Holy Unction during pandemic is one of the most necessary services, however it seems that it is performed much less than it should. Below you will read some miracles tied to the mystery of Holy Unction.
The mystery of holy unction (or Anointing of the Sick) provides both physical and spiritual healing with holy oil blessed by the Holy Spirit. In Greek, the mystery is called Εὐχέλαιον (Euchelaion, from εὐχή, ‘prayer’, and ἔλαιον, ‘oil’).
The oil carries God’s grace both to renew the body and to cleanse the spirit. The service follows the apostolic tradition mentioned in the New Testament: “…let him call for 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 save the sick man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (James 5:14-15).
Holy unction is a mystery of great comfort to the faithful. It provides uplifting and asks for patience to accept the will of God whatever the physical outcome.
The mystery of the Holy Unction: miracles
At Vatopedi, when the new brotherhood arrived, there were some very old monks which they found in the monastery. In time, the old monks became sick one by one, mostly because of their age. The new brotherhood took care of them with love, however the old monks were in very bad shape for months, tormenting themselves and the others.
After a long time one of the caregivers, exhausted, prayed to Mother of God to help him. Suddenly after, one of the old monks came to him and asked „It seems that you have a problem. Can I help?” The young monk responded „Well, I am very exhausted trying to help the old sick monks and, besides that, anything which we do doesn’t yield any results”.
Then the old monk responded „Do the mystery of the Holy Unction. The old monks gathered have a lot of things inside them during their life. Your human power isn’t enough. If you do the mystery of the Holy Unction then the Holy Spirit, the comforter, will come and comfort everyone: some will heal and some will die, according to God’s will. Nobody will be tormented anymore”.
This prophecy is fulfilled at least at Vatopedi till today: besides the regular service of the Holy Unction for everyone, every time when we do such a service for someone especially, with faith and humbleness, the problems are solved. Always.
Besides that, based on the Bible, the efficacy of Holy Unction is universally valid, if the necessary faith, humbleness and prayer exist.
Another case: there were a man in a deep coma for years. They tried everything – and I mean everything – to resurrect him. Nothing worked. Finally they did the Holy Unction service upon him. Nothing happened, till the very final prayer when the priest said „Glory to the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen!” then the sick man made his cross.
Indications for extraordinary situations – for example in a pandemic
Usually the service is held by seven priests because it has seven readings from Gospels and Apostle. However, the service can be held by only one priest and anywhere – in house, hospital etc. The blessed oil can be distributed in small bottles of plastic or on cotton swabs. Only the priest can anoint the others and they know how to do it. If the priest isn’t present then anyone can anoint himself on the forehead.
The photos are from a service of Holy Unction, Vatopedi monastery, Mount Atos.
