Video Recording:
Currently in the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, this Sacrament is almost, if not always, administered when someone is terminally ill, due to the real possibility that the person will soon pass away. However, historically, it has been used for the purpose of bringing healing for the sick, regardless if it is terminal. The Bible clearly indicates in James 5:14-15 that “if anyone is sick, he or she should call upon the elders of the church, let them pray over them, and anoint him or her with oil in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.” The Bible is clear that one of the primary objectives of the church is to bring physical healing. Christ focused on healing in his ministry. (Mat. 9:35, Mat. 9: 20-22) Healing was an intrinsic part of the early church and continues to be so even now. From the beginning, sickness and sin have been coupled together. Healing for the sick also meant forgiveness of sins. That is why in in James 15 it says, “…the prayer of faith will save a sick man…and if he had committed sin, he will be forgiven.” Therefore, the anointing of the sick is healing for body and soul. Further, there has always been a connection between sin and sickness, as we read in the healing of the blind man (John 9).
The laying on of hands has always been "standard operating procedure” for healing, (Luke 4:40, Matthew 19:13, 15) but why the need for oil? Paul Meyendorff, in his book, “Anointing of the Sick” (2009) writes, “Thus the Christian practice of using oil was nothing new, simply the Christianization of elements from the cultures in which they lived.” Oil is now consecrated in the name of Christ, being used specifically for the purpose of healing for the Church. Initially, there was no liturgical service for the anointing. There is evidence that it was a domestic practice in the early church and then beginning around the fifth century the practice became exclusively the right of the priest. For instance, the oil would be consecrated in the church but the faithful would be able to take it home and use it when needed. It was the “aspirin” of the ancient world. As the centuries passed, the oil was consecrated at church (same as before) but now kept in the church for the priest to administer when needed.
The Sacrament is structured in the following manner:
Songs, Permion, Sedro, Etro, Catholic and Pauline Epistle, Gospel,
And then the priest says:
O Christ, Our God, the Good and true Healer, to whom all pains, both hidden and manifest, are simple, even now we ask for Your compassion on behalf of Your servant [name] who is laid up with illnesses and has taken refuge in Your mercy and seeks Your compassion, O Lord, for help for his/her illnesses and healing for his/her limbs. Rebuke, O Lord God, his/her pains and put an end to his/her diseases, suppress his/her suffering and chase away all wounds and scourges of wrath so that he/she might rise up and give You thanks for all Your goodness to him/her, and Your Father and Your Holy Spirit, now. . .
C: Amen
The priest puts his hand on the head of the sick one and says:
In Your Name, O Father and Son and Holy Spirit, I place my weak hand upon Your servant [name] so that through Your love Your mighty right hand that is full of help might overshadow him/her. May You visit him/her according to the abundance of Your mercy and Your love for mankind. Shower upon him/her Your compassion and sprinkle Your goodness upon his/her weakness. Bestow upon us Your help and gird him/her with hope and Your unconquerable truth. Remove from him/her all pains and illnesses and harmful scourges and trials that are beyond his/her strength. Give him/her the true strength that comes from You. Give joy and gladden his/her sadness by Your salvation so that he/she might rise up before You in righteousness and, without ceasing, give You thanks for Your goodness, and worship You and give glory to Your divinity, Our Lord and Our God, forever.
C: Amen
Then the sick one makes a confession. [195]
Then the priest anoints the oil of anointing on the forehead, on the chest and on the knees, saying:
May you be purified and sanctified. May the debts and the sins that you have committed, whether willingly or unwillingly, whether knowingly or unknowingly, be forgiven you. May all evil thoughts and satanic actions be put away from you,
D: Barekhmor
P: In the name of the Father
D: Amen
P: And of the Son
D: Amen
P: And of the Holy Spirit unto eternal life.
D: Amen.
With this holy oil and by His loving kindness, may God forgive you whatever [sins] you have committed by the weakness of [the eyes, nose, lips, tongue, ears, hands, feet]
D: Barekhmor
P: In the name of the Father
D: Amen
P: And of the Son
D: Amen
P: And of the Holy Spirit unto eternal life.
D: Amen.