Yesterday, April 16, 2025, the community of Holy Cross Greek Orthodox Church in Whitestone, New York welcomed Archbishop Elpidophoros of America for Holy Wednesday’s service for the Sacrament of Holy Unction. Serving alongside Archbishop Elpidophoros were Archdiocesan District Chancellor Rev. Protopresbyter Elias Villis and Proistamenos Rev. Presbyter Nicolaos Paros.
On the afternoon or evening of Great and Holy Wednesday, the Sacrament or Mystery of Holy Unction is conducted in Orthodox parishes. The Sacrament of Holy Unction is offered for the healing of soul and body and for the forgiveness of sins. At the conclusion of the service of the Sacrament, the body is anointed with oil, and the grace of God, which heals infirmities of soul and body, is called down upon each person.
The biblical basis for the Sacrament is found in James 5:14-16: “Is any among you sick, let him call for the presbyters 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. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” In ancient Christian literature, one may find indirect testimonies of the Mystery of Unction in Saint Irenaeus of Lyons and in Origen. Later there are clear testimonies of it in Saints Basil the Great and John Chrysostom, who have left prayers for the healing of the infirm which entered later into the rite of Unction; and likewise in Saint Cyril of Alexandria.
In his homily for the service, the Archbishop expressed that “We receive the Oil for forgiveness, because healing and salvation are very much the same. The spiritual healing that comes from receiving Unction tonight is for eternity, because the body, even when sick and made well again, will one day suffer the fate of every living thing. But the soul is eternal – that is why the healing we experience may not manifest in our flesh, but it always does so in our souls, if we will but receive it.”
Continuing, he urged the parishioners, “Let your foreheads be anointed so your minds become wise. Let your hands be graced so that they perform good works. Let your mouths be filled with sweet words, that utter no evil about anyone.”
Photos: Orthodox Observer/Dimitrios Panagos.
