On Wednesday 16 April 2025 the Holy Unction Service was held at St George’s Orthodox Cathedral, Woodstock, with His Eminence Archbishop Sergios, Archimandrite Doukas Coulbanis and Very Reverend Father Nikolaos Giamouridis. 

The anointing ceremony 

This evening on Great Wednesday during Holy Week the Sacrament of Holy Unction was offered for the healing of body and soul and for the forgiveness of sins.

The Sacrament or Mystery of Holy Unction encompasses healing and the celebration of the victory of Christ over sin and death. It gives us Christians a turbo boost as it were, to live lives that are useful, courageous, full and hopeful in all aspects.

The service started off with seven gospel readings covering different parts of Christ’s life during the last two days of His life.

Then the olive oil mixed with wine was sanctified.

The hymns sung last night in the Matins of Holy Wednesday are repeated tonight , and we also remembered the iconic moment when Mary Magdalene anointed Christ’s feet with precious oils and wiped them with her hair.

Jesus explained to his disciples that she had performed this ritual to prepare Him for his prophesied burial and He unconditionally forgave her sins.

And……how Judas Iscariot begrudged the expense of these oils in his faked concern for the poor especially as we know his nefarious plans to betray Jesus for mere money.

At the conclusion of the service we all knelt down as the Archbishop forgave our sins and then the priests anointed us, on the forehead, chin, cheeks and hands with the blessed oil, calling down the Grace of God saying to each of us: “ For the healing of soul and body. “

The oil is used in this Sacrament as a sign of God’s incomparable strength, enduring comfort and never-ending forgiveness.
The Holy Oil oil carries God’s Grace both to renew the body and to cleanse the spirit.

In Greek, the sacrament
is called “Εὐχέλαιον”(euchélaion) from ‘εὐχή’ (euchi) meaning ‘prayer’, and ‘ἔλαιον’ (elaion) meaning oil.

Holy Unction is a very important sacrament as it encompasses all kinds of healing plus the celebration of the victory of Christ over sin and death. It allows us to get on with our lives infused with hope, courage and strength.

Holy Unction also provides us with uplifting support and encourages us to have patience to accept the will of God, whatever the physical outcome.

After the service everyone dips little cotton balls in the oil to take home so we can always turn to the oil when the need arises.
It is a particular comfort in times of physical illness, emotional trauma or spiritual stress.

“When God anoints your head with oil, your blessings will always overflow. “ ( Psalms 23:5)

Why is wine mixed with the oil?

The oil and the wine are two vital items in the story of Christ. You could say the foundation of Christianity is based upon what they stand for.

The wine represents the Blood of Christ, spilled on the Cross for the forgiveness of our sins and salvation of everyone, while the oil is an ancient healing medication in its own right and represents the boundless mercy and compassion of God.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan Jesus says, “So he went to him and bandaged his wounds , pouring on oil and wine ; and set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.”

Likewise in addition to rendering physical help, a truly good Samaritan also uplifts and supports the person he is helping.

The express purpose of the Sacrament of Holy Unction is healing and forgiveness.

So with the wine, the atoning blood, washes away sin and purifies the soul, allowing God’s supportive Grace to be with us.

The atoning wine may sting at first, but its effects soon bring healing.
The holy oil soothes the soul much as oil silkens and smoothes the skin.

The most important message from today’s Holy Unction is that God Himself comes to us to heal our diseases, especially the ones in our hearts.