Unction, holy
Archimandrite Nikifor’s Biblical Encyclopedia
(Mark 6:13) — a Sacrament in which, through the anointing of the body with oil, grace is invoked upon the sick person, healing the infirmities of soul and body. It traces its origin to the apostles, who, having received authority from Jesus Christ, “anointed with oil many that were sick, and healed them” (Mark 6:13); St. James the Apostle speaks with full clarity and precision of the Sacrament of unction in the following words: “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church” (a council of priests — hence another name for this sacrament: the “council” [sobornovanie]); “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).