The mystery of Unction consists of oil and the prayers of the priests, through which the consecrated oil heals the bodily afflictions of those anointed with it; and not only so but the sins of the soul are forgiven through it, as the divine James testifies, saying:
“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).
This mystery, having such virtue, is auxiliary to the mystery of repentance, and they who have become implicated in sins ought not only through confession, but also through Holy Unction, to seek the forgiveness of their sins, because the mystery testifies that it has virtue to heal both the body of its infirmities and the soul of its sin. Therefore, the sick use this mystery for body or for soul or for both, but not also they who are in health in both respects. But let us pray to God to be always in health, and that we may not fall into sickness, nor have need of remedies for healing. Amen.
Apostolos Makrakis 