Anointing of the Sick

Anointing of the Sick is one of the sacraments of the Roman Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, and is also administered in some Protestant Churches.

Related Topics:
Sacrament - Roman Catholic Church - Eastern Orthodox Church - Oriental Orthodox Churches - Protestant

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Apart from the use of one or other of the synonyms "anointing" and "unction", the sacrament, in which a priest anoints a seriously sick person with oil blessed specifically for that purpose, has also been known as the holy oil of the sick, the unction or blessing of consecrated oil, the unction of God, the office of the unction, and so on. The (Greek name is {{polytonic|?????????}} (Euchelaion), derived from {{polytonic|????}} (prayer) and {{polytonic|??????}} (oil).

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In past centuries, when the sacrament was in fact conferred only on those in immediate danger of death, it came to be known in the West as "Extreme Unction", i.e. "Final Anointing". It was then conferred only as one of the "Last Rites". The other "Last Rites" are Confession (if the dying person is physically unable to confess, at least absolution, conditional on the existence of contrition, is given), and the Eucharist, which when administered to the dying is known as "Viaticum", a word whose original meaning in Latin was "provision for a journey". The normal order of administration, unless there is imminent danger of death, is first Confession, then Anointing, then Viaticum.

Related Topics:
Death - Eucharist - Viaticum - Latin

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The chief Biblical text for anointing of the sick is the Epistle of James:

Related Topics:
Biblical - Epistle of James

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:Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. And their prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make them well. And anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven.

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:::::James 5:14-15

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The Catholic Church sees the effects of the sacrament as follows. As the sacrament of Marriage gives grace for the married state, the sacrament of Anointing of the Sick gives grace for the state into which people enter through sickness. Through the sacrament is given a gift of the Holy Spirit that renews confidence and faith in God and strengthens against temptations to discouragement and anguish at the thought of death. It thus leads to spiritual healing and, sometimes, bodily healing as well.

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The 2004 dictionary of the Greek language by George D. Babiniotis ({{polytonic|???????? ?. ????????????}}) states that this sacrament of the Greek Orthodox Church "is customary in cases of sickness or when someone thinks he is having ill luck."

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