Is unction mandatory, confession and communion? You need to confess before the unction

In church practice, there are many different rituals and sacraments that have their own special purpose. One of them is Unction. What it is, how the ritual takes place, how to prepare for it and what you need to know - all this will be discussed in this article.

What it is?

Before figuring out how to prepare for the Unction, it is worth understanding what it is. So, the Blessing of Anointing (or Unction) is a special one that is intended for the mentally ill or people with serious illnesses for their healing. Everything happens through anointing with oil seven times, as well as by reading special prayers. Why does this sacrament have such a name - Unction? Because this requires several priests, i.e. a council.

Why is this necessary?

It is worth saying that diseases themselves, according to the religious version, are a consequence of a person’s sinful life. This ritual is intended, first of all, to forgive sins and thereby cure the patient of an illness. However, the question may arise: is there really a sacrament of Confession for the remission of sins? But there are sins that a person has forgotten about or has not mentioned, or does not even consider his action to be sinful. All these nuances are taken into account at the sacrament of Unction.

Who is this available to?

Who can take unction? So, this is any baptized Orthodox person. However, children under 7 years of age are not subjected to this sacrament. It is worth saying that most people have the incorrect opinion that only dying people who need to be absolved of their sins are subject to Unction (variation: after unction, a person will die in a short time). This is not at all true; this sacrament is intended to cleanse one from sins and return one to life, and not to send a person to another world.

Preparation

So, how to prepare for the Unction correctly? What do you need to know for this?

1. It is very important to obtain the blessing of a priest for such an important sacrament.
2. We need to find out when it will be held. You will also need to sign up for a queue.
3. Buy a candle from the candle shop at the church.
4. Bring a bottle of vegetable oil and a napkin (to wipe off the remaining oil) with you to the temple.
5. It's better to confess first.

Time frame

So, Unction. When is this sacrament performed? It is worth saying that during Lent it can be held several times. However, situations are possible when this rule is deviated from, and the sacrament is performed when a person absolutely needs it.

Place

How to prepare for the Unction? So, you need to know where this sacrament can take place. During Lent, the priest conducts all activities in the temple. If a person does not have the opportunity to get to church, then Unction can be performed at home, at the bedside of a sick or dying person.

How does the sacrament itself take place?

Having figured out how to prepare for the Unction, information about exactly how the sacrament itself takes place will also be important for many. So, the clergyman will read seven texts from the Gospel and the Apostolic Epistles. After each reading, the priest must anoint the forehead, cheeks, hands and chest of the person being unctioned with sacred oil - oil. After reading the last verse, the priest places the open Gospel on the patient’s head and prays for the forgiveness of all his sins.

Nuances

People may also have other questions regarding this ordinance. So, how else should preparations for the Unction take place?

About the oil

If the Unction was held in 2014, what to do with the oil that was left? How long can it be used? It is believed that it has no expiration date. From time to time, a person himself can smear his sore spots with it in a cross shape. You can also add it to food. The clergy say that if you use oil with faith and reverence, then the grace of God will descend on each such person.

What is Unction? Why is it being done? How is it happening? You will find the answer to all these questions in the article below.

What is Unction?

Unction is one of the seven Sacraments of the Orthodox Church. Unction is performed to heal spiritual and physical ailments, and also grants remission of those sins that a person has forgotten. It is performed by anointing the believer’s forehead, nostrils, cheeks, lips, chest and hands with consecrated oil seven times in the shape of a cross, accompanied by the reading of prayers, the Apostle and the Gospel.

Unction is performed in case of serious illness throughout the year, and during Great Lent all believers try to receive unction.

After unction, believers try to confess (if they have not confessed before) and receive communion.

Unction: The Sacrament of Healing Soul and Body

The sacrament of healing the soul and body - these words can convey the essence of the sacrament, which is known among us as Unction, and in church books is more often called Blessing of Anointing. The name "unction" comes from the practice of performing this sacrament by several priests - a "council".

Sincerely, priest Anthony Skrynnikov.

Is it possible to pray during a general unction for a person who is not present there? The fact is that my son (he’s 2 years old) can’t stand the entire unction; we’ve already had to leave before. Thanks in advance for your answer. Best regards, Evgenia

Priest Mikhail Samokhin answers:

Hello, Evgenia!

The sacrament of unction, like all the sacraments of the Church, presupposes only the personal participation of a person. The sacrament of unction is not performed on children under 7 years old, so it is better to postpone your child’s participation in the sacrament until he reaches this age.
The best healing remedy for a baby is to give communion as often as possible.

Sincerely, priest Mikhail Samokhin.

Celebration of the Sacrament of Unction

The Blessing of Anointing is performed on Orthodox people over seven years of age. Usually it is performed in a temple, but for seriously ill people it can be taught at home. The sacrament can be repeated over the same person, but not during the same continuously ongoing illness. The Blessing of Anointing is not performed on patients who are in an unconscious state, or on violent mental patients. A priest cannot perform the Sacrament on himself.

The following of the Sacrament includes three parts: prayer singing; preparation of the substance for anointing and the anointing itself. The first part is a reduction of Matins, performed on days of fasting and repentance. After the usual initial morning prayers, Psalm 142, which represents an abbreviation of the Six Psalms, and the litany that occurs at Matins, “Alleluia” is sung instead of “God the Lord,” as in the time of repentance. Next, the repentant troparia are sung, Psalm 50 is read, which at Matins is placed before the canon, and the Canon “Sea of ​​the Red Deep” is sung. After the canon, in stichera, healing is asked from the Lord for the sick. Then the substance for the Sacrament is consecrated. The consecration of the oil is accomplished through a litany, which includes petitions for the blessing of the oil through the power, action and influx of the Holy Spirit, and a prayer read by all priests. During the reading of this prayer, troparions are sung: three to the Lord Jesus Christ, two to the Apostle James, one each to St. Nicholas, the myrrh-streamer Demetrius, the healer Panteleimon, the unmercenaries, the Apostle John the Theologian, and the final troparion to the Most Holy Theotokos. Next comes the third part - the performance of the Sacrament itself. Its order is as follows: the Apostle and the Gospel are read with the usual accessories; a special litany for the sick person and a prayer for him are pronounced and a cross-shaped anointing of the sick person with consecrated oil is performed on the forehead, nostrils, cheeks, lips, forearms and hands on both sides while reading a prayer for healing to God the Father with an invocation in the prayers of the Most Holy Theotokos, the chosen and all saints

This order, according to the number of performers of the Sacrament, is repeated seven times, and each time the apostolic and gospel readings and the prayer adapted to them after the special litany change. In the apostolic and gospel readings, various circumstances related to the Sacrament are remembered. After the seventh anointing, the Gospel is placed on the head of the sick person, in writing downwards, as if by the hand of the Lord Himself. The gospel is supported by the priests, and the leader at that time reads the prayer of permission. Next, an abbreviated strict litany is pronounced, troparia to the unmercenary and to the Mother of God are sung, and there is a dismissal, at which the holy Apostle James is remembered. At the end of the rite, the one who has received the Sacrament asks for blessing and forgiveness from the priests. To perform the Sacrament, a table is provided, and on it a dish of wheat, a cross and the Gospel are placed. Grains of wheat symbolically point to new life - after recovery or after the general resurrection (see John 12:24; 1 Cor. 15:36 - 38), and the cross and the Gospel - to the presence of Jesus Christ Himself. An empty vessel (idle kandilo) is placed on the wheat, which is then filled with consecrated oil combined with wine, in imitation of the medicine used by the Samaritan mentioned in the Gospel parable (see Lk 10:34). Around the vessel, seven pods wrapped in paper (cotton) are placed in the wheat for anointing and the same number of lighted candles. The sacred rite opens with censing around the table, the entire temple or house, and those around the table. When unction is combined with confession and communion of the sick person, the “Sequence of Confession” is performed first, then the Blessing of Anointing and finally the Communion of the Holy Mysteries. In case of mortal danger, in order not to deprive the patient of his last Communion, immediately after confession the abbreviated rite of Communion is performed (Trebnik, Chapter 14) and then, if the patient has not yet lost consciousness, the Sacrament of Anointing is performed, which can begin with the litany “Let us pray to the Lord in peace... " The sacrament is considered completed if the priest, after consecrating the oil, manages to read the secret prayer over the sick person at least once and anoint the parts of the body indicated in the Breviary. The sacrament is not performed on patients who are in an unconscious state, as well as on violent mental patients. In addition, the priest is forbidden to perform the Blessing of Anointing on himself. The custom of pouring consecrated oil on the body of a person who died after Unction does not find confirmation in the practice of the ancient Church, for it serves to anoint the living, not the dead. Therefore, this custom should not be followed. In the absence of mortal danger for the patient, there is no reason to combine the Blessing of Anointing with Communion, however, preliminary confession and repentance are desirable.

Gifts sent to the Sacrament of Anointing

As can be seen from the words of the Apostle James (5, 14 - 15), in the Sacrament of the Blessing of Unction two Divine gifts are sent to people from above. The first gift is physical healing. During unction, the presbyter of the Church or priest prays for the sick person and anoints him with consecrated Oil, just as the apostles prayed and sometimes anointed them with oil when healing the sick. In addition, at the unction, the relatives and acquaintances of the patient gather, who, together with the presbyter, also pray for his health. Finally, the patient himself prays, as much as his strength allows. And the common prayer of faith saves the sick person, and the Lord heals him, because not one person is praying here, but many, and even the presbyter himself, who has been given the power to intercede before God for people. And the Lord Himself promised to fulfill the request if two or three asked Him for something. He said: “Truly I also tell you that if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by My Father in heaven” (Matthew 18:19). Moreover, all those who pray, of course, must have proper faith and hope in God, which is why it is said: “The prayer of faith will heal the sick” (James 5:15).

The second gift that is sent to the sick person in the Sacrament of Anointing is the remission of sins. For the Apostle said: “If he [the sick person] has committed sins, they will be forgiven him” (James 5:15). Of course, in this case a person must show heartfelt contrition for his iniquities. He must bring to mind his entire life, all his lies, all the insults he has done to anyone. Having remembered all this, he must repent of his untruths from the bottom of his heart and ask God to forgive them. At the same time, he himself must forgive his neighbors, which of them is guilty of what against him, who has offended him in some way. For he must firmly remember the words of Jesus Christ, with which He taught people to pray to the Almighty: “And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). The patient must certainly fulfill all this, for this is what he desires from people. God Himself.

Who recovers after the Sacrament of Anointing and why?

The recovery of people from illness after unction often takes place before our eyes. The person gradually becomes better and better, and he soon recovers completely. This is often invisible to us: we think that the patient got up on his own, recovered on his own; in fact, the healing power of prayer helped here. It is not for nothing that it is said: “And the prayer of faith will heal the sick and raise him up. Lord..." (James 5:15). The word of God is not in vain, “for with God no word will fail” (Luke 1:37). And if the Lord, through His Apostle, said that He would heal the sick person in the Blessing of Anointing, then when after the Blessing of Anointing the sick person recovers, it follows that he recovers not on his own, but because the Lord helped him.

True, not all those who were unctioned recover. Some of them die. But this still does not mean saying or thinking that unction does not help the sick person.

The kind of relief in dying suffering that can follow the performance of this Sacrament is evidenced by the case described by the village priest Broyakovsky. One of his pious parishioners, Paraskeva, who was going to service early in the morning on the day of the Holy Great Martyr Barbara, was bitten by a mad dog a few steps from the temple, causing a large wound on her cheek. The bitten woman was immediately taken to a healer in a neighboring village. The priest, who learned about the incident only a few days later, had the intention of sending the victim to a bacteriological station. But her family opposed this, reassured by the fact that the wound had healed and the patient was feeling well. And indeed, already on December 19, she was fasting in her church, although she looked too gloomy. And five days later, the victim’s son came to the priest and said that his mother felt bad and asked him to come immediately and “cheat” her. Early the next morning, the priest found the patient lying on the stove and muttering something incoherently. While waiting for the church warden, he learned that the patient undoubtedly had rabies or, in other words, hydrophobia. For four days she refused to eat food, and especially water, and was terribly afraid of the cold, as a result of which she was always on the stove. During the ceremony, the patient sat on a bench. Her gaze was wild and wandering, so that she could not concentrate on one subject and behaved extremely restlessly: she would either utter some indistinct words, or suddenly, quite consciously and clearly, pronounce the words of prayer, very often make the sign of the cross in particular excitement , impetuously and earnestly. From time to time she cast unfriendly glances at her relatives, and at this time a terrible gnashing of teeth was heard. Obviously, she was mentally affected and greatly depressed by the awareness of her terrible situation. After reading the first Gospel, the patient, with terrible effort, gnashing her teeth, barely forced herself to kiss the holy book. Despite the fact that the husband and son were holding the hands of the tossing sick woman, the priest had great difficulty in anointing her body. And a new miracle of God’s mercy happened. At the end of the ritual, the patient completely calmed down. The grace of God, imparted by Him in the Sacrament of the Blessing of Unction, healed her spiritual infirmities. She stood up, bowed to the priest at the waist and said: Thank you, father, that you did not refuse to bring order to my soul. Some time after the unction with oil, Paraskeva asked for water, washed herself with it and drank. And in the evening, at six o’clock, she asked for food. At about 10-11 at night, the sick woman demanded the children to come to her, blessed them, and after that, shamelessly and peacefully, having been instructed by the Holy Mysteries, she went to the Lord.
The children, despite the heavy loss for them, tearfully thanked the Lord God that he did not allow the disease to develop to an extreme degree and granted the sufferer, who was a true Christian in life, a Christian death, but, being guided by the Holy Mysteries, she went to the Lord.

Without daring to unravel the secrets of God's Providence about human destinies, we can say the following about the death that occurred after the Sacrament of Unction.

Firstly, sometimes both the one who is about to receive unction and his relatives, who are preparing him for this Sacrament, do not do what is necessary for his recovery. Recovery requires faith in God's help and earnest petition either on the part of the patient himself or on the part of those interceding for him. For the healing Christ was, is and will be one and the same, and he demanded, demands and will demand the same from everyone during their healing. But what He requires often does not happen either to the patient himself or to those around him. The sick person often begins to receive unction because this is the custom among people, this is the custom. For the same reason, relatives and also acquaintances are often present at the unction of the sick: It’s not good not to be there, it’s a shame from people!” Consequently, none of those present at the unction had either sufficient faith or earnest petition. And without this, there is no recovery. For it is said that the prayer of faith, that is, faith combined with prayer, heals the sick.

Secondly, sometimes God does not send recovery to a person and for the benefit of the person himself. Perhaps, if a person recovered, he would become a great villain and sinner, and his soul would perish. God, knowing in advance what will happen next and how a person will live in the future, takes him to himself. After all, man cannot see this; the ways of God’s Providence are incomprehensible to him. You just need to firmly believe that God is good and does everything for the good of His creation! Thirdly, after unction, sometimes a person dies and because he needs it, it is time to die. God laid down an immutable law for every person to die someday: we see this ourselves. And if after unction a person always recovered, then he could never die, which is contrary to the will of God. Recovery from illness is a great gift, because every person wants to live longer. But an even greater gift is the remission of sins. This gift makes a person pure and opens the door to the Kingdom of Heaven. The Kingdom of Heaven is the most precious treasure, which a person must continually seek throughout his entire earthly life. Therefore, Orthodox Christians, do not be afraid to resort to the Sacrament of Anointing. When someone gets sick, let him receive unction without delay. And during the unction, let the sick person and his relatives pray with faith and hope for God’s mercy. By faith, God will fulfill their common desire. If the patient sees that the will of God is calling him to Himself, then he has nothing to grieve in the last minutes of his life: a blissful life is being prepared for him in the Kingdom of Heaven. Nevertheless, it must be said once again that unction very often brings a person recovery.

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Records found: 34

Hello, father. My husband has tracheal cancer, recurrence after surgery. How enlightenment suddenly came: I realized that I had lived wrong, that I had sinned so much, that I was obsessed with the material world. We went to confession with him, received communion, and he went to unction. I anoint it with oil from the unction. I ordered the Indestructible Psalter and Akathist to the All-Tsarina for a year in the monastery, I myself pray for it every day to the Savior and the All-Tsarina. Father, I really wanted and asked the Lord to give us children, and He gave us two girls, the youngest six months old. But I am afraid that the Lord will not hear my prayers, because I am a terrible sinner. I confessed, a stone fell from my soul, but I feel unworthy to be heard by Him. At the second confession, the priest asked in detail about fornication, and after that I was disgusted with myself. It seems to me that it was impossible to take communion and kiss the Cross after confession. I read the Gospel and prayers, but do I have the right to do this? We have no other doctor but the Lord, no hope, no faith, only in Him. Only He can help us and heal my beloved husband. I understand that it may not heal, and I try to accept it in my soul, but for some reason I am sure that a miracle will happen. My husband's illness prompted me to look back and rethink my entire life. But sometimes I feel despair that God will not hear me, and I immediately drive away these thoughts, because despair is a sin. It is very important to know whether the Lord hears the prayers of sinners?

Palina

Hello, Polina. It is the prayers of repentant sinners that the Lord hears. No one is sinless, only the Lord is holy. If a person does not see sin in himself and does not repent, then he already sees himself as God, and if he decides to pray, then he prays to himself, but God does not hear him. Only God is not the fulfiller of our desires, He is a Doctor. The kind of doctor who never makes a mistake in diagnosis and prescribes life-saving medications. We do not know what is useful and saving for us. Who can say what is good for him for eternal life, to be healthy or sick, rich or poor, to live a hundred years or several years? None of the values ​​here can be taken by us into eternity. This means that all this is not ours, it does not belong to us. Indeed, only that which cannot be taken away from us is ours. That’s why we need to ask God not for the temporary, but for the eternal. Healing the soul, not the body. Liberation from passions, not from diseases. God knows what we need in this world before we ask. And He commanded us to seek, first of all, the Kingdom of Heaven, and He gives everything that we need in the temporary world as needed. But if we cannot humble ourselves and endure, then we are allowed to ask for something temporary, but with humility: “Lord, if possible, fulfill my request, but not my will, but Yours be done. And do not count my foolish prayer as a sin.”

Priest Alexander Beloslyudov

Hello, tell me, do artificial flowers on graves and wreaths harm the deceased? I watched a video, they said that the soul is entwined with metal loops, because there are many wreaths on the grave. How does the church feel about artificial decorations on graves? And another question: is unction obligatory every year?

Natalia

Hello, Natalia. You will forgive me generously, but you looked at obvious nonsense. The product of some artist’s fevered imagination from the word “bad”. From the death of the body until the general resurrection, the soul does not enter into any relationship with anything material. Being insubstantial and immaterial, the soul perceives only what you can give it that is immaterial and immaterial - sacrifice and prayer. The wreaths won't harm her in any way. Another thing is that there is zero benefit from them. However, for bereaved relatives it can be an important part of expressing their memory of their loved one. Therefore, wreaths have meaning not for the departed soul, but for its remaining loved ones. Unction is not necessary. Each Sacrament has its own purpose and meaning. The Sacrament of Anointing (unction) was established for those who suffer from a serious serious illness that threatens their life, then they can resort to it at any time of the year, if necessary.

Priest Alexander Beloslyudov

Hello, I have this situation. I worked in a good position at a good job, I liked working there, however, the manager was a despotic person, I argued with him and quit, now I really regret that I didn’t restrain myself then. Now I’ve got another job, but it doesn’t bring me joy either spiritually or financially, I go there as if I’m going to hard labor, but I have to work, I have two girls, I need to teach them, although now my salary is barely enough to feed me, and in the village It's not so easy to find a job. I prayed to St. Trifon about finding a job. But a year has already passed and I understand that I am tormenting myself, I only think about another job, but nothing changes. I went to church, confessed, went to unction, but there was some kind of heaviness and dissatisfaction in my soul, even my family noticed that I was not the same as I was before. Recently someone from a church shop came to us and brought icons. They advised me to buy the icon of the Mother of God of Unfading Color; they said that it also suited my date of birth (April 2). I bought it, I pray in front of her for my girls and for myself. I just pray in my own words, I hope she will help me. I don’t know what to do and what to do. Maybe you can advise me? Thanks in advance for your answer.

Natalia

Unfortunately, we have to pay for hasty decisions and inability to endure... But this is also science, the science of Christian life. In cases like yours, people often change their place of residence for a better job. But you should never rush! We need to think everything through carefully. Otherwise, there is a risk of making another mistake. This is what you pray about.

Archpriest Maxim Khizhiy

Hello! How to prepare for the Unction? Should I bring oil to the temple? They say that you can only receive unction before death?

Victoria

Victoria, preparation for unction is confession: before unction you must confess. I think you know how to prepare for confession: this is a repentant introspection of your life. It is not at all necessary to bring oil to the unction, just as it is not necessary to take with you the oil blessed after the unction. The fact is that earlier, when the rules of the Church were observed more strictly, and the priests did not make concessions to the parishioners, the oil from the unction remained with the priest and was never handed out. And if a person recovered after the unction, then it was simply burned in the church oven, but if he died, then it was poured onto the coffin. This is written absolutely clearly and unambiguously in our church books. They began to give out oil to people simply at their insistent request, however, in principle, this is wrong. Cathedral oil is not intended for a person to anoint himself with it - only a priest should anoint with it. If we consider the issue of unction further, we will see that it is intended for people “lying on their beds,” that is, possessed by a very serious physical illness. And the meaning of all the prayers that are read at the unction, if we analyze them verbatim, is precisely to raise a person from this bed of illness and return him to the church, where he can again be actively saved, through repentance and feasible spiritual deeds. Is unction performed before death? No, it would be more correct to say that it is performed on those people whom illness has confined to bed and deprived of the opportunity to be in church, at divine services, at confession, at communion at the Liturgy.

Hegumen Nikon (Golovko)

Question for an Orthodox priest: when my mother found out about the diagnosis - CANCER - I immediately asked her if she wanted to receive unction and receive communion. She confidently said, “Yes.” A week later, the priest came and conducted unction and confession with communion. I myself told her the day before what she should talk about - about abortion, and at her discretion. The problem is that she is the daughter of a party worker, and during her lifetime she did not go to church, but she did not speak out negatively against the church. Therefore, she has no particular idea about what to say in confession. In short, the priest said that he was giving her communion only because he had given her unction. I want to know if her communion is valid, and how can I pray for her now? And are unnamed sins forgiven during unction? Can I compensate for her spiritual deficiencies with alms and funeral services? I go to church myself. Can her consent to the unction be considered an appeal to God?

Ksenia

Yes, Ksenia, the sacrament really is, don’t doubt it, everything is good and correct. You can pray the same way as for any Orthodox Christian. Forgotten sins are forgiven in the Sacrament of Unction. As for funeral services and alms, then, of course, they greatly help a person in the afterlife.

Hegumen Nikon (Golovko)

Hello. We have this situation - my father suffered a stroke and head surgery. Already two months ago. All the time he is in a state of unclear consciousness, does not speak, and does not respond to requests to do something. Mom went to the priest and asked to come to him. He said that this would only be possible when Dad regained consciousness. Is this really true? And why? Is the path to the church and God closed to a person in the most difficult period? I have myrrh from a myrrh-streaming icon, I smear it - it turns out that this too cannot be done? How can it be that an Orthodox, baptized person who really needs help is denied it by a priest?

Tatiana

Tatyana, I think your mother and father did not understand each other: the point is that a person must be conscious in order to confess and receive communion. If your mother asked the priest about this, then he answered correctly, we must wait. But there is also such a sacrament as unction, and it is quite applicable to those who are even in an unconscious state. Ask the priest to administer unction to your father.

Sincerely, editors of the site Law of God

What is confession on Saturday morning and evening? Can I confess all my sins there? What is the fast before unction? Can I listen to music or audio books?

Maksim

Hello, Maxim! Confession is the same on any day. Confession (Sacrament of Repentance) is a sacrament of the Orthodox Church, during which he who confesses his sins with sincere repentance receives permission and remission of sins from God. You need to confess all your sins, without holding anything back. Before unction as such, fasting is not required, since it is assumed that the unction is most often given to those who are seriously ill. But it very often happens that after the unction, the priest blesses you to receive communion. In this case, you need to prepare as you should for communion. You can listen to Christian music and audiobooks if it helps you get ready and prepare for the sacrament, and does not entertain your mind.

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Hello. I am baptized in the Catholic Church. Please tell me, can I be anointed in the Orthodox Church?

Yaroslav

Hello, Yaroslav! Confirmation is a Sacrament in which the believer, when the parts of the body are anointed with the consecrated Chrism, are given the gifts of the Holy Spirit, helping the Christian to grow and strengthen in spiritual life. In the Orthodox Church, this sacrament is performed during baptism. You need this sacrament only if you decide to convert to Orthodoxy. In this case, you need to contact any Orthodox church and talk with the priest about your desire. If you mean the usual anointing with oil during the service or the sacrament of the Blessing of Unction (unction), then this is impossible. Only a member of the Orthodox Church, which you are not, can attend church sacraments.

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Hello, how many times can you undergo unction if you are possessed? Taking into account the fact that in our church they hold unction once a week.

Alexandra

And who made this diagnosis - “obsession”? I suspect that you defined it yourself. There is no need to admit that you are possessed (or possessed) so as not to please the fallen spirits with your capitulation to them. First of all, you need reasonable faith (read the Gospel about healing the sick), listen to sermons, pray in church, confess. Communion, the Chalice of Christ is our main Doctor! And unction is performed on the sick for the forgiveness of sins that they have forgotten due to weakness. This Sacrament, according to the rules, is not performed even more than once a year on the physically sick. Don't profane him!

Archpriest Maxim Khizhiy

Hello! Father, bless! Please tell me, in which Moscow churches is unction performed not only during the days of Great Lent? I constantly feel not very good, nothing hurts, but I feel some kind of malaise, loss of strength, lack of energy, although I confess and take communion every Sunday. In our Temple they told me that unction is held only during Great Lent. Thank you in advance. God bless you!

Inna

Inna, you should not look for the opportunity to hold unction more often, this is spiritually wrong. Better accept your weakness with gratitude and carry it, like a cross given by God, with humility. As for unction, if there is no illness that has confined us to bed and plunged us into an extremely difficult condition, then unction is blessed no more than once a year - this is the decree of church rules.

Hegumen Nikon (Golovko)

Hello. Today I wanted to undergo unction for the first time. Before that, I asked my mothers what was needed for this. To my question they answered: “Nothing, you can bring rice and butter.” When I came to church today, I took a hundred rubles with me for candles (since I live nearby and don’t carry a wallet with me). In the process, I find out that unction COSTS 350 rubles. When I approached my mother and explained that I didn’t have that much money with me, she invited me to LEAVE the temple and come next time (when I have money). Question: to become closer to God, do you need to have N amount of money? I’m still crying because I only recently started going to church, and now I’m disappointed.

Olga

Dear Olga! I mourn with you what happened. You can consult with churchwomen about behavior in church, but you cannot accept all their words as firm instructions. If we are talking about participation in the Sacrament of the Church, you need to ask the priest and act with his blessing. Not a single priest would bless you to leave the unction. Don't hold a grudge against a woman who gave you the wrong advice. She, apparently, according to her understanding, fulfilled her obedience in collecting church donations. In spiritual life, it is important to know whose advice you can listen to. Blind obedience is very dangerous. God bless.

Priest Sergius Osipov

If unction is preceded by confession and ends with communion, is it necessary to follow the entire rule before communion, that is, read the three canons and the rule before communion? After all, there is no need to confess a second time.

Galina

Galina, Communion requires us to prepare every time we are going to receive communion, regardless of whether you have gathered together or not. Every time you are going to receive communion, you need to read the three canons and the rule before Holy Communion.

Hieromonk Victorin (Aseev)

Bless! I am about to receive the sacrament of unction, and the closer the time approaches, the more temptations fall upon me. Either there is a birthday in the team, I have to eat a piece of cake, or there is incomprehensible aggression around me. And now I’m seriously ill, I can’t eat anything because my throat hurts, I had to buy fermented milk products and use them. I still don’t feel well, will I be able to go to Sunday liturgy, and unction on Tuesday. What to do?

Natalia

Natalya, everyone has to go through temptations, and cope with them with God’s help. The sick person has relaxations in fasting. The main thing is not to be late for the unction on Tuesday! God help me.

Priest Sergius Osipov

Hello, dear father! I am a married woman, happy marriage, healthy children. Everything is fine. We are a church-going family. At least that's what we strive for. In this regard, I evaluate and weigh all my actions in life from the point of view of approval or disapproval of Christianity. It is very important for me to live according to the commandments and not sin. But there is a question to which I myself cannot find a definite answer. I met a man, he has a family and children. He is a very devout Christian. Serb. We have purely friendly relations, we communicate mainly on topics of Christianity and religion. I learn something new from him, since he is more church-going. And I’m interested in this communication, nothing more. I love my husband very much and have never cheated on him. Married for 18 years. And I don't even think about it. Actually, the question is whether such communication is sinful; after all, we are of different sexes. Although, I repeat, there is no other relationship and cannot be. Just friendship. It is very important for me to get an answer to this question, since now is Lent, which I observe. Just recently I went to confession and received communion. We are planning to go to the unction. In general, I would like to keep my soul clean. Please answer my question in detail, if possible.

Anna

Hello Anna. Formally, there is no sin in this. But, you must listen to yourself. If embarrassment enters the heart, if an attraction has appeared, even a plausible one, if there is pleasure in the process of communication itself, and not in its topic and content, the alarm must be sounded. I am also married, and older, and have been in the priesthood for many years, but I am never alone with a woman. This is not my invention, this is what the holy fathers teach. You can't trust your flesh until it lies in the grave. If you see the benefit of conversations on spiritual topics, take a blessing from your confessor and organize a “circle” in your parish where parishioners can gather for spiritual conversations. Invite experienced priests, confessors, monks, and simply spiritually mature Orthodox Christians. Then the danger of getting carried away will be minimal, and not only you, but many parishioners will benefit. Yes, and the rector, it seems to me, will be pleased with the activity of his parishioners. God help you.

Priest Alexander Beloslyudov

Hello, father. I learned from a relative that during Lent, unction takes place for everyone. In this case, absolutely all sins are forgiven. Is it possible to receive communion without confession after this? What is the purpose of this service? Is it really beneficial for everyone to visit? Thank you.

Nina

Nina, it is a misconception that during unction all sins are forgiven. Our sins are forgiven only if we ourselves sincerely repent of them in confession in church with a priest. During unction, only those sins that you do not remember, that you have forgotten, and, as a rule, these are not serious sins, are forgiven. And all other sins are not forgiven during unction. Grave sins are such that a person will never forget about them. Serious sins must be repented in confession. Unction is provided by the church primarily for sick people. But since we are all sick to some extent, the practice has developed in the church that during Lent everyone who wants can receive unction. You can take unction, if there are no serious illnesses, once or twice a year.

Hieromonk Victorin (Aseev)

Anna, we must be firmly convinced that nothing happens to us without the will of God. If the Lord sent the disease, then it was for a reason. Of course, we must be treated, but only in the traditional way, with experienced doctors, and in no case turn to “healers”, “psychics”, etc. And first of all, your mother needs to be given unction. Unction is a great sacrament and has great power. It is usually used for illnesses. You need to invite a priest to your home or hospital, and he will do everything. It is necessary for yourself, and especially for the sick person, to confess all your sins to a priest (preferably in church) and take communion. And you need to do this too. It is necessary to go to church and receive communion regularly. In the church it is not customary to pray this way - in order to resolve it “with the least harm”, we do not pray this way. We pray for health, for complete recovery. And there it will be as God pleases. We ask, we want health, but we don’t know what God’s will will be. A lot depends on us. God gives us health only so that we can use it for our own good: we go to church, do good deeds, glorify and thank God. And we use our health for various lawless deeds, for sins. So the Lord, in order to stop us or to reason with us, sends us various diseases. God does not want our soul to perish. You need to talk to your mother about this topic, it will be useful for both her and you. We should not be ashamed of illness. Of course, you need to pray for your mother both at home and in church. The prayer book contains prayers for the sick, read them at home, and in church order notes for the Liturgy and for the prayer service of St. Great Martyr and Healer Panteleimon.

Hieromonk Victorin (Aseev)

Hello, dear priests! Is it possible to receive unction if there are no special physical illnesses, but the mental state leaves much to be desired? Unction in our church is carried out in the evening, in connection with this there is another question - is it possible to first take unction, then confess and receive communion the next day? Or is it better to go to confession first and then receive unction? I started going to church not long ago, so if the questions are stupid, please forgive me. Thank you for your answers!

Valeria

Valeria, in past centuries they resorted to unction only when a person was so sick that, being in an unconscious state, he could no longer confess on his own. Now the view of unction has changed dramatically and it is considered a pious and necessary thing to perform unction at least once a year, even regardless of a person’s physical condition. In this case, it is necessary to confess precisely before the unction, and not after.

Hegumen Nikon (Golovko)

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During the Nativity and Great Lents, the Sacrament of Unction is performed in churches. Priest Mikhail Vorobyov and Abbot Nektary (Morozov) answer questions related to this Sacrament.

What does anointing with oil during unction mean and what is the difference from anointing during polyeleos?

Unction, or Blessing of Unction, is a Sacrament that frees a person from sins that he, out of forgetfulness or ignorance of the fact that some actions and desires are sins, did not reveal at confession. Usually this Sacrament is performed on sick people. The oil consecrated in the rite of Unction is the substance through which the Divine grace that saves a person, liberating him from these sins, is supplied for the healing of his soul and body.

The anointing of oil performed at polyeleos matins is a rite that symbolically represents Divine mercy, always ready to come to the aid of a suffering person.

As far as I know, the meaning of the Sacrament of Confirmation is the forgiveness of forgotten sins. Why, if after Confirmation a long-standing, but not confessed, sin is remembered, does it still need to be mentioned in confession?

Answered by Hegumen Nektary (Morozov), rector of the Bishop's Church
in honor of the icon of the Mother of God "Quiet my sorrows"

You are a little mistaken, because you are obviously confusing two completely different Sacraments: Confirmation and Unction, which is otherwise called Blessing of Anointing. The meaning of Confirmation is not the forgiveness of forgotten sins, but the teaching to a person, after Baptism, of the gift of the Holy Spirit, in his sealing with the Holy Spirit. Confirmation, as it were, puts a certain stamp on a person: now he is God’s.

And the Sacrament of Unction is the Sacrament of healing our mental and physical ailments. We all sin a lot. And when we repent, much, due to our inattention, or simply due to the abundance of sins, is forgotten and we do not bring it to confession. There are sins that we are not fully, not fully aware of, and that is why we do not name them as we should when performing the Sacrament of Repentance. In addition, although we most often confess with a sincere desire to improve, our confession is very often imperfect. Imperfect because almost immediately after it we again fall into the same sins.

Moreover, a believer knows that there is a very direct connection between our sins and our illnesses. Sin not only covers us with ulcers and corrupts our soul, but also leads us to experience very real bodily ailments. And in this sense, we can say that the Sacrament of Unction is the Sacrament of inclination of Divine mercy to a suffering person. It heals those illnesses that are caused to us by sin. It is still impossible to say that forgotten sins are “automatically” forgiven. After all, forgetting your sins, obviously due to painlessness or unrepentance for them, is also a sin.

Therefore, if suddenly after Unction you remember a sin that was once committed and then forgotten, then you definitely need to confess it. Perhaps even this was the effect of God’s grace, that this sin came to our memory, and we can repent of it.

I fast throughout Lent, but my mother does not fast, because she works very hard, but she supports and encourages me in every possible way. Is it possible for me and my mother to receive unction and receive communion?

Answered by priest Mikhail Vorobiev, rector of the temple
in honor of the Exaltation of the Honest Life-Giving Cross of the Lord in the city of Volsk

Before Communion it is necessary to confess. In confession to your mother, among other sins, you should mention breaking the fast, explaining, without justifying yourself with any circumstances, why such a violation occurs. The right to allow Communion, as well as the right to not allow you to receive Communion until the imposed penance has been fulfilled, belongs to the priest confessing you.

The sacrament of unction does not require preliminary fasting (unless, of course, we are talking about the fact that it is performed during a multi-day fast, as now). However, it cannot be started without prior confession. The meaning of unction is that a person is freed from sins that, due to ignorance, misunderstanding, or forgetfulness (but not due to carelessness or negligence), he did not reveal at confession. The sacrament of unction, thus, turns out to be effective only for those who are attentive to their spiritual life, who regularly, consciously and thoroughly confess, who carefully examine their soul, trying in every possible way to confess all the sins that arise in memory. Therefore, one should not take unction without the blessing of the confessor or the same confessing priest.

I took unction and after the sacrament, oil was poured and wheat was sprinkled on all those who had taken unction. I was embarrassed to ask why, and now I’m turning to you. Please tell me what needs to be done about this? And I also took with me the candle with which I stood during the unction, did I do the right thing and how can this candle be useful to me?

Answered by priest Mikhail Vorobiev, rector of the temple
in honor of the Exaltation of the Honest Life-Giving Cross of the Lord in the city of Volsk>

Wheat grains, in which candles are placed during unction, are a symbol of eternal life. This meaning is revealed in the words of the Lord Jesus Christ Himself: “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; and if he dies, he will bear much fruit” (John 12:24). Wheat brought home is best eaten or given to birds. Light a candle in front of the icons during prayer. Oil - anoint the body during illness.

What is Unction?

Unction (or Blessing of Unction) is a Sacrament in which, through anointing with consecrated oil (oil), God's help is given for the healing of mental and physical ailments. The Sacrament of Anointing is called Unction because, as a rule, several priests gather together to perform it - a council.

Why is it necessary to undergo unction?
- According to the teachings of the Church, the source of disease lies in sin, and the first prediction of disease in the human race appeared after the fall of the first people. When a paralytic was brought to the Savior for healing from an illness, He directly draws attention to the source of the illness and says: “Son, your sins are forgiven you” (Mark 2:3-11). In the same exact relationship, sin and bodily weakness are put in the Apostle James, who, having spoken about the healing of a sick person through anointing with oil and prayer, notes that at the same time the healed person’s sins are also forgiven (James 5:15). It cannot be argued that all illnesses, without exception, are a direct consequence of sin, but nevertheless, most illnesses are recognized in Christianity as a consequence of sin, and the prayers of the Sacrament of Anointing are permeated with this thought.

For the forgiveness of sins there is the Sacrament of Confession, but the moral causes of illness are not always visible to a person; on the contrary, many of them are hidden from the judgment of his conscience. The sick person, due to his weakness, cannot fulfill all the conditions of true repentance. During the Sacrament of the Blessing of Anointing, a whole council of His servants stands before the Lord for the exhausted sick person and, with the prayer of faith on behalf of the entire Church, begs God to grant the person, along with bodily health, remission of sins. We believe that for the sake of the prayers of the Church in the Sacrament of Anointing, the sick are absolved of sins for which he could not receive resolution in the Sacrament of Repentance: long-standing sins, forgotten and unconfessed, subject, however, to a general repentant attitude; sins committed in ignorance; sins that were the cause of the disease, but which the patient did not know about; sins that the patient, due to his grave weakness, is not able to tell his confessor at the moment or cannot now atone for with good deeds. All these and similar sins are forgiven by the grace of God to the sick person through the Sacrament of Anointing.

Can Unction speed up a person's death?

Can not. But the life span of any person depends only on the will of the Heavenly Father, Who often sends bodily illness to admonish and change life. And the Lord can prolong the life of a dying person for the purpose of allowing him to adequately prepare for the transition to eternity.

Unfortunately, persistent prejudices are associated with the Sacrament of Anointing, which repel the faint-hearted from the very possibility of resorting to the saving action of God's grace. People prone to superstitions are afraid of Unction, believing that this is “the last Sacrament and it will hasten the death of themselves or the relatives who receive it. In no case should one believe such prejudices that those who have recovered after the Blessing of Anointing should never again eat meat; that one must fast, in addition to Wednesday and Friday, also on Monday; that he cannot have marital relations, should not go to the bathhouse, take medicine, etc. These fantasies undermine faith in the gracious power of the Sacrament and destroy the spiritual life of the person who accepts these fantasies. In addition, they introduce temptation into the minds of “outsiders”, those who do not belong to the Church, but who sympathize with it.

How to prepare for the Unction?

You must receive the priest's blessing for Unction. Find out when it is held, come at a certain time, sign up at the candle shop, tell your name, buy a candle. If possible, before the Unction it is advisable to confess in advance what is recognized as a sin.

When does Unction take place?

During Lent, unction is performed several times. If necessary, it can be performed at any other time.

Usually Unction is performed at home at the bedside of the sick, but during Lent it takes place in churches. In this case, the words of the Apostle James: “Is any of you sick” (James 5:14) are taken in a broad sense, that is, they mean not only those who are physically sick, but also those who suffer spiritually - having sorrow, despondency, heaviness from sinful passions.

Is it necessary to fast before the Unction?

There is no special fast before the Unction. But since Unction in churches is usually performed during Lent, its observance is the duty of any Orthodox Christian.

Who can take unction?

Any baptized Orthodox Christian who has the blessing of a priest can take unction. Children under 7 years old, as a rule, are not given unction.

There is a misunderstanding of the essence of the Sacrament of Unction, which is expressed in the fact that it is allegedly required only by the dying and only for the remission of sins. This sacrament was established by the Holy Church according to the words of the holy Apostle James: “Is any 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. And the prayer of faith will heal the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him” (James 5:14-15). The prayers of the Rite of Anointing speak not of death, but of a return to life, but a renewed life, cleansed of sins.

Is it possible to administer unction to a sick person when he is unconscious?

Participation in all Sacraments must be conscious and voluntary.

If a sick person who is in an unconscious state has previously participated in church sacraments and expressed a conscious desire to receive unction at a time when he could give an account of his actions, then the possibility of performing the Sacrament of Anointing on him should be consulted with a priest.

Is it possible to unction infants?

For infants under seven years of age, the Sacrament of Anointing is not performed on the basis of the words of the Apostle James: “let him call the elders... and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him” (James 5:14-15), which presupposes in the sick person the strength of faith, the presence of spirit and consciousness of one's sins.

What to do if the patient cannot be taken to the church for Unction?

We need to invite a priest to your home.

If after Unction you remember a sin, is it necessary to talk about it at Confession?

Unction does not cancel or replace the Sacrament of Repentance. If after Unction you remember a sin, then you need to confess it.

What to do with the oil left over from last year's Unction?

You can anoint yourself with the oil left after the Unction - apply it crosswise to sore spots, or add it to food. If you use it with reverence and faith, then any use of the “cathedral” oil will serve as a blessing from God.

Is it possible to smear sick, unseemly places with holy oil?

Man was created by God and there is nothing bad in him, therefore it is allowed to smear any place when it hurts. But usually, the following parts of the body are anointed with holy oil with prayer in a cross shape: forehead, cheeks, chest, palms and hands, legs.

What to do after Unction?

After Unction, it is necessary to partake of the Holy Mysteries of Christ.