Sacrament of Holy Unction

"Is any among you sick, let him call for the presbyters 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 man, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed." (James 5:14-16)

The Orthodox Church has always viewed body and soul as inseparable, and for that reason has stressed the necessity for preserving both in good health. The Sacrament of the Holy Unction is an enduring sacrament of faith for healing the sick and forgiving sins, with the most familiar celebration of the sacrament on Great Wednesday of Holy Week.