Holy Annointing

[Little_Boy_Lost]

When is it appropriate to ask for Holy Anointing? I love how the church celebrates it liturgically during the Fasting periods as a public ceremony. But when can one ask for it? If I come down with bronchitis? If my back is troubling me? Can I ask for this Holy Mystery?

 

[chaldobyzantine]

You may ask your priest at anytime to give you the sacrament of Holy Unction if you feel that you need it for your physical or spiritual health. It is not the same as “Last Rites” in the Latin Church.

On Holy Wednesday, anyone may receive the Holy Unction sacrament after the Pre-Sanctified Liturgy.

To quote from the goarch.org website

When one is ill and in pain, this can very often be a time of life when one feels alone and isolated. The Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick, or Holy Unction as it is also known, remind us that when we are in pain, either physical, emotional, or spiritual, Christ is present with us through the ministry of his Church. He is among us to offer strength to meet the challenges of life, and even the approach of death.

As with Chrismation, oil is also used in this Sacrament as a sign of God’s presence, strength, and forgiveness. After the reading of seven epistle lessons, seven gospel lessons and the offering of seven prayers, which are all devoted to healing, the priest anoints the body with the Holy Oil. Orthodoxy does not view this Sacrament as available only to those who are near death. It is offered to all who are sick in body, mind, or spirit. The Church celebrates the Sacrament for all its members during Holy week on Holy Wednesday.

 

[Aramis]

When is it appropriate to ask for Holy Anointing? I love how the church celebrates it liturgically during the Fasting periods as a public ceremony. But when can one ask for it? If I come down with bronchitis? If my back is troubling me? Can I ask for this Holy Mystery?

When you are notably not well, you should be notifying your pastor.

If you are persistently ill, you should keep your pastor in the loop.

After your immediate relatives (Spouse, Children, Parents) and cohabitants (Roommates and couch-surfers), and employer, your pastor should be right up near the top of the notification list.

If you feel you are in need of it, talk to your pastor.

 

[Little_Boy_Lost]

Will do. Thank ye all kindly.