Holy Unction is a sacramental act whereby the Church seeks wholeness and well-being for its members, especially the sick and the suffering. It 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: “Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins 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 service of Holy Unction is always celebrated on Wednesday of Holy Week prior to Pascha. Traditionally, it also is celebrated on Clean Monday at the beginning of Great Lent. This coming Monday, March 15, at 5:30 p.m., Fr. George will offer it to our parish family as we begin our journey to Great & Holy Pascha (Easter).

The common term for the first day of Great Lent – “Clean Monday”, refers to the leaving behind of sinful attitudes and non-fasting foods. Liturgically, Clean Monday—and thus Lent itself—begins on the preceding (Sunday) night, at a special service called Forgiveness Vespers, which culminates with the Ceremony of Mutual Forgiveness, at which all present will bow down before one another and ask forgiveness. For practical and pastoral reasons during the Covid Pandemic, Fr. George will offer this service immediately following Sunday’s Divine Liturgy with special instructions to ensure safety.

In this way, the faithful begin Lent with a clean conscience… with forgiveness. The theme of Clean Monday is set by the Old Testament reading appointed to be read at the Sixth Hour on this day (Isaiah 1:1–20), which says, in part:

Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your doings from before My eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rescue the oppressed, defend the orphan, plead for the widow. Come now, let us argue it out, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be like snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. (Isaiah 1:16–18).

Clean Monday is a day of strict fasting. Christians are encouraged if medically permitted to have no meat at all. Christians are also expected to spend extra time praying during the day reading from the Bible.

If possible, join us for the Sacrament of Holy Unction on “Clean Monday” at 5:30 p.m. and receive God’s wholeness and well-being together with our parish family.
 

(Click here to share the first names of your living friends and family for Fr. George to pray for the healing of their souls and bodies during the Sacrament of Holy Unction.)

Monday, March 8, 2021