office unction_onepriest.doc

The Short Order of Unction Served by one Priest in the Hospital

s prayer of contrition: Do Thou, the Same Lord, receive also with Thy customary tender love towards mankind, this Thy servant, N., who repenteth him (her) of his (her) sore transgressions, regarding not all his (her) trespasses. For Thou art our God, Who hast commanded that we forgive, even unto seventy times seven, those who fall into sin. For as is Thy majesty, so also is Thy mercy; and unto Thee are due all glory, honor, and worship, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Note: The translation used is primarily that of Fr. Lawrence of Jordanville, and Isabel Hapgood. All the psalms are from The Psalter According to the Seventy, Copyright Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by permission. Some other material, such as prayers and hymns, are also Copyright HTM, used by permission. All rights reserved. These works may not be further reproduced, beyond printing out a single copy for personal non-commercial use, without the prior written authorization of Holy Transfiguration Monastery.

Glory Tone 4: Possessed of a well-spring of healings, O holy unmercenaries, / ye impart healings unto all in need, / in that ye have been vouchsafed great gifts by our Savior, /

or in the Home (approved by the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia on December 9-12, 2011)

And the person who hath received Unction with Prayer maketh a bow, saying:

Priest: Blessed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

the ever-flowing Well-spring. /

This service is usually performed after the sick has been communed with the Holy Mysteries.

Reader: Amen. Glory to Thee, our God, glory to Thee.

For the Lord saith unto you, as to ones rivaling the apostles in zeal: / Behold, I have given you power over unclean spirits, to drive them out, / and to heal every disease and every ailment. / Wherefore, living well in His precepts, freely ye received, and freely do ye give, // healing the sufferings of our souls and bodies.

A small table is prepared, upon which is set a vessel containing wheat; and on the wheat an empty shrine-lamp. An anointing wand is thrust into the wheat; and the book of the Holy Gospels and a blessing Cross are placed there also; and a taper is held by the priest, who is vested in his epitrachelion and phelonion. A cruet containing oil, and another containing some wine are also on the table, to be poured into the shrine-lamp when the prayer for the blessing of the oil is done. Then the priest taketh a censer with incense therein, and censeth round about the table of the Holy Oil and the whole Church or house; and taking his stand before the table, with his face to the east he beginneth:

Priest: For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory: of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Both now Look upon the entreaties of thy servants, O most immaculate one, / putting down the grievous uprisings against us, and taking away our sorrows. / For thee alone do we have as a firm and certain confirmation, / and thine intercession have we acquired. / Let not us who call upon thee be put to shame, O Mistress, / but haste thou to make supplication for those who with faith cry unto thee: // Rejoice, O Mistress, thou help, joy and protection of all, and salvation of our souls.

O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere present and fillest all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of life: Come and dwell in us, and cleanse us of all impurity, and save our souls, O Good One.

Reader: Amen.

The Dismissal

Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (Thrice)

Deacon: In peace let us pray to the Lord.

Lord have mercy. Thrice.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Father, bless.

O Most Holy Trinity, have mercy on us. O Lord, blot out our sins. O Master, pardon our iniquities. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities for Thy name's sake.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Bless me, holy father. Pardon me, a sinner. (Thrice)

Lord have mercy. (Thrice)

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

And having received his blessing and pardon, he goeth thence, giving thanks unto God.

Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

Revised 3/26/2018

Our Father, Who art in the Heavens, hallowed be Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

The Short Order of Unction Served by one Priest in the Hospital

Tone 4: O Christ, Who alone art quick to help, / show from on high a speedy visitation to Thy suffering servant(s), / and deliver him (her)(them) from illness and bitter pain, / and raise him (her)(them) up to praise and glorify Thee unceasingly, // through the intercessions of the Theotokos, O only Lover of mankind.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

(approved by the Synod of Bishops of the Russian Orthodox Church

--For the peace from above, and the salvation of our souls, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

The translation used is primarily that of Fr. Lawrence of Jor

--For the peace of the whole world, the good estate of the holy churches of God, and the union of all, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

. All the psalms are from The Psalter According to the Seventy, Copyright Holy Transfiguration Monastery, Brookline, MA, used by permission. Some other material, such as prayers and hymns, are also Copyright HTM, used mission. All rights reserved. These works may not be further reproduced, beyond printing out a single copy for personal non prior written authorization of Holy Transfiguration Monastery. r the sick has been communed with the Holy lamp. An anointing wand is thrust into the wheat; and the g Cross are placed there also; and a taper containing oil, and another containing some wine are also on the table, to be Then the priest taketh a censer with incense therein, and censeth round about the

--For this holy temple (or house), and for them that with faith, reverence, and the fear of God enter herein, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: To Thee O Lord.

table of the Holy Oil and the whole Church or house; and taking his stand before

--That He will bless the Oil by the power, and operation, and descent of the Holy Spirit, let us pray to the Lord.

Then the priest poureth the oil and wine into the shrine-lamp and reciteth the Prayer of the Oil.

the table, with his face to the east he beginneth:

--For the servant of God, N., and for his (her) visitation in God; and that the grace of the Holy Spirit may come upon him (her), let us pray to the Lord.

Deacon: Let us pray to the Lord.

ed is our God, always, now and ever, and unto the ages of O Heavenly King, Comforter, Spirit of Truth, Who art everywhere fillest all things, Treasury of good things and Giver of life

--That He may deliver him (her) from all tribulation, wrath, and necessity, let us pray to the Lord.

Choir: Lord, have mercy.

--Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and keep us, O God, by Thy grace.

Priest: O Lord Who in thy mercies and bounties, healest the disorders of our souls and bodies: Do Thou the Same Master, sanctify this Oil, that it may be effectual for those who shall be anointed therewith, unto healing, and unto relief from every passion, every malady of the flesh and of the spirit, and every ill; and that therein may be glorified Thy most holy Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

--Calling to remembrance our most holy, most pure, most blessed, glorious Lady Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary with all the saints, let us commit ourselves and one another and all our life unto Christ our God.

Deacon: Let us attend.

Brethren: Take, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any 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: and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Priest: Peace be unto all.

--Again we pray for mercy, peace, life, health, salvation, and remission of sins for the servant of God, N.

Reader: And to thy spirit.

--That he (she) may be pardoned his (her) every transgression, whether voluntary or involuntary.

Deacon: Wisdom!

For Thou art a great and marvelous God, Who keepest Thy covenant and Thy mercy towards them that love Thee; Who givest remission of sins through Thy Holy Child, Jesus Christ; Who regeneratest us from sin by holy Baptism, and sanctifiest us with Thy Holy Spirit; Who givest light to the blind; Who raisest up them that are cast down; Who lovest the righteous, and showest mercy unto sinners; Who leadest us forth again out of darkness and the shadow of death, and sayest unto them that are in captivity: Come forth; and unto them that sit in darkness: Be ye unveiled. For He shined in our hearts with the light of the knowledge of His presence when, for our sakes, He revealed himself upon earth, and dwelt among men; and unto as many as accepted Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, vouchsafing unto us the adoption of sonship through the laver of regeneration, and causing us to have no share in the assaults of the Devil. And inasmuch as it hath not pleased Thee that we should be cleansed by blood, but by holy Oil, Thou didst give unto us the image of His Cross, that we might become the flock of Christ, a royal priesthood, a holy nation; and didst purify us by water and sanctify us by Thy Holy Spirit. Do Thou, the same Master, O Lord, vouchsafe unto us grace in this Thy ministry, as Thou didst vouchsafe it unto Moses, Thy servant, who found favor in Thy sight; and unto Samuel, beloved of Thee; and unto John, Thy chosen one; and unto all those who, from generation to generation, have been acceptable unto Thee. In like manner, make us also to be ministers of the New Covenant of Thy Son upon this Oil, which Thou has acquired unto Thyself through the precious blood of Thy Christ; that putting away earthly lust, we may die unto sin, and live unto righteousness, being clothed upon with him through the anointing with sanctification of this Oil which we are about to summon to our aid. Let this oil, O Lord, become the oil of gladness, the oil of sanctification, a royal robe, an armor of might, the averting of every work of the Devil, the seal of immunity from snares, the joy of the heart, an eternal rejoicing; that they who shall be anointed with this Oil of regeneration may be terrible unto their adversaries, and may shine in the radiance of Thy saints, having neither spot nor wrinkle; and that they may attain unto Thy rest everlasting, and receive the prize of their high calling.

Reader: The Prokimenon in the 1st Tone: Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in Thee.

For Thine it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God, and unto Thee do we send up glory, together with Thine Only-begotten Son, and Thine All-Holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.

Choir: Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in Thee.

For Thou art the Fountain of healing, O our God, and unto Thee do we send up glory, together with Thine Only-begotten Son, and Thy Spirit, one in essence, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

Reader: Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous; praise is meet for the upright.

The servant of God N., is anointed with the oil of gladness, unto the healing of soul and body, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Choir: Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us, according as we have hoped in Thee.

The priest then lays the open Gospel on the head of the sick, and says this prayer:

Reader: Let Thy mercy, O Lord, be upon us.

O Holy King, compassionate and All-Merciful Lord Jesus Christ, Son and Word of the Living God, Who desirest not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn from his wickedness and live: I lay not my sinful hand upon the head of him (her) who is come unto Thee in iniquities, and asketh of Thee, through us, the pardon of his (her) sins, but Thy strong and mighty hand, which is in this, Thy Holy Gospels, that is now held by me, upon the head of Thy servant, N.. And I beseech and entreat Thy merciful compassion and love of mankind, which cherisheth no remembrance of evil, O God our Savior, Who by the hand of Thy prophet Nathan didst give remission of his sins unto penitent David, and didst accept Manasseh

Choir: According as we have hoped in Thee.

Then, taking the book of the Holy Gospels from the head of the sick person, the priest gives it to him to kiss.

Deacon: Wisdom.

--Again we pray for mercy, life, peace, health, salvation, and remission of sins for the servant of God, N.

Reader: The Reading is from the Catholic Epistle of the Holy Apostle James [James 5:10-16].

--That he (she) may be pardoned his (her) every transgression, whether voluntary or involuntary.

Deacon: Let us attend.

Priest: Peace be unto thee.

Reader: And to thy spirit.

Deacon: Wisdom!

Reader: Alleluia in the 8th Tone: Of mercy and judgement will I sing unto Thee, O Lord.

Choir: Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia!

Deacon: Wisdom! Aright! Let us hear the Holy Gospel.

Priest: Peace be unto all.

Choir: And to thy spirit.

Priest: The Reading is from the Holy Gospel according to Luke [10:25-37].

Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

Deacon: Let us attend.

Priest: At that time: a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbor? And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbor unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

Choir: Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.

Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

Priest: For a merciful God art Thou, and the Lover of mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: O Thou Who art without beginning, eternal, the Holy of Holies, Who didst send down thine Only-begotten Son to heal every infirmity and every wound, both of our souls and bodies: Send down Thy Holy Spirit, and sanctify this Oil; and cause it to be for Thy servant, N., who is about to be anointed therewith, unto perfect remission of his (her) sins, and unto inheritance in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Choir: Amen.

Priest: O Holy Father, Physician of souls and bodies, Who didst send Thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, which healeth every infirmity, and delivereth from death: Heal Thou, also, Thy servant, N., from the ills of body and soul which do hinder him (her), and quicken him (her), by the grace of Thy Christ; through the prayers of our most holy Lady, the Theotokos and Ever-Virgin Mary; through the intercession of the honorable Bodiless Hosts of Heaven; through the might of the precious and Life-giving Cross; through the protection of the honorable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles; of the holy, glorious, and right-victorious Martyrs; of our holy and God-bearing Fathers; of the holy and healing Unmercenaries, Cosmas and Damian, Cyrus and John, Panteleimon and Hermolaus, Samson and Diomedes, Photius and Anicetas; of the Holy and righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; and of all the Saints.

Then the Priest taketh the anointing wand and dippeth it in the holy Oil, and anointeth the sick person, in cross-form; on the brow, the nostrils, the cheeks, the lips, the breast, and both sides of the hands, while saying:

Deacon: Have mercy on us, O God, according to Thy great mercy, we pray Thee, hearken and have mercy.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

Choir: Lord, have mercy. Thrice.

Priest: For a merciful God art Thou, and the Lover of mankind, and unto Thee do we send up glory: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever, and unto the ages of ages.

Choir: Amen.

Then the choir sings the following stichera:

Priest: Glory to Thee, O Christ God, our hope, glory to Thee.

Choir: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now and ever, and unto the ages of ages. Amen.

Priest: May Christ our true God, through the supplications of His all-pure Mother, by the power of the precious and life-creating Cross, and through the prayers of the holy, glorious and most lauded Apostle James, first Bishop of Jerusalem, the Brother of God, and of all the saints, save and have mercy upon us, in that He is good and loveth mankind.