The [[sacrament]] of '''holy unction''' provides both physical and metal spiritual healing with holy oil blessed by the [[Holy Spirit]]. It is most commonly celebrated during [[Holy Week]] on [[Holy Wednesday]]evening, however, but private services are also common. Everyone in the [[parish ]] in good ecclesiastical standing may be anointed with the Holy Oil holy oil for the healing of spiritual and bodily ills. As this is one of the seven sacraments of the Orthodox Church, it may be administered only to Orthodox Christians - same criteria as for Holy Communion.

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 Gospels. [[New Testament]]: "...Let 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." ([[Book of James|James]] 5:14-15).

The service Holy unction is composed of a [[Psalmssacrament]] from the [[Old Testament]], hymns of direct supplication to God, and prayers great comfort to saints to intercede for the petitionerfaithful. In addition, there are seven readings from the Gospels preceded by seven other New Testament writings, notably the epistles of St. [[Paul]] It provides uplifting and St. [[James]]. After each set of scriptural readings, a prayer is offered on behalf of the penitent by the priest asking asks for forgiveness and patience to accept the sanctification will of God whatever the oilphysical outcome.

At ==Liturgical service==The full service is composed of [[Psalms]] from the end [[Old Testament]], hymns of the sericedirect supplication to God, and prayers to the [[priestsaints]] puts holy oil on to intercede for the foreheadpetitioner. In addition, checksthere are seven readings from the Gospels preceded by seven other New Testament writings, chinnotably the epistles of St. [[Apostle Paul|Paul]] and St. [[Apostle James the Just|James]]. After each set of scriptural readings, and hands a prayer is offered on behalf of the parishoners in penitent by the form priest asking for forgiveness and the sanctification of the crossoil. Traditionally, saying: "O Holy Fatherthe service is celebrated by seven [[priest]]s, pyhsician of our souls and bodiesbut where less than seven priests are available (which is often the case), heal your servant [name] from every physical and emotional afflicationit will be served by at least one."

Holy unction is a At the end of the serice, the [[sacramentpriest]] puts holy oil on the forehead, checks, chin, and hands of the parishioners in the form of great comfort to the faithful. It provides uplift cross, saying: "O Holy Father, physician of our souls and bodies, heal Thy servant [name] from every physical and emotional affliction" (Russian tradition) or "The blessing of our Lord, God and asks Saviour Jesus Christ: for patience to accept the will healing of the soul and body of the servant of God whatever , [name], always: now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen" (Greek tradition). The exact wording varies according to tradition and translation. When the unction is received privately, the full service is often not performed, but simply the physical outcomeanointing itself is done along with a few prayers.