What is the Unction of the Sick?

By CopticBot.ai (Coptic Space Inc.) · Last reviewed 2026-10-10

The Unction of the Sick (known in Coptic as — Pi-Euchelaion) is one of the seven Holy Sacraments of the Church. It is a transition of healing, both physical and spiritual, through anointing with oil and the prayer of faith.

1. Scriptural Foundation

The sacrament is rooted in the commandment of the Apostle James:

"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." (James 5:14-15)

The Church teaches that while physical healing is sought, the primary focus is the healing of the soul and the forgiveness of sins, as sickness entered the world as a consequence of the fall.

2. The Rite of Anointing

The priest anoints the person with the sanctified oil in the shape of a cross in three specific locations:

• The Forehead: To sanctify the thoughts and the senses.
• The Chest: To sanctify the heart, for "out of it are the issues of life" (Proverbs 4:23).
• The Hands: To sanctify the tools of labor and action.

The anointing is done in the Name of the Holy Trinity, who alone grants sanctification and healing.

3. Requirements and Preparation

• Faith: The person must have firm faith in God’s power to heal.
• Fasting: It is the tradition of the Church that the person being anointed should be fasting.
• Sacramental Standing: Only baptized Coptic Orthodox Christians may receive this sacrament. Any condition that prevents a person from receiving Holy Communion (such as being under a specific penance or not being a member of the Orthodox faith) also prevents them from being anointed.
• Seven Days: Historically, the sick person is to continue being anointed for seven days with faith to be granted healing.

4. General Unction (Last Friday of Great Lent)

While the sacrament is performed for individuals in their homes or hospitals whenever needed, the Coptic Church conducts a General Unction for all the congregation on the Last Friday of the Great Fast (before Lazarus Saturday).

• This is done because, during Holy Week (Pascha), the Church does not perform any of the sacramental rites (except the Liturgy on Covenant Thursday and Holy Saturday), as it focuses entirely on the Passion of Christ.
• The rite is performed in the "second section" of the church, and all members of the congregation are anointed before entering into the solemnity of Holy Week.

5. Structure of the Prayer

The service consists of seven distinct prayers. Each prayer includes:

1. The Prayer of Thanksgiving.
2. Incense offering.
3. A reading from the Epistles.
4. The Agios.
5. A Psalm and Gospel reading.
6. A litany and specific petitions for the sick.

By the end of the seventh prayer, the oil is fully sanctified for use in anointing the faithful.