Holy Oil Service

Holy Wednesday Evening

Holy Unction (Oil) Service

Remember Wendesday morning, when we heard the story of the woman annointing Jesus? Well now it is our turn to be annointed!

Wednesday evening of Holy Week many Orthodox Churches celebrate the Sacrament of Holy Unction (also called Holy Oil). We read seven gospels and seven epistles! All of them tell us about how God gives healing to those in the church through the Holy Spirit and also through holy oil. After each Gospel, a candle is lit.

Traditionally, there are seven priests present at this service! But it's alright if you only have one. =)


Thats alot of priests!


During this service, the Fr. Edward blesses special holy oil which is then used to annoint those present for the healing of body and soul. Notice that that the Gospel book is held over the head of the person who is going to be annointed. This is to show that through the stories and teachings in the Gospel God have given us the strength to overcome any obstacle.

We even get to take some of the oil home with us! You can keep it with you throughout the year and use it if you ever are sick or are not feeling strong.

This service helps to remind us that the Church isn't just a place that we go for Sunday School or  to get communion on Sunday mornings, it is a place that we come to whenever we have trouble in our lives, either sickness or sadness too. The Apostle James tells us, " Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone 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, and the Lord will raise him up." (James 5:13-15)

Now does this mean that we don't go to the doctor when we are sick? No, of course we do! What James is telling is that we also come to God (and the Church) and bring him our sicknesses and our sadness and through the prayers of those in our community we will be made well again.

Lastly, this service of Holy Oil is a way of preparing ourselves for the hard days to come. We are getting towards the end of Holy Week, which means we are getting closer to those dark days when Jesus is going to be beaten and killed. And all for our sakes! It will soon get very dark, but don't forgot, the light of the Resurrection is right around the corner!