For the Church, soul and body are inseparable, thus emphasizing the need to be in a healthy body and spirit, which is reflected in the preaching of Jesus to his disciples: "Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons" (Matthew 10:8). This also follows from the ministry of Christ "to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, to the blind - enlightenment" (from Luke 4:18) and to heal "every sickness and every disease among the people." (from Matthew 4:23).
In the process of healing, the Church adheres to the tradition prescribed by the Apostle Jacob: "When someone among you is sick, let him call 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 will save the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up, and when he committed sins, they will be forgiven him." (James 5:14-15). James is talking here about the anointing with oil given by the priest, and it leads to physical and spiritual healing through the prayer of faith. This sacred action was called the Church Sacrament of Anointing. (from the Greek ephelaion means "oil"). Holy oil is given to sick people for recovery. The dying, in preparation for departure to eternal life, receive Holy Communion.
History of the rite
During the administration of this Sacrament, when the priest anoints the body with oil, God's grace descends on the sick person to heal ailments of the body and soul. The rite itself should ideally be performed by seven priests, but it is possible with a smaller number, even by one priest. The effect of this Sacrament depends on the promise and meeting with God; but it is useful only to those who receive it with the "prayer of faith", with proper preparation and adjustment of the spirit. The last prayer is for the forgiveness of sins: "And if (name) has committed sins or transgressions, grant him forgiveness and forgiveness of sins, because you are the Lover of Men."
As orthodox Christians, we pray without asking God for healing, nor do we doubt his ability to heal, but we beg for His promised grace to be sent to all the sick.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit or the miracles of Christ have always been relevant in the service of the Orthodox Church. The Church never considers a gift as something completed or something that has gone into eternity. St. Irenaeus at the end of the 2nd century speaks about the miracles of his time: "Some cast out the devil... others predict the future... still others heal the sick by laying hands on their heads... and even raise them from the dead, giving them the opportunity to stay with us for many years."
Later in the 4th century, we see clear confirmation of this in the writings of Basil the Great and John Chrysostom, who gave us prayers for healing, and we use them in the church during the administration of the Sacrament of Anointing.
In the 5th century, Pope Innocent I declared that the Sacrament of Anointing should be administered only to "sick believers," and in no case to those "who are doing spiritual penance, for it is a Sacrament." St. Cyril of Alexandria also referred to Anointing in the book "Honoring and glorifying with spirit and truth." The writings of other Fathers of the Church often tell us about miracles of healing in the Church itself.
