Page "Anointing of the Sick" Paragraph 28

The solemn form of Eastern Christian anointing requires the ministry of seven priests.

A table is prepared, upon which is set a vessel containing wheat.

Into the wheat has been placed an empty shrine-lamp, seven candles, and seven anointing brushes.

Candles are distributed for all to hold during the service.

The rite begins with reading Psalm 50 ( the great penitential psalm ), followed by the chanting of a special canon.

After this, the senior priest ( or bishop ) pours pure olive oil and a small amount of wine into the shrine lamp, and says the " Prayer of the Oil ", which calls upon God to "... 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 ..." Then follow seven series of epistles, gospels, long prayers, Ektenias ( litanies ) and anointings.

Each series is served by one of the seven priests in turn.

The afflicted one is anointed with the sign of the cross on seven places: the forehead, the nostrils, the cheeks, the lips, the breast, the palms of both hands, and the back of the hands.

After the last anointing, the Gospel Book is opened and placed with the writing down upon the head of the one who was anointed, and the senior priest reads the " Prayer of the Gospel ".

At the end, the anointed kisses the Gospel, the Cross and the right hands of the priests, receiving their blessing.