Anointing of the Sick

The Order of the Sick—also referred to in liturgical tradition as the Order of the Night Hour Prayer—is one of the sacramental ministries of the Armenian Apostolic Church offered to those who are seriously ill or approaching the end of life. Its primary aim is not only physical consolation but, more importantly, spiritual healing, repentance, and reconciliation with God. Through this sacred rite, the Church accompanies the sick person with prayer, sacramental grace, and pastoral care at a moment of profound human vulnerability.

Purpose and Spiritual Focus

The central components of this order are repentance, prayer, and Holy Communion. The sacrament is oriented toward the healing of both soul and body, with a particular emphasis on preparing the faithful to meet God with peace and trust in His mercy.
During the service, the priest lays his hand upon the sick person and prays that the sign of the Holy Cross may bring divine strength to endure suffering and illness. The act of laying on of hands signifies the invocation of God’s healing grace and the Church’s compassionate presence. The priest also exhorts the sick person to place complete trust in God’s infinite mercy, to repent sincerely, and to receive Holy Communion as a means of spiritual nourishment and salvation.
Holy Communion, in this context, is a key moment of grace, offering the believer communion with Christ as a source of peace, forgiveness, and eternal hope.

Liturgical Character and Healing Emphasis

Within the Armenian liturgical tradition, this service is understood as a prayerful remedy for both physical affliction and spiritual burden. The Mashdotz describes it as a form of Night Hour Prayer, highlighting its penitential and restorative character. It is intended to alleviate suffering through prayer and divine grace while also seeking forgiveness of sins.
The sacrament is deeply rooted in the biblical exhortation found in the Epistle of James: “If any among you are sick, let them call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14).

Understanding of Healing and Grace

In the broader Orthodox tradition, the Anointing of the Sick is considered one of the seven sacraments and is understood as a means of invoking God’s mercy for healing, whether physical recovery or spiritual consolation in the face of death.
In this understanding, the sacrament is not restricted to a “final anointing,” but is a living expression of the Church’s healing ministry. It may be repeated whenever necessary.

Historical Practice in the Armenian Church

The Armenian Apostolic Church historically administered the sacrament of the Unction of the Sick, particularly between the 4th and 15th centuries. However, beginning in the 15th century, the Church gradually ceased its regular use of this rite.

Present Understanding and Residual Practice

Today, the Order of the Sick is not commonly performed as a standard sacramental rite, yet it remains recognized within its theological and liturgical tradition. Holy Communion is often offered as the culmination of this pastoral encounter.

Distinctions from Other Traditions

The Armenian Church does not practice the Roman Catholic form of “extreme unction” as a final sacrament exclusively for those at the point of death.

Conclusion

The Order of the Sick reflects the Church’s enduring pastoral mission: to stand with the suffering, to offer prayer in moments of fragility, and to bring the faithful into communion with God even in the midst of illness.