Holy Unction

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The Office of Holy Unction

NOTE
The Sacrament of Holy Unction is offered for the healing of soul and body and for 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. In
preparation for the anointing with the Holy Oil, a Christian is expected to prepare himself/her-
self by soul searching and Confession. The Sacrament is performed by a gathering of priests,
ideally seven in number, however, it can be performed by a lesser number and even by a single
priest. In (large) monastic communities, the Holy Unction is done several times a year. (In
Greek and North American Antiochian parishes this Office is served on the afternoon of Holy
Wednesday.)
Because Holy Unction is a Sacrament of the Orthodox Church, only Orthodox Chris-
tians may be anointed with the Holy Oil.
PREPARATION
The sacrament table is prepared on the solea, upon which is placed a bowl containing pure olive oil and
another vessel with pure red wine. Several wands with cotton tips for the anointing shall be prepared. The
gospel book and blessing cross are placed on the table.
In some communities seven candles are also placed on the table, lighting one candle after each successive
gospel is read. Some communities place one, or three, floating wicks in the olive oil.
The priest(s) vests in exorasson, epitrachelion and phelonion.
THE OPENING
Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
Priest: Glory to Thee, our God. Glory to Thee!
O heavenly King, Comforter, the Spirit of truth, who art everywhere present and fillest all things,
the Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come, and abide in us, and cleanse us from every
stain, and save our souls, O good One.
Trisagion
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities.
Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on
earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we
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forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil
one.
Priest: For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
All: Amen.
Reader: Lord, have mercy. (12 times)

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Both now and ever, and unto ages of
ages. Amen.
O come, let us worship and fall down before God our King.
O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God.
O come, let us worship and fall down before the Very Christ, our King and our God.
PSALM 142
O Lord, hear my prayer, give ear unto my supplication in thy truth; hearken unto me in thy right-
eousness. And enter not into judgement with thy servant, for in thy sight shall no man living be
justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath humbled my life down to the earth. He
hath sat me in darkness as those that have been long dead, and my spirit within me is become
despondent; within me my heart is troubled. I remembered days of old, I meditated on all thy
works, I pondered on the creations of thy hands. I stretched forth my hands unto thee; my soul
thirsteth after thee like a waterless land. Quickly hear me, O Lord; my spirit hath fainted away.
Turn not thy face away from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. Cause me to
know, O Lord, the way wherein I should walk; for unto thee have I lifted up my soul. Rescue me
from mine enemies, O Lord; unto thee have I fled for refuge. Teach me to do thy will, for thou
art my God. Thy good Spirit shall lead me in the land of uprightness; for thy name’s sake, O Lord,
shalt thou quicken me. In thy righteousness shalt thou bring my soul out of affliction, and in thy
mercy shalt thou utterly destroy mine enemies. And thou shalt cut off them that afflict my soul,
for I am thy servant.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit; both now and ever, and unto ages of
ages. Amen.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia. Glory to Thee, O God. (Twice)
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia: Glory to Thee, O God our Hope, O Lord, glory be to Thee.
THE LITTLE LITANY

Deacon: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Help us; save us; have mercy on us; and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Deacon: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady The-
otokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and each other and all
our life unto Christ our God.
Choir: To thee, O Lord. :
Priest: For unto thee are due all glory, honor and worship to the Father and to the Son and to the
Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
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ALLELUIA, IN TONE 6
Choir: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Verse: O Lord, rebuke me not in thine indignation, neither chasten me in thy displeasure.
Verse: Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak.
PENITENTIAL TORAPARIA, IN TONE 6
Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us; for we sinners, void of all defense, offer unto thee
as Master, this supplication: have mercy on us.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
Lord, have mercy on us, for in thee have we put our trust; be not very wroth against us, neither
remember our iniquities; but look down upon us even now, since thou art compassionate, and
deliver us from our enemies. For thou art our God, and we are thy people; we are all the work of
thy hands, and we call upon thy Name.
Open the doors of mercy unto us, O Blessed Theotokos; in that we have set our hope in thee, may
we not perish, but through thee be delivered from peril; for thou art the salvation of the Christian
race.
While the following psalm is read, the priest censes the whole church.
PSALM 50
Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of thy
compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me
from my sin. For I know mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me. Against thee only have I
sinned and done this evil before thee, that thou mightest be justified in thy words, and prevail
when thou art judged. For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother bear
me. For behold, thou has loved truth; the hidden and secret things of thy wisdom hast thou made
manifest unto me. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be made clean; thou shalt wash
me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; the
bones that be humbled, they shall rejoice. Turn thy face away from my sins, and blot out all mine
iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not
away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy
salvation, and with thy governing Spirit establish me. I shall teach transgressors thy ways, and
the ungodly shall turn back unto thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my
salvation; my tongue shall rejoice in thy righteousness. O Lord, thou shalt open my lips, and my
mouth shall declare thy praise. For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I had given it; with whole-burnt
offerings thou shalt not be pleased. A sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit; a heart that is broken
and humbled God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, in thy good pleasure unto Sion, and let the
walls of Jerusalem be builded. Then shalt thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with
oblation and whole-burnt offerings. Then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
THE CANON, IN TONE 4
Ode 1
Irmos: When Israel of old had crossed the Red Sea's depth with foot unwet, they overthrew the
hosts of Amalek in the wilderness.
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Refrain:1 O merciful Lord, hearken to the prayer of thy servants supplicating thee.
O Master, who with the oil of compassion dost ever cheer both the souls and bodies of mortals,
and dost guard the faithful with oil; be thou clement now to those who approach thee by means
of oil.
Refrain: O merciful Lord, hearken to the prayer of thy servants supplicating thee.
The whole earth is full of thy mercy, O Master; wherefore, we who today are mystically anointed
with thine oil divine, ask in faith that thine inestimable mercy may be granted us.
O Lover of mankind, who in pity for thine ailing servants, didst command thine Apostles to per-
form thy sacred unction, do thou, through their entreaties, have mercy on all by thy seal.
Thou only Chaste one, who didst bear the bountiful sea of Peace; by thy constant intercession
with God deliver thy servants from infirmities and griefs, that they may magnify thee ceaselessly.
Ode 3
Irmos: In thee thy Church is glad, O Christ, crying: thou art my fortress, O Lord, both refuge and
support.
Thou who alone art marvelous and merciful to faithful men; grant thy grace from above, O Christ,
to those who are grievously afflicted.
O Lord, who of yore for thy divine token that the flood had ceased, didst show forth an olive
branch, by thy mercy save those who suffer.
With a lamp of light divine, in thy mercy, O Christ, illumine with anointing those who now with
faith hasten to thy mercy.
Graciously look down from above, O Mother of the Creator of all, and through thine intercessions
loose the bitter pangs of those who are ill.
KATHISMATA
In tone 8
Since thou art a divine river of mercy, like unto a fathomless gulf of plentiful sympathy, O Boun-
tiful One; manifest the divine streams of thy mercy, and heal all men. Pour forth abundantly
fountains of wonders and cleanse all: for resorting ever unto thee, we fervently implore thy grace.
In tone 4
Physician and Help of those in sickness, Redeemer and Saviour of the infirm; do thou, the Master
and Lord of all, grant healing to thine infirm servants. Be clement, show mercy to those who have
sinned much, and deliver them, O Christ, from their iniquities, that they may glorify thy might
divine.
Ode 4
Irmos: The Church, seeing thee, the Sun of Righteousness, uplifted upon the Cross, standeth in
her stateliness, worthily calling out: Glory to thy might, O Lord.
1
In some texts, the refrain is “Glory to thee, our God, glory to thee” instead of “O merciful Lord…”
4
Thou, O Saviour, art as incorruptible myrrh, emptied of thy grace and cleansing the world: di-
vinely show pity and mercy to those who with faith anoint their bodily wounds.
Now that the senses of thy servants are signed with the seal of the joy of thy mercy, O Master,
make inaccessible and impenetrable the entry of all adverse powers.
Thou who lovest man didst bid the ailing to summon thy godly priests, and by their prayers and
anointing with thine oil to be saved; of thy mercy, save those who suffer.
O all-holy Theotokos ever-virgin, strong shelter and defense, thou haven and wall, both ladder
and partition, have mercy and pity on the sick; for they have fled to thee alone.
Ode 5
Irmos: Thou, my Lord, art come into the world as light, a holy light, which converteth from the
darkness of ignorance those who with faith praise thee.
Thou who art Good, an abyss of mercy; of thy compassion, O Merciful One, show mercy through
thy mercy divine, on those who suffer.
O Christ, who hast ineffably sanctified our souls and bodies by thy divine impress of sealing from
above, with thine own hand heal us all.
O Lord exceeding good, who through thine inexpressible tenderness didst accept myrrh anointing
from the harlot, have pity on thy servants.
All-lauded, pure, most gracious Sovereign Lady, have mercy on those anointed with the oil di-
vine, and save thy servants.
Ode 6
Irmos: I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of praise, O Lord, the Church crieth out to thee;
having been cleansed of the blood of demons through the Blood that mercifully flowed from thy
side.
O Lover of mankind, who by thy word didst show anointing is for kings, and the same through
High Priests didst perform: save also those who suffer, by the seal of thy compassion.
Let no interposition of malignant demons, O Saviour, touch the senses of those signed with divine
anointing; but hedge them about with the shelter of thy glory.
Stretch forth from on high thy hand, O thou who lovest man, and having sanctified thine oil, O
Saviour, impart it to thy servants unto healing and deliverance from all ills.
O Mother of the Creator, in thy divine temple thou hast revealed thyself a fruitful olive tree,
whereby the world is found filled with mercy. Therefore by the touching of thine intercessions
save those who suffer.
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KONTAKION
In tone 2 (may be read)
Thou that art the source of mercy, O exceeding Good One, do thou deliver from every calamity
those who with fervent faith bow down before thine unspeakable mercy; and, Compassionate
One, taking away their maladies, grant them thy divine grace from on high.
Ode 7 (Tone 4)
Irmos: The Abrahamic children in the Persian furnace, fired rather with love of piety than with
the flame, called out: Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the temple of thy glory.
Thou who in thy mercies and bounties, O Saviour, only God, dost heal the passions of soul and
contritions of body of all men, be thou physician for those who suffer from infirmities, and restore
them.
When the heads of all are anointed with the oil of unction, grant those who seek the mercy of thy
deliverance, O Christ, the delight of joy, bestowing upon them thy rich mercies, O Lord.
Thy seal, O Saviour, against the demons is a sword; the entreaties of priests are a fire consuming
the passions of the soul; wherefore, we who receive healing, with faith praise thee.
O Mother of God, who within thy womb in god-like manner didst hold, and ineffably didst incar-
nate, him who holdeth all things in his grasp; propitiate him for those who suffer, we beseech
thee.
Ode 8
Irmos: Daniel stretched forth his hands and closed the lions jaws in their den; and the force of the
fire was quenched by the zealously pious children who girded themselves with virtue, and called
out: Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord.
Thou showest mercy on all men, O Saviour, according to mercy mighty and divine: for which
cause we all are gathered here, O Master, mystically representing the condescension of thy mer-
cies, and have brought in faith the unction with oil unto the servants, whom also do thou visit.
By the streams of thy mercy, O Christ, and through anointing by thy priests, wash away, in that
thou art compassionate, O Lord, the ills and afflictions, and the assaults of maladies of those
tormented by the stress of sufferings, that saved, they may glorify thee with thanksgiving.
Forasmuch as thy mercy divine hath been decreed to us from above, O Master, as a symbol of
condescension and of joy; withdraw not thy mercy, neither despise those who ever cry faithfully:
Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord.
Nature received thy divine child-bearing, O Pure One, as a crown most glorious which crushed
the hosts of foes, and vanquished their dominion. Wherefore, crowned with the festal brightness
of thy grace, we extol thee, O most lauded Sovereign Lady.
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Ode 9
Irmos: A rock unhewn by hands from the unquarried mountain was hewn. O Virgin, even Christ
the corner-stone, who hath conjoined the separate natures. Rejoicing therein we magnify thee, O
Theotokos.
Look down from heaven, O Bountiful One, and show thy mercy unto all. Thine assistance and
thy strength bestow on those who draw near to thee, through the divine unction of thy priests, O
thou who lovest man.
O Saviour most good, rejoicing have we seen the oil divine, which through thy godlike conde-
scension thou hast received, and, above the merits of the recipients, hast symbolically imparted
to those who have shared in the laver divine.
Be clement, have mercy, O Saviour, deliver from terrors and pains, deliver from the darts of the
evil one the souls and bodies of thy servants; since thou art a merciful Lord, who healest by grace
divine.
As thou receivest the hymns and supplications of thy servants, O Virgin, so do thou also deliver
through thine intercessions, from harsh suffering and pain those who, through us, O all-immacu-
late one, flee to thy sacred shelter.
All: It is truly meet to bless thee, O Theotokos, who art ever-blessed and all-blameless, and the
Mother of our God. More honorable than the Cherubim, and more glorious beyond compare than
the Seraphim, who without corruption gavest birth to God the Word, and art truly Theotokos; we
magnify thee.
THE LITTLE LITANY
Deacon: Again and again, in peace, let us pray to the Lord. The Choir: Lord, have mercy.
Deacon: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady The-
Choir: To thee, O Lord.
Priest: For all the powers of heaven praise thee, and unto thee do we ascribe glory; to the Father
and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
THE EXAPOSTEILARION, IN TONE 3
Chanter: In mercy, O Good One, cast thine eyes upon the prayer of us, who today are gathered
in thy holy temple, to anoint with divine oil thine infirm servants. (thrice)
THE PRAISES (AINOI), IN TONE 4
Let everything that hath breath, praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens; praise Him
in the heights. To Thee, O God is due our song. Praise ye Him, all His angels; praise ye Him, all
His hosts. To Thee, O God, is due our song.
Verse: Praise him with the sound of the trumpet. Praise him with the psaltery and harp.
Thou hast given thy grace through thine Apostles, O Good Physician, Lover of mankind, to heal
the wounds and infirmities of all men through thy holy oil. Therefore, inasmuch as thou art
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compassionate, sanctify, be merciful, and cleanse from every ailment, and make worthy of thy
food incorruptible, those who now with faith approach thine oil.
Verse: Praise him with the timbrel and dance, praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
O ineffable Lover of mankind, who with thine unseen hand, as being compassionate, sealest our
senses with thine oil divine; look down from Heaven, and give to those who in faith hasten to
thee, and ask pardon of iniquities, healing of soul and body, that they may glorify thee lovingly,
and magnify thy might.
Verse: Praise him upon the loud cymbals, praise him upon the high-sounding cymbals; let
everything that hath breath praise the Lord.
Through anointing with thine oil, and the touch of thy priests, O Lover of mankind, sanctify thy
servants from on high. Free them from infirmities. Cleanse their spiritual defilements. Wash them,
O Saviour, and deliver them from scandals manifold. Assuage their maladies. Banish their hin-
drances and destroy their afflictions; forasmuch as thou art Bountiful and Compassionate.
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O most pure royal palace much extolled, purify, I implore thee, my mind defiled by every kind
of sin; and make it a meet abode for the all-divine Trinity, that I, thine unprofitable servant, being
saved, may magnify thy power and mercy measureless.
Trisagion
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal: have mercy on us. (Thrice)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Both now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. Lord, cleanse us from our sins. Master, pardon our iniquities.
Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for thy Name’s sake.
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on
earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we
forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil
one.
Priest: For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory of the Father and of the Son and
of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
All: Amen.
TROPARION TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, IN TONE 4
Choir/Chanter: Do thou, O Christ, who alone dost speed to help, manifest thy speedy visitation
from on high upon thy suffering servants; deliver them from their infirmities, and bitter pain; and
raise them up again to praise and glorify thee unceasingly: through the intercessions of the The-
otokos, O thou who alone lovest mankind.
THE GREAT EKTENIA

Deacon: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Deacon: For the peace from above and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
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Deacon: For the peace of the whole world, the good estate of the holy churches of God and the
union of all men, let us pray to the Lord.
Deacon: For this holy temple, and for those who with faith, reverence and fear of God enter
therein, let us pray to the Lord.
Deacon: That this oil may be blessed by the power, and operation and indwelling of the Holy
Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.
Deacon: For the servants of God here present, and for the visitation of God upon them; and that
the grace of the Holy Spirit may come upon them, let us pray to the Lord.
Deacon: For their and our deliverance from all tribulation, wrath, danger and necessity, let us
pray to the Lord.
Deacon: Calling to remembrance our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed and glorious Lady The-
Choir: To thee, O Lord.
Priest: For unto thee are due all glory, honor, and worship: to the Father and to the Son and to
the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
THE PRAYER OF THE OIL
Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.
Priest:2 O Lord, who through thy mercies and bounties healest the disorders of our souls and
bodies: do thou thyself, O Master also sanctify this oil, that it may be effectual for those who are
anointed therewith, unto healing and unto relief from every passion, of defilement of flesh and
spirit and every ill; and that thereby may be glorified thine all-holy Name, of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
In some traditions, while the priest pours the wine into the olive oil, the chanters sing the troparia
below. (In local parish practice, the troparia are omitted at this point, and may be sung during the
Anointing of the Faithful, at the end of the service.)
TO OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, IN TONE 4
Do thou, O Christ, who alone dost speed to help, manifest thy speedy visitation from on high
upon thy suffering servants; deliver them from their infirmities, and bitter pain; and raise them
up again to praise and glorify thee unceasingly: through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O
thou who alone lovest mankind.
TO JESUS CHRIST, THE SHINING LIGHT, IN TONE 4
2
The senior priest reads the Prayer of Oil over the olive oil, blessing it with his right hand. If there are other priests, they likewise qui-
etly read this Prayer with him.
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Blind of my spiritual eyes, I come to thee:, O Christ, as did the man blind from his birth, and I
cry to thee in penitence: Thou art the shining light of those in darkness.
TO JESUS CHRIST, THE COMPASSIONATE, IN TONE 3
By thy divine intervention, O Lord, raise thou up my soul, which by every kind of sin and
unbecoming deeds so grievously is paralyzed, as thou of old didst upraise the paralytic; that,
being saved, I may cry to thee: Grant healing unto me, O Christ Compassionate.
TO ST. JAMES, IN TONE 4
As the Lord's disciple, thou, O righteous one, didst receive the gospel; as a martyr thou dost
possess that which unwritten is; thou hast boldness, as the brother of God; as hierarch, thou hast
power in prayer. Intercede with Christ our God that our souls may be saved.
ANOTHER TO ST. JAMES, IN TONE 4
The only-begotten Word of God the Father, who in latter days hath come to us, declared thee,
O divine James, the first pastor and teacher of those in Jerusalem, and a faithful steward of
spiritual mysteries: wherefore, O Apostle, we all honor thee.
TO ST. NICHOLAS, IN TONE 3
In Myra, O Saint, thou didst show thyself a true priest; for in fulfilling Christ's Gospel, O ven-
erable one, thou didst lay down thy life for thy people, and savest the innocent from death.
Wherefore art thou hallowed as a great initiate in the grace of God.
TO ST. DEMETTRIUS, IN TONE 3
The world hath found in thee a mighty champion in dangers, O endurer of pain, who overcame
the heathen. For like as thou didst humble Lyaeus' pride, and in the strife make Nestor brave,
so Saint Demetrius, entreat Christ our God to bestow on us great mercy.
TO ST. PANTELEIMON, IN TONE 3
O holy endurer of pain and physician Panteleimon, intercede with the merciful God that he may
grant our souls remission of iniquities.
TO THE UNMERCENARY HEALERS, IN TONE 8
O holy Unmercenaries and Wonder-workers, visit ye our weaknesses; freely ye have received,
freely give to us.
TO ST. JOHN THE THEOLOGIAN, IN TONE 2
Thy grandeur, O virgin Saint, who shall declare? For thou dost overflow with wonders, and
pourest forth healing; and as theologian and friend of Christ, thou intercedest for our souls.
THEOTOKION, IN TONE 2
Fervent supplicant and wall impregnable, source of mercy,
refuge of the world; to thee we earnestly do cry: Theotokos, Sovereign Lady, aforehand come
to us and deliver us from danger, thou who alone art quick to intercede.
THE FIRST APOSTOLOS

Deacon: Let us attend.
PROKEIMENON, IN TONE 8. [PS. 32]
Let thy mercy be upon us, O Lord, as we have put our trust in thee.
Verse: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous; praise becometh the righteous.
Deacon: Wisdom.
Reader: The Reading is from the General Epistle of St. James. §57 (James 5:10-16)
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Reader: Brethren, take as an example of suffering and patience the prophets who spoke in the
name of the Lord. Behold, we call those happy who were steadfast. You have heard of the stead-
fastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and
merciful. But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other
oath, but let your yes be yes and your no be no, that you may not fall under condemnation. Is any
one among you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is any among you
sick? 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. Therefore confess your sins to one
another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has
great power in its effects.
Priest: Peace be to thee that readest.
Reader: And to thy spirit.
ALLELUIA, IN TONE 8 [PS. 100]
Verse: I will sing to thee of mercy and judgment, O Lord.
THE FIRST GOSPEL
Deacon: Wisdom. Attend. Let us hear the Holy Gospel.
Priest: Peace be to all.
Choir: And to thy spirit.
Priest: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to Luke. §53 (10:25-37)
Choir: Glory to thee, O Lord. Glory to thee.
Priest: At that time, a lawyer stood up to put Jesus to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall I
do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him, "What is written in the law? How do you read?" And
he answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and
with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And he said to
him, "You have answered right; do this, and you will live."
But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied, "A
man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him
and beat him, and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that
road; and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came
to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to
where he was; and when he saw him, he had compassion, and went to him and bound up his
wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then he set him on his own beast and brought him to an inn,
and took care of him. And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper,
saying, 'Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.'
Which of these three, do you think, proved neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?" He
said, "The one who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
THE IMPETRATORY LITANY
Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to thy great goodness, we pray thee, hearken and
have mercy.
Choir: Lord, have mercy. (thrice)
11
Deacon: Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, and visitation for the servants of
God here present, and for the pardon and remission of their sins.
Deacon: Again we pray for the forgiveness of their every transgression, both voluntary and in-
voluntary.
Priest: For thou art a merciful God and lovest mankind, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the
Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
THE FIRST PRAYER3
Priest: Thou who art unoriginate, Eternal, the Holy of Holies, who didst send down thine
Only-begotten Son to heal every infirmity and all manner of disease, both of our souls and bodies:
Send down thy Holy Spirit, and sanctify this oil; and cause it to be for thy servants, who are
anointed therewith, unto perfect deliverance from their sins, unto inheritance of the kingdom of
heaven. § For thou art God, great and wonderful, who keepest thy covenant and thy mercy unto
those who love thee; who givest deliverance from sins through thy holy Child, Jesus Christ; who
regeneratest us from sin; who enlightenest the blind, raisest up those who art cast down; who
lovest the righteous and showest mercy unto sinners; who leadest us forth again out of darkness
and the shadow of death, saying to those in bonds, "Come forth;" and to those in darkness, "Be
ye unveiled." For the light of the knowledge of thine Only-begotten Son shone in our hearts, since
for our sakes he appeared on earth, and dwelt among men; and to those who accepted him, he
gave power to become the children of God; granting to us sonship through the laver of regener-
ation, and made us to have no participation in the tyranny of the Devil.
And inasmuch as it hath not pleased him that we should be purified by blood, but by holy oil,
he gave us the image of his Cross, that we may be a flock of Christ, a royal priesthood, a holy
nation; and didst purify us by water, and sanctify us by thy Holy Spirit. Do thou thyself, O Master
Lord, give us grace in this ministration, as thou gavest it to Moses, thine accepted, and to Samuel,
thy beloved, and to John, thine elect, and to all those who, from generation to generation, have
been well pleasing unto thee. And so make us also to be ministers of the new Covenant of thy Son
upon this oil, which thou hast made thine own through the precious Blood of thy Christ; that
putting away worldly lusts, we may die unto sin and live unto righteousness, being clothed upon
with our Lord Jesus Christ through the anointing of sanctification of this oil which we desire to
use. Let this oil, O Lord, be an oil of gladness, an oil of sanctification, a royal raiment, an armor
of might, an averting of every diabolical operation, an inviolable seal, a rejoicing of the heart,
an everlasting gladness; that those also who are anointed with this oil of regeneration may be
terrible to adversaries, and may shine in the radiance of thy Saints, having neither spot nor wrin-
kle; and that they may be received into thine eternal rest, and gain the prize of the calling from
on high. §
For thine it is to show mercy and to save us, O God, our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory,
with thine Only-begotten Son, and thine all-holy, and good and life-creating Spirit: now and ever,
and unto ages of ages.
3
In this and subsequent prayers, the italic text between the symbols § and § may be omitted by the priest.
12
Choir: Amen.
THE SECOND APOSTOLOS
The Lord is my strength and my song, and is become my salvation.
Verse: Chastening, the Lord hath chastised me, but he hath not given me over unto death.
Deacon: Wisdom.
Reader: The Reading from the Epistle of Saint Paul to the Romans. §116 (15:1-7)
Reader: Brethren, we who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to
please ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to edify him. For Christ did not
please himself; but, as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached thee fell on me."
For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that by steadfastness and
by the encouragement of the scriptures we might have hope. May the God of steadfastness and
encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus,
that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of your Lord Jesus Christ. Wel-
come one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.
Verse: I will sing of thy mercy, O Lord, for ever.
THE SECOND GOSPEL
Deacon: Wisdom. Let us attend. Let us hear the Holy Gospel.
Priest: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to Luke. §94 (Luke 19:1-10)
Priest: At that time, Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. And there was a man
named Zacchaios; he was a chief collector, and rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but
could not, on account of the crowd, because he was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and
climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus came to
the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaios, make haste and come down; for I must stay
at your house today." So he made haste and came down, and received him joyfully. And when
they saw it they all murmured, "He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner." And
Zacchaios stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and
if I have defrauded any one of anything, I restore it fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today
salvation has come to this house, since he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came to
seek and to save the lost."
13
have mercy.
voluntary.
Choir: Amen.
THE SECOND PRAYER
Priest: O God, great and most high, who art worshipped by all creation, source of wisdom, abyss
of goodness truly unfathomable, and boundless sea of benignity; do thou thyself, O Master who
lovest mankind, the God of the eternal and the marvelous, whom none among men by thinking
can comprehend, look upon us, and hearken unto us, thine unworthy servants, and wheresoever
we bring this oil in thy great Name, do thou send down thy gift of healing, and the remission of
sins, and heal thy servants in the plenitude of thy mercy. Yea, O Lord, thou good physician; who
alone art merciful and lovest man; who repentest thee of our wickedness; who knowest that the
intention of man inclineth unto evil from his youth up; who desirest not the death of a sinner, but
that he should return and live; who for the salvation of sinners, being God, didst become incarnate,
and didst become a Creature for thy creatures. Thou hast said, "I came not to call the righteous
but sinners to repentance"; thou art he who sought the lost sheep; thou art he who diligently sought
the lost drachma, and found it; thou didst say, "He that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out";
thou art he who didst not loathe the harlot who rained her tears upon thy precious feet; thou didst
say, "As often as thou fallest, arise, and thou shalt be saved"; thou art he who saith, "There is joy
in Heaven over one sinner who repenteth". Do thou thyself, O Benign Master, look down from
the height of thy sanctuary, overshadowing us sinners, and thine unworthy servants at this hour,
with the grace of the Holy Spirit, and abide in these thy servants who acknowledge their trans-
gressions, and draw near to thee in faith; and accepting them in thine own love to man, whether
they have transgressed in word or deed or thought, forgiving them, do thou cleanse them, make
them pure from every sin; and, abiding ever present with them, preserve them all the remaining
years of their lives; that walking in thy statutes, they may never become a derision to the Devil;
and that by them thine all-holy Name may be glorified. For thine it is to show mercy and to save
us, O Christ our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory, with thine unoriginate Father, and thine all-
holy, and good and life-creating Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
THE THIRD APOSTOLOS
The Lord is my light, and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
Verse: The Lord is the defender of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
14
Deacon: Wisdom.
Reader: The Reading is from the First Epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians. §153 (I Corinthians
12:27-31; 13:l-8a)
Reader: Brethren, you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. And God has
appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles,
then healers, helpers, administrators, speakers in various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are
all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak
with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still
more excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a
noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries
and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am
nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain
nothing. Love is patient and kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not arrogant or rude. Love
does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrong but
rejoices in the right. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never ends.
Verse: O Lord, in thee have I trusted: let me never be put to shame.
THE THIRD GOSPEL
Priest: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. §34b (Matthew 10:1, 5-8)
Priest: Let us attend.
Priest: At that time, Jesus called to him his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean
spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every infirmity. These twelve Jesus sent
out, charging them, "Go nowhere among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the Samaritans, but
go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And preach as you go, saying, 'The kingdom of
heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received
without paying, give without pay."
have mercy.
15
voluntary.
Choir: Amen.
THE THIRD PRAYER
Priest: Almighty Master, Holy King, who chastenest and yet slayest not; who raisest up those
who fall, and restorest those who are cast down; who relievest the bodily afflictions of men: We
beseech thee, our God, that thou wilt direct thy mercy upon this oil, and upon those who are
anointed therewith in thy Name, that it may be to them for the healing of soul and body, for the
cleansing and removal of every passion, and of every infirmity and wound, and every defilement
of flesh and spirit. § Yea, O Lord, send down from Heaven thy healing power; touch the body;
quench the fever; soothe the suffering, and banish every hidden ailment. Be thou the physician of
thy servants; raise them up from the bed of sickness, and from their couch of vexation whole and
perfectly restored, granting them, through thy Church, to be well-pleasing unto thee, and to work
thy will. §
For thine it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and unto thee we ascribe glory, to the
Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
THE FOURTH APOSTOLOS
In the day when I shall call upon thee, speedily hear me.
Verse: O Lord, hear my prayer and my cry.
Deacon: Wisdom.
Reader: The Reading is from the Second Epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians. §182 (6:16-18,
7:1)
Reader: Brethren, you are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will live in them and
move among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore come out from
them, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean; then I will welcome
you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Al-
mighty."
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body
and spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of God.
ALLELUIA, IN TONE 2. [PS. 39]
Verse: I waited patiently for the Lord, and he attended to me.
THE FOURTH GOSPEL
16
Priest: The reading is from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew. §26 (8:14-23)
Priest: At that time, when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick
with a fever; he touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and served him. That even-
ing they brought to him many who were possessed with demons; and he cast out the spirits with
a word, and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah,
"He took our infirmities and bore our diseases."
Now when Jesus saw great crowds around him, he gave orders to go over to the other side.
And a scribe came up and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." And Jesus
said to him, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man has nowhere
to lay his head." Another of the disciples said to him, "Lord, let me first go and bury my father."
But Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the dead to bury their own dead." And when he
entered the boat, his disciples followed him.

have mercy.
voluntary.
Choir: Amen.
THE FOURTH PRAYER
Priest: O good and man-loving, compassionate and most merciful Lord, plentiful in mercy
and rich in beneficence, the Father of bounties and God of every consolation, who through thy
holy Apostles hast empowered us to heal the infirmities of the people by oil with prayer: Do thou
thyself appoint this oil for the healing of those who are anointed therewith; for the alleviation of
every infirmity and every malady; for deliverance from ills of those who await salvation that is
from thee. Yea, Master, Lord our God, we beseech thee, who art Almighty, to save us all; thou
who alone art the Physician of souls and bodies, sanctify us all. § Thou who healest every infir-
mity, heal also these thy servants; raise them up from their couch of sickness through the mercy
of thy goodness; visit them with thy mercies and bounties; cast out of them every ailment and
weakness; that, raised up by thy mighty hand, they may serve thee with all thanksgiving; and that
17
now, participating in thine inexpressible love towards mankind, we also may hymn and glorify
thee who performest great and wondrous, glorious and transcendent things. §
For thine it is to show mercy and to save us, our God, and to thee we ascribe glory, to the
Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
THE FIFTH APOSTOLOS
Thou, O Lord, shalt keep us and protect us, from this generation and for ever.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the righteous are become few.
Deacon: Wisdom.
Reader: The readings is from the Second Epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians. §168 (1:8-11)
Reader: Brethren, we do not want you to be ignorant of the affliction we experienced in Asia;
for we were so utterly, unbearably crushed that we despaired of life itself, Why, we felt that we
had received the sentence of death; but that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who
raises the dead; he delivered us from so deadly a peril, and he will deliver us; on him we have set
our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give
thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us in answer to many prayers.
Verse: I will sing of thy mercies, O Lord, for ever.
THE FIFTH GOSPEL

Priest: The Lord said this parable, "The kingdom of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens
who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were
wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks
of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept. But at
midnight there was a cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.' Then all those maid-
ens rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for
our lamps are going out.' But the wise replied, 'Perhaps there will not be enough for us and for
you; go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridegroom
came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut.
Afterward the other maidens came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open to us.' But he replied, 'Truly, I
say to you, I do not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in
which the Son of man will come."
18

have mercy.
voluntary.
Choir: Amen.
THE FIFTH PRAYER
Priest: O Lord our God, who chastenest and again healest; who raisest the poor man from the
earth, and exaltest the beggar from the dunghill; the Father of orphans, and Haven of the tempest-
tossed, and Physician of the sick; who painlessly bearest our weaknesses, and receivest our infir-
mities; who showest mercy with gentleness, who overlookest transgressions, and takest away
unrighteousness; who art quick to help, and slow to wrath; who didst breathe upon thy disciples
and say, "Receive ye the Holy Spirit; whosoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and
takest away unrighteousness"; who acceptest the repentance of sinners, and hast power to forgive
sins manifold and grievous, and grantest healing to all who continue in weakness and lingering
illness; who also hast called me, thy humble and sinful and unworthy servant, entangled in man-
ifold sins and wallowing in the lusts of pleasures, to the holy and sublime degree of the Priest-
hood, and to enter within the innermost veil, into the Holy of Holies,, whither the holy Angels
desire to penetrate, and to hear the evangelic voice of the Lord God, and personally behold the
presence of the Holy Oblation, and to take delight in the divine and sacred Liturgy; who hast
counted me worthy to minister thy supracelestial Mysteries, and to offer unto thee gifts and sac-
rifices for our sins and for the ignorances of people, and to mediate for thy rational sheep, that,
through thine abundant and unspeakable love towards man, thou mayest cleanse their iniquities:
Do thou thyself, O most good King, attend to my prayer in this hour and on this holy day, and in
every time and place, and hearken to the voice of my supplication, and grant healing to thy serv-
ants who are weak of soul and body, giving them remission of sins and forgiveness of their trans-
gressions, both voluntary and involuntary. § Heal thou their incurable wounds, and every ail-
ment and every sore, bestow upon them, psychic healing. O thou who didst touch the mother-in-
law of Peter, whereupon the fever left her, and she arose and ministered unto thee: Do thou
thyself, O Master, grant healing to these thy servants, and alleviation of every emaciating illness;
and be mindful of thy rich bounties and thy mercy. § Remember that the thought of man inclineth
constantly toward evil from his youth up, and that none is to be found sinless upon earth; for thou
alone art without sin, who didst come and save the human race, and free us from bondage to the
enemy. For if thou shouldest enter into judgment with thy servants, there is none that would be
19
found pure from stain, but every mouth would be sealed, having naught to answer; for all our
righteousness is like unto cast-off rags before thee. Wherefore, O Lord, remember not the sins of
our youth: For thou art the Hope of the hopeless, and the Repose of those who labor and are
heavy-laden with iniquity, and to thee we ascribe glory, with thine unoriginate Father, and thine
all-holy, and good, and life-creating Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
THE SIXTH APOSTOLOS
Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy.
Verse: Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Deacon: Wisdom.
Reader: The reading is from the Epistle of St. Paul to the Galatians. §213 (5:22-26; 6:1-2)
Reader: Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith-
fulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ
Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also
walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one
another. Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him
in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens,
and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Verse: Blessed is the man who feareth the Lord. In his commandments he rejoiceth exceedingly.
THE SIXTH GOSPEL
Priest: At that time, Jesus went to the district of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite woman
from that region came out and cried, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my daughter is
severely possessed by a demon." But he did not answer her a word. And his disciples came and
begged him, saying, "Send her away, for she is crying after us." He answered, "I was sent only to
the lost sheep of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt before him, saying, "Lord, help me."
And he answered, "It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs." She said,
"Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master's table." Then Jesus an-
swered her, "O woman, great is your faith! Be it done for you as you desire." And her daughter
was healed instantly.
20
have mercy.
voluntary.
Choir: Amen.
THE SIXTH PRAYER
Priest: We thank thee, O Lord our God, who art good and lovest man, the Physician of our
souls and bodies, who painlessly bearest our infirmities, by whose stripes we have all been healed;
thou good Shepherd, who earnest to seek the wandering sheep; who givest consolation to the
fainthearted, and life to those who are shattered; who didst heal the flow of the woman who had
an issue of blood twelve years; who didst free the daughter of the Canaanitish woman from the
cruel demon; who didst release the two debtors from their debt, and give remission of sins unto
the sinful woman; who grantest healing unto the Paralytic, with the remission of his sins; who
didst justify the Publican by thy word, and didst accept the Thief at his last confession; who takest
away the sins of the world, and wast nailed to the Cross: We beseech thee, and entreat thee, in
thy goodness loose, remit, forgive, O God, the trespasses and sins of these thy servants, and their
iniquities, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether of knowledge or of ignorance, whether of
transgression or of disobedience, whether of the night or of the day; whether they be under the
ban of a priest, or the curse of father or mother; whether by the glance of the eye, or a movement
of the eyelid; whether through the contact of adultery or the taste of prodigality, or through what-
soever impulse of the flesh and of the spirit they have departed from thy will, and from thy holi-
ness. And if they have sinned, and in like manner we also, forgive us; forasmuch as thou art a
good God who rememberest not evil, and lovest mankind: and let not them or us fall into a dis-
solute life, neither to walk in the ways of destruction. Yea, O Master, Lord, hearken unto me a
sinner, in this hour, on behalf of these thy servants, and overlook their trespasses, forasmuch as
thou art a God who callest not evil to mind. Free them from eternal torment; fill their mouths with
thy praise; open their lips that they may glorify thy holy Name; stretch forth their hands to the
doing of thy commandments. Guide their feet aright in the way of thy Gospel, strengthening all
their members and their thoughts, by thy grace. For thou art our God, who hast commanded us
by thy holy Apostles, saying, "Whatsoever ye bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and what-
soever ye loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." And again, "Unto whomsoever ye remit sins,
they shall be remitted, and if ye retain them, they shall be retained." And as thou didst hearken
unto Hezekiah in the sorrow of his soul, at the hour of his death, and didst not despise his suppli-
cations, so also, in like manner, give ear unto me, thy humble, and sinful, and unworthy servant
at this hour. For thou, O Lord Jesus Christ, through thy goodness and love towards man, didst bid
21
us to forgive the erring their sins, even unto seventy times seven, and repentest thee of our wick-
edness, and rejoicest over the return of those who have gone astray.
For as is thy majesty, so also is thy mercy, and unto thee we ascribe glory, with thine unorig-
inate Father, and thine all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of
ages.
Choir: Amen.
THE SEVENTH APOSTOLOS
O Lord, rebuke me not in thy wrath, neither chasten me in thine anger.
Verse: Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am weak.
Deacon: Wisdom.
Reader: The reading from the First Epistle of Saint Paul to the Thessalonians. §273 (5:14-23)
Reader: Brethren, we exhort you, admonish the idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the
weak, be patient with them all. See that none of you repays evil for evil, but always seek to do
good to one another and to all. Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances;
for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit, do not despise proph-
esying, but test everything; hold fast what is good, abstain from every form of evil. May the God
of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and
blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Verse: The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble. The Name of the God of Jacob defend thee.
THE SEVENTH GOSPEL
Priest: At that time, as Jesus passed on from there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting at the
tax office; and he said to him, "Follow me." And he rose and followed him.
And as he sat at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down
with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why
does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" But when he heard it, he said, "Those who
are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, 'I
desire mercy, and not sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
22
have mercy.
voluntary.
Choir: Amen.
THE SEVENTH PRAYER
Priest: O Master, Lord our God, Physician of souls and bodies, who curest temporal sufferings
and healest every infirmity and every wound of men; who desirest that all men should be saved
and come to the knowledge of the truth; who desirest not the death of a sinner, but that he should
turn again and live: for thou, O Lord, in the ancient Covenant, didst ordain repentance unto sin-
ners, to David and the Ninevites, and to those before and after these; and likewise, at the advent
of thy dispensation in the flesh, thou calledst not the righteous but sinners to repentance; receiving
even the Publican, the Harlot, the Thief, and great Paul, the blaspheming persecutor, through
repentance. Thou didst accept in repentance Peter thy chief Apostle, who thrice denied thee; and
gavest him a promise, saying, "Thou art Peter, and upon this rock will I build my Church, and the
gates of Hades shall not prevail against it; and I will give thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven."
Wherefore, O Good One, who lovest mankind, being bold according to thine undeceiving prom-
ises, we beseech thee and implore thee in this present hour: Hearken to our supplication, and
receive it as incense offered unto thee; and visit these thy servants, and if they have done aught
amiss, either by word, or deed, or thought, either by night or by day; if they have fallen under the
ban of a priest, or under their own anathema; or hath been embittered by an oath, and have fores-
worn themselves: We beseech thee and supplicate thee; loose, pardon, forgive them, O God,
overlooking their sins and wickednesses, and all which they have committed knowingly and in
ignorance. And if they have deviated aught from thy commandments, or have sinned because
they bear flesh and dwell in the world, or through the operation of the Devil, do thou, forasmuch
as thou art a good God and lovest man, forgive; for there is not a man who shall live and sin not.
For thou alone art sinless, thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy word is truth.
For thou didst not create man for destruction, but for the keeping of thy commandments, for the
inheritance of life incorruptible; and to thee we ascribe glory, with thine unoriginate Father, and
thine all-holy, and good and life-creating Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir: Amen.
THE PRAYER WITH THE GOSPEL BOOK
The people kneel.
In some places, the people come forward to kneel as close as they can to the priest and the gospel book for
the following prayer.
23
The priest takes the gospel book and holds it opened and with the text facing down, raised above the heads
of those who are kneeling. He recites the prayer aloud. If several priests take part in the service, they all hold
the gospel book and read the prayer silently.
Priest: O Holy King, compassionate and multi-merciful Lord Jesus Christ, Son and Word of the
living God, who desirest not the death of a sinner, but, that he should be converted and live: I lay
not my sinful hand upon the heads of those who approach thee in sins, and entreat of thee, through
us, remission of their sins, but thy strong and mighty hand which is in this Holy Gospel which I
(or my fellow ministers) hold upon the heads of these thy servants, and (if other priests are present
holding the gospel book add: with them) I pray and entreat thy merciful and evil-forgetting love
of mankind, O God our Saviour, who through thy Prophet Nathan didst grant remission unto
David when he repented of his iniquities, and didst accept Manasses' prayer of penitence: Do thou
receive also with thy wonted love for man these thy servants, who repent them of their iniquities,
overlooking all their transgressions. For thou art our God, who hast bidden us to forgive those
who fall in sin, even unto seventy times seven, for as is thy majesty, so also is thy mercy, and
unto thee are due all glory, honor and worship, with thine unoriginate Father, and thine all-holy
Spirit: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
THE ANOINTING OF THE FAITHFUL

The faithful come forward to receive the Mystery of Anointing. They first venerate the gospel book and then
go forward to the priest(s), telling him their name. The priest(s) anoints their forehead, cheeks, chin and hands,
saying as he does:
Priest: The blessing of our Lord God and Saviour Jesus Christ: for the healing of the soul and body
of the servant of God, N., always, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
During the Anointing the choir sings the following troparion to the Unmercenary Healers and the
Hymn to the Theotokos. These hymns may be repeated as many times as necessary during the Anoint-
ing. Optionally, the troparia shown on p.9 may also be sung at this time.
IN TONE 4
Since ye have a fountain of healing, O holy unmercenaries, give healing to all who are in need of
it, for ye have been vouchsafed the greatest gifts from the ever-flowing source, our Saviour. For
the Lord saith unto you, who are of like zeal with the Apostles: "Behold, I have given you power
over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every infirmity, and every malady." Therefore
as good administrators of his commands, freely ye have received, freely give, healing the suffer-
ings of our souls arid bodies.
Attend unto the entreaties of thy suppliants, O all-blameless One, quelling the fierce attacks on
us, and releasing us from all affliction; for in thee alone have we a firm and certain confirmation,
and we have gained thy protection. Let us not be put to shame, O Sovereign Lady, when we call
upon thee; hasten to the supplication of those who cry to thee in faith: Hail, Sovereign Lady, thou
help of all, the joy and refuge, and salvation of our souls.
When the faithful have all been anointed, the priest faces the icon of Christ on the iconostasis, and says:
24
THE LITTLE DISMISSAL
Priest: Glory to thee, O Christ our God and our Hope, glory to thee.
Choir: Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto
ages of ages. Amen. Lord, have mercy, Lord have mercy, Lord, have mercy, Father, bless.
Priest: May He who [(insert only on Holy Wednesday) is going to his voluntary passion for our
salvation and] through his great goodness didst bid his Apostles to heal the infirm by means of
oil, Christ our true God, through the intercessions of his all-immaculate and all-blameless holy
Mother; by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable
Apostle James, the first hierarch of Jerusalem and the brother of God; and of all the saints: heal
and save you who are sick, through the anointing of this oil, and have mercy on us and save us,
forasmuch as he is good and loveth mankind.
Then facing the icon of Christ on the iconostasis, the priest says:
Priest: Through the prayers of our Holy Fathers, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, have mercy on us
and save us.
Choir: Amen.
Before leaving the church, the faithful may blot the places they have received the anointing with the
warm water and paper towels provided. The paper towels should be placed into a basket prepared for
this purpose, so that the priest may reverently dispose of paper towels later. (In other traditions, the
faithful may rub the oil completely into their skin.)
25

Holy Unction

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The Office of Holy Unction

Reader: Lord, have mercy. (12 times)

THE LITTLE LITANY

THE GREAT EKTENIA

THE FIRST APOSTOLOS

THE IMPETRATORY LITANY

THE IMPETRATORY LITANY

THE FIFTH GOSPEL

THE IMPETRATORY LITANY

THE IMPETRATORY LITANY

THE ANOINTING OF THE FAITHFUL

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