure, but the grace of God.

Healing is a free gift of God's grace, which does not depend on the performed actions of people. It is necessary, first of all, to think about spiritual things, and not the desire to get help in need.

Seriously ill people sometimes fear the blessing of oil, thinking that it will inevitably lead to death. But this is a serious misconception. The death hour of a person does not depend on the church rite. God can prolong the life of a sick person so that he can take care of his soul: he has time to repent, receive communion and prepare for the hour of death.

Questions and answers

Is special preparation required for the Sacrament? If possible, it is advisable to confess and take communion before blessing. For the blessing, bringing with you vegetable (olive) oil, cahors, candles, rice (wheat).

You must come to the Sacrament in advance and register in the church shop, indicating your baptismal name. You also need to buy a candle there.

Do you need special clothing for unction? Since the priest will crosswise smear the chest with oil, you should wear a jacket with buttons or a zipper. Do not wear a sweater or turtleneck. It is recommended that you take a handkerchief or napkin for the Sacrament of Anointing to remove excess oil from the skin.

How many times a year can you receive unction? Enough once, unless an unexpected illness or traumatic event occurs.

Unction does not replace the sacrament of repentance and does not cancel it.

Can medical treatment be continued after unction? Spiritual healing does not cancel medical treatment, as they are different things. It is necessary to complete the entire course of the prescribed therapy to the end.

Can you eat meat after healing? Many people believe that the healing they have received will prohibit them from eating meat. This is a superstition not related to church rules.

Is it necessary to fast on Mondays after healing?except Wednesday and Friday? This also applies to superstition; unction does not impose an obligation of additional delivery.

There is another superstition that after unction, it is forbidden to have conjugal relations and take a steam bath... This is an absolute delusion that does not apply to church canons and rules.

How to use blessed oil correctlytaken from the church? Fir can be added to food, as well as smear cruciform sore spots after a prayer.

What to do with wheat grains taken after unction in the church? You can cook porridge from them or sprout on a dish with water and eat. In church practice, there is no special rite with wheat grains, which were used at the blessing of oil.

Wine after unction can be added to foodtaken orally. After the blessing, candles are lit at home, when someone from the household gets sick. However, if many sick people took part in the Sacrament of Anointing, it is better not to take candles home.

Probably, none of the seven church sacraments is surrounded by so many myths and superstitions as the Blessing of Oil, or, as it is more often called, so to speak, in the secular version - Unction.

For many people far from the Church, this very name causes tremors in the limbs: how - otherwise, this sacrament is not perceived as death preparations!

The very “term” of the Sanctification of Oil has a Greek basis and consists of two words: elaioa, which means “oil,” and eleos, which is mercy, which can be “translated” at length: when a priest with prayer anoints a sick person with consecrated oil, he is overshadowed by God's grace, capable of healing infirmities - both mental and physical.

The name "unction" comes from the word "cathedral" - not in the sense of "temple", but in the sense of "assembly", meaning that, ideally, this sacrament is performed by a council of seven priests. But not every church has such a clergy; therefore, it is quite permissible to hold unction with one priest.

On the essence of the sacrament

In the sacraments, all actions are not divided into major and minor. Ignorant people believe that the main thing in Unction is to be “anointed” with oil. This is fundamentally wrong. By itself, this product, participating in the ritual, does not possess the slightest magical power.

When a person, in principle, has no faith, when in the course of the action taking place his thoughts hover somewhere and are far from a prayerful mood, then for him the Sacrament of the Sanctification of Oil loses all meaning.

Unification, as, indeed, every other church sacrament, requires the fear of God and faith.

What does church unction give to a person?

It is worth dwelling on this point in more detail. Everyone's life is filled with a huge number of sins, and a person, due to his common sinful essence, sometimes does not even realize them as such, simply does not attach importance to them.

But this does not even prevent them from remaining sins, gradually burdening the soul. Someone says: something is heavy on the soul, but, perhaps, does not realize at all why this is happening ... But it happens that a sin is committed - and is forgotten. Note: not deliberately concealed, but forgotten, and that is why he is not repentant in confession. It is from such sins that the Sanctification of Oil cleanses.

If we talk about, so to speak, physical recovery, then we can refer to the phrase of the Apostle James: “Is any one 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. The prayer of faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. "

At all quite often after the Holy Unction, truly miracles of healings happen. But this does not mean that this sacrament should be regarded as a procedure with a magical "accent", giving one hundred percent and immediate healing from all kinds of ailments. But some of those who have come to take the unction do not even take into account the spiritual aspect.

The other extreme is when people have very strange considerations regarding the described sacrament, in particular, that it is performed only on seriously ill, literally dying people. This is a non-Orthodox understanding, or rather a misunderstanding, of an action perceived as "the last anointing." Let us recall again the testimonies of the Gospels: after all, Christ's apostles anointed with oil precisely for the sake of healing.

And so there is absolutely nothing to be afraid of Unction and the sick people themselves - it will in no way hasten the death, but, it is possible that it will help to recover or at least prolong life in order to peacefully and in a Christian way pass into another world - with the indispensable confession and communion.

Symbols of the Sanctification

You can bring olive or sunflower oil.

Vegetable oil, in the church language called oil, in worship it has been used since biblical times, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. It can be olive or, for lack thereof, sunflower.

Light, God's mercy and healing are symbolized by oil in the modern Christian Church. From the Gospel it is known about many miraculous healings performed by Jesus Christ.

We also know that He endowed his apostles with the gift of healing, who, preaching Christ's teaching, “anointed many sick people with oil and healed,” which testifies to the establishment of this sacrament by the Savior of the world Himself.

Many actions performed in the process are rooted in those ancient Gospel times and are therefore filled with special symbolism.

So, before the commencement of the Unction, the spruce is combined with red wine, as in Christ's parable of the good Samaritan. He, having stumbled on a traveler wounded by bad luck on the way, treated the wounds of the sufferer by pouring wine and oil on them.

Seven candles are lit near a vessel filled with oil, which signifies the beneficial actions performed on us by the gifts of the Holy Spirit - and there are also seven of them.

The oil placed in the wheat is also a deep symbol, telling the patient about such a truth: after his death, he will inevitably be resurrected in a renewed and incorruptible bodily shell, just as in nature a new stem sprouts from a grain of wheat sown.

When the priest blesses the oil with the sign of the cross, this shows that the whole action is performed by the power of Jesus Christ, crucified on the Life-giving Tree.

The anointing is performed with oil - oil consecrated in the church.

The clergy anoint those who come to the sacrament with oil, also depicting a cross on the forehead, on both sides of the nose, on the lips, cheeks, chest, palms and their back "back", as if conveying to them the grace of the Holy Spirit.

This action is a symbol of the purification of thoughts, as well as the five human senses, hearts and creations of our hands, i.e. all those “sources” that can help us commit sin.

The final ritual - placing the Holy Gospel on the heads of the worshipersis also a very important symbol. A special closing prayer is read. And this action is symbolized by the fact that the sick were visited by the Savior Himself - through His Holy Gospel, which tells how Jesus Christ healed everyone who came to Him.

How it goes and how to behave

On the appointed day, a table is set up in the middle of the church, where the cross, the Holy Gospel and a dish with cereals are placed, where a vessel is placed, where oil and wine will be consecrated. Seven brushes are placed nearby, with which the anointing will be carried out, and lit candles are placed in the amount of seven. They will be extinguished in turn as you read the next Gospel passage about the healings performed by the Savior, as well as fragments of the epistles of Christ's apostles.

Those who wish to covetous should write down their names in the list for the priestly prayer on the candle box / church shop, buy candles. This is also a symbol that testifies that the Son of God is the light of our lives. Holding them in their hands, the congregation stand along the perimeter of the temple.

The prayer begins with the exclamation “Blessed is our God now, and ever, and forever and ever,” while the names of those who are being gathered are listed. The priest adds wine to the oil with a prayer for its consecration for the sake of "healing and cleansing the flesh and spirit" of the anointed parishioners.

During the whole action, prayer appeals to the Creator and the saints are heard, marked by the gift of healing. After each Gospel passage listing the names of those present, the Most Pure Mother of God, the Life-giving Cross, John the Baptist, the apostles and all the saints are prayerfully invoked, and the priests walk around all those present, anointing them with blessed oil, with the prayer “The servant of God (the servant of God) is anointed in the name of the Father and The Son and the Holy Spirit for the healing of soul and body. "

The blessing of the oil lasts over an hour.

At the same time, the anointed one pronounces “Amen!”, Which means “Truly!”, Thereby expressing his faith in the efficacy of the sacrament being performed. During the priestly round, people sing a common prayer: "Hear us, God, hear us, Vladyka, hear us, Holy One."

Unction lasts quite a long time, maybe even a couple of hours. It depends on the number of parishioners who came and the number of employed clergymen.

When the priest (or priests) returns to their place, prayers, special hymns and the following Gospel-Apostolic passages sound again. All this is repeated seven times.

When happens

In some churches, an entry for the Blessing of Oil is conducted a few days before it, but it's okay if you decide to take Holy Unction on that very day. Therefore, it is better not only not to be late to the church for the performance of the sacrament, but to come early - to add yourself to the list, buy a candle, bow to icons, set yourself up for prayer.

Loud conversations, laughter, walking unnecessarily are unacceptable in the church.

What kind of clothes to wear?

Should choose clothes like this. so that the forehead and neck are open.

Considering the places that are anointed with oil, appropriate clothing should be chosen. It should be as comfortable as possible. A sweater or turtleneck covering the upper part of the chest would be clearly inappropriate. But the deep neckline in a woman's dress is also inappropriate - you go to the temple.

Best of all, if it is a blouse or blouse that can be easily unbuttoned on the chest. Since the back of the palms is also anointed, it is not necessary that, say, fringes hanging from the sleeves or other pendants interfere with this.

A scarf, kerchief or scarf must be tied so that they also do not interfere with the ritual, opening the forehead as much as possible.

It is recommended not to wear jewelry in the form of rings, bracelets and chains: not only will they simply interfere, they will also be abundantly lubricated with oil.

To avoid oil stains on your clothes, you can rub it into your skin or blot it with paper towels.

In the temple and at home

You can call the priest to the patient's house or to the hospital.

The blessing of oil can be performed on one person who is sick, in his apartment. or, if he is there, in the hospital, or, as is already clear from the above, in the church - over everyone who wishes and can get here.

Unction in the Orthodox Church usually takes place from the second week of Great Lent to Holy Week. During the Rozhdestvensky fast, this is practiced less often.

Each temple has its own schedules and customs; this can be done once during the Lent period, or twice at the beginning and towards the end. In crowded parishes, there is a need to conduct the sacrament literally every week. There are no other "lent peculiarities" regarding the sacrament.

Before the celebration of the Holy Unction, no special post was established. But since it is usually held during Great Lent, then, naturally, any Orthodox Christian is obliged to observe it.

As for the blessing of the Holy Oil at home or in the hospital, if a priest is invited for this, all those who are interested and present can be unleashed. Somehow you don't need to prepare for this. The main thing is that at the same time people understand their sins and repent of them.

However, again, each temple has its own rules. Therefore, it will not be superfluous to clarify with a specific priest what to tune in to, to stipulate all the details during the initial appeal.

Preparing for the performance of this sacrament at home, in the patient's room, in front of the icons, you need to put a table covered with a tablecloth, a chair, boil a kettle of water, prepare vegetable oil. A dish with a grain of wheat is placed on the table. If there is no wheat, other cereals are fine: millet, rice, rye, etc.

The priest begins the ceremony by burning incense around the table, the room, and everyone present. And then everything goes according to the charter.

It may happen that Unction, due to the patient's condition, must be combined with his confession and communion. In this case, the order will change:

• confession first,
• behind her is the Blessing of Oil,
• and everything ends with the sacrament.

Life is full of various situations, and if there is a threat of imminent death, then so that a person cannot lose the last communion, immediately after confession, they perform its abbreviated rite, and only after, if the sick person is conscious, they carry out the Blessing of Oil.

It is worth knowing that the sacrament is considered to be already completed if the priest, having consecrated the oil, manages to read the necessary prayer over the patient with the anointing of the indicated parts of the body at least once.

Who can, who can't

Children under 7 years old cannot participate in the Sacrament.

At what age can you come to the Blessing of Oil? In the church, such an age definition: a baby is a man from real infancy to seven years.

Unction is not performed over infants, after all, healing is directly related to the cleansing of the soul of the person being collected from sins, as already mentioned, forgotten or unconscious. And what similar sins do children of this age have?

For an infant, the most healing remedy will be communion - as often as possible.

The blessing of oil is not performed on the sick if they are unconscious, and also over mental patients with manifestations of violence.

An absentee ceremony is also not held - it is necessary to be present and participate in person.

During the period of the same long-term illness, the ailing one is gathered only once.

Those condemned to death, those of another faith, unrepentant sinners, offenders of the faith, cannot proceed to Unction.

According to the rules, this sacrament cannot be performed on the already dead.

Unction is not a rite, it is a sacrament of the Church, and the Church, through blessing of oil and intense prayer, calls out to the Almighty for the granting of recovery to the sick. At the same time, it is necessary to understand that this action is not a parting word with a dying context. On the other hand, a perfectly healthy person does not need such a sacrament. He should be cleansed from sins through confession, repentance and the sacrament.

In Orthodoxy, there are seven sacraments, one of which is Unction, or the Blessing of Oil. However, many people, even periodically visiting the temple, do not know how the Unction is going on. Moreover, it is no less important than Confession or Communion.

This is a sacrament, during which a person is anointed with blessed oil (oil) and the Grace of the Holy Spirit is invoked to heal mental and physical ailments, as well as forgiveness of forgotten sins.

For its fulfillment, in accordance with the commandment of ap. James, there are seven elders, that is, the council. This is a symbolic number that is repeatedly mentioned in the Holy Scriptures.

For example, Naaman plunged into the waters of Jordan seven times and was healed. But in modern practice, 2-3 priests are more and more often performed. Not every church has a sufficient number of priests, but this does not diminish the grace of the Sanctification of Oil.

There are many superstitions around the sacrament of Unction. Not everyone knows what it is and why it is done, how to go through this ceremony. The opinion has taken root among the people that it is necessary to receive unction only before death. This is the most common speculation. But there is another, no less popular opinion - certain vows are associated with Unction, for example, going to a monastery or the prohibition to marry. All these prejudices are in no way confirmed by the Orthodox teaching. But many people believe in them and avoid this sacrament.

The main goal is to pray for spiritual and physical healing, forgiveness of special sins that cannot be confessed at the sacrament of Penance.

It is useful for every Christian, both physically healthy and sick. Orthodoxy, first of all, fights spiritual ailments and directs a person to a righteous life.

Interesting!Latest news about on the official website

What is Unction for

If you understand the essence of this sacrament, then it will become clear why it is necessary to receive unction. According to Orthodox teaching, the source of bodily ailments is primarily sin. The only exceptions are diseases sent by the Providence of God to strengthen the faith and spiritual strength of a person. But they make up only a small part of the total.

Every believer knows that there is confession for the remission of sins. But a person does not attach importance to some deeds and actions or does not consider them sinful, as a result of which he does not repent.

However, they have a negative effect on the soul, darken and burden it. What is Unction for? The sanctification of oil is meant to get rid of this burden.

It is preferable to confess, since the sacrament is closely related to repentance. During the Blessing of Oil, the council of ministers of the church asks the Lord to grant a person bodily health and forgiveness of special sins:

• old and forgotten;
• committed in the dark;
• which are impossible to confess at the moment and to make amends with good deeds.

The last point mostly concerns seriously ill people who, due to bodily weakness, can no longer tell the spiritual father about everything.

But one should not think that the Blessing of Oil can replace Repentance. During this sacrament, sins are forgiven that were not named in confession, not out of desire to hide them, but out of forgetfulness or ignorance.

When the blessing is performed

Anointing the sick with holy oil has been practiced since apostolic times. Unction was performed at any time, whenever it was required - on holidays, during fasting, day and night. The Lord Himself gave healing to the sick when they asked for it, and did not coincide with any specific events. Thus, the sacrament of the blessing of oil is performed in those cases when there is a need for it.

Informative!Schedule of services in na Baumanskaya

Unction in the church is performed for all Orthodox Christians during Great and Nativity Lent, before some especially revered holidays.

Believers learn about this in advance - a special announcement is usually placed on the notice board or on the doors of churches when Unction is held.

For those who cannot walk to the temple on their own, the Blessing of Oil is held at home at any time.

How the Unction goes

Initially, the clergy set up a lectern with the Gospel. A table is placed next to it, on which a dish with wheat is placed, in the center is a vessel with oil. Also, they put 7 candles and 7 brushes in the grain for anointing (according to the number of readings from the Holy Scriptures). Wheat symbolizes the germ of life.

Every believer holds a burning candle in his hands. It is a sign of fervent prayer and the fact that Christ is the light of our life.

Ordering consists of:

• touching canon explaining the power of this Sacrament,
• troparia,
• seven readings from the Apostle,
• seven readings from the Gospel,
• seven prayers.

After each round of readings, believers are anointed with consecrated oil. At this time, the names of all those present are listed and a prayer is offered for the bestowal of health. At the end, the Gospel is laid on the heads of the parishioners, which are placed with the letters down. This is also a symbol - the healing hand of Christ himself.

Important!Unction during the Nativity Fast is held quite rarely. But in some parishes such a tradition has developed. It is better to contact the priest in advance and clarify this issue.

Who is allowed to take Holy Unction

The Sacrament of Sanctification is performed only on members of the Church of Christ. The ancient ranks assumed the personal reading of the Creed. Therefore, it is not allowed to:

• representatives of other religious denominations;
• expelled from the church;
• those on whom the Penance is imposed, which removes from this sacrament.

But for the representatives of the latter group, there is an exception - an early death. If, as a result, a person gains healing, then he returns to bearing the Penance.

In order to understand to whom one can take unction, one should single out those who are not allowed to it. This category of people includes:

1. The sick in madness;
2. People are unconscious.

In this state, a person cannot take full participation and feel the Grace descending on him. Such cases include seizures of epilepsy, sleep, lethargy, etc.

It is not allowed to perform the Blessing of Oil on children under 7 years of age. Babies do not yet have sins. And during the performance of the Sacrament, they ask the Lord for forgiveness of all committed sins - voluntary and involuntary, conceivable and inconceivable.

Informative!Defender from all evil who is he

Separately, it should be said about the people who can, but for some reason do not want to participate in the sacrament of the Sanctification of the Oil. You can have a conversation with them, talk about the importance of this action, but you cannot forcefully coerce. Such an act will not bring benefits.

Why do you need to unite

This is not magic that heals a person from all diseases. During the performance of the sacrament, prayers are offered for the Lord's grant of health and the remission of sins. But not those who are called in Confession, but unnoticed, forgotten, or committed unconsciously.

The soul needs regular cleansing from a heavy burden. First of all, a person must receive spiritual healing, after which the onset of bodily health can already follow.

There are many known cases of miraculous recovery. However, each person receives according to his faith. And in no case should one perceive the Blessing of Oil as a kind of magical ritual.

Without a penitential attitude, a sincere desire to purify the soul and accept the Grace of God, there will be no benefit from it. The blessing of oil encourages parishioners to think about their lives, accomplished deeds and the salvation of their souls. The main purpose of the Unction is the pursuit of purification and a righteous life.

For seriously ill people who are unable to get to church on their own, Unction at home is held. To do this, you must tell the priest about this need in advance and agree on a time for the meeting.

Perhaps all household members will be able to participate in the Blessing of Oil. It is better to discuss this issue right away, since each person should be in the mood for repentance accordingly.

Important! You can find out how much Unction on special conditions costs at home from a priest. Most often, the amount of donation depends on the person's ability. For people in special need, the Blessing of Oil is held free of charge.

Before the commencement of the Unction, some preparations must be made:

1. Establish a table in the patient's room covered with a clean tablecloth. It is desirable that he be in the corner in front of the icons.
2. Put a dish with wheat grains on it. In the absence of such, you can use any other cereal - rye, millet or rice.
3. Place an empty icon lamp in the center of the dish, intended for the consecration of oil.
4. Place 7 candles around the icon.

In addition, separate vessels with oil and a small amount of red wine should be on the table. The Holy Gospel and the cross with a crucifix are also located here.

How to pass Unction in church

Before you can take part in the sacrament of the Blessing of Oil, you must take a blessing from your confessor. At the appointed time, come to the temple, buy a candle and enroll in the church shop. The names are then recited by the priest during the Unction.

It is good if a person was able to first confess and receive communion. Since Unction is usually held during Great Lent, its observance is mandatory for every believer.

Modest and simple clothing should be chosen to attend church. In this case, the neck area, palms and forehead should be open.

Take with you a piece of cloth that has good absorbency. It is used to wipe excess oil off the face and body.

They also often bring a bottle of oil, which is placed on a special table. Then they take her home. It is allowed to anoint any sore spots with oil crosswise and add a little to food.

It is impossible to give an exact answer to the question of how long the sacrament of the Blessing of Oil lasts. It all depends on the number of priests and parishioners involved. Most often - at least an hour, and in some cases, much longer. Therefore, all believers should be patient and humble.

You need to be prepared for the fact that during the Blessing of the Holy One you will have to struggle with temptations. If sinful thoughts prevail, then it is better to engage your mind in prayer. This is a manifestation of faith - overcoming one's own weakness and trials sent by the devil.

Sick and healthy

An almost comic delusion is associated with the sacrament of Unction.

If today a person of little church (but familiar with Russian literature) is offered to take unction or to unleash sick relatives, he may recoil in embarrassed fright. This is understandable: even in the 19th century, the words "have already been unleashed" meant "it is ending." At that time, they were gathering for the most part the hopeless sick or the dying - remember the old man Count Bezukhov from Tolstoy's novel War and Peace.

But the primary and main goal of Unction is healing from illness. However, a person is sick not only with the body, but also with the soul, and many diseases of the body are the consequences of the disease of the soul. The soul is sick from sins (or their consequences).

Therefore, the main meaning of the sacrament of Unction is that when a person is anointed with sanctified oil (oil), the grace of God is invoked to heal or weaken both bodily and mental illnesses, as well as forgiveness of sins forgotten without malicious intent.

“The power of the Sacrament of Unction is that they are forgiven, especially sins forgotten due to human weakness, and after the forgiveness of sins, bodily health is also granted, if God wills it,” he wrote venerable Ambrose Optinsky.

Therefore, even healthy people, especially during Great Lent - a time of special struggle with sin - Unction helps to recover in soul, gives strength not to lose heart and fight for their salvation. Hence the tradition of celebrating Holy Unction during Great Lent in order to meet Easter "with a pure heart."

Sacrament history

Like any Sacrament of the Church, blessing of oil (this is also the name of the sacrament of Unction, from the Greek words "oil" - "elayoa" and "mercy" - "eleos") originates in the Gospel story. Christ healed the sick and commanded the apostles to do the same. The apostles passed on this gift to bishops and priests.

Already in the epistle of the Apostle James, we read: “Is any one of you sick? 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 heal the sick one, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. " (James 5, 14-16).

In the first centuries of Christianity, when a person was sick, priests came to him for seven days, prayed for his recovery, read the Gospel and anointed with consecrated oil. Some sick people, in order to pray over him for health in a particularly blessed place, were specially brought to the temple and there they prayed and anointed them with holy oil. This is how the ordinance of the sacrament of the Unction in the temple gradually developed.

What sins are forgiven in the sacrament of Unction?

Usually, for the forgiveness of sins, we go to confession. But everyone has sins, which, due to inattention to what is happening in our soul, the absence of the skill of introspection, we do not realize. Either, having sinned, we immediately forget it, or we do not consider it a sin at all.

But unconscious sins are still sins, they burden the soul, and it is necessary to cleanse oneself from them - which happens in the sacrament of Unction.

If we consciously participate in the sacrament of Unction, realizing what will happen to us now, then we will definitely receive the forgiveness of such unconfessed (against our will) sins. After a person has taken an unction in the church (it is possible and shortly before the Unction), it is very good to confess. After the Unction and confession, it is very important to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.

How to Prepare for the Sacrament of Unction?

You must sign up for the Unction on the day of the Unction in the narthex of the church: you say your name and buy a candle (it is lit while reading the Gospel). According to tradition, for Unction, you can bring a sacrifice to the temple. For the people recorded in the notebook, a council of priests prays (hence the name of the Sacrament - "Unction"). If necessary, the Sacrament can be performed by one priest.

During Unction, the forehead, cheeks, nostrils, lips, neck, and hands are anointed seven times crosswise. These parts of the body symbolize the most convenient "ways" for sin (mind, word, feeling, deed).

Better to come with an open collar.

The oil can be washed off with a tissue after each anointing. But you cannot throw it away: either burn it yourself, or give it to the temple for burning. Children are gathered from the age when they can confess their sins on their own.

How is Unction going on?

Anointing is just one part of the Unction service. Before that, oil, wine and grain are prepared for the Sacrament, a prayer is read for the consecration of oil and grain. Wheat grains symbolize new life - after recovery and after the general resurrection. Oil is a sign of the grace of healing, according to the Gospel: “They cast out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed” (Mark 6:13).

Before the anointing, the priest reads the main prayer of the Sacrament - the Holy Father prayer for the granting of healing and forgiveness of sins to the sick.

At the same time, the priests remember the names of those recorded for the Unction. Anointed with holy oil seven times.

Before each anointing, a passage from the Apostle and the Gospel is read. All these readings are about how to endure trials in life. During the reading, you need to light your candle.

During the anointing, the choir and all the worshipers sing: “Hear us, God. Hear us, Vladyka. Hear us, Holy One. " At the end of the Unction, the Gospel is laid on the heads of the anointed with the recitation of a prayer of repentance. After the service, you can take home the remaining grain (and add to food), oil - anoint and pour into the lamps.

We offer a detailed photo report with audio recording of some excerpts of the Unction with detailed commentary.

All responsibility for preparing for Unction lies with the altarpiece. At the fraternal unction (it is performed by the priests of the Brotherhood of the All-Merciful Savior), there will be many priests. The altar boy will have to be especially quick and attentive. Everything should be beautiful and decorous. The candles, seven in number, should stand beautifully on a special platter. To do this, they must all be the same length.

In the narthex they write down the names of everyone who will take the unction. A council of priests will pray for these people, the sacrament of Unction by the power of the whole Church will be celebrated over them. According to tradition, you can bring a sacrifice to the temple for unction

Everything is ready on the choir

And the altar boy prepared everything he needed

And now the candles are lit. Around the dish are seven candles representing the number of the performers of the sacrament, anointing and prayers. After each anointing, one candle is extinguished

The priests leave the altar. The first part of the sacrament begins

The priests stand near the table. The first of the priests censes the table (and oil on it), icons and all people, utters an exclamation: "Blessed be our God ..."

Since the candlesticks were taken out of the temple, everyone lights candles from the candle of the altar boy

One candle lit all the others, and soon the whole temple was filled with lights. After the usual beginning, an abbreviated six psalm (Psalm 142) is read, then a small litany (petition), and finally the repentant troparia, which we all know: "Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy on us."

After the 50th psalm, the canon of Arsenius, Bishop of Corfu, is read, this canon in the 9th century. supplemented the already existing seven prayers pronounced during the anointing

Then the second part of the rite begins - the consecration of oil. First, wine is combined with oil. Now there is wine in the qandil (vessel) of oil

After the litany, the first of the priests reads the "Prayer over the kandil with oil," in which he asks God to sanctify the oil and make it healing for the anointed one. The rest of the priests recite the same prayer quietly, as during the invocation of the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of the Eucharist. The choir at this time sings the troparia to Christ the Savior, the Apostle James, St. Nicholas, the healer Panteleimon and other saints

Then the third part begins - the anointing with holy oil. First, they read the Gospel, then a special prayer for healing, then the actual anointing with the so-called perfect prayer: "Holy Father, Physician of souls and bodies ...". This prayer is very important. The rite of performing the Blessing of Oil on a sick person who is in mortal danger can be recognized as perfect if the priest, after the consecration of the oil, manages, at least once, to read a prayer and anointing over the sick person. If a prayer is said over one person, the anointing is performed after the words: "heal your servant ...". This sequence is repeated seven times. If there are many people over whom the sacrament is performed, then first a perfect prayer is read for everyone, and then everyone is anointed with oil.

Just before the anointing, but before the perfect prayer, the priest reads a special prayer for the granting of healing and forgiveness of sins to the sick. At the same time, all priests remember names from those lists that were compiled in the narthex.

The book says: “Priest will plant (take) a strichets (a stick entwined with cotton wool, in this case a brush), and having dipped it in holy oil (oil), he will anoint the sick person in a cruciform manner - on the forehead, on the nostrils, on the lanitech (cheeks), on ustekh (lips), on persekh (chest), on hands on both countries (on both sides) ”. That is, the priest anoints with oil those parts of the body through which sin is most conveniently infused into the soul of a person.

In the church, where mass unction is performed, after reading the Gospel, prayer, prayer, the priests go out to the people with tassels and small cups with consecrated oil mixed with wine. They begin to anoint everyone in their sector. For convenience, people stand in rows so that the priests can freely approach everyone. At this time, the whole church is singing the refrain: “Hear us, God. Hear us, Vladyka. Hear us, Holy One. "

Usually the congregation prepares for the anointing: they free their foreheads, unbutton the collars, prepare their hands.

After each anointing, the oil can be washed off with a napkin. But these napkins cannot be simply thrown away. They must either be burned by ourselves, or given to the temple for incineration.

The choir begins to sing the prokeimenon before the reading of the next Gospel, and next to it, the anointing continues from the previous reading.

The blessed power of the sacrament is especially felt by those to whom it is directly shown - sick and weak people. Previously, this sacrament was not performed on healthy people. In the synodal period, as an exception, on Great Thursday, it was performed in the Trinity-Sergius Lavra and in the Moscow Assumption Cathedral. Demetrius of Rostov explained such a deviation as follows: if on Maundy Thursday, at the supper, Christ established the Covenant of His New Body and Blood, then on this day it may be proper for the sake of this and to unleash before Communion even for healthy people, since they do not know the day and hours of his death. But, meaning by illness not only bodily ailments, but also a sinful state of mind, in Optina Hermitage, the sacrament of the Blessing of the Oil was performed for the pilgrims several times a week.

After the seventh anointing, the remains of the holy oil are poured back into the vessel. This oil cannot be used for any other anointing, but it must be burned (usually in a temple in a lamp or in a censer). If the rite was performed over a dying patient and the sick person died, then the remainder of the holy oil is poured on it in a cruciform manner by the priest at burial

And now the Gospels and Crosses are prepared for the final part of the sacrament.

The Gospel is laid down on the head of the patient, like the hand of the Lord Himself. First, the gospel is entrusted to the heads of the priests. (They also participated in the sacrament) All the priests hold the Gospel together and each in turn enters under the formed vault. At this time, the leading priest reads publicly a prayer of permission, which says: “To the Holy King ... I do not lay my sinful hand on the head of the one who came to You in sin ... but Your strong and strong hand, even in this Holy Gospel, my fellow servants hold on the head of your servant ... "

Then all the priests, passing through the rows of standing, put the Gospel on each of the heads and give the Cross to kiss.

This is how the sacrament ends, in which, for the sake of the prayers of the Church, the Lord forgives us sins, gives us strength not to lose heart and fight for our salvation, heals from bodily infirmities and we, renewed, are preparing to unite with the Lord in the Communion of His Holy Divine Mysteries in order to be resurrected for a new life

After the end of the Unction, the consecrated grain is distributed. There is no indication other than how to burn it. But out of special piety, some believers take it home and eat it. This is the so-called "godly tradition".

Another pious tradition is to take consecrated oil and wine for yourself after unction. As mentioned above, nothing can be anointed with them, but it can be burned in an icon lamp at home.

Leaving the temple, it is so pleasant to breathe in the air, already filled with spring scents and to feel renewal not only in nature, but also in the soul itself

Through prayer, help is also asked for help, but whether this mercy of God will come depends on the faith and perseverance of the person praying. But in the sacraments, this power is given without fail, if all the rules have been observed, with sincere faith. For someone, the grace given from above brings a little relief, others are healed completely, and others are given strength to endure grievous weakness.

There are seven Great Sacraments in Orthodoxy, including baptism, communion, wedding, chrismation, repentance, priesthood. Almost everyone has heard about these rituals, while many have little understanding of what unction in the church is and how to prepare for it, or mistakenly consider this rite to be a death-free cleansing from sins. But the goal is completely different - healing for later life, and not for death. In the event that a dying person has to take unction - to go to another world with a clear conscience.

The blessing of oil was carried out by Jesus Christ himself and taught this to his disciples-apostles. Oil is the oil with which Jesus anointed the sick and the afflicted. It is believed that at the moment of anointing the body with sanctified oil, God's grace descends on a person, capable of healing human infirmities. James 5: 14-15 speaks of anointing with oil to heal the sick and forgive sins.

But illnesses are meant not so much physical as spiritual and mental, because they lead to sin and subsequent illnesses. Therefore, one must first heal spiritually. At confession, a person repents for those sins that he remembers, but a person forgets about many actions or does not attach much importance. Unction forgives, among other things, unconscious sins.

Unction (from the word "council" - "meeting") is carried out simultaneously by several priests, ideally there should be seven of them. But in small parishes such a council is sometimes impossible, and the sacrament can be performed by one or two or another number of clergy. The number 7 has a symbolic meaning for the church. That is why during the blessing of oil, in addition to certain prayers, seven passages from the Gospel are read and seven times, after each passage, they smear the body with oil.

It is usually celebrated during Great Lent on the eve of Easter, before Maundy Thursday or Saturday of Holy Week, on Christ of the Cross. They also gather during the Christmas fast. You can perform the ceremony at a different time, having previously received a blessing from the confessor and agreed on the time of the ceremony.

Who is not admitted to the Sanctification of Oil:

Children under 7 years old;
people in an unconscious state or against the will of the sick person;
women during menstruation;
violent or aggressive mentally ill.

Any Orthodox Christian who has sincerely repented and hopes for the healing and salvation of his soul is admitted to the sacrament. Children after 8 years of age can be admitted after the blessing of the spiritual father, if they suffer from serious illnesses. In most cases, Unction is held after the age of 16-18, when a person realizes his sins, experiences pangs of conscience and is able to sincerely repent.

For those who suffer from strong mental or physical torment, are in a dying state, unction can be carried out directly at home. The one who assembles must be present at the sacrament in person, and only in exceptional cases is it convened in absentia.
The presence of the relatives of the congregation will strengthen the meaning of prayer and its role in healing.

How is the service going:

1. On the analogue in the center of the temple, the Gospel and the Cross are placed, which together symbolize the body of Jesus Christ.
2. A dish with wheat is placed on the table next to the analogue. Wheat symbolizes the renewal of life after spiritual recovery or, in the case of the patient's death, resurrection after death.
3. Candles are stuck into the wheat according to the number of priests present (ideally - 7) and brushes for anointing the congregation in the same quantity as the candles. A vessel of oil is placed on top of the wheat.
4. All those who gather in the temple are holding lighted candles in their hands, which symbolize the light of human life - the Lord God.
5. The priests read preparatory prayers, penitential troparia, along with the prayer, the names of those present are listed. Instead of the words "God", "Lord" sounds "Hallelujah".
6. The priest pours wine into a vessel of oil, praying for its consecration. Oil and wine are mixed
7. The priest reads seven passages from the Gospel, after each of which the anointing of all those who are congregated takes place. Fir is spread in a cruciform manner alternately on the forehead, nose, lips, cheeks, chest, hands of both hands.
8. In conclusion, on the heads of all participants, the priest lays the Bible pages down and prays for the forgiveness of sins.

How to Prepare for Unction?

There are no strict canons and rules, but for maximum benefit you need sincere prayer and a strong desire to cleanse yourself. Before the Sacrament, you need to receive a blessing from the priest. Before preparing for unction, it is advisable to come to confession, but this can be done after that.

- this is a kind of test for the sincerity of thoughts, and one listing of sins is not enough, you need to fervently trust in the Lord and not allow pride in your heart. At collective unction, a person feels himself to be a part of the common world, learns to love his neighbor.

It is not necessary to fast on the eve of the service, because the service can last longer than two hours and it will take strength to endure it. If a person is late for the service, he can still receive unction, even one anointing is valid. But still, if there is an opportunity to take part next time, postpone this event in order to mentally prepare again without fuss and rush.

What you need to do to prepare for the sacrament:

Find out in advance when and at what time the Sacrament will be held in your church.
Prepare a bottle of vegetable oil and a container for oil residues after service. The remaining oil at home is used to lubricate the body or add oil to food.
Take wipes with you to rinse off any remaining oil from your body. After the service, the napkins must be burned.
Purchase candles.
Wine can be brought, but not required. Cahors are usually used in the church.
Put on clothes comfortable for the sacrament: the priest should easily anoint the upper chest.
Since oil stains on clothes are difficult to wash, it is better to choose clothes that you do not mind getting dirty.

After the Unction, it is advisable to conduct communion, which takes place at the usual liturgy. It is through the grace of God and the acceptance of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit that soul and body are healed.

Anointing of oil is sometimes confused with Confirmation, since in both cases the anointing with oil occurs. But Confirmation is performed at the time of Baptism or the adoption of a person of another confession into the Orthodox faith. Confirmation means the beginning of a new life after the rite of Baptism.

It is enough to receive the Sacrament of Unction once a year. This is especially true for those who regularly participate in other Church ordinances and services.

It should be borne in mind that no one has canceled the physical and chemical laws of nature. Unction does not imply a refusal of medical assistance. It only helps to morally tune in to treatment, because a lot depends on the state of mind. The hidden possibilities of the body are inexhaustible, and cases of miraculous healing are far from isolated. One should turn to Unction in moments of serious ailments, and not when such as a runny nose or a sick tooth. But if prolonged depression or other mental disorder does not go away - Unction to go through is simply necessary.

It is believed that the sacrament of the Unction forgives the sins of not only the one who is being united, but also his kind, up to the seventh generation! That is, with this rite we help our relatives, even those who have not yet been born. Considering that the sins of parents are passed on to children, Unction is of great importance in the life of an Orthodox Christian.

But the sacrament does not mean that it is enough just once a year to stand at the service in the church - and a miracle will immediately happen. This is not a medical procedure, but a difficult work on your spirituality. It is necessary to live in constant prayer and communion. Many, not having received what they want, are offended and completely grow cold towards faith and leave the church forever. Healing is a gift from God, not the result of thoughtless action. Whether we are worthy of this gift is up to the Lord God to decide.

Sometimes dying people get scared when they see a priest, deciding that an imminent end has come. But often the Lord prolongs life precisely in order for a person to have time to commune and receive unction. Unction is akin to repentance. Moreover, another person who departed into the world needs prayer even after death, and if he managed to pray for himself, then this is doubly joyful.

There is a well-known parable about a young man who wanted forgiveness for major sins, hiding about his minor sins. The priest told him to take a full bag of small stones and bring him, but leave the large stones alone. The young man filled the bag to the brim, but could not move it. So he came to the confessor with nothing.