What is Unction

If the majority of Russian people heard about baptism and confession, then not all believers have a clear idea of what unification is. For many, this sacrament is associated with communion on the deathbed. Others think that unification is a kind of magical ritual, after which the patient will either be healed or die. So what is it really?

Unction is the sacrament of cleansing and forgiveness of sins, usually conducted by several clergy. It was from the cathedral conduct that such a name went - unification. How does this sacrament differ from ordinary confession, in which sins are also forgiven? The fact is that confession is more conscious in nature and is designed to free the believer from those sins that he observes for himself and in which he can confess before the clergyman and the Lord. During the gathering, cleansing also takes place from those sins that a person can commit unwittingly and not even be aware of this.

The power of unification is very great; it is no coincidence that it is used to alleviate the suffering of seriously ill and dying. Of course, the sacrament does not guarantee complete healing, to the full will of the Lord, but it often happens that after unification, the sick begin to feel much better or even recover. Do not take this sacrament as a panacea for all ills, because any prayer reaches the Lord and will be surely heard by him. The power of unification lies, first of all, in the faith of the person himself, and not in the rituals and chants performed in the temple.

Both the sick and the completely healthy can be unified, because a person can cleanse his soul and open before the Lord not only in a state of severe bodily ailment or at death. Usually they gather once a year, but if you feel the need to go through this sacrament additionally, do not stop yourself. There are no definite dates or canons for making unction, therefore, if a person is ready for it and feels an urgent need, it is necessary to be unified.

One of the essential attributes of the sacrament is the anointing with oil as a sign of cleansing the body from sin. A priest smears the congregation by reading prayers. The cycle of reading scripture and the anointing is repeated seven times, after which believers are applied to the gospel. The oil remaining after the end of the ceremony, the congregation can take home to anoint them as well. According to church tradition, the same oil is poured into the grave of the deceased, which symbolizes eternal life.

Serious patients are afraid of the sacrament of unction. There is a superstition that it is necessary to be unified only by the dying and only when the feeling of the imminent end approaches. It is for this reason that many believe that after the unification, their days will be numbered. This idea is completely unjustified and completely incorrect. How much is given to man in this world depends not on the performance of a ritual, but solely on the will of the Lord. If he pleases, the sick person may even be healed or will live long enough after the unction.

What is the meaning of Unction