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Prayer-Book (Euchologion)
St Sarapion of Thmuis, tr. Wordsworth, 1899
Chapter 17
17. Prayer in regard to oil of the sick or for bread or for water.1
We invoke thee who hast all authority and power, the Saviour of all men, father of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and pray thee to send healing power of the only-begotten from heaven upon this oil, that it may become to those who are being anointed (with it), or are partaking of these thy creatures, for a throwing off of every sickness and every infirmity (Matt. iv. 23), for a charm (ἀλεξιφάρμακον) against every demon, for a separation (ἐκχωρισμόν2) of every unclean spirit, for an expulsion (ἀφορισμόν) of every evil spirit, for a driving out of all fever and ague (ῥίγους) and every infirmity, for good grace and remission of sins, for a medicine of life and salvation, for health and soundness of soul, body, spirit, for perfect strengthening (ῥῶσιν). O Master, let every Satanic energy, every demon, every device of the adversary, every plague, every scourge (μάστιξ), every pain, every labour or stroke (ῥάπισμα) or shaking (ἐντίναγμα) or evil shadowing (σκίασμα), fear thy holy name which we have now invoked and the name of the only-begotten; and let them depart from the inward [and] the outward parts of these thy servants, that his name may be glorified who for us was crucified and rose again, who took up (ἀναλαβόντος) our sicknesses and our infirmities, (even) Jesus Christ (cp. Matt. viii. 17), and who is coming to judge quick and dead. Because through him to thee (is) the glory and the strength in holy Spirit both now and to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Notes
- This Benediction, like the two that precede it, seems to have been used pro re nata, and not on any special day like Maundy Thursday or at the Eucharist, as no. 5 clearly was. This is implied by the words “These thy servants” towards the close. Its connection with bread and water for the use of the sick is consistent with the application of the oil by the sick persons themselves as was sometimes done, especially in the Western Church. In the East, however, the presence and ministry of Presbyters was more insisted on in connection with St. James v. 13—15.
- This word is not in the dictionaries.