If you have a question: “What is unification and how is it carried out?”, We recommend spending a little time and reading our article: here you can find a complete answer. You will also learn what the Gospel says about unholy, how to prepare for it, and what you need to do with oil and grain after it.
Rite of Unction. Its purpose
In the Christian tradition, there are some sacraments that are very important for believers. One of these can be considered unification, or bare sanctification. The origins of this rite go back to the Gospel times, however, the ritual itself in today's interpretation is significantly changed.
To understand what unification is and how it is carried out, you should find out what its purpose is. The main purpose of the sacrament is healing. Moreover, the healing is not only of bodily ailments, but also of mental ones. Also during the ceremony, absolution takes place, which a person could forget and not confess. It is even believed that unification is somewhat akin to confession.
This sacrament is called differently. Initially, it was bare blessing, as the rite was used oil, which anointed people. Later it began to be called nothing more than the sacrament of unification. And the thing is that several priests (seven) perform the rite, that is, the cathedral.
Gospel and historical ritual references
What is the essence of unification? To understand, you need to delve into the story. As already mentioned, the origins of the sacrament should be sought in the Gospel time, in particular, it refers to the period when Jesus Christ lived. His actions to heal the sick were also reflected in the rite of unification, or bare sanctification. Subsequently, such wonderful deeds were continued by his apostles.
The first rites of healing took place by laying on of hands, but after some time in the epistle written by the apostle James, it could be read that the sick person can call the ministers of the church to pray and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. If a suffering person has faith, then he will be healed, and all sins will be forgiven him (referring to those about which he forgot). In the modern version of the sacrament, the laying on of hands was replaced by anointing with oil, and in memory of the old rite, the gospel is placed on the patient's forehead.
The first procedures of bare blessing in Russia were completely uncomplicated; only psalms and a few prayers were read. In addition, the rites were carried out mainly at home. Only from the sixth century did this mystery begin to take on the form that it now has.
When is the Unction
What else do you need to know about such a rite as unification? How to get it. When exactly is it carried out. For sick parishioners who cannot attend the temple and endure the service, a ritual at home is allowed on any of the days agreed upon with the clergy.
There are also traditional church days. They fall during Lent or Christmas. Usually this is not one day, but several, as there are many who wish to heal the soul . You should learn about all this in the chosen temple, since not all of them hold such sacraments. By the way, find out in advance that before the unction the deduction of the obsessed is not carried out, since this is not at all welcome.
Who can be unified?
In order to understand what unification is and how it is conducted, one should also understand the question of who can undergo this ritual. Every Christian who has reached the age of seven can be unified. The younger ones are not allowed to go through this ritual. However, some clergymen believe that in exceptional cases, when the child is sick, this is quite appropriate.
Also, it is forbidden to undergo the unction for women during critical days. Therefore, if this happened, it is better to refrain from this rite.
Many people are sure that this sacrament is resorted to when a person lies on his deathbed. This is actually not the case. The ceremony is carried out not only over a person who is sick or will soon leave this mortal world. After all, what is unification (how to pass this rite - we will discuss a little later)? This is not the last confession and absolution before moving to another world, and even more so not a funeral service, God forbid! Yes, first of all, this is a sacrament for the sick, but when carrying out the ritual at home, sacred oil is anointed not only for those who are especially in need, but also for all household members, blessing them. Therefore, you should not expose yourself to fear of an imminent demise. A lot of people who were sick after being unctioned were recovering or feeling much better. Christians who have already died, and those who are unconscious, are not allowed to the sacrament.
So, as already mentioned, completely healthy people can be unified, but not more often than once a year (usually during Great Lent). This sacrament exempts from forgotten sins, and also heals from mental illness. But it should be remembered that unification is not a substitute for confession and communion.
Ritual preparation
Some believers have a question before going through unification: how to prepare for this rite? No special preparations are required. However, a believer before the sacrament must partake and confess. The same must be done after the rite is completed. As you can see, confession is an integral procedure. If you suddenly decided that all sins will be forgiven, you just have to go through unification, then this is not so. In fact, a person should sincerely repent that he had ever done something unknowingly.
Also, before the clergy, clergy prepare special items that will be needed during the sacrament. The person who came to the temple should get a candle. It is not necessary to fast (except in cases when they are gathered during Lent).
What is needed to perform the ceremony
Typically, the following items are needed to conduct the ceremony at home and in the temple:
- a table covered with clean cloth (tablecloth) (used in the church by lectern);
- wheat grains (other grains are also allowed) placed on a dish (symbolize life itself, as well as renewal, both physical and spiritual);
- vessel for the consecration of oil;
- seven candles;
- seven sticks that need to be wrapped with cotton wool;
- vegetable oil (usually olive, which was of particular value to the ancients);
- some red wine (symbolizes the blood of the Lord).
In addition, the priest uses the gospel and the cross. As you can see, it is still necessary to prepare some objects in order to conduct the unification. How to prepare for a person who wants to pass this sacrament is written above.
Church Rite
The sacrament of unction is traditionally held in the temple (the exception is the weak believers who cannot come because of illness). The ceremony is performed by seven clergy, but one is allowed in special cases. Why exactly seven? The whole point is that during the ceremony, the texts from the Apostle, the Gospel, and also prayers are read so many times. Seven times the cathedral is anointed with sacred oil.
Before the ceremony begins, all parishioners must light candles. Unction in the temple itself is divided into three parts (conditionally):
- prayer service;
- consecration of oil;
- anointing with oil.
In the first part there are chants and prayers, and also those who came to the unification are listed by name. The sacrament begins with the words “Blessed is our God ...”, then the process is a shortened morning service, which is performed at the time when the fast lasts. By the way, modern prayers are not at all similar to the ancient ones, and some prayers differ significantly (and the rite itself too). Perhaps this is precisely why some persistent prejudices have arisen.
In the second part, the anointing oil is sanctified. To do this, mix wine and vegetable oil in a separate vessel. Wine is an essential component, as it symbolizes the blood of the Lord, shed for the salvation of mankind by Jesus Christ. Then seven candles should be lit, and the clergyman should read a special prayer for the consecration of the oil.
And at the end there is anointing of the congregation. At the same time, the Apostles, the Gospel, a brief litany, and a special prayer, which speaks of forgiveness and healing, are read.
The last part is performed seven times, but each time completely different passages from the Gospel and the Apostles are read. At the very end, after sevenfold anointing, all parishioners surround the clergy. The latter say a prayer and place the open gospel on everyone. Then comes the kissing of this holy book, and after - litany and worship of the parishioners. This is the end of the sacrament.
Rite of passage at home
Usually the sacrament of unction is held in the church even over the sick. However, if it is not possible to come to the temple and perform a ceremony there, then the priests can visit the patient at home. The ceremony takes place almost the same as in the temple. During the sacrament, all relatives can be present, during the ritual they are also anointed with sacred oil.
What needs to be done after the unction
After the unction, the believer must receive communion, and he can also take home the cereals that were used during the sacrament, and the sacred oil. At home, all this can be added in small quantities to food. Oil is cruciformly anointed with sore spots.
Note! If before the next gathering you still have oil and cereals, then you need to burn them, and bury the ashes in a place where almost no one walks. You can also give the remains to the temple to be burned there (in some there are special ovens to destroy the shabby objects of the ritual). It should be noted that in antiquity everything that was left from the unction was not given to the parishioners, but burned. Even now, in some churches, spruce and wheat can be given only if specifically requested by the one who gathers.
Parishioners who passed the rite
Those parishioners who consciously, with deep faith and remorse have passed the sacrament of unification, note significant spiritual relief. As for physical healing, we note that it does not necessarily happen immediately after the rite. However, in the future, according to the words of the parishioners who witnessed the miracle, a person may well be healed, especially if you pray regularly. The main thing here is not to forget about the Lord, about your sins, which led to physical weakness.
After the sacrament, many, especially those who are mentally ill, feel the reassurance and intercession of the Almighty. If anyone was destined to leave this world after the rite, they managed to bless their relatives (except in very difficult cases) and leave with a pacified soul.
The difference between anointing and unction (unholy)
We hope you now understand how the unification takes place. However, there is a sacrament very similar to bare blessing - anointing. The essence of both rituals is anointing with holy oil, however, unification is performed more often over sick believers (spiritually or physically). But anointing is performed once in life, immediately after the baptism of a person or if he converted to Orthodoxy from another denomination.
The parishioners are also anointed with holy oil during the Vespers, however this is not considered a separate sacrament, but only part of the service.
Unction myths
If you already understand how unification takes place, let's discuss some aspects of this sacrament that may give the wrong impression. For example, as already mentioned, some believe that this rite is performed only on the dying, therefore, it somehow accelerates the death of the afflicted. Of course, this is not so in reality.
This is not the last sacrament at all, but a healthy person should be unified more than once a year. For those who are on their deathbed, it is necessary to go through three sacraments - to confess (if he is able to), partake of the communion and be unified. Perhaps this is precisely why this myth arose, but no one says that confession is only for the dying? Therefore, soboring should not be feared, because in addition to bodily diseases, there are also mental illnesses that are also healed. And also there is a remission of sins that were not said or forgotten.
Conclusion
So, now you know what unification is and how it is conducted. In conclusion, we can say that this is a very important rite for believers, since there is a complete forgiveness of all forgotten sins, as well as spiritual and physical healing. Of course, this is possible only with sincere repentance and the presence of faith in the power and omnipotence of the Almighty.
As for the actual absolution, there is a reservation. If you withheld something in confession (and get together only after it), then there will be no forgiveness for such deeds or thoughts. Sins must be truly forgotten by man - voluntarily or involuntarily. The one who regularly confesses, passes the sacrament of unction (and not only), can help not only himself, but also to other people who are related to him. Thus, turning to the Lord in prayer and hope for his mercy, attending church and analyzing your life and actions will help you to be saved and cleansed from sins.