The mystery of the Holy Unction: Miracles

Holy Unction during pandemic is one of the most necessary services, however it seems that it is performed much less than it should. Below you will read some miracles tied to the mystery of Holy Unction.
The mystery of holy unction (or Anointing of the Sick) provides both physical and spiritual healing with holy oil blessed by the Holy Spirit. In Greek, the mystery is called Εὐχέλαιον (Euchelaion, from εὐχή, ‘prayer’, and ἔλαιον, ‘oil’).
The oil carries God’s grace both to renew the body and to cleanse the spirit. The service follows the apostolic tradition mentioned in the New Testament: “…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 man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (James 5:14-15).
Holy unction is a mystery of great comfort to the faithful. It provides uplifting and asks for patience to accept the will of God whatever the physical outcome.
The mystery of the Holy Unction: miracles
At Vatopedi, when the new brotherhood arrived, there were some very old monks which they found in the monastery. In time, the old monks became sick one by one, mostly because of their age. The new brotherhood took care of them with love, however the old monks were in very bad shape for months, tormenting themselves and the others.
After a long time one of the caregivers, exhausted, prayed to Mother of God to help him. Suddenly after, one of the old monks came to him and asked „It seems that you have a problem. Can I help?” The young monk responded „Well, I am very exhausted trying to help the old sick monks and, besides that, anything which we do doesn’t yield any results”.
Then the old monk responded „Do the mystery of the Holy Unction. The old monks gathered have a lot of things inside them during their life. Your human power isn’t enough. If you do the mystery of the Holy Unction then the Holy Spirit, the comforter, will come and comfort everyone: some will heal and some will die, according to God’s will. Nobody will be tormented anymore”.
This prophecy is fulfilled at least at Vatopedi till today: besides the regular service of the Holy Unction for everyone, every time when we do such a service for someone especially, with faith and humbleness, the problems are solved. Always.
Besides that, based on the Bible, the efficacy of Holy Unction is universally valid, if the necessary faith, humbleness and prayer exist.
Another case: there were a man in a deep coma for years. They tried everything – and I mean everything – to resurrect him. Nothing worked. Finally they did the Holy Unction service upon him. Nothing happened, till the very final prayer when the priest said „Glory to the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen!” then the sick man made his cross.
Indications for extraordinary situations – for example in a pandemic
Usually the service is held by seven priests because it has seven readings from Gospels and Apostle. However, the service can be held by only one priest and anywhere – in house, hospital etc. The blessed oil can be distributed in small bottles of plastic or on cotton swabs. Only the priest can anoint the others and they know how to do it. If the priest isn’t present then anyone can anoint himself on the forehead.
The photos are from a service of Holy Unction, Vatopedi monastery, Mount Atos.
If you want to pray for you or to donate, click here.
Yuri
Hello,
Do Mounth Athos accept secular volunteers in any way? I’d be very interested in living there long term, perhaps for the rest of my life, it looks such a paradise on earth, so much different than our society. From what I’ve searched it’s not very clear if only monks can live there or if there is any other way to volunteer work in the administration or other aspects of keeping this beautiful settlement. Please let’s talk, I’m not fantasizing, it would really be my dream living there. I’m asking about a secular way to live there because I’m not a religious person and would never be interested in faking it I can be accepted, that would be disrespectful. Even though I’m not religious monastic life would really suit me.
Please reach me on my e-mail which I filled with the comment.
Thanks,
Yuri
Steven
Hi Yuri, I am non orthodox christian, but visited Mount Athos 4 times already. As far as I know you can live a secular life on the Holy Mountain, but to stay and live permanently you must be orthodox. I’ll suggest you should go there for 4 days first, familiarize yourself with the area and then ask one monastery to spend there 10-14 days next time visit. It is possible, even for non orthodox person. Then you will decide. NOTE: If you go to Athos and really, really want (need) something and ask for it….it will happen.
Need more info – contact me
Fr. Gregory Allard
I join my small comment to Symeon’s: I pray that all are well and that the absence of new postings doesn’t augur anything bad. Daily, I pray for all on the Holy Mountain. I tell the parishioners of our church to read these wonderful, enlightening, and deeply moving accounts. God bless, protect, and sustain all who pray for us–from my heart: thank you!
Symeon
I pray that you all are okay with this pandemic going on! There hasn’t been a new post in over a month, and this website is so very helpful spiritually!
I understand that you may be busy with everything that is going on, but I pray that one day you will return to posting once again.
Deborah
Please prayer Fathers for an end to this pandemic. I believe that “with God all things are possible”. Thanking you for your intercessions in advance. Praise the Lord!
Nomiki
thank you fathers that is a grate article ,please pray for the world as they have lots faith in the living God.
Παντελής Μπάρκας
Ευχαριστώ για όλα, και για αυτά που μας στέλνετε. Καλή Ανάσταση, εύχομαι Ο Θεός να μας απαλλάξει από το κακό, με τίς Προσευχές σας, εμείς από τό σπίτι όσο μπορούμε
Παντελής Μπάρκας
Όχι εξετάσεις αλλά προσευχές σας