SACRAMENT OF UNCTION OF THE SICK
 

"Is anyone among 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 ."

 James 5:13

 

The Sacrament of the Unction of the Sick is one of the holy Seven Sacraments of the church, through which the sick who are faithful, are healed from psychological and physical diseases.  The priest anoints the person with the holy oil from which they obtain the grace of remedy from God.

It is called the 'sacrament of Lamps", for the early Christians used to place oil in a lamp, from which hung seven other lamps. Each lamp was lit at the beginning of every prayer.  This rite still exists, however, the seven lamps were replaced by seven wicks, made from cotton wool, which sit in a plate of oil. The number seven signifies the seven spirits of God, which are mentioned in the Book of Revelation (Revelation 3:1).  The Spirit of God dwells and sanctifies the oil in order to heal those anointed by it. It is advisable that the wicks be placed in the sign of the cross, in the plate of oil.

Our Lord Jesus Christ instituted this Sacrament when He said to His disciples: "Heal the sick, cleanse the leper" (Matthew 10:8), and, "Whatever city you enter, and they receive you, heal the sick who are there, and say to them, "The Kingdom of God has come near to you"" (Luke 10: 8-9). For the Lord Jesus came that we may have life, and that we have it more abundantly (John 10:10), so He healed the sick, raised the invalid, opened the eyes of the blind, purified the lepers and the lame, after having saved them and forgiven them their main cause of sickness, which is sin.  "Jesus went about doing good and healing all those who were oppressed by the devil" (Acts 1:38), as Malachi prophesied about Him saying, "But to you who fear My Name, the Son of Righteousness shall rise with healing in His wings" (Malachi 4:2).  Our fathers the Apostles practiced it according to the orders of their Master, as the Bible says, 'so they went out and preached that people should repent.  And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them"  (Mark 6:12,13).

Our teacher St. James advised the believers to practice this Sacrament when they are sick, and to ask healing from God, who says, "I am the Lord who heals you" (Exodus 15: 26). Also, David the Psalmist thanks God saying, "Bless the Lord, O my soul....Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction" (Psalm 103: 1-4), and, "O Lord my God, I cried out to You and You have healed me" (Psalm 29:20), and also the prayer of Jeremiah the prophet: "Heal me O Lord, and I shall be healed" (Jeremiah 17:4).  For this reason, St. James advises us, "Is anyone among you is 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 save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.  And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven" (James 5:13,14).

The priest is the one who prays, and it is God who heals, for the sacrament is not a person's work but the work of God.

 

The Necessity of Confessing before partaking of the Sacrament of the Unction of the Sick

 

 

 

The Sacrament of Unction of the Sick, with all its beautiful associated prayers, provides for the healing of the soul, which in turn provides cure for bodily ailments. This is because of the strong link between the soul and the body, and if the soul is sick, the body will likewise suffer.  For this reason, the Church always asks her children to firstly repent from their sins, so that the spirit and the soul will consequently be healed.

When the Lord Jesus Christ, glory be to Him, healed the lame man at Bethsaida, who had been sick for 38 years, He said to him: 'sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you" (John 5:14).  This implies that his illness was due to sin.  Likewise, when the people lowered the paralytic man down from the roof top on a stretcher, the first words the Lord said to him was: "Your sins are forgiven", then, "Arise, take up your bed and walk" (Matthew 9:2-6). The Lord Jesus manifested that the cause of sickness was sin, and declared that the soul should be healed by repentance in order for the body to also be cured of any physical ailments. There is no objection of course, for calling a doctor when one is sick, but it is of great importance that the priest is called as that he may carry out the Sacrament of the Unction of the Sick, and through faith, the sick will be healed, for God never abandons those who hope in Him.

A patient who relies only on medicine, denies himself the ability of God to heal him, just like King Asa, of Judah: "Asa became diseased and his malady was very severe, yet in his disease he did not seek the Lord, but the physicians" (2 Chronicles 16:12-13), who was contrary to the good King Hezekiah who was close to death, and prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly until the Lord sent Isaiah the prophet to him saying: "Thus says the Lord, the God of David your father, I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears, surely I will heal you.  On the third day you shall go up to the house of the Lord.  And I will add to your days fifteen years" (2 Kings 20:1-6).

 The Church is not against medical healing, but approves  ...

The Church completely rejects her patients seeking the psychics for healing, for this would mean that they rather the healing of the devil and deny the power and healing of God. For a person to seek the assistance of psychics means that they are totally and completely abandoning and denying Christianity.  Our teacher St. Paul says about those people: 'some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons" (Timothy 4:1).  We read in the Old Testament about King Ahaziah who fell sick and sent messengers to inquire of Bel-Zebub, the god of Ekron. Along the way, they were met by Elijah the prophet who said to them: "Thus says the Lord, is it because there is no God in Israel, that you are going to inquire of Bel-Zebub, the god of Ekron?  Now therefore thus says the Lord, "You shall not come down from the bed to which you have gone up, but you shall surely die"" (2 King 1:2-4), and so Ahaziah died.

The Church is not against traditional medicine, but in fact supports it and approves it for the purpose of healing. It is also important to remember that all medicine is comprised of certain herbs, which God created for the benefit of human kind: "God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.  For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving" (1 Timothy 4:3,4).  The Lord said, through Jeremiah the prophet: "Is there no balm in Gilead?  Is there no physician there?  Why then is there no recovery for the health of the daughter of my people?" (Jeremiah 8:22).  Hence, it is important for doctors to be consulted when one is sick, and to take medicine for physical healing.

In the book of Joshua, there is much said about doctors and medicine :

Give the physician his dignity, for the Lord created him.

Medicine comes from on high.

God created medicine from the earth and the wise man does not hate it.

My son do not neglect yourself if you get sick, but pray to the Lord who heals you.  Refrain from all iniquities and make straight your deeds.  Purify your heart from sin ... then make a place for the physician, as the Lord created him and will not leave you when you need him.   (Joshua Bin Sirakh 38:1-15).

Most of the medicines used by doctors are herbs and plants of the earth, produced by God for human benefit, as the Psalmist says: "Who makes grass to grow on the mountains.  He gives the beast its food and to the young ravens that cry" (Psalm 147:7).

When Hezekiah, King of Judah was recovering, the Lord ordered him to use natural remedies saying, "Let them take a lump of figs and apply it as a poultice on the boil, and he shall recover" (Isaiah 38:21), and the boil was the ulcer that King Hezekiah was recovering from.

The physician may advise the patient to rest, in order for them to have a quick recovery, just as Joshua advised: 'severe sickness is gone by sleep" (Joshua 31:2), but most of all, it is necessary to plead to God in order for them to receive healing and the regaining of health  (Joshua 38:14)

When the priest visits the house of the sick to perform the Sacrament of the Unction of the Sick, it reveals the church's love and care for her children in that the Church is emotionally sharing in the trials with the family. The church forms a bond with the family so that they become one body. Hence, if the family is suffering, the church suffers with them. This is a generous gesture by the church, and one that the faithful would not forget. For this reason, the family will become more and more attached to the church.

For the sick to benefit from the Sacrament of Unction of the Sick, it is necessary that they firstly confess, and then receive the Holy Communion as soon as possible afterwards. Hence, they will actually be partaking of three Sacraments, for their spiritual and physical healing.

The most appropriate time for carrying out the Sacrament of Unction of the Sick is early in the morning, when everyone is still fasting (that is, the priest, the sick person, and other members attending).  The priest must fast for nine hours beforehand, and the sick person for six. In extreme cases, however, when medicine is to be taken at regular intervals, the priest may give the sick person absolution to abstain for a lesser period of time.

The priest must pray all of the seven prayers of the sacrament, for it is not proper for him to shorten any of the prayers, as this is against the Apostolic orders which were inspired by the Holy Spirit, and recorded in the Church's books.

The order of the prayers of the Unction of the Sick are very old and traditional. Church history mentions that St. Epifanius, Bishop of Cyprus, wrote and organized these prayers. In addition, St basil confirms that the "Kandeel Prayers" were well known in the Church from the early days (Canon 91).

 

 

 

He accomplishes this sacrament in faith and hope that God will heal the sick. The priest is not only performing a church rite, but he is also praying with the spirit.

He must long for the salvation of the sick person, and for his bodily healing, so he prays out of care and love, and not out of force or pressure.

He cares to accept the confession of the patient in private, before performing the sacrament, to enable the sick person to be granted the forgiveness of sins as well as psychological healing, and hence enable the sick to be cured physically also.

As long as the priest's time and health permits, he should not neglect or postpone any appointment to perform this Sacrament, regardless of whether the sick is rich or poor.

The priest should continue caring for the needs of the sick person, until he is cured.

The priest must be fasting before performing the Sacrament, and he must indicate to the relatives of the sick person how important it is that they also be fasting before performing the Sacrament of the Unction of the Sick.

As the Kandeel oil is holy oil, upon which the Holy Spirit came, it is important not to leave it sitting in the dish in case it is accidentally spilled. The priest should ensure that the oil, after prayers, is placed in a small bottle, and that the dish is wiped with cotton wool  and burnt together with the cotton wicks which were used during the Kandeel prayers, before he leaves the house.

The sick person and his relatives must have strong faith in the work of God in this sacrament, just like the two blind men who had strong faith that Christ would heal them (Matthew 9:28), and the faith of Jairus (Luke 8:50), and the faith of the father who had an epileptic son (Mark 9:23), and the faith of the friends of the paralytic man (Matthew 9:2), and the faith of the bleeding woman (Luke 8:48).

The sick must have faith and confidence in the priest, just as he has trust in his doctor.

The sick person must practice the Sacrament of Confession before partaking in the Sacrament of Unction of the Sick, and he must receive the Holy Communion as soon as possible afterwards. All Sacraments must begin with Confession and conclude with Holy Communion ...

An adult who is baptized should confess before Baptism, and receive Holy Communion after it.

An adult who is sick should confess before the Kandeel Prayers, and receive Holy Communion after it.

A couple getting married should confess before Matrimony, and receive Holy Communion after it.

In the occasion of any priestly ordination, confession is obligatory before ordination, and Holy Communion received at the end of the ordination mass.

The sick must fast beforehand for as long as he can, as well as those attending

The sick must be clean in body and clothing, ready for the Sacrament.

The sick must promise God to live his whole life in His fear, His love and service, just like Simon Peter's mother-in-law (Matthew 8:15), and like Mary Magdalene (Mark 15:40).  As St. Paul said: "That those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and rose again" (2 Corinthians 5:15). 

The sick must thank God after recovery, for His grace and providence.

 

Why is it that sometimes the sick does not recover after the Sacrament of Unction of the Sick?

At times the sick person may not recover quickly after the Sacrament or may take a long time to heal, and at times the sick person may even die. There are many reasons for this, of which some are ...

Lack of faith of the sick person, just like the people of Nazareth: "The Lord Jesus did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief" (Matthew 13:58).

He may not be worthy of being healed due to his evil doings and reluctance to repent and return to God, who says, "Return, you backsliding children, and I will heal your backsliding" (Jeremiah 3:22).

Sickness may result in death, and death is the great recovery and salvation from all bodily pains.

Sickness may be for chastisement and God may abolish it when its purpose is accomplished, just like Job who was sick for seven years. Likewise, Moses" sister Miriam, was struck by leprosy when she spoke badly against Moses.  Then Moses prayed for her saying: ""Please, heal her, O God, I pray!" and the Lord said to him, "Let her be shut out of the camp seven days, and after that she may be received again"" (Numbers 12), that is, healed from leprosy.

At times a person may not recover from, his illness, and this is divine wisdom, which we cannot understand or interpret: "Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!  How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out" (Romans 11:33). St Paul had a thorn in his side and prayed for God to heal him, but the Lord refused, saying, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9).  God worked amazing miracles by the hands of St. Paul, 'so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them."

 

When the priest comes to perform the Sacrament of Unction of the Sick, he must wear an Epitrachelion (priestly vestment), as he will be accomplishing two Sacraments together; the  Sacrament of Confession and the Sacrament of Unction of the Sick.

During confession, which must take place before the Sacrament of the Unction of the Sick, the sick person confesses honestly and with true repentance, promising to walk with God after his recovery, and striving never to return to sin.  Then the priest reads the absolution for him, after giving him advice, guidance and spiritual exercises which may be needed for his spiritual growth. The priest then advises him to receive the Holy Communion as soon as possible after the Sacrament of the Unction of the Sick..  If he is too sick to go to Church, the priest can bring him the Holy Communion at home.

 

After Confession, all the family gathers to attend the Sacrament of Unction of the Sick and partake in its spiritually interesting prayers, once the censer has been filled with hot coals.

 

On the table is placed a dish which contains some pure oil (preferably olive oil) with seven pieces of  cotton wool shaped like wicks. Each wick is lit at the start of each prayer. Also needed for accomplishing the Sacrament, is incense, a prayer book, and a box of matches.

 

The priest stands facing the East, and the sick is seated before him in reverence, facing the west; his body and clothing must be clean. The rest of the family members stand around the priest.

The priest then starts the seven prayers of the Kandeel.

THE FIRST PRAYER

The priest lights the first wick of the Kandeel.

The Kandeel commences with the Lord's Prayer.

The priest prays the "Thanksgiving Prayer", and the deacon and family members respond accordingly. The priest then places five spoonfuls of incense in the censer, with three signings of the cross, and then raises incense in the four directions, as usual.

All in attendance pray Psalm 50, "Have mercy on me O God."

The priest says the "Prayer for the Sick" : "Remember O Lord the sick of Your people ... heal them, take away from them and from us all sickness ...  As for us also, O Lord, the maladies of our souls heal them, and those of our bodies too, do cure us, O You, the true Physician of our souls and our bodies ... visit us with Your Salvation, by the grace ...".

These are deeply spiritual prayers where the priest asks God to heal the soul, body and spirit, as He is the hope of those who are hopeless, the help of those who are helpless.

The priest begins praying, "O You, who gave Your grace to Your pure Apostles, O You the Lover of Mankind, ...  rescue us from the sicknesses of the soul and body, when Your priests anoint them, as You said by Your disciple ..." (James 5:14,15).

Each prayer of the Kandeel is divided into four parts. Each part concludes with the following : "Through the intercessions of the Theotokos, Saint Mary", and the attendants respond, "Lord have mercy."

 

NOTES:

Every quarter ends requesting the intercession of St. Mary, and this indicates the great appreciation and hope the Church has in St Mary's intercession, through our God and Savior Jesus Christ.

At the end of every quarter, the attendants respond, "Lord have mercy" , asking God for mercy and forgiveness of their sins. Asking mercy from God is very acceptable before Him, and very important: "Because Your loving kindness is better than life" (Psalm 63:3).  The priest says a glorification prayer beginning with: "God is light and lives in light, praised by angels of light..." 

Then the priest prays the following litany while making the sign of the cross on the oil, at every quarter, and those in attendance respond with, "Lord have mercy" ...

 

"We ask God for the heavenly peace"  ...  "Lord have mercy." 

"We ask God for the sanctification of this oil"  ...  "Lord have mercy."

"We ask God for the sanctification of this house and those who dwell in it"  ...  "Lord have mercy." 

"We ask God for the sanctification of our Christians fathers and brothers"  ...  "Lord have mercy."

"We ask God for the blessings of this oil and its sanctification"  ...  "Lord have mercy."

"We ask God for Your servant (...name*)"  ...  "Lord have mercy."  *The priest mentions the name of the sick person, and lifts his heart to God to heal him.

Then the priest completes the prayer until the end.  On the oil, the priest says a silent prayer: "O merciful Lord, healer of our souls and bodies sanctify this oil to become a healing from the profanity of soul and sufferings of body for whoever is anointed by it.  To glorify Your holy name, glory and salvation be to You, we send You glory, honor and dominion, O Father, Son and Holy Spirit."

Through the sick person's recovery by prayers, the name of the Lord will be glorified and people's faith will be encouraged.

One of the attendants reads the Catholic Epistle of St. James (5:10-20), which includes beneficial instructions for the sick ...

The priest's invitation to pray for those who are sick: "Is anyone among 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 save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up" (James 5:14-15).

The necessity of Confession before the Kandeel. "And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven" (James 5:15), for repentance and confession heal the spirit, and provides the way for physical healing.

The necessity of enduring tribulation, just like our fathers the prophets, such as Job and many others.

The necessity of praying when in trouble and when suffering: "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray" (James 5:13).

The power of earnest, fervent prayers, such as those of Elijah the great prophet (5:16-17).

The attendants sing the hymn of "Agios" (Holy God), which is the angelic heavenly praise of the Cherubim.

The priest prays the Litany of the Gospel, after placing a spoonful of incense into the censer.  An attendant then reads the Psalm and Gospel.

"O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your anger ... O Lord heal me for my bones are troubled" (Psalm 6:1,2)

The Gospel reading is taken from John (5:1-17), and speaks about the paralytic man who was sick for 38 years. He lay on his bed being abandoned by all, however, the Lord did not leave Him, but went to him and healed him: "Rise, take up your bed and walk" (John 5:8).

The church wants to enliven the spirit of hope and faith in the heart of the sick person, even if he has been sick for a long period of time. The Lord will not leave Him, even if He delays. We must have patience and endurance, and be thankful at all times to God.

The priest says the Three Major Litanies:

Prayer for Peace of the Church, for the Lord to preserve the church, as it is the body of Christ, and we are members in this body.  The Church's peace is peace for us all.

Prayer for Fathers of the Church, we ask God to grant them power and wisdom for the leadership of the church, and correct interpretation of the word of truth.

Prayer for the Congregations, so that all our gatherings, whether they be spiritual or educational, may be granted without obstacle or hindrance.  The priest also prays for blessings upon the house of God where he is praying : "Houses of prayer; Houses of purity; Houses of blessings, grant them unto us O Lord."

All recite the Orthodox Creed declaring their faith in the Holy Trinity, for faith is the foundation of healing.

The priest says a certain prayer which includes various supplications ...

Healing for the sick : "Lord, grant Your servant (...name ) healing."

Forgiveness of his sins : "Lord, forgive him his sins, whatever he may have committed during his life."

We ask healing from the Almighty God, who purified the lepers, and healed the daughter of the Canaanite woman, and raised from the dead the daughter of Jairus, and the son of the widow, and Lazarus.

The Church asks for the healing of the sick person, but surrenders the whole matter to God : *"If You wish to raise him from sickness some time later, grant him help to endure without complaint ...  and if You want to receive his spirit, may this be by the hands of luminous angels who rescue him from the devils of darkness." (* It is preferable to say this statement inaudibly, so that the sick person is not affected).

The Church teaches us to completely surrender ourselves to the will God, just as our beloved Lord Jesus Christ did with His Father : "Father, take this cup away from Me, nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will" (Mark 14:36).

 

THE SECOND PRAYER

 

The priest lights the second wick.

The Second Prayer commences with the Lord's Prayer.

The priest then prays the Litany for the Travelers, so that the Lord may graciously accompany them in their journeys, by His angel.  May God be a partner with us in all that we do, so that all our deeds may be good deeds. If a person does not have any goodness and his deeds are not righteous, they cannot expect God to accompany them or help them, for as St. Paul says: "And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them" (Ephesians 5:11).  The Litany of the Travelers is said while the priest is offering incense.

The Pauline Epistle to the Romans is then read: "We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak..." (15:1-7). The reading is :

An invitation for the strong members of the family to bear the sick in love, and without complaint.

An invitation for the sick to bear their illness with patience, and hence not lose the blessing of endurance.

An invitation for the believers to be like-minded towards one another in love, so that God may be glorified.

Then the Trisagon of glorification is sung.

The priest says the Litany of the Gospel, while raising incense, and one of the attendants reads the Psalm and the Gospel. The Psalm is read on behalf of the sick, as if they are crying out to the Lord to hear his prayer, and the Gospel from St John tells the story of the repentance of Zacchaeus, in order to encourage the sick to repent from all sins, and learn to give in order to be granted salvation: "Hear my prayer, O Lord, and let my cry come to You.  Do not hide Your face from me in the day of my trouble, incline Your Ear to me" ... "Today salvation has come to this house...for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost" (Psalm 101:1-2 and Luke 19:9)

The priest then says the following supplications :

"                      "O Lord ... who accepts the repentants..."

 

"Who said, "The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out"" (John 6:37)

 

"                      "Who forgave the adulteress" sins..."

 

"                      "Accept Your servant and forgive his sins, for sins many times result in illness, and their forgiveness gives health to the spirit and the body...."

 

"                      "Keep him for the rest of his life following in Your Commandments."

It is very important for the sick person to be convinced and promise to live with God in righteousness and holiness after his recovery, for he must know that his recovery is a gift from God, just like when God added fifteen years to the life of Ezekiah the King.  So that together with St. Paul, the sick person may declare: "And the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me" (Galatians 2:20) and healed me from my sickness and pain.

 

THE THIRD PRAYER

The priest lights the third wick.

The Third Prayer commences with the Lord's Prayer.

The priest prays the Litany of Waters, or Plants, or Fruits, according to the season.

-           From 12 Baounah to 9 Babah, the Litany of Waters is prayed

-           From 10 Babah to 10 Tubah, the Litany of Plants is prayed

-           From 11 Tubah to 11 Baounah, the Litany of Fruits and Airs is prayed

The Pauline Epistle is read from 1 Corinthians (12:28-13:1-18), which speaks about the gifts of the Holy Spirit, and then goes on to explain the most excellent way that all Christians should follow, which is love. St Paul says, "Love suffers long, does not envy, does not parade itself, is not puffed up, does not rejoice in iniquity", such as in seeing people sick, but hopes the best for all people, whether it be recovery, success, and blessings.

Then the Trisagon of glorification is sung.

The priest then says the Litany of the Gospel, while raising incense.  The Litany of the Gospel is said seven times during the Rite of Unction of the Sick, as well as the following repeated seven times : "Those who are sick heal them, for You are the life of us all, the salvation of us all, the hope of us all, the healing of us all and the resurrection of us all."  An attendant then reads the Psalm and the Gospel : "O Lord, do not rebuke me in Your wrath, nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure, for Your arrows pierce me deeply, and Your hand presses me down" (Psalm 37:1-2).  It carries the Psalmist's grievance of the heavy chastening of God which might come as sickness or tribulation, and asks for relief.  He does not refuse the chastisement of God but asks for His mercy without anger. The Gospel is read is from the Gospel of St Matthew, which speaks about the mission of the twelve disciples sent to preach and institute of the Sacrament of Unction of the Sick.  The Lord Christ said to His pure Apostles, "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons, freely you have received, freely give."

NOTES:

The service of Unction of the Sick is given free, so that even the poor can call the priest to perform the Sacrament when they are sick.

However, those who are willing to give a gift to the church may do so at another time, as a thanksgiving offering, but not as wages for the priest.

The priest prays the following supplications, where he :

Asks forgiveness of sins of the sick person, and all those attending, including himself.

Asks the Lord to guide us and help along the path which leads to eternal life, and not eternal condemnation.

Asks the Lord to heal and fortify the sick person's body and intentions, so that he does not return to sin and fall sick again.

Asks the Lord to hear his plea, and heal and have mercy on His servant, in the same way as the Lord heard Ezekiah in his misery, and did not reject his supplication.

 

THE FOURTH PRAYER

The priest lights the fourth wick.

The fourth Prayer commences with the Lord's Prayer.

The priest prays the Litany of the Leaders.

NOTES:

The order of Prayers is the same as those in the Baptismal Rite and Laqqan :

1.    The sick
2.    Travelers 3.    Waters 4.    Leaders 5.    The Departed 6.    Oblations
7.    Catechumens

The Pauline Epistle to the Romans is read, which speaks about enduring pain without complaint, in order to be granted the crown of long sufferance: "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:14-21), and, "For our light affection, which is put for a moment is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory" (2 Corinthians 4:17).

NOTES:

The sufferings we face are often a means by which God cleanses us from our sins and iniquities, and when we are cleansed, we proceed forth into eternity, just like gold that has been purified by fire.

Then the Trisagon of glorification is sung.

The priest then says the Litany of the Gospel, while raising incense, which is then followed by the Gospel reading by an attendant. "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your loving kindness, according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, cleanse me from my sin..." (Psalm 50:1-2). This is a cry of a suffering person who is aware of their sin, and begging the Lord for mercy and forgiveness of his sins, for the healing of his body and spirit. The Gospel is from St Luke, which tells of the mission of the seventy disciples in preaching and healing the sick: "Heal the sick who are there, and say to them: The Kingdom of God has come near you." The reading also confirms the Institution of the Sacrament of Unction of the Sick, as commanded and established by the Lord Jesus Christ to His apostles.

The priest prays the following supplications, where he :

1.         Asks God, who is the physician of the sick, to heal our sicknesses and forgive our iniquities.

2.         Asks God to accept the repentance of the sinners and heal their illnesses.

3.         Asks God to heal and forgive the sick person, and grant health to his body. He also asks God to comfort him and relieve him from all his sufferings and sorrows.

4.         Believes in the power of the almighty Lord, who is able to do all things.

5.         Asks God to provide refuge for the repentants, hope for the hopeless, and comfort for those in tribulation.

THE FIFTH PRAYER

The priest lights the fifth wick.

The fifth Prayer commences with the Lord's Prayer.

The priest prays the Litany of the Departed, so that the Lord may repose their souls and have mercy upon them.

The Pauline Epistle to the Galatians (2:16-20) is read, which speaks about the necessity of strong faith in Jesus Christ, which is well pleasing to Him.  A person must be crucified with Christ, in terms of putting to death all lusts and passions which cause him to perish, and thereby rise with Christ and be granted the joys of eternal life.

Then the Trisagon of glorification is sung.

The priest then says the Litany of the Gospel, while raising incense, which is then followed by the Gospel reading by an attendant: "Bring my soul out of prison that I may praise Your name.  The righteous shall surround me, for You shall deal bountifully with me" (Psalm 141:7). The suffering patient cries to the Lord to bring him out of the prison of sickness, so he may thank Him and praise Him, and glorify Him for His providence.  The Gospel from St John (14:1-9), tells about how the Lord comforts the sick by saying, "Let not your heart be troubled...". In complete surrender, the Church teachers her children that, even after repentance if a person dies, they will be granted the inheritance of eternal life, for the Lord Jesus said: "In my Father's house are many mansions. I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself that where I am, there you may be also."  This is the goal and the climax of a person's struggle in this life, eternity with Christ.

Christ asks us to keep His Commandments, so that they may keep us from falling into sin, and so  guarantee us eternal life.  In the story of when the rich young man asked the Lord Christ, "What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"  The Lord answered him, "You know the Commandments..." (Mark 10:17-18).

God gives us His Holy Spirit the Comforter who comforts and encourages us in all our tribulations, sicknesses, and sorrows so that we are able to endure trials gratefully, and without complaint.

The priest prays the following supplications, asking the Lord to : 

"                      "Heal Your servant (...name) from his sickness"

 

"                      'save him from all evil"

 

"                      "Raise him to be healthy and well by Your mercy, so that he may thank You and glorify You, together with all Your people in Your Church, from whom he has been deprived of because of his illness, and so being well, he will abide in Your church all the days of his life."

 

THE SIXTH PRAYER

The priest lights the sixth wick.

The sixth Prayer commences with the Lord's Prayer.

The priest prays the Litany of the Oblations.

The Pauline Epistle to the Colossians (3:12-17) is read, which tells of the Apostle Paul urging us to be adorned by the virtues of tender mercies, humbleness, meekness, long-suffering, forgiveness, love, peace, thanksgiving, and praise, so that we may be as saints without blemish.

Then the Trisagon of glorification is sung.

The priest then says the Litany of the Gospel, while raising incense, which is then followed by the Gospel reading by an attendant: "Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness!  You have relieved me when I was in distress.  Have mercy on me and hear my prayer" (Psalm 4:1). The Gospel is then read from St Luke, which tells the story of the sinful woman who repented and washed the feet of the Lord Jesus with her tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head.  Christ forgave her and gave her peace and joy instead of grief and worry, which was caused by sin.  This Gospel presents a living example of true repentance so the sick person may learn and present a pure living repentance, so that they may be granted forgiveness of sins, and peace in their spirit.  The saints often refer to repentance as being "the mother of life".

The priest says the following supplications, whereby he asks the Lord to :

"                      "Remember Your servant (...name) by Your mercy"

"                      "Visit him with Your salvation"

"                      "Take away from him all sickness"

"                      "Grant him back to Your Church (from which he has been deprived of because of sickness), and make him healthy, and grant healing in soul, body and spirit"

"                      "Raise him up from sickness so that he may glorify You, and witness to Your love and providence."

NOTES:

The sick person must thank God for healing him, and tell of how much the Lord has done for him. He must serve God and the church, just as St Peter's mother-in-law served Christ after he healed her: "...So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her.  And immediately she arose and served them"  (Luke 4:39).

 

THE SEVENTH PRAYER

The priest lights the seventh and final wick.

The seventh Prayer commences with the Lord's Prayer.

The priest prays the Litany of the Catechumens.

The Pauline Epistle to the Ephesians (6:10-18)) is read, which tells of how the sick must be strong in their hope, and should not allow illness to weaken their faith. Hope in healing is half the recovery, so, "My brethren be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might ... Take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all to stand ..."  and St Peter warns us, "For the devil your adversary walks about like a lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8), and the devil will devour those who are fainthearted and in despair. Therefore, pray always, and hope that your prayers will be granted that the Lord gives you spiritual and physical healing.

Then the Trisagon of glorification is sung.

The priest then says the Litany of the Gospel, while raising incense, which is then followed by the Gospel reading by an attendant: "Look on my affliction and my pain and forgive all my sins...Oh, keep my soul and deliver me.  Let me not be ashamed for I put my trust in You" (Psalm 24:17-18). This psalm reflects the feeling of those who are ill. He is asking the Lord not to reject him because he has his trust in the Lord, for He promised us saying, "Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him.  I will set him on high because he has known My name.  He shall call upon Me and I will answer him.  I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.  With long life I will satisfy him and show him My salvation" (Psalm 91:14-16). The Gospel which is read from St Matthew (6:14-18), advises those who are sick to forgive others the trespasses done against him, so that the Lord may also forgive them and consequently healed them of their illnesses, which may have been caused by sin. As the Lord said to the paralytic man, "Your sins are forgiven; Arise take up your bed and go to your house" (Matthew 9:2-6).

The priest supplicates unto the Lord to, 'see Your servant (...name), and raise him from the bed of his sickness."

Then the priest says the prayer of the laying on of hands. Here the priest places the cross on the sick person and prays the following supplication: "...Not by the laying on of our hands on his head, we who are Your sinful priests, but rather we entreat the forgiveness of his sins by the holy hand of this Gospel ... accept the repentance of your servant (...name)."

Then the following supplication is prayed: "Heal Your servant (...name) from his physical illness and grant him a correct life which glorifies and gives thanks to Your greatness, O lover of mankind..."

NOTES:

It is so important for a person to live a correct life, without blemish or blame.  How excellent for him to have the complimenting aspects of strong Orthodox faith, and a virtuous life.

The priest prays the Orthodox Creed over the oil. After each part, the attendants respond, "Glory be to the Father ... Now and forevermore, Amen." This is followed by the "Gloria" and the Lord's prayer. Then the Orthodox Creed is said, followed by "Lord have mercy" chanted 41 times.

NOTES:

It is very important that the sick person declares his Orthodox faith, for this is pleasing to God, for, "Without faith it is impossible to please Him" (Hebrews 11:6).  Faith is important for our healing as the Lord Jesus said to Jairus who's daughter Christ healed, "Do not be afraid, only believe, and she will be made well" (Luke 8:50).  Also, the Lord said to the two blind men who asked Him to open their eyes: "Do you believe that I am able to do this?...then He touched their eyes" (Matthew 9:28), and to the father who asked Christ to heal his sick son, the Lord said, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes" (Mark 9:23).

It is also important that the sick persevere in asking for God's mercy, by repeating "Lord have mercy" 41 times, so that God will have compassion on him, forgive his sins, and heal his psychological and physical illnesses.

The praise of the Cherubim is said: "Holy, holy, holy..." followed by the Lord's prayer.

Then the priest prays the three Absolutions :

1.         "Lord, who has given authority ..."

2.         "You, O Lord, who bowed the heavens ..."

3.         "Master, Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son and Logos of God the Father ..."

He requests absolution and forgiveness for the sick person, from the compassionate and merciful God.

The priest says the Blessing and concludes with the Lord's Prayer.  First he anoints the sick person with oil with a cross on his forehead, chest and hands ...

1.         The forehead is anointed because being the head, it is the center of the senses and thoughts.

2.         The chest is anointed because it contains the heart, for King Solomon said, "Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23).

3.         The hands are anointed because they are the instruments of work and deeds.

The priest anoints the person with signs of the cross, in the name of the Holy Trinity, who sanctifies and blesses all things.

The attendants are anointed by oil in the same manner, under one condition - that they are fasting.  The woman who is menstruating should not be anointed by oil.

The sick person must receive Holy Communion as soon as possible, after partaking in the Sacrament of Unction of the Sick, for Holy Communion is the essence of life.

The sick person must endeavor to anoint himself with the oil for seven consecutive days, believing in the power of God, and the power of prayer.  This perseverance shows his faith in the effectiveness of the Sacrament, and his obedience to the church rite.  Faith and obedience are essential ingredients for recovery.  Just as the sick preserve in taking medicine for their recovery, so too must they be diligent in anointing themselves with oil.

NOTES:

A question always arises:  How should the holy oil remaining after the Sacramental Rite and anointment, be treated?

Answer: The priest may take the remaining oil and leave a little oil in the dish for the patient to anoint himself for seven consecutive days, as specified in the Rite of Sacrament of Unction of the Sick.  Seven, being a perfect number, and so the sick person's diligence to anoint himself with the oil, proves his faith in the effectiveness of the Sacrament of Unction of the Sick, and his care and obedience for Church orders.  This ritual is effective, and helps the sick to recover through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Sometimes every house of the believers keep a special bottle in which to place the oil of the Sacrament of Unction of the Sick, as a continuous blessing in the home. It is kept in a safe place so that the oil does not spill, and is used only when necessary.

After completion of the Sacrament of Unction of the Sick, the priest must filter the oil from the seven wicks by pressing them strongly, then the cotton wicks must be burned so that they are not trodden on. He then empties the remaining oil from the dish into a bottle, which has been kept for only that purpose, and wipes the remaining oil on the dish with cotton wool. The cotton is then burned together with the wicks.

No unbeliever should be anointed by the oil of Unction of the Sick, as it is holy sacramental oil given only to the baptized.  If a non-believer asks to be anointed, a common oil is brought and the priest makes the sign of the cross on it three times, prays the Litany of the Sick, and then anoints the sick person.

No one should be anointed directly after Holy Communion, as Holy Communion is the perfection and seal of all Sacraments.

We notice in the Rite of the Sacrament of Unction of the Sick, that there are a great quantity of readings from the Holy Bible (7 Pauline, 7 Psalms, and 7 Gospels, apart from all the prayers and supplications).  If the sick person is attentive to the prayers, these readings and prayers are a great source of consolation, patience, endurance, peace, and comfort, as well as providing the gift of healing that is accomplished in God's time.  The sick person then feels he can surrender himself to God, and so his feelings of worry and anxiety are replaced with peace and calm, for "Whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4).

 

General Kandeel on the last Friday of Lent