The Office of Holy Unction
A small table is prepared, upon which is set a vessel containing wheat: and on the wheat an empty shrine-lamp. And round about are set seven wands, wrapped with cotton for the Anointing, and thrust into the wheat: and the book of the Holy Gospels lieth there also: and tapers (2) are given to all the Priests. These stand round about the table vested in their chasubles. Then the first Priest taketh a censer with incense therein, and censeth round about the table of the Holy Oil and the whole church or house: and taking his stand before the table, with his face to the east, he beginneth:
Blessed is our God always, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir. Amen.
And we begin:
O Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal One, have mercy upon us. (Thrice.)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
O all-holy Trinity, have mercy upon us. O Lord, wash away our sins. O Master, pardon our transgressions. O Holy One, visit and heal our infirmities, for thy Name's sake.
Lord, have mercy (Thrice.)
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from the Evil One:
Priest. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir. Amen.
Lord, have mercy (Twelve times.) —Glory... now, and ever..
O come, let us worship God our King. O come, let us worship and fall down before Christ, our King and our God. O come, let us worship and fall down before the Very Christ, our King and our God. (Three reverences.)
Psalm cxliii.
Hear my prayer, O Lord, and consider my desire; hearken unto me for thy truth and righteousness' sake. And enter not into judgment with thy servant; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified. For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath smitten my life down to the ground; he hath laid me in the darkness, as the men that have been long dead. Therefore is my spirit vexed within me; and my heart within me is desolate. Yet do I remember the time past; I muse upon all thy works; yea, I exercise myself in the works of thy hands. I stretch forth my hands unto thee; my soul gaspeth unto thee as a thirsty land. Hear me, O Lord, and that soon; for my spirit waxeth faint: hide not thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. O let me hear thy loving-kindness betimes in the morning; for in thee is my trust; show thou me the way that I should walk in; for I lift up my soul unto thee. Deliver me, O Lord, from mine enemies; for I flee unto thee to hide me. Teach me to do the thing that pleaseth thee; for thou art my God; let thy loving Spirit lead me forth into the land of righteousness. Quicken me, O Lord, for thy Name's sake; and for thy righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble. And of thy goodness slay mine enemies, and destroy all them that vex my soul; for I am thy servant.
Glory now, and ever,.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia; glory to thee, O Lord. (Thrice.)
And the Deacon reciteth the Little Litany:
Again, yet again, in peace let us pray to the Lord.
Choir. Lord, have mercy.
Succour us, save us, have mercy upon us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Choir. Lord, have mercy.
Calling to remembrance our most holy, all-undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir. To thee, O Lord.
Priest. For unto thee are due all glory, honour and worship, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir. Amen.
And immediately Alleluia, in Tone VI., is sung.
Verse (Stikh) 1: O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy sore displeasure.
Verse 2: Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak.
Then the Hymns (Tropari):
Have mercy upon us, O Lord, have mercy upon us. For we sinners,
void of all defence, do offer unto thee as unto our Master, this petition: Have mercy upon us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Have mercy upon us, O Lord, for in thee have we trusted, and be not very wroth with us, neither call thou to remembrance our iniquities; but look down even now upon us, inasmuch as thou art of tender compassion, and deliver us from our enemies; for thou art our God, and we are thy people, we are all the work of thy hand, and we call upon thy Name.
Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Open unto us the door of thy loving-kindness, O blessed Birth-giver of God. In that we set our hope on thee, may we not fail, but through thee may we be delivered from all adversities; for thou art the salvation of all Christian people.
Psalm li.
Have mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness; according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences. Wash me throughly from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my faults, and my sin is ever before me. Against thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight; that thou mightest be justified in thy saying, and clear when thou art judged. Behold, I was shapen in wickedness, and in sin hath my mother conceived me. But lo, thou requirest truth in the inward parts, and shalt make me to understand wisdom secretly Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness, that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Turn thy face from my sins, and put out all my misdeeds. Make me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy Spirit from me. O give me the comfort of thy help again, and stablish me with thy free Spirit. Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked, and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou that art the God of my health; and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousness. Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall show thy praise. For thou desirest no sacrifice, else would I give it thee; but thou delightest not in burnt-offerings. The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit: a broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt thou not despise. O be favourable and gracious unto Zion; build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with the burntofferings and oblations; then shall they offer young bullocks upon thine altar.
And the Canon, of which the cross-acrostic is: The Prayer of the Oil, a Song of Arsenius.
Canticle I., Tone IV
Theme-Song (Irmos). When Israel of old had passed through the
Red Sea's abyss with foot unwet, through the cross-wise stretching forth of Moses' hands, they overthrew the host of Amalek in the wilderness.
Hymns (Tropari). O Master, who ever makest glad the souls, and likewise also the bodies of mortal men, with the oil of loving-kindness, and preservest also thy faithful by oil: Show compassion also unto those who now draw near unto thee through the Oil.
The whole earth is full of thy mercy, O Master: Wherefore we, in faith, do beseech thee, that thou wilt bestow upon us, who to-day shall be anointed with thy divine and precious Oil, thy mercy which passeth understanding.
Glory
O thou who lovest mankind, who through thine Apostle didst mercifully give us a command to perform Holy Unction upon thy sick servants: Do thou, through the prayers of the same, have mercy upon us all, by thy seal.
Now, and ever,
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoroditchen). O only Pure One, who didst give birth to the fathomless Abyss of Peace: By thine unceasing prayers unto God deliver thou thy servant from infirmities and afflictions; that he (she) may unceasingly magnify thee.
Canticle III.
Theme-Song (Irmos). The Church rejoiceth in thee, O Christ, crying: Thou art my fortress, O Lord, my refuge and my strength.
Hymns (Tropari). Thou who alone art wonderful and merciful unto faithful men: Grant thy grace from on high unto thy servant who lieth in sore sickness, O Christ.
O Lord, who of old didst show forth an olive-branch unto the abating of the Flood, through thy divine command: Save the sufferer, through thy mercy
Glory..
With the lamp of light divine, in thy mercy make bright, through this Unction, O Christ, him (her) who now, in faith, maketh haste to thy mercy
Now, and ever,
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoroditchen). Graciously look down from on high, O Mother of the Creator of all men, and through thy prayers dispel the sufferer's bitter pangs.
Sitting-Hymn (Syedalen), in Tone VIII. Thou who art like a river divine of mercy, like a bottomless gulf of great loving-kindness, O Bountiful One; Show forth the god-like streams of thy mercy, and heal all men. Pour forth abundantly floods of wonders, and wash clean all men: For resorting ever unto thee, we fervently implore thy grace.
Another, in Tone IV. O Physician and Helper of the suffering, O Re-
deemer and Saviour of the sick: Do thou, the same Master and Lord of all, grant healing unto thy sick servant. Show compassion, have mercy upon him (her) who hath grievously sinned. And deliver him (her), O Christ, from his (her) iniquities, that he (she) may glorify thy might divine.
Canticle IV
Theme-Song (Irmos). The Church, beholding thee uplifted upon the Cross, OSun of Righteousness, standeth in its stateliness, worthily crying: Glory to thy might, O Lord.
Hymns (Tropari). O Saviour, who like unto chrism incorruptible dost empty thyself utterly in grace and purify the world: Show mercy and bounty, in god-like wise, upon the bodily wounds of him (her) who, with faith, is now about to receive Unction.
Forasmuch as, with the tranquillity of thy mercy's seal, thou hast now signed the senses of thy servant, O Master, make inaccessible, impenetrable the entrance of all adverse powers.
Glory
Thou who hast commanded the ailing to summon thine inspired ministers, and to procure salvation through prayers, and the anointing with thy holy Oil by the same: Save the sufferer by thy mercy, O thou who lovest mankind.
Now, and ever,...
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoroditchen). O Birth-giver of God, ever-virgin, all-pure, steadfast Refuge and Fortress, Haven and Wall, Ladder and battlemented Bulwark: Have mercy and show compassion upon this sick person; for unto thee alone hath he (she) fled for refuge.
Canticle V
Theme-Song (Irmos). Thou art come, O my Lord, for a light to the world, a holy light, which turneth from the darkness of ignorance those who with faith sing praises unto thee.
Hymns (Tropari). O Good One, who art a great deep of mercy; through thy mercy divine, O Merciful One, show thou mercy upon this sufferer: For thou art tender of heart.
O Christ who, in wise ineffable, hast sanctified both our souls and bodies from on high, by the divine impress of thy seal: Heal us all by thy hand.
Glory
O Lord, exceeding good, who, through thine unspeakable love, didst accept anointing with precious ointment at the hands of the woman who was a sinner: Have compassion upon thy servant.
Now, and ever,
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoroditchen). O all-lauded, pure, exceeding gracious Birth-giver of God, have mercy upon those who are now to be anointed with the Oil divine: and save thy servant.
Canticle VI.
Theme-Song (Irmos). I will sacrifice unto thee with the voice of thanksgiving, O Lord, the Church crieth aloud unto thee, in that she hath purified herself from the blood of demons by the blood which for the sake of mercy flowed from thy side.
Hymns (Tropari). O thou who lovest mankind, who didst institute anointment for kings by thy words, and by the hands of High Priests didst accomplish the same: Save also this sufferer by thy seal; forasmuch as thou art of great loving-kindness.
Let no interposition of malignant demons, O Saviour, touch the senses of him (her) who is marked with thine anointing divine; but hedge him (her) abou with the bulwark of thy glory.
Glory..
Now, and ever,.
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoroditchen). Thou hast manifested thyself a fruitful olive-tree, in the abode of thy God, O Mother of the Creator, and thereby the world is seen to be filled with mercy. And thereby, also, save thou the pangs of thy sufferer by thy prayers.
Collect-Hymn (Konddk), in Tone II. O Fountain of mercy, who art exceeding good: Deliver thou from every adversity these persons who, with fervent faith, adore thy mercy unspeakable, O Tenderly-compassionate One; and taking away their maladies, vouchsafe thou unto them grace divine from on high.
Canticle VII.
Theme-Song (Irmos). The Abrahamic Children in the Persian furnace, fired rather by love of godliness than by the flame, cried aloud: Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the tabernacle of thy glory -
Hymns (Tropari). Thou who in thy mercies and compassions, O Saviour and only God, dost heal both the passions of the soul and the bodily afflictions of all men: Do thou, the same God, restore this person who suffereth from bodily infirmities, and heal thou him (her).
When the heads of all men are anointed with the oil of Unction, vouchsafe thou the joy of gladness unto this person, who seeketh the mercy of thy redemption, O Christ, bestowing the riches of thy grace, O Lord.
Glory
Thy seal is a sword against demons, O Saviour, a fire that consumeth the passions of the soul, through the prayers of priests. Wherefore, we who have received healing, in faith, do sing praises unto thee.
Now, and ever,
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoroditchen). O Mother of God, who within thy womb, in god-like wise didst hold, and ineffably didst incar-
nate him who holdeth all things in the hollow of his hand, mercifully assuage the pangs of this sufferer, we beseech thee.
Canticle VIII.
Theme-Song (Irmos). Daniel stretched forth his hand, and stopped the gaping mouths of the lions in the pit. And the Holy Children, zealous in piety, girding themselves with virtue, quenched the raging fire, as they cried: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
Hymns (Tropari). Thou showest mercy on all men, O Saviour, because of thy mercy infinite and divine: For which cause all we have assembled ourselves together, mystically representing the worship of thy bounties, and have brought in faith the anointing with the holy Oil unto thy servant: whom also do thou visit.
By the streams of thy mercy, O Christ, and through anointing by thy priests, wash away, in that thou art full of loving-kindness, O Lord, the pains and hurts, and the sudden assaults of suffering of him (her) who is tormented by the violence of passions; that he (she) may glorify thee with thanksgiving, in that he (she) hath been saved.
Glory
Forasmuch as thy mercy divine hath been decreed to us from on high, O Master, as a token of condescension and of tranquillity: Take not away thy mercy, neither despise thou him (her) who, with faith, continually doth cry unto thee: O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord.
Now, and ever,
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoroditchen). Nature accepted thy divine birth-giving, O Pure One, as a crown exceeding glorious, which crushed the hosts of the adversary, and conquered their dominion. Wherefore, crowned with the joyful radiance of thy grace, we sing praises unto thee, O all-hymned Lady
Canticle IX.
Theme-Song (Irmos). The Corner-stone unhewn by hands from thee was hewn, O Virgin Mount unquarried, even Christ, who hath bound together Nature that had been divided. Therefore, rejoicing, we magnify thee, O Birth-giver of God.
Hymns (Tropari). Look down from heaven, O Bountiful One, and show forth thy mercy upon all men. Give now thy succour and thy strength unto him (her) who draweth near unto thee through divine Unction at the hands of thy priests, O thou who lovest mankind.
O Saviour most good, rejoicing have we beheld the Oil divine, which by thy condescension inspired thou hast received, and above the merits of the participants hast symbolically imparted unto those who have shared in the laver divine.
Glory..
Show thy bounty, have mercy, O Saviour; deliver from terrors and
pains, rescue from the darts of the Evil One the souls and bodies of thy servants: Forasmuch as thou art a merciful Lord, who healest by thy grace divine.
Now, and ever,
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoroditchen). As thou receivest the songs and supplications of thy servants, O Virgin, so also deliver thou from irksome ills and maladies, him (her) who, through us, fleeth unto thy divine protection, O All-pure One.
For meet is it, in truth, to bless thee, the Birth-giver of God, ever-blessed, and all-undefiled, and the Mother of our God. More honourable than the Cherubim, and beyond compare more glorious than the Seraphim, thou who without defilement barest God the Word, true Birth-giver of God, we magnify thee.
Exapostildrion.
In mercy, O Good One, cast thine eyes upon the petitions of us who to-day are come together in thy holy temple, to anoint thy sick servant() with thine Oil divine.
Then the Stanzas (Stikhiri), in Tone IV Thou hast given thy grace, O thou who art easy to be entreated and lovest mankind, through thine apostles, by thy holy Oil, for the healing of the wounds, as also the infirmities of all men. Have mercy, therefore, upon him (her) who now, with faith, hath recourse unto thine Oil, and sanctify, and show mercy, in that thou art of tender compassion. Purge him (her) from every ailment, and vouchsafe unto him (her) thy food incorruptible, O Lord.
Look down from heaven, O Ineffable One, in that thou art of tender loving-kindness, who with thy hand invisible hast sealed our senses, O thou who lovest mankind, upon him (her) that, through thine Oil divine, in faith appealeth unto thee, and asketh remission of his (her) transgressions. And grant healing for both soul and body, that with love he (she) may glorify thee, magnifying thy sovereign power.
Through anointing with thine Oil, and the touch of thy priests, O thou who lovest mankind, sanctify thou from on high thy servant. Free him (her) from his (her) infirmities. Purge away his (her) spiritual vileness. Wash him (her), O Saviour, and deliver him (her) from greatly entangling temptations. Assuage his (her) maladies. Banish all obstacles. Utterly destroy thou all his (her) afflictions; forasmuch as thou art bountiful and full of loving-kindness.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God (Bogoroditchen). O most pure Palace of the King, O greatly extolled One, purify, I implore thee, my mind which is stained with all manner of sin, and make it the fair abode of the Trinity exceedingly divine; that, being saved, I, thine unprofitable servant, may magnify thy power, and thy boundless mercy.
O Holy God, Holy Mighty,. (See page 332.) Glory.. now, and ever,... O all-holy Trinity. Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.) Glory, now, and ever, Our Father,. For thine is the kingdom,
Then the Hymn, in Tone IV. Thou who alone art a speedy succour, O Christ, manifest thy speedy visitation from on high upon thy sick servant; deliver him (her) from his (her) infirmities, and cruel pain; and raise him (her) up again to sing praises unto thee, and without ceasing to glorify thee: through the prayers of the Birth-giver of God, O thou who alone lovest mankind.
Then the Deacon, or the principal Priest, saith the following Litany:
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Choir. Lord, have mercy -
For the peace that is from above, and for the salvation of our souls:
For the peace of the whole world; for the welfare of God's holy Churches, and for the union of all:
For this holy Temple, and for those who with faith, devoutness, and the fear of God have entered therein:
That he will bless the Oil by the power, and operation, and descent of the Holy Spirit:
For the servant of God, N., and for his (her) visitation in God; and that the grace of the Holy Spirit may come upon him (her):
That he will deliver him (her) and us from all tribulation, wrath, and necessity:
Succour us, save us, have mercy upon us, and keep us, O God, by thy grace.
Choir. Lord, have mercy.
Calling to remembrance our most holy, all-undefiled, most blessed and glorious Lady, the Birth-giver of God, and ever-virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves, and each other, and all our life unto Christ our God.
Choir To thee, O Lord.
Then the principal Priest reciteth the Prayer of the Oil over the shrine-lamp. And in some churches, wine is poured into the shrine-lamp, with the oil, instead of water. (3)
-I p
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Let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy -
While the Prayer of the Oil is being said, the Choir singeth the following Hymns:
Tone IV Thou who alone art a speedy succour, O Christ, (See above.)
The Priest, secretly.
O Lord who, in thy mercies and bounties, healest the disorders of our souls and bodies: Do thou, the same Master,
Co
Blind of my spiritual eyes, I come unto thee, O Christ, as did the man blind from his birth, in repentance crying unto thee: Have mercy upon me, O thou who illuminest with exceeding brightness them that are in darkness.
Tone III.
By thine intercession divine, O Lord, raise thou up my soul, which is cruelly paralyzed by all manner of sin, and by unseemly deeds, as thou aforetime didst raise up the paralytic; that, being saved, I may cry unto thee: Grant me healing, O compassionate Christ.
Tone II.
As a disciple* of the Lord, O Righteous One, thou didst receive the Gospel; as a Martyr, thou hast that which surpasseth utterance; as the brother of God thou hast boldness; as a hierarch, thou hast power in prayer. Implore thou Christ our God that he will save our souls.
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; and that therein may be glorified thy most holy Name, of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
A nd the other Priests also recite the same Prayer, secretly, with him.
Tone IV The Only-begotten Word of God the Father, who in these latter days hath sojourned among us, ordained thee, O James divine, who was sent by God, to be the first shepherd and teacher of them that dwelt in Jerusalem, and a faithful steward of spiritual mysteries: Wherefore, O Apostle, we all revere thee.
Tone III. To them of Mary, O Saint f thou didst reveal thyself as a minister of Holy Mysteries. For fulfilling the Gospel of Christ, O Venerable One, thou didst lay down thy life for thy people, and didst save the innocent from death. For which cause thou art canonized as a great Initiate in the grace of God.
Tone III. The world hath found in thee a champion great in affliction, O Endurer of Pain, who didst put to flight the heathen. For like as thou didst humble Lyeeus' pride, and encourage Nestor in his striving for the prize, even so, O Saint Demetrius, pray thou unto Christ our God, that he will grant unto us great mercy. (4)
f Saint Nicholas the Wonder-worker.
Tone III. O holy Endurer of Pain, and Healer, Panteleimon, beseech thou the merciful God that he will grant remission of sins unto our souls. (5)
Tone VIII. O sainted Unmercenaries and Wonder-workers, visit ye our infirmities. Freely ye have received, freely give ye unto us.
Tone II.
Thy grandeur, O Chaste One,* who shall declare? For thou aboundest in wonders, and pourest forth streams of healing, and intercedest for our souls, as learned in wisdom divine, and as the friend of Christ.
O fervent Intercession, and Wall Impregnable, O Fountain of Mercy, O Refuge of the world; unto thee we earnestly do cry: O Birth-giver of God, O Lady, come thou to our aid, and deliver us from adversity, O thou who alone art a speedy Intercessor.
Deacon. Let us attend.
Priest. Peace be with you all.
Choir. And with thy spirit.
Deacon. Wisdom! Let us attend.
Reader. The Gradual (Prokimen), in the First Tone. Let thy mercy be upon us, O Lord, even as we have put our trust in thee.
Verse (Stikh): Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous; for praise becometh the righteous.
Deacon. Wisdom!
Reader. The Lesson from the General Epistle of James.
Priest. Let us attend.
Deacon. (James v. 10-17.) Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea, be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. Is any sick among you? 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 shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
First Priest. Peace be with thee.
Reader. And with thy spirit.
Deacon. Wisdom! Let us attend.
Reader. Alleluia, in the Eighth Tone.
Verse (Stikh): I will sing unto thee of mercy and judgment, O Lord.
Priest. Wisdom, O believers! Let us listen to the Holy Gospel. Peace be with you all.
People. And with thy spirit.
Priest. The Lesson from the holy Gospel of Luke.
Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee. Deacon. Let us attend.
The Priest then readeth the Gospel. (Luke x. 25-38).
And behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live. But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour? And Jesus answering, said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. And by chance there came down a certain priest that way; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. And on the morrow, when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him: and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? And he said, he that showed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Choir Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee.
Then the Deacon saith the Litany.
Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great mercy, we beseech thee; hearken, and have mercy.
Choir. Lord, have mercy (Thrice.)
Furthermore we pray for mercy, peace, life, health, salvation and remission of sins for the servant of God, N
That he (she) may be pardoned his (her) every transgression, whether voluntary or involuntary, let us pray to the Lord.
Exclamation. Priest. For thou art a merciful God, who lovest mankind, and unto
thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir. Amen.
Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord.
Choir. Lord, have mercy.
Prayer. Priest. O thou who art without beginning, eternal, the Holy of Holies, who didst send down thine Only-begotten Son to heal every infirmity and every wound, both of our souls and bodies: Send down thy Holy Spirit, and sanctify this Oil; and cause it to be for thy servant, N., who is about to be anointed therewith, unto perfect remission of his (her) sins, and unto inheritance in the kingdom of heaven.
Some say this Prayer only thus far, adding here the Exclamation: For thy property it is to show mercy. Others recite it to the end.
For thou art a great and marvellous God, who keepest thy covenant and thy mercy towards them that love thee; who givest remission of sins through thy Holy Child, Jesus Christ; who regeneratest us from sin by holy Baptism, and sanctifiest us with thy Holy Spirit; who givest light to the blind; who raisest up them that are cast down; who lovest the righteous, and showest mercy unto sinners; who leadest us forth again out of darkness and the shadow of death, and sayest unto them that are in captivity: Come forth; and unto them that sit in darkness: Be ye unveiled. For he shined in our hearts with the light of the knowledge of his presence when, for our sakes, he revealed himself upon earth, and dwelt among men; and unto as many as accepted him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of God, vouchsafing unto us the adoption of sonship through the laver of regeneration, and causing us to have no share in the assaults of the Devil. And inasmuch as it hath not pleased thee that we should be cleansed by blood, but by holy Oil, thou didst give unto us the image of his Cross, that we might become the flock of Christ, a royal priesthood, a holy nation; and didst purify us by water, and sanctify us by thy Holy Spirit. Do thou, the same Master, O Lord, vouchsafe unto us grace in this thy ministry, as thou didst vouchsafe it unto Moses, thy servant, who found favour in thy sight; and unto Samuel, beloved of thee; and unto John, thy chosen one; and unto all those who, from generation to generation, have been acceptable unto thee. In like manner, make us also to be ministers of the new Covenant of thy Son upon this Oil, which thou hast acquired unto thyself through the precious blood of thy Christ; that putting away earthly lusts, we may die unto sin, and live unto righteousness, being clothed upon with him through the anointing with sanctification of this Oil which we are about to summon to our aid. Let this Oil, O Lord, become the oil of gladness, the oil of sanctification, a royal robe, an armour of might, the averting of every work of the Devil,
the seal of immunity from snares, the joy of the heart, an eternal rejoicing; that they who shall be anointed with this Oil of regeneration may be terrible unto their adversaries, and may shine in the radiance of thy Saints, having neither spot nor wrinkle; and that they may attain unto thy rest everlasting, and receive the prize of their high calling.
For thy property it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God; and unto thee do we ascribe glory, together with thine Only-begotten Son, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages.
Choir Amen.
After the Prayer, the Priest taketh one of the wands, and dippeth it in the holy Oil, and anointeth the sick person, in cross-form; on the brow, the nostrils, the cheeks, the lips, the breast, and on both sides of the hands, repeating the while this Prayer:
O holy Father, Physician of souls and bodies, who didst send thine Only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, which healeth every infirmity and delivereth from death: Heal thou, also, thy servant, N., from the ills of body and soul which do hinder him (her), and quicken him (her), by the grace of thy Christ; through the prayers of our most holy Lady, the Birth-giver of God and ever-virgin Mary; through the intercession of the honourable Bodiless Powers of Heaven; through the might of the precious and life-giving Cross; through the protection of the honourable, glorious Prophet, Forerunner and Baptist, John; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable Apostles; of the holy, glorious and right-victorious Martyrs; of our reverend and God-bearing Fathers; of the holy and healing Unmercenaries, Cosmas and Damian, Cyrus and John, Panteleimon and Hermolaus, Samson and Diomedes, Photius and Anicetas; of the holy and righteous Ancestors of God, Joachim and Anna; and of all the Saints.
For thou art the Fountain of healing, O our God, and unto thee do we ascribe glory, together with thine Only-begotten Son, and thy Spirit, one in essence, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
This Prayer is said by each of the Priests, after he hath read the Gospel and the accompanying Prayer, while he anointeth the person with the Oil.
Deacon. Let us attend.
Second Priest. Peace be with you all.
Choir. And with thy spirit.
Deacon. Wisdom! Let us attend.
Reader. The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Second Tone. The Lord is my fortress and my song, and shall be my salvation.
Verse (Stikh): In chastening hast thou chastened me, O Lord; yet hast not given me over unto death.
Deacon. Wisdom!
Reader. The Lesson from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Romans.
Priest. Let us attend.
Deacon. (Romans xv. 1-8.) Brethren, we then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let every one of us please his neighbour for his good to edification. For even Christ pleased not himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached thee fell on me. For whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: that ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.
Priest. Peace be with thee.
Reader. And with thy spirit.
Deacon. Wisdom! Let us attend.
Reader Alleluia, in the Fifth Tone.
Verse (Stikh): I will sing of thy mercy, O Lord, forever.
Priest. Wisdom, O believers! Let us listen to the Holy Gospel. Peace be with you all.
Choir And with thy spirit.
Second Priest. The Lesson from the holy Gospel of Luke.
Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee.
Deacon. Let us attend.
The Priest then readeth the Gospel (Luke xix. i-n).
Then Jesus entered and passed through Jericho. And behold, there was a man named Zaccheus, which was the chief among the publicans, and he was rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the press, because he was little of stature. And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycamore-tree to see him; for he was to pass that way And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zaccheus, make haste, and come down: for to-day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zaccheus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee.
Then the Deacon straightway reciteth the Litany: Have mercy upon us, O God, according to thy great mercy,.. with the Exclamation: For thou art a merciful God,.. (See page 343.)
Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord. Choir Lord, have mercy.
And the Second Priest saiih the following Prayer:
O God great and supreme, who art adored by all created beings, Fountain of wisdom, Abyss of goodness in very truth unfathomable, and Sea illimitable of loving-kindness: do thou, the same Master who lovest mankind, the God of things eternal and of wonders, to the understanding of whom none among men by taking thought can attain, look down and hear us, thine unworthy servants, and wheresoever in thy great Name we shall bring this Oil, send thou down the gift of thy healing, and remission of sins: and heal him (her), in the multitude of thy mercies. Yea, O Lord who art easy to be entreated; who alone art merciful and lovest mankind; who repentest thee of our evil deeds; who knowest how that the mind of man is applied unto wickedness, even from his youth up; who desirest not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn again and live; who for the salvation of sinners didst become incarnate, yet still remain in God, and didst thyself become a created being for the sake of thy creatures; thou hast said: I am not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; thou didst seek the wandering sheep; thou didst diligently seek out the lost piece of silver, and having found it, thou didst say: He that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out; thou didst not abhor the sinful woman who washed thy precious feet with her tears; thou didst say: As often as thou fallest arise, and thou shalt be saved; thou art he who didst say: There is joy in heaven over one sinner who repenteth. Do thou, O tender-hearted Master, look down from the height of thy sanctuary, overshadowing us sinners, who are also thine unworthy servants, with the grace of the Holy Spirit, at this hour, and take up thine abode in thy servant, N., who acknowledgeth his (her) iniquities, and draweth near unto thee in faith; and accepting him (her) because of thy love towards mankind, forgiving him (her) whatsoever he (she) hath done amiss, whether by word, or deed, or thought, forgive him (her), cleanse him (her), make him (her) pure from every sin; and abiding ever present with him (her), preserve him (her) all the remaining years of his (her) life; that, walking ever in thy statutes, he (she) may in no wise again become an object of malignant joy to the Devil; and thy holy Name may be glorified in him (her).
For thy property it is to show mercy and to save us, O Christ-God; and unto thee do we ascribe glory, together with thy Father who is from everlasting, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
And straightway after this Prayer, the Second Priest taketh the second wand, and dipping it in the holy Oil, he anointeth the sick person, reciting the while the Prayer: O holy Father, Physician of souls and bodies,... (See page 345.)
Deacon. Let us attend.
Third Priest. Peace be with you all.
Choir. And with thy spirit.
D eacon. Wisdom! Let us attend.
Reader. The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Fourth Tone. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?
Verse (Stikh): The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
Deacon. Wisdom!
Reader. The Lesson from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians.
Priest. Let us attend.
Deacon, (i Cor. xii. 27-xiii. 1-8.) Brethren, now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts. And yet shew I unto you a more excellent way. Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil. Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth.
Third Priest. Peace be with thee.
Reader. And with thy spirit.
Deacon. Wisdom! Let us attend.
Reader. Alleluia, in the Second Tone.
Verse (Stikh): O Lord, in thee have I trusted: let me never be confounded.
Priest. Wisdom, O believers! Let us listen to the Holy Gospel. Peace be with you all.
Choir. And with thy spirit.
Third Priest. The Lesson from the holy Gospel of Matthew
Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee.
Deacon. Let us attend.
The Third Priest then readeth the Gospel (Matt. x. 1, 5-9). And when Jesus had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner
of sickness, and all manner of disease. These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee.
And straightway the Deacon reciteth the Litany: Have mercy upon us, OGod,.. with the Exclamation: For thou art a merciful God,. (See page 343.)
Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy.
The Third Priest then saith the following Prayer: O Master Almighty, O holy King, who chastenest and yet slayest not; who raisest up them that fall, and restorest them that are cast down; who relievest the bodily afflictions of men: We beseech thee, O our God, that thou wilt direct thy mercy upon this Oil, and upon all who shall be anointed therewith in thy Name; that it may be effectual unto the healing of their souls and bodies, and unto cleansing, and unto the putting away of every infirmity, and disease, and malady, and every defilement, both of body and spirit. Yea, Lord, send down from heaven thy healing might; touch the bodies; quench the fever: soothe the pangs, and banish every hidden ailment. Be thou the physician of thy servant, N Raise him (her) up from his (her) bed of sickness, and from his (her) couch of suffering, and from his (her) bed of wasting disease, whole and perfectly restored to health, vouchsafing unto him (her), through thy Church, those things which are well-pleasing unto thee, and which work thy will. For thy property it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God; and unto thee do we ascribe glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
And after this Prayer, the Third Priest dippeth the third wand in the holy Oil, and anointeth the sick person therewith, repeating the while the Prayer: O holy Father, Physician of souls and bodies,. (See page 345.)
Deacon. Let us attend.
Fourth Priest. Peace be with you all.
Choir And with thy spirit.
Reader. The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Fourth Tone. Hear me speedily, O Lord, in that day when I shall call upon thee.
Verse (Stikh): O Lord, hear my prayer, and the voice of my crying.
Deacon. Wisdom!
Reader. The Lesson from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians.
Priest. Let us attend.
Deacon. (2 Cor. vi. 16-vii. I.) Brethren, ye are the temple of the living
God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you; and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and' spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
Fourth Priest. Peace be with thee.
Reader, And with thy spirit.
Deacon. Wisdom! Let us attend.
Reader. Alleluia, in the Second Tone.
Verse (Stikh): I waited patiently for the Lord, and he heard me.
Fourth Priest. Wisdom, O believers! Let us listen to the Holy Gospel. Peace be with you all.
Choir And with thy spirit.
Fourth Priest. The Lesson from the holy Gospel of Matthew.
Choir Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee.
Deacon. Let us attend.
The Fourth Priest readeth the Gospel (Matt. viii. 14-24).
And when Jesus was come into Peter's house, he saw his wife's mother laid, and sick of a fever And he touched her hand, and the fever left her: and she arose, and ministered unto them. When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses. Now when Jesus saw great multitudes about him, he gave commandment to depart unto the other side. And a certain scribe came, and said unto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And another of his disciples said unto him, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. But Jesus said unto him, follow me; and let the dead bury their dead. And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.
Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee.
Then the Deacon saith the Litany: Have mercy upon us, O God,... with the Exclamation: For thou art a merciful God, (See page 343.)
Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy
Then the Fourth Priest prayeth: O good Lord who lovest mankind, compassionate and exceeding merciful, plentiful in mercy, and rich in beneficence, the Father of bounties and God of all comfort, who through thy holy Apostles hast empowered
us to heal the infirmities of thy people by oil and prayer: Do thou confirm this Oil unto the healing of those who shall be anointed therewith; unto relief from every ailment, and from every malady; unto deliverance from evils of those who await, in firm hope, salvation from thee. Yea, O Master, Lord our God, we beseech thee, O Almighty One, that thou wilt save us all. O only Physician of souls and bodies, sanctify us all. O thou who healest every infirmity, heal also thy servant, N Raise him (her) up from his (her) couch of sickness, through the mercies of thy goodness. Visit him (her) with thy mercies and thy bounties. Cast out of him (her) every ailment and weakness; that, being raised up by thy mighty hand, he (she) may serve thee with all thanksgiving; and that we also, who now do share thine inexpressible love towards mankind, may sing praises and glorify thee who performest deeds great and marvellous, both glorious and transcendent.
For thy property it is to show mercy and to save us, O our God;. (See page 345.)
And straightivay after this Prayer, the Fourth Priest taketh the fourth wand, and dipping it in the holy Oil, he anointeth therewith the sick person, reciting the while the Prayer: O holy Father, Physician of souls and bodies, (See page 345.)
Deacon. Let us attend.
Fifth Priest. Peace be with you all. Choir And with thy spirit.
Deacon. Wisdom! Let us attend.
Reader. The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Fifth Tone. Thou, O Lord, shalt keep us and protect us, from this generation, forevermore.
Verse (Stikh): Save me, O Lord, for the righteous are become few.
Deacon. Wisdom!
Reader. The Lesson from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Corinthians.
Priest. Let us attend.
Deacon. (2 Cor. i. 8-12.) For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life: but we had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead: who delivered us from so great a death, and doth deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons, thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
Fifth Priest. Peace be with thee.
Reader And with thy spirit.
Deacon. Wisdom! Let us attend.
Reader Alleluia, in the First Tone.
Verse (Stikh): I will sing praises unto thy mercy, O Lord, forever.
Fifth Priest. Wisdom, O believers! Let us listen to the Holy Gospel. Peace be with you all.
Choir. And with thy spirit.
Priest. The Lesson from the holy Gospel of Matthew.
Deacon. Let us attend.
Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee.
The Priest. (Matt. xxv. 1-14.) The Lord spake this parable: Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him. Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil: for our lamps are gone out. But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves. And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready, went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut. Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us. But he answered and said, Verily, I say unto you, I know you not. Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee.
Then the Deacon saith the Litany: Have mercy upon us, O God,... -with the Exclamation: For thou art a merciful God, who lovest mankind,... (See page 343.)
Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy.
And the Fifth Priest saith the following Prayer: '
O Lord our God, who chastenest and again healest; who raisest up the beggar from the earth, and exaltest the poor man from the dunghill; O Father of orphans, and Haven of the tempesttossed, and Physician of the ailing, who painlessly didst bear our weaknesses, and accept our infirmities; who showest mercy with gentleness, and passest over our wickedness, and takest away our unrighteousness; who art quick to help, and slow to wrath; who didst breathe upon thy disciples and say: Receive ye the Holy Spirit: whosesoever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; who acceptest the contrition of sinners, and hast power to pardon sins manifold and grievous, and bestowest healing upon all who continue in weakness and long-enduring sickness; who hast called me, also, thy humble, and sinful, and unworthy servant, entangled in manifold sins, and wallowing in the lusts of pleasures, to the holy and exceeding lofty degree of the Priesthood, and to enter in within the innermost veil, into the Holy of Holies, whither also the holy Angels desire to penetrate, and to hear the voice of the Lord God
which announceth glad tidings, and to behold with mine eyes the presence of the sacred Oblation, and to take delight in the divine and sacred Liturgy: Thou who graciously enablest me to administer, as a priest, thy heavenly Mysteries, and to offer unto thee gifts and sacrifices for our sins, and for the ignorances of thy people, and to act as a mediator for thy speech-endowed sheep, that thou, through thy great and unspeakable love towards mankind, mayest cleanse them from their iniquities: Do thou, the same exceeding good King, give ear unto my prayer in this same hour and holy day, and at every time and place, and receive the voice of my supplication, and vouchsafe healing unto thy servant, N., who is weak both in soul and in body, granting unto him (her) remission of his (her) sins, and pardon of his (her) transgressions, both voluntary and involuntary. Heal thou his (her) incurable wounds, and every ailment, and every malady. Give health to his (her) soul, O thou who didst touch the mother-in-law of Peter, whereupon the fever left her, and she arose, and ministered unto thee. Do thou, the same Master, grant healing also to thy servant, N., and alleviation of every hurtful illness; and call to mind thy rich bounties and thy mercy Call to mind how perpetually the mind of man inclineth unto evil, even from his youth up, and that not so much as one sinless man is to be found upon the earth; for thou alone art without sin, who didst come down and save the human race, and free us from bondage to the enemy. For if thou wilt enter into judgment with thy servants, none shall be found pure from stain, but every mouth shall be sealed, having nought to answer in extenuation; for like unto cast-off rags is all our righteousness in thy presence. Wherefore, O Lord, remember thou not the sins of our youth: For thou art the hope of the hopeless, and the rest of those who labour and are heavy-laden with iniquity. And unto thee do we ascribe glory, together with thy Father who is from everlasting, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir Amen
And straightway after this Prayer, the Fifth Priest taketh the fifth wand, and dipping it in the holy Oil, he anointeth the sick person therewith, reciting the while the Prayer: O holy Father, Physician of souls and bodies,.. with the Exclamation. (See page 345.)
Deacon. Let us attend.
Sixth Priest. Peace be with you all.
Choir. And with thy spirit.
Deacon. Wisdom! Let us attend.
Reader The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Sixth Tone. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy great mercy.
Verse (Stikh): Make me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Deacon. Wisdom!
Reader. The Lesson from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Galatians.
Priest. Let us attend.
Deacon. (Gal. v. 22-vi. 1-2.) Brethren, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain-glory, provoking one another, envying one another. Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.
Priest. Peace be with thee.
Reader. And with thy spirit.
Deacon. Wisdom! Let us attend.
Reader. Alleluia, in the Sixth Tone.
Verse (Stikh): Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord. In his commandments he rejoiceth exceedingly.
Priest. Wisdom, O believers! Let us listen to the Holy Gospel. Peace be with you all.
Choir And with thy spirit.
Priest. The Lesson from the holy Gospel of Matthew.
Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee.
Deacon. Let us attend.
The Sixth Priest then readeth the Gospel (Matt. xiv. 21-29).
Then Jesus went thence, and departed into the coasts of Tyre and Sidon. And behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil. But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us. But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread and to cast it to dogs. And she said, Truth, Lord, yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table. Then Jesus answered and said unto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour.
Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee.
Then the Deacon saith the Litany: Have mercy upon us, O God,... with the Exclamation. (See page 343.)
Deacon. Let us pray to the Lord. Choir. Lord, have mercy.
And the Sixth Priest saith the following Prayer:
We thank thee, O Lord our God, who art good and lovest mankind, the Physician of our souls and bodies, who painlessly hast borne our infirmities, by whose stripes we have all been healed, thou good Shepherd, who didst come to seek the wandering sheep; who givest consolation to the faint-hearted, and life unto those who are broken of heart; who didst heal the flow of the woman who had had an issue of blood twelve years; who didst free the daughter of the Canaanitish woman from the cruel demon; who forgavest their debt unto the two debtors, and didst grant remission of sins unto the woman that was a sinner; who didst vouchsafe healing unto the Paralytic, and likewise the remission of his sins; who didst justify the Publican by thy word, and didst accept the Thief at his last confession; who takest away the sins of the world, and wast nailed to the Cross: We beseech thee, and entreat thee, in thy goodness loose, remit, forgive, O God, the errors of thy servant, N., and his (her) iniquities, whether voluntary or involuntary, whether of knowledge or of ignorance, whether of excess or of disobedience, whether of the night or of the day; whether he (she) be under the ban of a priest, or the curse of father or mother; whether through the sight of his (her) eyes, or his (her) sense of smell; whether through the union of adultery or the taste of fornication, or through whatsoever impulse of the flesh and of the spirit he (she) hath departed from thy will, and from thy holiness. If we, also, have sinned in like manner, forgive; forasmuch as thou art a good God who rememberest not evil, and lovest mankind: and let not him (her) or us fall into evilness of life, neither run in hurtful ways. Yea, O Master, Lord, hearken unto me, a sinner, in this hour, on behalf of thy servant, N., and overlook all his (her) trespasses, forasmuch as thou art a God who rememberest not evil. Free him (her) from torment eternal; fill his (her) mouth with thy praise; open his (her) lips that he (she) may glorify thy holy Name; stretch forth his (her) hand to the performance of thy statutes. Guide his (her) feet aright in the way of thy Gospel, strengthening all his (her) members and his (her) thoughts, by thy grace. For thou art our God, who hast given us a commandment by thy holy Apostles, saying: Whatsoever ye bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatsoever ye loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. And again: Unto whomsoever ye remit sins, unto him they shall be remitted, and if ye retain them, they shall be retained. And as thou didst hearken unto Ezekiel in the sorrow of his soul, at the hour of his death, and didst not despise his supplications, so also, in like manner, give ear unto me, thy humble, and sinful, and unworthy servant at this hour. For thou art the Lord Jesus Christ, who didst command us to forgive the erring their sins, even unto seventy times seven, through thy goodness, and love towards mankind, and who repentest thee of our wickedness, and rejoicest over the return of those who have gone astray. For as is thy majesty, so also is thy mercy, and
unto thee do we ascribe glory, together with thy Father who is from everlasting, and thine all-holy, and good, and life-giving Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Choir. Amen.
And after this Prayer, the Sixth Priest taketh the sixth wand, and dipping it in the holy Oil, he anointeth therewith the sick person, reciting the while the Prayer: O holy Father, Physician of souls and bodies,. with the Exclamation. (See page 345-)
Deacon. Let us attend.
Seventh Priest. Peace be with you all. Choir. And with thy spirit.
Deacon. Wisdom! Let us attend.
Reader. The Gradual (Prokimen), in the Seventh Tone. O Lord, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy sore displeasure.
Verse (Stikh): Have mercy upon me, O Lord, for I am weak.
Deacon. Wisdom!
Reader The Lesson from the Epistle of the holy Apostle Paul to the Thessalonians.
Priest. Let us attend.
Deacon, (i Thes. v. 14-24.) Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Seventh Priest. Peace be with thee.
Reader. And with thy spirit.
Deacon. Wisdom! Let us attend.
Reader. Alleluia, in the Seventh Tone.
Verse (Stikh): The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the Name of the God of Jacob defend thee.
Priest. Wisdom, O believers! Let us listen to the holy Gospel of Matthew Peace be with you all. — — Choir. And with thy spirit.
Priest. The Lesson from the holy Gospel of Matthew.
Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee.
Deacon. Let us attend.
The Seventh Priest then readeth the Gospel (Matt. ix. 9-14).
And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man named Matthew,
sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And
he arose, and followed him. And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in
the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with
him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick. But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. Choir. Glory to thee, O Lord; glory to thee.
Then the Deacon saith the Litany: Have mercy upon us,. O God, and the Exclamation. (See page 343.)
And the Seventh Priest saith the following Prayer: O Master, Lord our God, thou art the Physician of souls and bodies, who assuagest temporal sufferings and healest every infirmity and every wound of men; who desirest that all men should be saved, and should come to the knowledge of the truth; who desirest not the death of a sinner, but that he should turn him again and live: for thou, O Lord, in the ancient Covenant, didst ordain repentance unto sinners, unto David and the Ninevites, and unto those who went before them, and likewise, at the advent of thy dispensation in the flesh, thou calledst not the righteous but sinners to repentance; who didst accept in repentance the Publican, the Woman who was a sinner, and the Thief, and great Paul the blaspheming Persecutor; and who didst accept in repentance great Peter, thy chief Apostle, who also thrice denied thee; and gavest unto him a promise, saying: Thou art Peter, and on this rock will I build my Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it; and I will give thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven. For which cause, O Good One, who lovest mankind, we also have boldness, according to thy faithful promise, and we beseech thee, and implore thee, at this present hour: Give ear unto our supplication, and receive it as incense offered unto thee; and visit thy servant, N.; and if he (she) hath done aught amiss, either by word, or deed, or thought, either by night or by day; if he (she) hath fallen under the ban of a priest, or under his (her) own anathema; or hath been embittered by an oath, and hath cursed himself (herself): We beseech thee, and supplicate thee: loose, pardon, forgive him (her), O God, overlook-ing his (her) sins and wickednesses, both those which he (she) hath done knowingly, and those which he (she) hath committed in ignorance. And if he (she) hath transgressed thy commandments, or hath sinned because he (she) beareth flesh, and dwelleth in the world, or through the wiles of the Devil, do thou, forasmuch as thou art a good God and lovest mankind, forgive; for there is no man who liveth and sinneth not. For thou only art sinless, thy righteousness is righteousness to all eternity, and thy word is truth. Because thou hast not created man for destruction, but for the keeping of thy commandments, and for the inheritance of life incorruptible; and unto thee do we ascribe glory, together with the Father, and the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
And after this Prayer, the Seventh Priest taketh the seventh wand, and dipping it in the holy Oil, he anointeth therewith the sick person, reciting the while the Prayer: O holy Father, Physician of souls and bodies,... with the Exclamation. (See page 345.)
At the conclusion of the Anointing, the sick person, if he be able, shall himself go among the Priests; or, supported by his own people, he shall stand or sit among them.
But if he be not able, the Priests shall gather about him, as he licth on his couch. And the principal Priest, taking the book of the Holy Gospels, and opening it, shall lay it, with the writing down, on the head of the sick person, the book being held by all the Priests. And the principal Priest doth not lay on his hand, but reciteth, aloud, this Prayer: (7) O holy King, compassionate and all-merciful Lord Jesus Christ, Son and Word of the living God, who desirest not the death of a sinner, but rather that he should turn from his wickedness and live: I lay not my sinful hand upon the head of him (her) who is come unto thee in iniquities, and asketh of thee, through us, the pardon of his (her) sins, but thy strong and mighty hand, which is in this, thy Holy Gospels, that is now held by my fellow-ministers, upon the head of thy servant, N. And with them I, also, beseech and entreat thy merciful compassion and love of mankind, which cherisheth.no remembrance of evil, O God our Saviour, who by the hand of thy prophet Nathan didst give remission of his sins unto penitent David, and didst accept Manasses' prayer of contrition: Do thou, the same Lord, receive also with thy wonted tender love towards mankind, this thy servant, N., who repentethfhim (her) of his (her) sore transgressions, regarding not all his (her) trespasses. For thou art our God, who hast commanded that we forgive, even unto seventy times seven, those who fall into sin. For as is thy majesty, so also is thy mercy: and unto thee are due all glory, honour and worship, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Then, taking the book of the Holy Gospels from the head of the sick person, they give it to him to kiss.
And the Deacon straightway reciteth the Litany: Have mercy upon us, O God, with the Exclamation. (See page 343.)
77zew the Choir singeth: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
Hymn (Tropdr), in Tone IV Forasmuch as ye have a fountain of healing, O Unmercenary Ones, ye bestow healing upon all those who ask it, in that ye have been accounted worthy of exceeding great gifts from the Fountain ever-flowing, our Saviour. For the Lord hath said unto you, as unto zealous labourers, equal in zeal to the Apostles: Behold, I have given you power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every infirmity, and every malady. Wherefore, as ye have nobly lived, according to his commandments, freely ye have received, and freely do ye give, healing the ills of our souls and bodies.
Now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Hymn to the Birth-giver of God, in the same Tone. Regard the prayers of thy servants, O All-undefiled One, who quenchest the fierce attacks upon us, giving us release from every adversity: for thee alone have we as a support firm and assured, and have acquired thy protection, O Lady; and all we who call upon thee shall not be put to confusion. Make haste to the petitions of those who with faith cry unto thee: Hail, O Lady! O Help of all men! O Joy and Refuge, and Salvation of our souls!
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now, and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Lord, have mercy. (Thrice.)
Bless.
And the Benediction.
May Christ our true God, through the prayers of his most pure Mother; by the might of the precious and life-giving Cross; of the holy, glorious and all-laudable James, the Apostle and the first Bishop of Jerusalem, the brother of God; and of all the Saints; save us and have mercy upon us, forasmuch as he is good, and loveth mankind.
And the Person who hath received Unction with Prayer maketh a reverence, saying: Bless me, holy Fathers. Pardon me, a sinner. (Thrice.)
And having received their blessing and pardon, he goeth thence, giving thanks unto God.