Patriarchate of Jerusalem: The Sacrament of Holy Unction at the Monastic Church of Saints Constantine and Helen

On the evening of Holy Wednesday, 3rd/16th April 2025, the Sacrament of Holy Unction was celebrated at the Holy Monastic Church of Saints Constantine and Helen. The service was presided over by His Beatitude, our Father and Patriarch of Jerusalem, Theophilos III, together with five Hierarchs of the Brotherhood of the Holy Sepulchre and His Eminence Metropolitan Makarios of Aneon from the Ecumenical Patriarchate, who was visiting. Thus, the total number of celebrants was seven, corresponding to the number of Apostolic readings and Gospel narratives prescribed for this Sacrament.

This Sacrament is especially moving and spiritually uplifting, in accordance with the Lord’s commands, His miracles, and the acts of the Apostles. It strengthens the faithful in preparation for Holy Week and Easter.

Before the Dismissal, during the chanting by the Hierodeacon Symeon of the hymn “By the rivers of Babylon…”, His Beatitude, the Hierarchs, Archimandrites, monks, nuns, and the devout pilgrims were anointed, seeking forgiveness from one another and offering prayers for a blessed Easter.

From the General Secretariat

Source: Patriarchate of Jerusalem