The Benefit of the Prayers

Holy Unction is a sacrament of the Orthodox Church. It is the intention of the church that we receive it “regularly.” Throughout history, the sacrament of Holy Unction has been held “regularly” in monasteries and churches. In some places it is offered once a month. In others at the beginning of Fast periods, so four times per year. It is offered when someone is sick, either the full service or an abridged form. Because in some places “regular” became not at all, the Church has placed Holy Unction as a part of the Holy Week journey. All Orthodox Churches offer this sacrament at least once a year, on Holy Wednesday. Holy Thursday morning commemorates the Institution of the Eucharist by Christ at the Last Supper. Holy Unction is placed on Holy Wednesday, to commemorate the washing of the feet of the Disciples by Christ before the Institution of the Eucharist. Also, as we will learn in the Parable of the Good Samaritan, the Good Samaritan bound up the wounds of the man who had been robbed by pouring oil and wine on them. These represent Holy Unction and the Eucharist. The practice of offering Holy Unction on Holy Wednesday before commemorating the Institution of the Eucharist on Holy Thursday beautifully connects the two.

In the Roman Catholic Church, Holy Unction is offered at the end of life, it is called Extreme Unction. In the Orthodox Church, we don’t have Extreme Unction or “last rites”. Holy Unction is a sacrament to be received regularly throughout our lives.

Because Holy Unction is a sacrament, it is administered through the hands of ordained clergy. Most of the time when I have celebrated Holy Unction, I have served alone, no other clergy were in attendance. Consequently, preferring to receive Holy Unction from the hands of another clergyman, I have not received Holy Unction most of the times I have celebrated it. In seeking to take away some personal benefit from this sacrament, besides the anointing, I have found great comfort in the seven prayers that are part of Holy Unction. In fact, it was in celebrating Holy Unction at the beginning of the Nativity Fast in November 2020, that I decided to write this set of reflections because so many things jumped out at me from the prayers. They were comforting and reassuring of God’s love and mercy, especially in our time of need.

The prayers of Holy Unction are like a spiritual massage. For those who have ever received a massage, you know that the purpose of a massage is to help us relax and loosen up tense muscles. The prayers of Holy Unction function in the same way as relates to our souls. The soul that is weighed down with sorrow and frustration can find relaxation and rejuvenation. The soul that is tense with guilt will find that guilt loosened through the comforting words of these beautiful prayers.

As we go through this study, there will be commentary made on each prayer. The words of all the prayers will be included with the hope that you will read and reflect on them. Because while the benefit of being anointed with Holy Unction is reserved for the corporate celebration of this sacrament, the words of the prayers can be enjoyed at any time.

Acceptance and rejection are part of life. Throughout our lives, we will be accepted or rejected from colleges, athletic teams, jobs, offers to buy homes, asking people out on dates, and many other instances. Rejections will be hard to swallow. They always are. One beautiful thing about prayer is that God always accepts prayer. He will never reject a prayer. He will never say “I am not listening to you.” Our prayer requests may not always be answered, especially when they relate to material gain. However, the prayers for mercy and spiritual healing are always accepted. This is why regardless of what state we find ourselves in, even when we’ve been kicked to the curb by circumstances that may or may not be of our own making, God will always accept our prayer, He will always allow us to come into His presence.

We know that God accepts us. When we accept Him, when we come into His presence, we can always enter His presence with joy. There might be trepidation when asking someone out on a date, or going to a job interview, or dealing with a confrontation. However, there should never be trepidation about offering a prayer or speaking to God.

The sacrament of Holy Unction allows for oil blessed by God to be spread over our senses in a physical and tangible way. However, it is the prayers of Holy Unction that usher us into the presence of God. Prayer in general is something that is challenging. It is challenging to think of words to pray. These seven beautiful prayers offer words of comfort, whether we are reading them ourselves, or hearing them in a corporate context. A lifelong challenge for most people is to be consistent in prayer. For all those who are, we know the joy that comes from regularly stepping into the presence of God. For those who don’t, it is only a prayer away.

Your seal is a sword against demons, O Savior, and a fire, that consumes the passions of souls, through the prayers of the Priests. Therefore, we who have received healing in faith praise You.

(7^th Ode, Sacrament of Holy Unction, Trans. by Fr. George Papadeas)

Enjoy the spiritual relaxation and rejuvenation that are two powerful benefits of prayer, including the Prayers of Holy Unction, other corporate prayers, and our private prayers as well.