The Service of Holy Unction

THE SACRAMENT OF HOLY UNCTION of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the
ages of ages.
The Eucholgion indicates that the service should begin
with "Blessed is our God." See below where "Blessed is the READER
Kingdom..." may be inserted before the Great Litany. Amen.

PRIEST Lord, have mercy. (12)

Blessed is our God always, now and ever,
Glory. Both now.
and to the ages of ages.
Come, let us worship and bow down
READER
before God our King.
Amen.
Come, let us worship and bow down
Trisagion Prayers. before Christ God our King.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, Come, let us worship and bow down
have mercy on us. (3) before Him, Christ our King and God.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Psalm 142 (143).
Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages O Lord, hear my prayer; give ear to my
of ages. Amen. supplication in Your truth; answer me in Your
All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. righteousness; do not enter into judgment
Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our with Your servant, for no one living shall
transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our become righteous in Your sight. For the
infirmities for your name's sake. enemy persecuted my soul; he humbled my
life to the ground; he caused me to dwell
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
in dark places as one long dead, and my
Lord, have mercy.
spirit was in anguish within me; my heart
Glory to the Father and the Son and the was troubled within me. I remembered the
Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages days of old, and I meditated on all Your
of ages. Amen. works; I meditated on the works of Your
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed hands. I spread out my hands to You; my soul
be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will thirsts for You like a waterless land. Hear me
be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us speedily, O Lord; my spirit faints within me;
this day our daily bread; and forgive us our turn not Your face from me, lest I become
trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass like those who go down into the pit. Cause
against us. And lead us not into temptation, me to hear Your mercy in the morning, for I
but deliver us from evil. hope in You; make me know, O Lord, the way
wherein I should walk, for I lift up my soul to
PRIEST
You. Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, for
For Thine is the Kingdom and the power
to You I flee for refuge. Teach me to do Your
and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and
will, for You are my God; Your good Spirit

1
 The Service of Holy Unction

shall guide me in the land of uprightness. Troparia.

For Your name's sake, O Lord, give me life; Have mercy on us, Lord have mercy
in Your righteousness You shall bring my on us. For with nothing to say in our own
soul out of affliction. In Your mercy You shall defense, we sinners offer this supplication to
destroy my enemies; You shall utterly destroy you our Master. Have mercy on us. (SD)
all who afflict my soul, for I am Your servant. Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy
PRIEST Spirit.
Again and again, in peace, let us pray to Lord have mercy on us, for in You we
the Lord. trust. Be not enraged with us greatly, nor
(Lord, have mercy.) remember our iniquities. But look upon us
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and now, being compassionate, and deliver us
protect us, O God, by Your grace. from our enemies. For You are our God, and
(Lord, have mercy.) we Your people, all of us the work of Your
hands, and now we have invoked Your name.
Commemorating our most holy, pure,
blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and
(SD)

ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us Both now and ever and to the ages of ages.
commend ourselves and one another and our Amen.
whole life to Christ our God.
Open the gate of compassion for us, O
(To You, O Lord.)
blessed Theotokos. For hoping in you, let us
For You are a merciful God Who loves not fail in our aim. Through you may we be
mankind, and to You we offer up glory, to
delivered from adversities. For you are the
the Father and to the Son and to the Holy
salvation of the Christian race. (SD)
Spirit, now and forever and to the ages of
ages. (Amen.) READER
CHOIR Psalm 50 (51).
Mode pl. 2. Have mercy on me, O God, according
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. to Your great mercy; and according to the
abundance of Your compassion, blot out my
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
transgression. Wash me thoroughly from my
Verse 1: O Lord, do not reprove me in Your lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin. For
anger, nor discipline me in Your wrath. I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. before me. Against You only have I sinned
and done evil in Your sight; that You may be
Verse 2: Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am
justified in Your words, and overcome when
weak; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.
You are judged. For behold, I was conceived
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore
me. Behold, You love truth; You showed
me the unknown and secret things of Your
2
 The Service of Holy Unction

wisdom. You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.
and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and O merciful Master, the entire earth is filled
I will be made whiter than snow. You shall with mercy from You. Now therefore, we who
make me hear joy and gladness; my bones mystically today are anointed with Oil divine
that were humbled shall greatly rejoice. Turn with faith entreat that You will grant Your
Your face from my sins, and blot out all my incomprehensible mercy to us. (SD)
transgressions. Create in me a clean heart,
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy
O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Spirit.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. O Lord, You commanded Your Apostles
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, to anoint with holy Oil Your ailing servants
and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit. sympathetically, as the Friend of humanity. So
I will teach transgressors Your ways, and now have mercy on us all, at their entreaties,
the ungodly shall turn back to You. Deliver by Your seal on us. (SD)

me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of Both now and ever and to the ages of ages.
my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly Amen.
rejoice in Your righteousness. O Lord, You O Pure one, you are the only one enriched
shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare with the deep ocean of peace. Now we entreat
Your praise. For if You desired sacrifice, I that you will ever free from all troubles and
would give it; You will not be pleased with illnesses your servants, by your prayers to
whole burnt offerings. A sacrifice to God God, that we may magnify you ceaselessly. (SD)
is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled
Ode iii. Your Church rejoices in You.
heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord,
Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.
in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the
You only are wonderful and You have
walls of Jerusalem be built; then you will be
pity on believers all. Therefore, O Christ, give
pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with
Your grace from on high to those who are
offerings and whole burnt offerings; then shall
grievously sick. (SD)
they offer young bulls on Your altar.
Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.
CHOIR
The Canon. You once used an olive branch to indicate
Mode 4. Ode i. The people of Israel. that You were ending the Flood, by Your
divine command, O Lord. Mercifully save
Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.
those who suffer now. (SD)
The Unction of Your compassion ever
cheers the souls and bodies alike of us Your Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy
servants, Master, and with Oil You protect the Spirit.
believers all. So now to us who come to You With faith in Your mercy, Lord, for holy
through holy Unction be all-merciful. (SD) Unction we have earnestly come. With Your

3
 The Service of Holy Unction

divine lamp of light in Your mercy brighten Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.
us, Christ our God. (SD) Now by sealing all the senses of us Your
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. servants, O Master, with the gladness of the
Amen. seal of Your mercy, make entry and access
by the forces of the enemy impossible and
Look favorably from on high, all-holy
unapproachable. (SD)
Mother of the Maker of all, and by your
prayers to your Son, end the bitter suffering of Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy
the sick. (SD) Spirit.
Kathisma. Lover of man, You commanded that sick
Mode pl. 4. The army of the Angels. believers should call Your godly ministers to
As You are a divine river of mercy, pray and anoint them with Your holy Unction,
O Merciful Lord, and an ocean of great O Lord, and thereby be cured and saved. In
compassion, show us the divine streams of Your mercy, save those who suffer now. (SD)
Your mercy, and cure us all. Pour out the Both now and ever and to the ages of ages.
springs of miracles abundantly, and cleanse us Amen.
all. We always run to You with fervent faith
Theotokos, O all-holy and ever-Virgin,
and pray to receive Your grace. (SD)
my shelter and my guardian, my harbor and
Glory. Both now. fortress, my ladder and battlement, take pity,
Mode 4. You who were lifted. be merciful. We all flee for refuge to you
As the Physician and Redeemer and alone. (SD)
Helper of those in pain and illness, and as
Ode v. My Lord, You are the light.
their Savior, O Master of the universe and
Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.
Lord of all, we pray: Cure Your servants who
You truly are a deep sea of mercy. O
are sick with all kinds of diseases; pity them,
Merciful, do now through Your holy Unction
be merciful, though they have stumbled often.
show Your mercy, O Good One, and cure the
Deliver them, O Christ, from their falls, that
sick, O gracious Lord. (SD)
they may glorify Your divine power. (SD)
Ode iv. When the Church beheld You. Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.

Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants. You sanctified our souls and our bodies
ineffably from heaven with the divine sign of
You, O Lord, are incorruptible ointment
Your seal, O Christ; and therefore with Your
poured forth by grace, which oil purifies the
hand, O Savior, heal us all. (SD)
world, O our Savior. Take pity, be merciful on
those who with faith in You now anoint the Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy
bruises and wounds of the flesh. (SD) Spirit.
O Lord, exceeding good, with ineffable
tenderness You let yourself be anointed by

4
 The Service of Holy Unction

a harlot with perfume. Have mercy on Your Kontakion.

servants now. (SD) Mode 2. In seeking the heights.
Since You are the source of mercy and
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages.
exceeding good, Your servants now seek Your
Amen.
mercy which is ineffable, praying You with
All-lauded and most pure, holy Lady,
ardent faith. Free them from all suffering and
exceedingly good, have mercy on us your
take away all their diseases, tender-loving
servants, who are being anointed with holy
Lord, and grant to them from on high Your
Unction, saving us. (SD)
grace divine. (SD)
Ode vi. The Church cries out to You.
Ode vii. Mode 4.
Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.
Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.
Lord, You said that kings should be
You, in Your mercy and Your compassion,
anointed with holy oil; and You performed
Savior and only God, are the One who heals
this through high priests, Friend of man, and
the sick passions of our souls and our bodily
thus instituted Unction. By Your seal now,
infirmities. We pray You cure now those who
save the suffering, since You are merciful. (SD)
suffer from diseases, O loving Lord. (SD)
Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.
Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.
Savior and Lord, let not the bitter demons
We are anointed today with holy Unction
affect at all those who receive holy Unction
upon our heads, seeking Your redemptive
and the cross's sign over all their senses. Let
mercy, and we entreat: Grant us joy and
the shelter of Your glory protect them on
gladness by this oil, O tender-loving Lord, in
every side. (SD)
Your great and rich mercy, O Christ our God.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy (SD)

Spirit.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy
Friend of man, we pray that from on high Spirit.
You stretch forth Your hand and sanctify this
Against the demons, Your holy seal,
Your oil; give it to Your servants through holy
O Savior, is like a sword, and it is like fire
Unction, for their good health, O our Savior,
burning away the soul's sinful passions, by the
and freedom from all disease. (SD)
prayers of priests. We who have thus received
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. healing from You now extol You with faith, O
Amen. Lord. (SD)
You became a fruitful olive tree in the Both now and ever and to the ages of ages.
house of God, O Mother of your Creator, and Amen.
through you the whole world is filled with
O Theotokos, You carried in a manner
mercy. Save the sick now with the touch of
befitting God in your womb the One who
your prayers to your Son and God. (SD)
holds all things in His hand, and ineffably you

5
 The Service of Holy Unction

gave Him flesh. Now intercede with Him on gracious gifts now extol you, the all-pure and
behalf of the ailing, we beg of you. (SD) all-laudable Mother of God. (SD)
Ode viii. Daniel shut. Ode ix. A cornerstone was cut out.
Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants. Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.
Savior, in accordance with Your great Lover of mankind, look from heaven;
and divine mercy, be merciful to all. In holy display Your mercy on Your servants. Give
Unction we symbolize Your great mercy's Your mighty help and assistance to all who
figure mystically; which we now offer to the come to You through this sacrament to be
sick anointing them with it, and entreating anointed by Your priests with holy Unction, O
that by Your power, O Lord, You will cure Compassionate. (SD)
them all. (SD) Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants.
Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants. We have now beheld, all-good Savior,
Illness and distress have worn us out. the holy Oil full of gladness, to which, more
Being compassionate, O Savior, wash away than others, You added by Your divine act,
the pain and trauma and suffering, in the O tender-loving Master, and which You
river of Your tender love, O Christ, and also shared symbolically with all who share in holy
through Your priests, as they anoint us with baptism. (SD)
holy Unction. Through this cleansing, O Lord, Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy
may we gain our health. (SD) Spirit.
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Pity us, have mercy, O Savior; deliver us
Spirit. from pain and peril. Rescue us Your servants,
Master, holy Unction is for us a sign and soul and body, for we are targets of the devil's
symbol of Your grace and help from on high, arrows. But since You are the merciful Lord,
and oil of gladness, O Christ our God. We heal us thoroughly by grace divine. (SD)
entreat You now: Do not remove Your mercy Both now and ever and to the ages of ages.
and do not despise those who with faith cry Amen.
out and are ever singing, "Bless the Lord, all
As you now accept the supplications and
you works of the Lord." (SD)
hymns of praise from all your servants, rescue
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. them, who through us take refuge in your
Amen. divine shelter, O all-holy Virgin; and by your
Lady, human nature has received your prayers deliver them from their distressing
divine Offspring as if a glorious crown. pain and suffering. (SD)
He crushed the ranks of the enemy and It is truly right to bless you, Theotokos,
He mightily defeated them. All we whom ever blessed, most pure, and Mother of our
you have crowned with bright rays of your God. More honorable than the Cherubim,
and beyond compare more glorious than the
6
 The Service of Holy Unction

Seraphim, without corruption you gave birth Unction. And grant forgiveness of their sins
to God the Logos. We magnify you, the true to those who seek it and come to You with
Theotokos. (GOA) faith. And grant to them the healing and the
Exaposteilarion. health of body and soul alike, that with love
Mode 3. Our Savior from on high. they may glorify You, and Your power may be
Good One, turn Your gaze on us; magnified. (SD)
be merciful as You regard our fervent Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy
supplication. For we have gathered here today Spirit.
in Your sanctuary to anoint with oil of holy From on high now sanctify and rid Your
Unction Your servants who are sick, O Lord. servants of all disease, through the sacred
(SD)
anointing with Your mercy and by the touch
Lauds. Mode 4. of Your priests, O Savior. Wash away and
Let everything that breathes praise the purge them of all impurities of soul; and from
Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise all scandals, O Lord, deliver them. Relieve
Him in the highest. It is fitting to sing a hymn their toil and trouble and make their afflictions
to You, O God. (SAAS) all disappear; keep disasters away from them,
O compassionate Friend of man. (SD)
Praise Him, all you His angels; praise
Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a Both now and ever and to the ages of ages.
hymn to You, O God. (SAAS) Amen.
Stichera Prosomia. Lady, I implore you now, the cleanest
Mode 4. You have given. Palace of God the King, holy Virgin extolled
Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants. by all. Purify my intellect, soiled by my
shameful thoughts and sinful actions. Make it
Most forgiving Friend of man, through
a dwelling that is bright and a delight for the
Your Apostles You gave Your grace in the rite
Holy Trinity, that I your worthless supplic-
of Your holy Oil, to heal wounds and injuries,
ant may magnify you for saving me, and extol
and to cure diseases that afflict Your servants.
your immeasurable might and mercy, all-
As they now faithfully approach Your holy
lauded one. (SD)
Unction, O tender-loving Lord, be merciful
and sanctify them, cleanse and rid them of all READER
disease. Make them worthy of Your delights, Trisagion Prayers.
which remain incorruptible. (SD) Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal,
Master Christ, have mercy on Your servants. have mercy on us. (3)

O Incomprehensible, look down from Glory to the Father and the Son and the
heaven, O Friend of man; seal our senses Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages
with Your divine invisible hand, O Lord, of ages. Amen.
in Your great compassion, with Your holy

7
 The Service of Holy Unction

All-holy Trinity, have mercy on us. began with "Blessed is the Kingdom," then go directly to the
Lord, forgive our sins. Master, pardon our litany.

transgressions. Holy One, visit and heal our PRIEST

infirmities for your name's sake. Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father and
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and
Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
forever and to the ages of ages.
Lord, have mercy.
(Amen.)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the
DEACON
Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
of ages. Amen.
(Lord, have mercy.)
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed
For the peace from above and for the
be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will
salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.
be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us
(Lord, have mercy.)
this day our daily bread; and forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass For the peace of the whole world, for the
against us. And lead us not into temptation, stability of the holy churches of God, and for
the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
but deliver us from evil.
(Lord, have mercy.)
PRIEST
For this holy house and for those who
For Thine is the Kingdom and the power
and the glory, of the Father and of the Son and enter it with faith, reverence, and the fear of
of the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the God, let us pray to the Lord.
ages of ages. (Lord, have mercy.)
CHOIR For our (episcopal rank) (name), for the
Amen. honorable presbyterate, for the diaconate in
Christ, and for all the clergy and the people,
Troparion.
let us pray to the Lord.
Mode 4. Come quickly.
(Lord, have mercy.)
O Christ, You alone are He who quickly
comes to our aid. * We pray that You show For our country, for the president, and for
all in public service, let us pray to the Lord.
Your quick response from heaven * to Your
servants who are suffering. * Free them of (Lord, have mercy.)
their diseases; relieve the pain that afflicts For the people in attendance who
them. * Raise them, that they may ceaselessly anticipate the grace of the Holy Spirit, let us
give glory and extol You, * by the prayers of pray to the Lord.
the Theotokos, only Lover of humanity. (SD) (Lord, have mercy.)
If the service began with "Blessed is our God," then That this oil will be blessed by the descent,
the sacramental Enarxis may be inserted here. If the service power, and operation of the Holy Spirit, let us
pray to the Lord.

8
 The Service of Holy Unction

(Lord, have mercy.) Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and ever,
For the servants of God who have come and to the ages of ages.
for this holy sacrament, and that God will visit (Amen.)
them, and that the grace of the Holy Spirit will
come upon them, let us pray to the Lord. CHOIR
Troparion of Unction.
(Lord, have mercy.)
Mode 4. Come quickly.
For our deliverance from all affliction,
O Christ, You alone are He who quickly
wrath, danger, and necessity, let us pray to the
Lord. comes to our aid. * We pray that You show
Your quick response from heaven * to Your
(Lord, have mercy.)
servants who are suffering. * Free them of
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and their diseases; relieve the pain that afflicts
protect us, O God, by Your grace.
them. * Raise them, that they may ceaselessly
(Lord, have mercy.) give glory and extol You, * by the prayers of
Commemorating our most holy, pure, the Theotokos, only Lover of humanity. (SD)
blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and
Kontakion for the Blindman.
ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us
Mode 4. You appeared today.
commend ourselves and one another and our
whole life to Christ our God. In the eyes of soul have I * become
unseeing. * Unto You I come, O Christ, * as did
(To You, O Lord.)
of old the man born blind, * and in repentance
PRIEST
I cry to You. * For those in darkness You are
For to You belong all glory, honor, and
the most resplendent light. (SD)
worship, to the Father and to the Son and to
the Holy Spirit, now and forever and to the Kontakion for the Paralytic.
ages of ages. Mode 3. On this day.
(Amen.) I have sinned in every way, * I have
improperly acted; * therefore with paralysis *
DEACON
my soul is woefully stricken. * Raise it up, O
Let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, through Your own divine attention, *
(Lord, have mercy.)
even as of old You raised up the paralytic, * so
PRIEST that saved I may cry, Glory to Your dominion,
O Lord, Who in Your mercy and bounties O my compassionate Christ. (SD)
heal the disorders of our souls and bodies, Apolytikion for St. James.
sanctify this oil, so that those who shall be Mode 4.
anointed with it may be healed and freed from As a disciple of the Lord, you accepted
every passion, illness of body, uncleanness the Gospel, O James the Just. As a Martyr
of flesh and spirit, and from all evils; that in you have unchangeability; as the Brother of
this, too, Your all-holy name may be glorified, the Lord you have confidence; and you can

9
 The Service of Holy Unction

intercede as a hierarch. Intercede with Christ merciful God, that He grant our souls
our God, entreating Him to save our souls. (SD) remission of offenses. (SD)
Kontakion for Saint James. Apolytikion for the holy Unmercenaries
Mode 4. You who were lifted. Mode pl. 4.
When God the Logos, as the only-begotten Holy Unmercenaries and Wonder-
* of God the Father, came and sojourned workers, visit our infirmities. Freely you
among us * in latter days, O God-inspired received; freely give to us. (SD)
Brother of the Lord, * He appointed you, O Kontakion for St. John Theologian.
James, the first Shepherd and Teacher * of Mode 2.
holy Jerusalem, and a trustworthy steward * Who can recount all your mighty deeds,
of the all-holy sacraments. And hence, * O just O Virgin? You pour out miracles and you
Apostle, we honor your memory. (SD) overflow with cures, and you intercede on
Kontakion for St. Nicholas. behalf of our souls, as a Theologian and
Mode 3. On this day. Friend of Christ. (SD)
You became the minister of sacred Theotokion.
mysteries in Myra, * holy father Nicholas. Mode 2. In seeking the heights.
Fulfilling Christ's holy Gospel, * you laid O Mother of God, intently we cry out
down your very soul for your people, * and to you * the wellspring of mercy and the
you saved those who were innocent from refuge of the world. * O vehement advocate, *
dying. * For this reason you were hallowed as unassailable fortress, anticipate * and deliver
a great mystic * of the divine grace of God. (SD) us from perilous ordeals, * O Lady who alone
Apolytikion for St. Demetrios. are swift to fend for us. (SD)
Mode 3. Your confession. FIRST APOSTOLOS
All the world has you, its mighty DEACON
champion, * fortifying us in times of danger, * Let us be attentive.
and defeating our foes, O Victorious One. * So,
READER
as you humbled Lyaios's arrogance * by giving
Prokeimenon. Mode 1. Psalm 32 (33).
courage to Nestor in the stadium, * thus, O
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, as
holy Great Martyr Demetrios, * to Christ our
we hope in You.
God pray fervently, * beseeching Him to grant
Verse: Rejoice greatly in the Lord, O
us His great mercy. (SD)
righteous ones; praise is fitting for the upright.
Apolytikion for St. Panteleimon.
DEACON
Mode 3.
Wisdom.
Holy Laurel-bearer and Physician
Panteleimon, make intercession to our READER
The reading is from James' Universal
Letter.

10
 The Service of Holy Unction

DEACON (And with your spirit.)

Let us be attentive. DEACON
READER The reading is from the Holy Gospel
(5:10-16) according to Luke.
Brethren, take as an example of suffering
PRIEST
and patience the prophets who spoke in Let us be attentive.
the name of the Lord. Behold, we call those
(Glory to You, O Lord. Glory to You.)
happy who were steadfast. You have heard
of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen DEACON
(10:25-37)
the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is
At that time, a lawyer stood up to put
compassionate and merciful. But above all, my
Jesus to the test, saying, "Teacher, what shall
brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by
I do to inherit eternal life?" He said to him,
earth or with any other oath, but let your yes
"What is written in the law? How do you
be yes and your no be no, that you may not
read?" And he answered, "You shall love
fall under condemnation. Is any one among
the Lord your God with all your heart, and
you suffering? Let him pray. Is any cheerful?
with all your soul, and with all your strength,
Let him sing praise. Is any among you sick?
and with all your mind; and your neighbor
Let him call for the elders of the church, and
as yourself." And he said to him, "You have
let them pray over him, anointing him with
answered right; do this, and you will live." But
oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of
he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus,
faith will save the sick man, and the Lord will
"And who is my neighbor?" Jesus replied,
raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he
"A man was going down from Jerusalem
will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins
to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who
to one another, and pray for one another, that
stripped him and beat him, and departed,
you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous
leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest
man has great power in its effects. (RSV)
was going down that road; and when he
PRIEST saw him he passed by on the other side. So
Peace be with you. likewise a Levite, when he came to the place
CHOIR and saw him, passed by on the other side.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to
where he was; and when he saw him, he had
First Gospel Reading
compassion, and went to him and bound up
DEACON
his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; then
Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the Holy
Gospel. he set him on his own beast and brought him
to an inn, and took care of him. And the next
PRIEST
day he took out two denarii and gave them to
Peace be with all.
the innkeeper, saying, 'Take care of him; and

11
 The Service of Holy Unction

whatever more you spend, I will repay you only-begotten Son to heal every infirmity and
when I come back.' Which of these three, do every wound of our souls and bodies, send
you think, proved neighbor to the man who down Your Holy Spirit, and sanctify this oil;
fell among the robbers?" He said, "The one and cause it to be for Your servants, who are
who showed mercy on him." And Jesus said to about to be anointed with it, unto complete
him, "Go and do likewise." (RSV) remission of their sins, and unto inheritance of
the Kingdom of Heaven.
PRIEST
Peace be with you. For You are a great and marvelous God,
who keeps Your covenant and Your mercy to
CHOIR
them who love You; Who grants remission of
Glory to You, O Lord. Glory to You.
sins through Your divine Son, Jesus Christ.
DEACON You gave us a rebirth from sin; You give light
Have mercy on us, O God, according to to the blind and raise up the fallen; You love
Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and the righteous, and show mercy to sinners;
have mercy.
You renew us from darkness and the shadow
(Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. of death, saying to those in captivity, "Come
Lord, have mercy.) forth!" and to those in darkness, "Uncover
Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, your eyes!" For the light of knowledge of Your
health, salvation, protection, and forgiveness only-begotten Son has shined in our hearts;
of the sins of the servants of God, those
since, for our sakes, He revealed Himself
present for this holy sacrament, and for the
upon earth, and dwelt among men; and
remission of all their sins, both voluntary and
involuntary. unto as many as accepted Him He gave the
power to become children of God, granting
(Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.) us the adoption of sonship through the laver
of regeneration, and setting us free from
PRIEST
the oppression of the devil. And inasmuch
For You are a merciful God Who loves
as it has not pleased You that we should
mankind, and to You we offer up glory, to the
Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, be cleansed by blood, but by holy oil, You
now and forever and to the ages of ages. gave us the sign of His Cross, that we might
(Amen.) become the flock of Christ, a Royal Priesthood,
a Holy Nation, purifying us by water, and
DEACON
sanctifying us by Your Holy Spirit. O Master
Let us pray to the Lord.
and Lord, grant grace to this Your ministry, as
(Lord, have mercy.) You did to Moses Your servant, and to Samuel
PRIEST Your beloved, and to John Your chosen one;
1st Prayer and to all those who from generation to
O Lord, Who are without beginning, generation have pleased You. In like manner,
eternal, Holy of holies, Who sent down Your empower us also to be ministers of the New

12
 The Service of Holy Unction

Covenant of Your Son over this oil, which You READER

have secured through His precious Blood; The reading is from Paul's Letter to the
that putting away earthly desires, we may Romans.
die unto sin and live in righteousness, being DEACON
clothed with our Lord Jesus Christ, through Let us be attentive.
the anointing with this sanctifying oil, which
READER
we are about to summon to our aid. O Lord, (15:1-7)
Grant that this oil becomes the oil of gladness, Brethren, we who are strong ought to bear
the oil of sanctification, a royal robe, an armor with the failings of the weak, and not to please
of might, the deflecting of every satanic ourselves; let each of us please his neighbor
assault, the seal of immunity from snares, for his good, to edify him. For Christ did
the gladness of heart, everlasting joy; that not please himself; but, as it is written, "The
also in this, they who shall be anointed with reproaches of those who reproached thee fell
this oil of rebirth may be strong against their on me." For whatever was written in former
adversaries, and may shine in the radiance of days was written for our instruction, that by
Your Saints, having neither spot nor wrinkle, steadfastness and by the encouragement of the
and that they may be admitted into Your scriptures we might have hope. May the God
eternal rest, and receive the award of the of steadfastness and encouragement grant
calling from above. you to live in such harmony with one another,
For Yours it is to show mercy and to save in accord with Christ Jesus, that together
us, O our God, and to You we give glory, to you may with one voice glorify the God and
the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Welcome one
now and forever and to ages of ages. another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed
(Amen.) you, for the glory of God. (RSV)
SECOND APOSTOLOS PRIEST
DEACON Peace be with you.
Let us be attentive. CHOIR
READER Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
Prokeimenon. Mode 2. Psalm 117 (118). Second Gospel Reading
The Lord is my strength and my song, and DEACON
He became my salvation. Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the Holy
Verse: The Lord chastened and corrected me, Gospel.
but He did not give me up to death.
PRIEST
DEACON Peace be with all.
Wisdom.
(And with your spirit.)

13
 The Service of Holy Unction

DEACON DEACON
The reading is from the Holy Gospel Have mercy on us, O God, according to
according to Luke. Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and
have mercy.
PRIEST
Let us be attentive. (Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.)
(Glory to You, O Lord. Glory to You.)
Again we pray for mercy, life, peace,
DEACON health, salvation, protection, and forgiveness
(19:1-10) of the sins of the servants of God, those
At that time, Jesus entered Jericho and present for this holy sacrament, and for the
was passing through. And there was a man remission of all their sins, both voluntary and
named Zacchaios; he was a chief collector, and involuntary.
rich. And he sought to see who Jesus was, but (Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
could not, on account of the crowd, because he Lord, have mercy.)
was small of stature. So he ran on ahead and
PRIEST
climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, For You are a merciful God Who loves
for he was to pass that way. And when Jesus mankind, and to You we offer up glory, to the
came to the place, he looked up and said to Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
him, "Zacchaios, make haste and come down; now and forever and to the ages of ages.
for I must stay at your house today." So he (Amen.)
made haste and came down, and received
DEACON
him joyfully. And when they saw it they all
Let us pray to the Lord.
murmured, "He has gone in to be the guest
(Lord, have mercy.)
of a man who is a sinner." And Zacchaios
stood and said to the Lord, "Behold, Lord, the PRIEST
half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I 2nd Prayer
have defrauded any one of anything, I restore O God, great and supreme, worshiped by
it fourfold." And Jesus said to him, "Today all creation, fountainhead of wisdom, abyss
salvation has come to this house, since he also of unfathomable goodness, and boundless
is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man came gulf of loving-kindness; Master Who loves
to seek and to save the lost." (RSV) mankind, the God of things eternal and
of wonders, Whom no man by reason can
PRIEST
comprehend: look down and hear us, Your
Peace be with you.
unworthy servants; and wherever we bring
CHOIR this oil in Your great name, send down the
Glory to You, O Lord. Glory to You. gift of Your healing, and remission of sins;
and heal them in the multitude of Your
mercies. Yes, O Lord, Who are easy to be
entreated; You alone are merciful and You

14
 The Service of Holy Unction

love mankind; You are sorrowful for our evil (Amen.)

deeds; You know how the mind of man leans THIRD APOSTOLOS
towards wickedness, even from his youth; DEACON
You do not desire the death of a sinner, but Let us be attentive.
rather that he should repent and live. For the
READER
salvation of sinners, though being God, You
Prokeimenon. Mode 3. Psalm 26 (27).
became a created being for the sake of Your
The Lord is my light and my savior;
creatures. You have said: "I came not to call
whom shall I fear?
the righteous, but sinners to repentance." You
Verse: The Lord is the defender of my life;
sought the wandering sheep; You searched
whom shall I dread?
diligently for the lost coin, and having found
DEACON
it, You said: "He that comes to me I will not
Wisdom.
cast out." You did not abhor the sinful woman
who washed Your precious feet with her READER
tears; You said: "As often as you fall, get up, The reading is from Paul's First Letter to
and you shall be saved." It is You, who said: the Corinthians.
"There is joy in heaven over one sinner who DEACON
repents." O merciful Master, look down from Let us be attentive.
on High, giving us, Your sinful and unworthy READER
servants, shelter under the grace of the Holy (12:27-13:8)
Spirit in this hour; and take up Your abode Brethren, you are the body of Christ and
in these Your servants, who acknowledge individually members of it. And God has
their iniquities and draw near to You in faith. appointed in the church first apostles, second
Accept them because of Your love towards prophets, third teachers, then workers of
mankind, forgiving them whatever they miracles, then healers, helpers, administrators,
have done amiss, whether by word, deed, or speakers in various kinds of tongues. Are all
thought, and cleanse them from every sin; apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers?
and abiding ever present with them, preserve Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of
them for the remaining years of their life, that, healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all
walking ever in Your statutes, they may in no interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts.
way again become an object of joy to the devil; And I will show you a still more excellent
so that also in these, Your all-holy name may way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of
be glorified. angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong
By the grace, mercy, and love for us of or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic
Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are powers, and understand all mysteries and
blessed, together with Your all-holy, good, all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as
and life-giving Spirit, now and forever and to to remove mountains, but have not love, I
the ages of ages. am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if

15
 The Service of Holy Unction

I deliver my body to be burned, but have go, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at
not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient and hand.' Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse
kind; love is not jealous or boastful; it is not lepers, cast out demons. You received without
arrogant or rude. Love does not insist on its paying, give without pay." (RSV)
own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does
PRIEST
not rejoice at wrong, but rejoices in the right. Peace be with you.
Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes
CHOIR
all things, endures all things. Love never ends.
(RSV)
Glory to You, O Lord. Glory to You.
DEACON
PRIEST
Have mercy on us, O God, according to
Peace be with you.
Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and
CHOIR have mercy.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. (Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Third Gospel Reading Lord, have mercy.)
DEACON Again we pray for mercy, life, peace,
Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the Holy health, salvation, protection, and forgiveness
Gospel. of the sins of the servants of God, those
present for this holy sacrament, and for the
PRIEST remission of all their sins, both voluntary and
Peace be with all. involuntary.
(And with your spirit.) (Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
DEACON
Lord, have mercy.)
The reading is from the Holy Gospel PRIEST
according to Matthew. For You are a merciful God Who loves
PRIEST
mankind, and to You we offer up glory, to the
Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
Let us be attentive.
now and forever and to the ages of ages.
(Glory to You, O Lord. Glory to You.)
(Amen.)
DEACON
DEACON
(Matthew 10:1, 5-8)
At that time, Jesus called to him his Let us pray to the Lord.
twelve disciples and gave them authority (Lord, have mercy.)
over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to PRIEST
heal every disease and every infirmity. Jesus 3rd Prayer
sent them out, charging them, "Go nowhere O Master almighty, holy King, Who
among the Gentiles, and enter no town of the chastens yet does not put to death; Who
Samaritans, but go rather to the lost sheep supports those who fall and raises those who
of the house of Israel. And preach as you are downtrodden; Who heals our physical

16
 The Service of Holy Unction

afflictions: we entreat You, our God, that You DEACON

bring Your mercy on this oil, and to those, Let us be attentive.
who are anointed with it in Your name; that it READER
may be effectual unto the healing of soul and (6:16-7:1)
body, unto cleansing and deliverance from Brethren, you are the temple of the living
every infirmity, illness, malady, and every God; as God said, "I will live in them and
defilement of body and soul. Yes, Lord, send move among them, and I will be their God,
down from heaven Your healing power; touch and they shall be my people. Therefore come
the body, quench the fever, sooth the pain out from them, and be separate from them,
and banish every hidden ailment. Become says the Lord, and touch nothing unclean;
the Physician of these, Your servants; raise then I will welcome you, and I will be a
them up and heal their suffering; grant that father to you, and you shall be my sons and
they may be given to the Church whole and in daughters, says the Lord Almighty." Since we
restored health, pleasing You and abiding by have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse
Your will. ourselves from every defilement of body and
For Yours it is to show mercy and to save spirit, and make holiness perfect in the fear of
us, O our God, and to You we give glory, to God. (RSV)
the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
PRIEST
now and forever and to ages of ages. Peace be with you.
(Amen.)
CHOIR
FOURTH APOSTOLOS Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
DEACON
Fourth Gospel Reading
Let us be attentive.
DEACON
READER Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the Holy
Prokeimenon. Mode 4. Gospel.
In whatever day I may call upon You, PRIEST
behold, I know You are my God. Peace be with all.
Verse: O Lord, hear my prayer; give ear to
(And with your spirit.)
my supplication in Your truth; answer me in Your
righteousness. DEACON
The reading is from the Holy Gospel
DEACON
according to Matthew.
Wisdom.
PRIEST
READER
Let us be attentive.
The reading is from Paul's Second Letter
to the Corinthians. (Glory to You, O Lord. Glory to You.)

17
 The Service of Holy Unction

DEACON remission of all their sins, both voluntary and

(8:14-23) involuntary.
At that time, when Jesus entered Peter's (Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick Lord, have mercy.)
with a fever; he touched her hand, and the
PRIEST
fever left her, and she rose and served him.
For You are a merciful God Who loves
That evening they brought to him many who mankind, and to You we offer up glory, to the
were possessed with demons; and he cast out Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
the spirits with a word, and healed all who now and forever and to the ages of ages.
were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken (Amen.)
by the prophet Isaiah, "He took our infirmities
DEACON
and bore our diseases." Now when Jesus saw
Let us pray to the Lord.
great crowds around him, he gave orders to
go over to the other side. And a scribe came (Lord, have mercy.)
up and said to him, "Teacher, I will follow PRIEST
you wherever you go." And Jesus said to him, 4th Prayer
"Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have O gracious, loving compassionate and
nests; but the Son of man has nowhere to lay ever-merciful Lord, plentiful in mercy, and
his head." Another of the disciples said to him, rich in beneficence, the Father of mercies
"Lord, let me first go and bury my father." But and God of all comfort, Who through Your
Jesus said to him, "Follow me, and leave the holy Apostles have empowered us to heal the
dead to bury their own dead." And when he infirmities of Your people by oil and prayer,
entered the boat, his disciples followed him. confirm this oil unto the healing of those who
(RSV) shall be anointed with it, for relief from every
ailment and every malady; for deliverance
PRIEST
from evils of those who in firm hope await
Peace be with you.
salvation from You. Yes, O Master, Lord our
CHOIR
God, we pray to You the Almighty, that You
Glory to You, O Lord. Glory to You.
will save us all. O only Physician of souls
DEACON and bodies, sanctify us all; as Healer of every
Have mercy on us, O God, according to malady, heal also these Your servants. Raise
Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and them up from their bed of pain, through
have mercy.
the mercies of Your goodness. Visit them
(Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. in Your mercy and compassion. Cast out
Lord, have mercy.) from them every sickness and malady; so
Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, that being healed by Your mighty hand they
health, salvation, protection, and forgiveness may serve You with all thanksgiving; that
of the sins of the servants of God, those
even now, sharing in Your ineffable love, we
present for this holy sacrament, and for the

18
 The Service of Holy Unction

may sing praises and glorify You, Who do must help us by prayer, so that many will give
great and wondrous things, both glorious and thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted
transcendent. us in answer to many prayers. (RSV)
For Yours it is to show mercy and to save
PRIEST
us, O our God, and to You we give glory, to Peace be with you.
the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
CHOIR
now and forever and to ages of ages.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.
(Amen.)
Fifth Gospel Reading
FIFTH APOSTOLOS
DEACON
DEACON
Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the Holy
Let us be attentive.
Gospel.
READER
PRIEST
Prokeimenon. Mode pl. 1. Psalm 11 (12).
Peace be with all.
You shall guard us, O Lord; You shall
(And with your spirit.)
preserve us from this generation forever.
Verse: Save me, O Lord, for the holy man has DEACON
ceased; the truthful are diminished from among the The reading is from the Holy Gospel
according to Matthew.
sons of men.
DEACON PRIEST

Wisdom. Let us be attentive.

(Glory to You, O Lord. Glory to You.)
READER
The reading is from Paul's Second Letter DEACON
to the Corinthians. (25:1-13)
The Lord said this parable, "The kingdom
DEACON
of heaven shall be compared to ten maidens
Let us be attentive.
who took their lamps and went to meet the
READER bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and
(1:8-11)
five were wise. For when the foolish took
Brethren, we do not want you to be
their lamps, they took no oil with them; but
ignorant, brethren, of the affliction we
the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
experienced in Asia; for we were so utterly,
As the bridegroom was delayed, they all
unbearably crushed that we despaired of life
slumbered and slept. But at midnight there
itself. Why, we felt that we had received the
was a cry, 'Behold, the bridegroom! Come out
sentence of death; but that was to make us rely
to meet him.' Then all those maidens rose and
not on ourselves but on God who raises the
trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to
dead; he delivered us from so deadly a peril,
the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our
and he will deliver us; on him we have set our
lamps are going out.' But the wise replied,
hope that he will deliver us again. You also
19
 The Service of Holy Unction

'Perhaps there will not be enough for us and (Lord, have mercy.)
for you; go rather to the dealers and buy for PRIEST
yourselves.' And while they went to buy, 5th Prayer
the bridegroom came, and those who were O Lord our God, You chasten and again
ready went in with him to the marriage feast; heal; You lift the indigent from the ground
and the door was shut. Afterward the other and dunghill; Father of orphans, and Haven of
maidens came also, saying, 'Lord, lord, open tempest-tossed; Physician of the ailing, Who
to us.' But he replied, 'Truly, I say to you, I do without toil bears our weaknesses, and accepts
not know you.' Watch therefore, for you know our infirmities; it is You, Who cheerfully
neither the day nor the hour in which the Son show mercy, and pass over our iniquities,
of man will come." (RSV) taking away our unrighteousness; quick to
PRIEST help and slow to wrath; You breathed on
Peace be with you. Your Disciples, and said: "Receive the Holy
Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are
CHOIR
forgiven." It is You Who accept the repentance
Glory to You, O Lord. Glory to You.
of sinners and have the power to pardon
DEACON
countless and grievous sins, bestowing
Have mercy on us, O God, according to
healing upon all who continue in weakness
Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and
and long-enduring illness. It is You, Lord,
have mercy.
Who have also called me, Your humble, sinful
(Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
and unworthy servant, caught up in many
Lord, have mercy.)
sins, and wallowing in the pleasures of life, to
Again we pray for mercy, life, peace,
the holy and exceedingly lofty degree of the
health, salvation, protection, and forgiveness
priesthood, and to enter within the innermost
of the sins of the servants of God, those
present for this holy sacrament, and for the veil, into the holy of holies, where the holy
remission of all their sins, both voluntary and Angels desire to penetrate and hear the voice
involuntary. of the Lord God announcing glad tidings, and
(Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. to behold with their own eyes the presence of
Lord, have mercy.) the sacred Oblation, and to enjoy the divine
PRIEST
and sacred Liturgy. You, Lord, deemed me
For You are a merciful God Who loves worthy to minister Your heavenly Mysteries,
mankind, and to You we offer up glory, to the and offer You gifts and sacrifices for our
Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, sins, and the ignorances of people; and to
now and forever and to the ages of ages. mediate for Your reason-endowed sheep,
(Amen.) so that, through Your great and ineffable
love for mankind, You may blot out their
DEACON
transgressions. All-merciful King, hear the
Let us pray to the Lord.
voice of my prayer at this hour and holy day,

20
 The Service of Holy Unction

and at all times and places; and to these, Your abundance of Your compassion, blot out my
servants, who are ailing in soul and body, transgression.
grant Your healing, remitting their sins, and Verse: Create in me a clean heart, O God,
pardoning their transgressions both voluntary and renew a right spirit within me.
and involuntary, treating their incurable DEACON
wounds, and every ailment and malady. Give Wisdom.
health to their souls, You, Who touched Peter's
READER
mother-in-law, who, having been cured of
The reading is from Paul's Letter to the
her fever, arose and ministered to You. O Galatians.
Master, grant healing and deliverance from
DEACON
every devastating pain to these Your servants.
Let us be attentive.
Remember Your mercies and compassion;
and that the mind of man inclines toward READER
(5:22-26, 6:1-2)
evil from his youth; that no one is without
Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love,
sin upon earth, for You alone are without sin.
joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
You came and saved the human race, and set
faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against
us free from the bondage of the enemy. For if
such there is no law. And those who belong
You enter into judgment with Your servants,
to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with
none will be found clean from stain; but every
its passions and desires. If we live by the
mouth shall be sealed, not having any defense;
Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us
for as discarded rags is all our righteousness
have no self-conceit, no provoking of one
before You. Therefore, O Lord, remember not
another, no envy of one another. Brethren, if
the sins of our youth.
a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who
For You are the hope of the hopeless, and
are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of
the rest of those who labor and are heavy
gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be
laden with iniquity; and to You we ascribe
tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so
glory, together with Your Father, who is from
fulfill the law of Christ. (RSV)
everlasting, and Your all-holy and life-giving
Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of ages. PRIEST
Peace be with you.
(Amen.)
SIXTH APOSTOLOS CHOIR

DEACON Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia.

Let us be attentive. Sixth Gospel Reading
READER DEACON
Prokeimenon. Mode 4. Psalm 50 (51). Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the Holy
Gospel.
Have mercy on me, O God, according
to Your great mercy; and according to the

21
 The Service of Holy Unction

PRIEST DEACON
Peace be with all. Have mercy on us, O God, according to
(And with your spirit.) Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and
have mercy.
DEACON
(Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
The reading is from the Holy Gospel
Lord, have mercy.)
according to Matthew.
Again we pray for mercy, life, peace,
PRIEST health, salvation, protection, and forgiveness
Let us be attentive. of the sins of the servants of God, those
(Glory to You, O Lord. Glory to You.) present for this holy sacrament, and for the
remission of all their sins, both voluntary and
DEACON involuntary.
(15:21-28)
At that time, Jesus went to the district (Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.)
of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a Canaanite
woman from that region came out and cried, PRIEST
"Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David; my For You are a merciful God Who loves
daughter is severely possessed by a demon." mankind, and to You we offer up glory, to the
Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
But he did not answer her a word. And his
now and forever and to the ages of ages.
disciples came and begged him, saying,
"Send her away, for she is crying after us." He (Amen.)
answered, "I was sent only to the lost sheep DEACON
of the house of Israel." But she came and knelt Let us pray to the Lord.
before him, saying, "Lord, help me." And he (Lord, have mercy.)
answered, "It is not fair to take the children's
PRIEST
bread and throw it to the dogs." She said,
6th Prayer
"Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs
We thank You, Lord, our good and loving
that fall from their master's table." Then Jesus
God, Physician of our souls and bodies, Who
answered her, "O woman, great is your faith!
painlessly have borne our infirmities, and by
Be it done for you as you desire." And her
Whose bruises we all have been healed. You
daughter was healed instantly. (RSV)
are the Good Shepherd, Who came in search
PRIEST of the wandering sheep. You give consolation
Peace be with you. to the fainthearted, and life to the broken-
CHOIR hearted. You healed the hemorrhage of the
Glory to You, O Lord. Glory to You. woman who had a flow of blood for twelve
years, and freed the daughter of the Canaanite
woman from the cruel demon. You remitted
the debt of the two debtors and forgave the
sinful woman. You healed the Paralytic and

22
 The Service of Holy Unction

forgave his sins. You justified the Publican the sins of any, they are retained." And as
with Your word, and received the Robber at You hearkened to Hezekiah in the sorrow of
his last confession. You took upon Yourself his soul, at the hour of his death, and did not
the sins of the world, by being nailed to the overlook his prayer, in like manner hear me,
Cross. We pray to You and entreat You, O Your humble, sinful and unworthy servant,
God; in Your goodness, loose, remit, and praying to You at this hour. For You are the
forgive the sins and transgressions of Your Lord, Jesus Christ, Who in Your mercy and
servants, both voluntary and involuntary, in love for mankind commanded us to forgive
knowledge and in ignorance, trespass and those who fall into sin, even seventy times
disobedience, at night and during the day; seven; Who laments over our wickedness,
whether they be under the curse of a priest and rejoices over the return of those who have
or a parent; whether they feasted their eyes, strayed. For as is Your Majesty, so also is Your
indulged their sense of smell, touched and mercy, and to You we ascribe glory; together
gratified themselves, or tasted fornication; or with Your Father Who is from everlasting,
through whatever impulse of the flesh and of and Your all-holy, good, and life-giving Spirit,
the spirit they have alienated themselves from now and ever, and to the ages of ages.
Your will, and from Your holiness. Forgive (Amen.)
whatever sins they or we have committed;
SEVENTH APOSTOLOS
for You are a good God, Who remembers not
DEACON
evil, and loves mankind, permitting us not
Let us be attentive.
to fall into the unclean life, neither to follow
in wayward paths. Yes, Lord and Master, READER
hear me, a sinner, in this hour, on behalf Prokeimenon. Mode 4. Psalm 6.
of these Your servants. Overlook all their O Lord, do not reprove me in Your anger,
trespasses, as a forgiving God. Deliver them nor discipline me in Your wrath.
from eternal punishment; fill their mouths Verse: Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I am
with praise of You; open their lips that they weak; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled.
may glorify Your holy name; stretch forth DEACON
their hands to perform Your commandments. Wisdom.
Direct their feet aright, in the way of Your READER
Gospel, strengthening all their members and The reading is from Paul's First Letter to
their thoughts by Your grace. For You are our the Thessalonians.
God, Who through Your holy Apostles gave
DEACON
us a commandment saying: "Whatever you
Let us be attentive.
bind on earth will be bound in Heaven, and
READER
whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in
(5:14-23)
Heaven." And again: "If you forgive the sins
Brethren, we exhort you, admonish the
of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain
idlers, encourage the fainthearted, help the
23
 The Service of Holy Unction

weak, be patient with them all. See that none he sat at table in the house, behold, many tax
of you repays evil for evil, but always seek collectors and sinners came and sat down
to do good to one another and to all. Rejoice with Jesus and his disciples. And when the
always, pray constantly, give thanks in all Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples,
circumstances; for this is the will of God "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors
in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the and sinners?" But when he heard it, he said,
Spirit, do not despise prophesying, but test "Those who are well have no need of a
everything; hold fast what is good, abstain physician, but those who are sick. Go and
from every form of evil. May the God of peace learn what this means, 'I desire mercy, and not
himself sanctify you wholly; and may your sacrifice.' For I came not to call the righteous,
spirit and soul and body be kept sound and but sinners [to repentance]." (RSV)
blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus
PRIEST
Christ. (RSV)
Peace be with you.
PRIEST CHOIR
Peace be with you. Glory to You, O Lord. Glory to You.
CHOIR DEACON
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Have mercy on us, O God, according to
Seventh Gospel Reading Your great mercy, we pray You, hear us and
have mercy.
DEACON
Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the Holy (Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Gospel. Lord, have mercy.)

PRIEST Again we pray for mercy, life, peace,

health, salvation, protection, and forgiveness
Peace be with all.
of the sins of the servants of God, those
(And with your spirit.) present for this holy sacrament, and for the
DEACON remission of all their sins, both voluntary and
involuntary.
The reading is from the Holy Gospel
according to Matthew. (Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.)
PRIEST
Let us be attentive. PRIEST
For You are a merciful God Who loves
(Glory to You, O Lord. Glory to You.)
mankind, and to You we offer up glory, to the
DEACON Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit,
(9:9-13) now and forever and to the ages of ages.
At that time, as Jesus passed on from
(Amen.)
there, he saw a man called Matthew sitting
at the tax office; and he said to him, "Follow DEACON

me." And he rose and followed him. And as Let us pray to the Lord.

24
 The Service of Holy Unction

(Lord, have mercy.) Your commandments, or have erred, as

PRIEST bearing flesh and living in the world, or by
7th Prayer the prompting of the devil, forgive them,
O Master, Lord our God, Physician of as a merciful and loving God; for there is
souls and bodies, it is You Who soothe the no man who lives and does not sin. Only
chronic pains and heal every infirmity and You are sinless; Your righteousness is to all
malady of the people. You desire that all eternity, and Your word is truth. You did
should be saved and come to the knowledge not create man for destruction, but for the
of the truth, and You will not the death of the keeping Your commandments, and to inherit
sinner, but rather that he should repent and life incorruptible. To You we ascribe glory,
live. For You, O Lord, in the Old Testament, together with Your Father, Who is from
ordained repentance for sinners: for David everlasting, and Your all-holy, good, and life-
and the Ninevites, and for those before and giving Spirit, now and ever, and to the ages of
after them. But also in the new dispensation ages.
of Your coming in the flesh, You called not (Amen.)
the righteous but the sinners to repentance; DEACON
like the publican, the harlot, the robber, Let us pray to the Lord.
and the blasphemer and great persecutor
(Lord, have mercy.)
Paul, receiving them all through repentance.
Peter, Your great Apostle who denied You PRIEST
three times, You received in repentance, and Prayer of Anointing
promised him, saying: "You are Peter, and O holy Father, Physician of souls and
on this rock I will build my Church, and the bodies, Who sent Your only-begotten Son, our
gates of Hell shall not prevail against it; and Lord Jesus Christ, to heal every infirmity and
I will give You the keys of the Kingdom of deliver from death, heal these Your servants
Heaven." Therefore, O merciful and loving from their ailments of body and soul, and
God, encouraged by Your faithful promise, endow them with life by the grace of Your
we pray and entreat You at this hour. Hear Christ, through the intercessions of our all-
our prayer and accept it as incense offered holy Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary;
to You. Visit these Your servants, and if they by the power of the precious and life-giving
have transgressed in either word or deed Cross; the protection of the honored bodiless
or thought, by night or by day, if they have Powers in Heaven; by the supplications of the
come under the curse of a priest or their own honored, glorious Prophet and Forerunner
anathema, or have sworn an oath, we pray John the Baptist; the holy, glorious and all-
to You; loose, pardon, and forgive them, O laudable Apostles; the holy, glorious and
God, overlooking their transgressions and victorious Martyrs; our saintly and God-
their sins, committed by them knowingly or bearing Fathers; the holy Unmercenaries
in ignorance. And if they have transgressed and Healers, Cosmas and Damian, Cyrus

25
 The Service of Holy Unction

and John, Samson and Diomedes, Mokias Christ our Savior. The Lord says to you who
and Aniketos, Panteleimon and Hermolaos, emulate the zeal of the Apostles, "Behold, I
Thalelaios and Tryphon; of the holy and have given you authority over unclean spirits,
righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna, so that you might drive them out and cure
and of all the Saints. every disease and illness." Having truly lived
For You, our God, are the source of according to His commandments, freely you
healing, and to You we ascribe glory; to the received and therefore freely you give, healing
Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, the ailments of our souls and our bodies. (SD)
now and ever, and to the ages of ages. Glory. Both now. Theotokion.
(Amen.) Mode 4.

PRIEST Look down, most pure Virgin, upon the

Glory to You, O Christ God, our hope. supplications of your servants, and crush
Glory to You. the assaults of our enemies, delivering us
from all affliction. You are the only sure and
READER
secure anchor that we have, and you are our
Glory to the Father and the Son and the
Holy Spirit. Both now and ever and to the ages protection. Never permit us who call upon
of ages. Amen. you, our Lady, to be put to shame. Hasten to
Lord, have mercy. (3) fulfill the entreaties of those who in faith cry
to you: Rejoice, O Lady, helper of all, the joy
Holy Father, bless.
and protection, and the salvation of our souls.
PRIEST (HC)

Christ our true God, through the

intercessions of His all-pure and all-
immaculate holy Mother, the power of the
precious and life-giving Cross, of the holy and
righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna,
Saint James the Lord's Brother; and of all the
saints,
Through the prayers of our holy fathers,
Lord Jesus Christ, our God, have mercy on us
[and save us].
(Amen.)
CHOIR
Mode 4.
Since you have a fountain of healings, O
holy Unmercenaries, you dispense cures to
all in need, for you have been granted very
great gifts from the ever-flowing wellspring of

26