What is Angdeel?

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

The word Angdeel (also spelled Kandil or Andeel in various transliterations) is the Arabic term used in the Coptic Orthodox Church to refer to the Sacrament of the Unction of the Sick.

1. Meaning and Origin

The word literally means "lamp" or "lantern." In a liturgical context, it refers to the vessel or lamp containing the oil used for the sacrament. This lamp traditionally holds seven wicks, which are lit during the seven specific prayers of the service.

2. Liturgical Use

While the Angdeel (Unction of the Sick) can be performed in the home of a sick person at any time of the year, it is most famously known as the "General Angdeel" performed on the Last Friday of Great Lent.

On this day, the priest prepares a plate of oil with seven wicks. As each of the seven prayers is completed, one of the wicks is lit. This symbolizes:

• The seven gifts of the Holy Spirit.
• The fullness of the Church’s prayer for healing.

3. The Rite

During the Angdeel service, the following occurs:

• Seven Epistles: Readings from the letters of the Apostles (including the foundational text from James 5:14-15).
• Seven Litany Prayers: Specific petitions for healing and mercy.
• Seven Gospels: Readings concerning Christ’s power to heal the sick and forgive sins.
• Anointing: At the end of the service, the priest anoints the faithful with the holy oil.

4. Theological Perspective

In our Coptic Orthodox faith, we believe this is a true Mystery (Sacrament) through which the Holy Spirit grants healing of both the body and the soul.

It is important to distinguish our practice from that of heretics or those who treat such things as merely "symbolic." For instance, Protestants often reject the sacramental nature of the Unction of the Sick, viewing it as an optional or historical curiosity. In contrast, the Coptic Church maintains the apostolic truth that the oil is a vehicle for God's grace, and the "General Angdeel" on the Last Friday of Lent is a vital cleansing for the entire congregation before entering the holiest week of the year, Holy Pascha.