mirrors this same act in , to read by the asking God for guard individuals from the clutches forgiveness on behalf of all who are of Satan. This is an important present. At the end of the service all distinction and effects the spiritual, who are present approach and are mental and physical wellbeing of the blessed by the priest with Holy Oil. individuals involved, as through the The priest recites these lines: “The act of Baptism, participants are blessing of our Lord, God and HOLY initiated into the life of the . Saviour : for the healing They become and are of the soul and body of the servant of UNCTION called to be “Christ-like”. God, [name], always, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen”. The The Service of Holy Unction faithful are then given some oil, In the Orthodox Church we also bless usually on a cotton bud to take home. oil during the Mystery of Holy Holy Unction oil is used for the Unction. This special service can be of the sick. Normally, it celebrated any time during the year would be smeared on a sick however it is more commonly held individual in the form of a cross: on Wednesday night of . from top to bottom, then side to side. During the service there are seven Then a prayer is offered so that Jesus and readings, Christ may heal the individual. combined with prayers for the The of Holy Unction is for blessing of the oil. The number seven the healing of both body and soul, is significant as it represents strengthening one’s faith and giving ‘perfection’, in which we are them consolation, patience and reminded of the only perfect One, endurance over their sickness. Christ, the ultimate healer of soul and body. Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia and New Zealand During the service, prayers are also ph: 02 95346939 www.antiochian.org.au

Holy Unction consecrate ministers and , such of the Acts of the Apostles. The Holy Unction is one of the as Aaron and his sons. (Exodus were ordained by the “laying ‘mysteries’ in the Orthodox Christian 30:30-31) We also find in Psalm on of hands”, which gave them a Church. It is a Sacrament, a Holy 88:21 a reference to King David special blessing to go out and anoint, Gift, in which the being anointed by Holy Oil. An bless and heal the sick. sanctifies oil and turns it into a Holy interesting note to be made here, is St James also writes about the use of substance, a substance which is ‘set that until this present day when Holy Oil in the . He prompts his apart’. This oil is then often and Priests place their stole audience by asking: “Is anyone distributed to the faithful and is around their neck, they say a prayer among you sick? Let him call for the mainly used for anointing, blessing in reference to this passage. The elders of the Church, and let them and healing. prayer reads, “Blessed is God, who pray over him, anointing him with oil pours out His grace upon His Chief in the name of the Lord” (James The word ‘oil’ can be linked to the Priests, as ointment upon the head, 5:14) Greek word used for Mercy, which runs down upon the beard, the ‘Elaion’. As faithful, by using the beard of Aaron, which runs down to Holy Oil and Its Use During Holy Oil we are calling upon God’s the hem of his garment”. Baptism mercy, who is in essence the Creator, the projector of richness and mercy, New Testament During the Sacrament of Baptism the healer of both soul and body. Christians are also anointed with oil. In according to St Mark, Thus, it is Jesus Christ who heals, not This oil is commonly known as the Jesus sends out his twelve disciples the substance itself. We are reminded “Oil of Gladness”. Oil is placed all to begin administering to the about this every time we use the over the individual, mostly on the community, In Mark 6: 12-13, it says words “Messiah” and “Christ”, in forehead, chest, ears, mouth, nose, “So they went out and preached that reference to Jesus, as both words hands, knees, feet and back. people should repent. And they cast mean the “Anointed One”. out many demons, and anointed with During the time of the first Olympics, oil many who were sick, and healed wrestlers would cover themselves in them.” This action of being ‘sent out’ oil. This made it difficult for their In the Old Testament God tells the is further elaborated upon in the book opponents to catch them. The Church children of Israel to use Holy Oil to