My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
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GREAT AND HOLY WEDNESDAY THE MYSTERION (SACRAMENT) OF HOLY OIL (UNCTION)
The Mysterion (Sacrament) is a sacred action in which, while the body is anointed with holy oil, the Grace which heals infirmities of soul and body is called down upon a sick person (Longer Catechism p. 65). It is performed by a gathering of Presbyters (Priests), ideally seven in number; however, it can be performed by a lesser number and even by a single Priest.
THE DIVINE INSTITUTION OF THE MYSTERY (SACRAMENT)
Even in Old Testament times, oil signifies Grace, joy, a softening, a bringing to life. Anointment of the sick with oil was done by the Holy Apostles as we read in the Evangelist Mark (6:13): They "anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them."
The clearest testimony of the Mystery (Sacrament) of Holy Oil (Unction) is to be found in the Holy Apostle James (5:14-15): "Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders (Presbyters or Priests) of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they shall be forgiven him." The Holy Apostle speaks here not of a special "gift" of healing; rather he prescribes the sacred action in a definite form, which was to enter into the tradition of the Church: the performance of it by the Presbyters of the Church, prayers, anointment; and he joins to this, as its consequence, the easing of bodily illness and the forgiveness of sins.
In ancient Christian literature, one may find indirect testimonies of it in Sts. Basil the Great and John Chrysostom, who have left prayers for the healing of the infirm which entered later into the rite of Unction; and likewise in St. Cyril of Alexandria. In the 5th century, Pope Innocent I answered a series of questions concerning the Mystery (Sacrament) of Holy Unction, indicating in his answers that,
(a) it should be performed "upon believers who are sick";
(b) it may be performed also by a bishop, since one should not see in the words of the Apostle, "let him call for the presbyters," any prohibition for a bishop to participate in the sacred Unction;
(c) this anointment may not be performed "on those undergoing ecclesiastical penance." because it is a "Mystery" ("Sacrament"), and "to those who are forbidden the other Mysteries (Sacraments), how can one allow only one?"
This Mystery (Sacrament) is performed on the sick who are capable of receiving it consciously and participating in prayer for themselves; however, it may also be performed on children. The place of this Sacred Unction may be either the church or the dwelling (house) where the sick person is. The Mystery (Sacrament) of Holy Unction is usually preceded by the Mystery (Sacrament) of Confession and is usually concluded with the Mystery (Sacrament) of Holy Communion.
The visible side of the Mystery (Sacrament) comprises seven anointings of the sick person with oil by the participating seven priests in order; this is done in the form of a cross on the forehead, the nostrils, the cheeks, the lips, the chest, and both sides of the hands, accompanied by prayers and by the reading of specific passages in the Epistles and the Gospels. During the anointing itself, seven times this prayer is pronounced: "O Holy Father, Physician of souls and bodies, Who didst send Thine Only-Begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, Who healeth every infirmity and delivereth from death: Heal also Thy servant (name)." and so forth.
The rite of Holy Unction begins with the chanting of troparia (hymns) and a canon; the final prayer in the rite is a prayer of remission of sins. A whole assembly of servants of the Lord stands before Him on behalf of the sick person, and by the prayer of faith on behalf of the whole Church entreat Him, the Most Merciful One, to grant to the infirm one the remission of transgressions and to purify the conscience from every defilement. There is also kept in mind the fact that a person who has grown weak in body and soul is not always capable of offering the proper confession of his sins. This lightening of the conscience of the one who receives the Mystery (Sacrament) of Holy Unction opens the way also for a Grace-giving healing of his bodily infirmity through the prayer of faith. (Source: Orthodox Dogmatic Theology by Protopresbyter Michael Pomazansky)
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Please note: All of our parishioners will be anointed at the appropriate and safe time when our Metropolitan Nathanael will inform us to do so. The same applies for the Light of the Resurrection. None of you will be deprived of the blessing.
Thank you for your understanding and patience.
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"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostom
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With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George