Holy Mysteries
What is the sacrament of anointing of the sick?
Prayer For Healing And Mercy
The sacrament of anointing of the sick, also called Unction, is the Church's prayer for healing, forgiveness, strengthening, and mercy for those who are sick. The priest prays, reads Scripture, and anoints with oil, asking God to heal the whole person according to His will.
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil.
Healing Means More Than A Medical Result
The Church prays for bodily healing, but also for repentance, peace, endurance, forgiveness, and salvation. Sometimes God heals visibly. Sometimes He strengthens a person to suffer faithfully. In both cases, the sick person is not left alone.
When To Ask
Ask the priest when serious illness, surgery, ongoing weakness, or spiritual distress is present. Families should not wait until the last moment if they can call earlier. The sacrament belongs to pastoral care, not panic.
Connection With Confession
Because sickness often brings fear, regret, and spiritual questions to the surface, confession and repentance may accompany anointing. The priest can guide what is needed.
- Sacraments of Unction of the Sick, CopticChurch.net. Ritual-theology explanation of anointing the sick, the prayer of faith, and the connection with confession and healing.
- Rituals of the Sacraments, Servants Preparation Program, SUSCopts. Servants-prep lesson on the rites of Baptism, Chrismation, Eucharist, Repentance and Confession, Unction, Matrimony, and Priesthood.
- The Seven Sacraments, Servants Preparation Program, SUSCopts. Doctrine lesson explaining the sacraments as visible mysteries through which the faithful receive grace.
- The Holy Spirit in the Mysteries of the Church, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles. Diocesan article on the Holy Spirit in Baptism, Chrismation, Eucharist, Matrimony, and the sacramental life of the Church.
- Sacraments of Repentance and Confession, CopticChurch.net. Ritual-theology explanation of repentance, verbal confession before the priest, and absolution.
Sacrament: A visible mystery through which God gives grace to His people. In Coptic usage the sacraments belong to the whole healing life of the Church.
Confession: The sacrament of repentance in which a person confesses sins before God in the presence of the priest and receives absolution and guidance.