A - Establishment of the Holy Mystery
Christ’s power over evil spirits and his ability to heal all diseases made a special impression on the Jews. But more importantly, Christ passed this power on to the apostles: “And when he had called to him his twelve disciples, he gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal all manner of diseases and all manner of sicknesses” (Matthew 10:1). When they returned full of enthusiasm, they said to Christ, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in your name” (Luke 10:17).
St. Mark mentions that the apostles called people to repentance, and that they “cast out many demons, and anointed many who were sick with oil and healed them” (Mark 6:13). However, this power to heal remained, according to the Lord’s will, reserved for the Church, where the Lord Himself is present. Therefore the Apostle James says: “Is anyone sick among you? 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. For prayer with faith will save the sick, and the Lord will heal him” (James 5:14-15).
It must be said that this ability to heal is not a magical act, because it is effective through faith and prayer, and is performed “in the name of the Lord” (see also Acts 3:6-16, 4:10, 9:34).
B - The relationship between the sacrament of anointing and the sacrament of confession
The Sacrament of Holy Unction is not only concerned with the treatment of the body, but also with the treatment of the soul. Therefore, the Apostle James adds: “And if he has committed sins, they are forgiven him” (James 5:15). But this does not mean that we can substitute the Sacrament of Holy Confession with the Sacrament of Unction. According to some of the Fathers, we receive spiritual strength through the Sacrament of Unction, and our sins that we have forgotten and were unable to confess are forgiven. However, its primary importance remains in praying for the health of the body. Therefore, the Orthodox Church links these two sacraments, and urges those for whom the Sacrament of Unction is performed to confess as well.
C - The secret of the Church’s love and compassion
The law of the service of this holy sacrament states that seven priests shall perform it. However, the Orthodox Church does not prohibit a number of priests less than seven from performing it, but rather allows even one priest to do so. Seven is a symbolic number that indicates perfection. In addition to the seven priests, the apothecaries are also seven, as are the letters and the Gospel readings. The perfection of this number means that the anointing with holy oil expresses the tenderness of the Church, and shows it to her son who is physically or mentally ill. The parish to which the sick person belongs is represented by the priests, participates in their prayers, and declares its love for the sick person. Thus, the member of the Church, wherever he is, feels the presence and tenderness of the other members, especially in critical moments, such as illness, loneliness, or facing physical death.
The Church prays in this holy sacrament for the complete healing and health of her sick member, so that he may return to her once more “wholesome,” and so that he may be able to please God and do His will. She says: “Fill his mouth with Your praise. Open his lips to glorify Your name. Stretch out his hands to perform Your commandments. Direct his steps in the path of Your Gospel. Deliver by Your grace his mind and all the members of his envy.”
After all the members are anointed with the holy oil, the priest prays: “Holy Father, Physician of souls and bodies, who sent your only Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, who healed every disease and saved us from death, heal also this servant of yours… for you are the source of healings.”
This is the grace that the Church asks for in order to fully heal, both physically and psychologically. But the answer to the prayer does not belong to the Church, but to the love of God, which is not always expressed according to the desire of the patient or the limited will of man.