The visible sign of Unction is oil. Holy Unction is the sacrament of the Church through which the oil is blessed by the Holy Spirit to bring us the sacrament of healing. It celebrates and reminds us of God's compassion and helps us to experience spiritual, mental and physical strengthening of a person, whatever the nature or degree of the illness may be. As the Faithful come to be anointed with the consecrated oil, it's believed that the hand of Christ will touch the Faithful with His healing power.
It is celebrated on Holy Wednesday at which time everyone in the parish in good ecclesiastical standing may be anointed with the Holy Oil.
The Priest anoints the body with the Holy Oil after the reading of seven Epistle lessons, seven Gospel lessons and the offering of seven prayers, which are all devoted to healing.
This Holy Sacrament may also be received any time of the year in case of serious illness by calling upon the Priest.
It may be administered only to Orthodox Christians since it is one of the seven sacraments of the Orthodox Church.
