Close Menu
    Facebook X (Twitter) Instagram
    Trending
    • A Different Kind of Pope – Analysis by Theodore Kalmoukos
    • A Zoom Retreat on “Pride” for Clergy Wives and Widows
    • Pascha With St. John of Shanghai
    • Over 200 Entered the Church this Pascha in Hatfield, UK
    • On the Unity of the Church: An Interview with Dr. Symeon Paschalidis
    • OCA Delegation Attends Funeral of Pope Francis
    • Another Joyful Milestone at St. Vladimir’s Seminary
    • The “Chernobyl Savior” Icon
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    Facebook X (Twitter) YouTube
    • Home
    • OCL
      • About OCL
      • Leadership
      • OCL News
      • OCL Publications
      • Focused Study and Research Topics
      • OCL Archives at DePaul University
    • Orthodox News & Links
      • Orthodox News Stories
      • Headlines & News Archives
      • Governance & Unity
        • Governance Top Stories
        • Governance & Unity Essays
        • Grassroots Unity in Action
      • OCL Forums
      • Orthodox Christian Laity News
      • Web Links
    • Audio & Video
      • Audio Index
      • Video Index
    • Contact
    • Make a Donation
    Orthodox Christian Laity
    You are at:Home»Orthodox News»Holy Wednesday 2017: Protocol on Holy Unction & Personal Response

    Holy Wednesday 2017: Protocol on Holy Unction & Personal Response

    0
    By Webmaster on April 12, 2017 Orthodox News, Orthodox News Top Stories
    Share
    Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email Telegram WhatsApp Copy Link

    Source: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral / Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Atlanta

    As an Orthodox Christian living in the South, I remember with gratitude my grandparents and other forefathers, clergy and laity, who had the foresight and faith to adapt the teachings and the sacraments of their faith in this new land.  They came here, and without the infrastructure of centralized religious institutions, built the churches and brought priests to attend to their spiritual needs. The early clergy and laity worked together, respecting each other’s talents, building our communities. 

    To administer the sacrament of Holy Unction on Holy Wednesday, laity, with the permission of their spiritual father, took the sacrament home and anointed those who could not attend the church service.  This was done to meet needs, because our communities were underserved.  There were not enough clergy to meet the needs of the faithful.  The laity did this respecting the holiness of the sacrament. There were no deacons and deaconesses to reach out to minister to them.  They ministered to each other under the direction of their priests. This was their duty to keep the faith alive and vibrant in this new land. This was done because the Church, as the body of Christ, is love and provides economia.  It was a recognition that laity are the Royal Priesthood, and they are a vital part of the Church.

    One hundred years later, the Church still lacks the deacons and deaconesses to minister the Sacrament to the people who cannot attend service.  One priest in parish communities of hundreds cannot minister to the many elderly shut-ins and people who work, because their schedules conflict with the liturgical schedules.  There still is no infrastructure to minister to the needs of the faithful.  The Church is shorthanded.  We still have no deacons and deaconesses trained to reach out and minister to the spiritual needs of the faithful.

    What we have now are protocols. Protocols that decry what faithful clergy and laity did in the past to bring the faith and enable it to take root here.  New protocols dishonor our history and traditions by declaring them improper. Protocols that state laity are no longer “qualified” to minister to their own family members or neighbors.  There is a difference between holy oil and Holy Unction.  You cannot put Unction in a plastic bag and just throw it away.  My grandmother taught us this protocol 90 years ago.  Her family never threw the Unction, any holy oil, palms, flowers distributed during different services and commemorations in the garbage.  These were always burned.  Every Holy Wednesday, along with Holy Unction, we should praise and glorify these forefathers who kept the faith and rooted it this country.

    The Protocols need to be written with sensitivity and thanksgiving and not as revisionist history to minimize the role of the clergy and laity in the life of the Church.   Protocols in this post-conciliar age of the Holy and Great Council need to BE conciliar and promote synergy between clergy and laity.  Bishops need to make the work of the Council acceptable to the body of Christ.  If this does not happen, the fragmentation of Orthodoxy in America will retard our development and make it impossible for us to retain our faithful.

    George Matsoukas

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email WhatsApp Copy Link
    Previous ArticleCoptic Solidarity Condemns Palm Sunday Pogrom of Egypt’s Copts, Demands International Inquiry
    Next Article A MESSAGE TO THOSE WHO KILL US (FR. BOULES GEORGE)

    Related Posts

    April 30, 20251 Min Read

    Over 200 Entered the Church this Pascha in Hatfield, UK

    April 30, 202513 Mins Read

    On the Unity of the Church: An Interview with Dr. Symeon Paschalidis

    April 26, 20258 Mins Read

    The “Chernobyl Savior” Icon

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Sign the Declaration for Orthodox Christian Unity

    Enter the Slogan Contest

    Share this page
    DISCLAIMER

    All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    Stay Informed!

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    WE WELCOME YOUR INPUT AND SUPPORT!

    Your donation impacts and helps advance the unity of the Orthodox Church of America.

    DONATE NOW

    THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT!

    Upcoming Events
    There are no upcoming events.
    Recent Comments
    • Webmaster on St Catherine’s Circle: Lenten Lectures on Tuesdays at 2:00 pm Eastern
    • Joy smith on St Catherine’s Circle: Lenten Lectures on Tuesdays at 2:00 pm Eastern
    • Webmaster on Ethiopian Bible is the oldest and complete bible on earth
    • Gloria on Ethiopian Bible is the oldest and complete bible on earth
    • Webmaster on A Different Kind of Pope – Analysis by Theodore Kalmoukos
    • Irvinjacksonjr on Ethiopian Bible is the oldest and complete bible on earth
    • George Marakis on A Response to “Xenophobia in the Cloak of Progress How English Liturgies Hurt the American Orthodox Church”
    • Gerry Perdilas on A Response to “Xenophobia in the Cloak of Progress How English Liturgies Hurt the American Orthodox Church”
    • Lakis Velotris on Is Trump the New Constantine?
    • Mary Zaras on Is Trump the New Constantine?
    OCL Archives Online
    Project for Orthodox Renewal
    renewal-resize
    OCL Digital Newsletter

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    MAKE A DONATION

    St. Symeon the New Theologian and St. Photini are the Patron Saints of OCL

    footer-fnl

    Orthodox Christian Laity
    PO Box 6954

    West Palm Beach, FL · 33405
    561-585-0245

    Sponsored by Ann Souvall in memory of husband George

    DISCLAIMER: All articles represent the views of the authors and  not necessarily the official views of Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL). They are posted to encourage thoughtful discussion on topics and concerns relevant to Orthodox Christians living in a pluralistic society. OCL encourages your comments.

    ©2025 Orthodox Christian Laity (OCL) ·  Login

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.