Sacrament of healing question

[SamanthaAnastasia]

I am going to the holy unction and sacrament of healing tonight and was wondering is it only for members of the church to be anointed?
I don’t want to embarrass myself or do something wrong.
I couldn’t find any answers online
Thanks!

 

[-Sasha-]

I'm not claiming this is absolutely the case overall, but at least at my church, the anointing is only for Orthodox Christians, and they are also supposed to have gone to confession beforehand. You may want to talk to the Priest, though. There is also a part of the service where people who need healing come forward and he prays over them, I'm not sure whether people who aren't members of the Church can come forward for that or not, but I suspect so.

 

[Toolbelt]

I was told once that you don't have to be Orthodox to receive the holy unction. But, I would check with the priest because practices may vary depending on jurisdiction.

 

[ArmyMatt]

you do have to be Orthodox to receive unction, as it is a sacrament. you can, however, be anointed for healing.

just not unction. so if you go, don't get in line for unction.

 

[SamanthaAnastasia]

you do have to be Orthodox to receive unction, as it is a sacrament. you can, however, be anointed for healing.

just not unction. so if you go, don't get in line for unction.

Thank you for this, hopefully they’ll state the difference.

 

[Phronema]

Thank you for this, hopefully they’ll state the difference.

Father will make it known which is which. Even if you make a mistake don't worry too much. I was in line to receive Holy Unction last year, and was a bit embarrassed to be turned away. Now I look back on it, and laugh with others as it's all apart of learning.

 

[ArmyMatt]

Thank you for this, hopefully they’ll state the difference.

they probably won't have unction and an anointing, so maybe contact the priest ahead of time to see if he can do something for you.

 

[~Anastasia~]

Yes, usually the priest makes it clear. Given today, it will almost certainly be the sacramental anointing with Holy Unction.

But if you want or need to be anointed, just ask your priest before or after the service. Father will bring out the oil (which is not Holy Unction) and anoint anyone and pray for them at any time they ask at our parish.

 

[All4Christ]

they probably won't have unction and an anointing, so maybe contact the priest ahead of time to see if he can do something for you.

We have a separate line for that - I guess it depends on the church?

 

[ArmyMatt]

We have a separate line for that - I guess it depends on the church?

sure, an old parish I went to would do the non-unction afterwards.

 

[AMM]

wait... so when sometimes at the end of service when Father is anointing people who come up as they venerate the cross, that's not the sacrament of unction??

When I was a catechumen, I always stayed back from that because I thought I couldn't have it. Now it sounds like I missed out on some blessings!

I am going to service tonight though and I'm looking forward to it. I didn't get to go to any holy week services last year except Pascha, and this year I'm able to make it on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, as well as the midnight service on Pascha. So I'm excited to experience all these new (to me) services

 

[ArmyMatt]

wait... so when sometimes at the end of service when Father is anointing people who come up as they venerate the cross, that's not the sacrament of unction??

When I was a catechumen, I always stayed back from that because I thought I couldn't have it. Now it sounds like I missed out on some blessings!

I am going to service tonight though and I'm looking forward to it. I didn't get to go to any holy week services last year except Pascha, and this year I'm able to make it on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, as well as the midnight service on Pascha. So I'm excited to experience all these new (to me) services

yeah, that just sounds like anointing with oil and not unction. unction is its own service.

I would ask Father.

 

[All4Christ]

sure, an old parish I went to would do the non-unction afterwards.

Ours is a combined service with multiple parishes - and often a good amount of catechumens between them, so that may be part of why they do both. (We tend to have 5-6 priests at Holy Unction, so it is easy to have an additional line to venerate the cross and be anointed.)

This year we only have one catechumen now in our parish - but 6 are newly illumined as of Palm Sunday

 

[MariaJLM]

Unction is a sacrament so yes, it is for baptized/chrismated Orthodox Christians only. Catechumens need not apply. However, there's separate anointing that can be done for the catechumens and non-Orthodox.

 

[Anhelyna]

Just back in after our Unction Service

Absolutely wonderful - the tiny Chapel was filled and all was peaceful and very quiet , very subdued lighting.

I'm at peace

 

[MariaJLM]

Just back in after our Unction Service

Absolutely wonderful - the tiny Chapel was filled and all was peaceful and very quiet , very subdued lighting.

I'm at peace

I'm leaving for it in a couple hours. I always look forward to it.

 

[All4Christ]

I'm leaving for it in a couple hours. I always look forward to it.

Leaving in an hour for mine

 

[Orthodoxjay1]

No you can't receive Holy Unction if you arent Orthodox Christian, if your really sick maybe you can ask father in your situation, most likely ask him before the service. However if there is Anointing at your parish, you can receive Anointing, which in itself is a blessing.

BTW it begs the question , I am about to go to Confession for Holy Unction , I didn't keep a whole 6 hour fast, father kinda hinted we need a Tiny bit food, and fast as long as possible, should I still receive, and is there more than just confession and fasting needed? Almost 3 years in, and still have to ask these questions ::embarassed:

Anyways, it seems the order of the Holy Wednesday service is different for each church, and jurisdiction, I learn something new all the time in Orthodoxy. In my parish we had the presanctified liturgy at 8:30am, Holy Unction is at 4pm, then Matins and anointing is at 7 pm, Holy week really picks up on Wednesday.

 

[~Anastasia~]

No you can't receive Holy Unction if you arent Orthodox Christian, if your really sick maybe you can ask father in your situation, most likely ask him before the service. However if there is Anointing at your parish, you can receive Anointing, which in itself is a blessing.

BTW it begs the question , I am about to go to Confession for Holy Unction , I didn't keep a whole 6 hour fast, father kinda hinted we need a Tiny bit food, and fast as long as possible, should I still receive, and is there more than just confession and fasting needed? Almost 3 years in, and still have to ask these questions ::embarassed:

Anyways, it seems the order of the Holy Wednesday service is different for each church, and jurisdiction, I learn something new all the time in Orthodoxy. In my parish we had the presanctified liturgy at 8:30am, Holy Unction is at 4pm, then Matins and anointing is at 7 pm, Holy week really picks up on Wednesday.

FWIW, we don't have to fast for other Sacraments in our jurisdiction/parish/metropolis? - only the Eucharist (and presumably baptism). But if your priest said to ... I'd hold off till last then ask him before receiving Holy Unction what he advises. Or during Confession if you're having that first.

 

[All4Christ]

FWIW, we don't have to fast for other Sacraments in our jurisdiction/parish/metropolis? - only the Eucharist (and presumably baptism). But if your priest said to ... I'd hold off till last then ask him before receiving Holy Unction what he advises. Or during Confession if you're having that first.

I started to get worried when I read the other post right before I left for church - I double checked and we didn’t need to fast for this. Concur with all you said though - it may be different with different jurisdictions and with the spiritual guidance of a priest.