www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Saint's Oil

Ok, I have a long story followed up by my question.

When I was in college, I studied abroad for a sememster in Russia. I was not Byzantine at this time and not intersted in becoming Byzantine, though I was interested in religion.

Anyways, while I was studying we took a cruise to Valaam Monastery. Along the way we stopped on an island (not Valaam) and I obtain some what I refer to as saints oil. Evidentally, this oil comes from the incorruptible feet of a saint and is mixed with regular oil and given to pilgrims.

I to this day haven't figure out which saint it was.

Anyways, I still have that small amount of saint's oil. My friend has been having cronic arm pains taht prevents him from making a living. He is a Catholic, but only makes church once or twice a year.

The point of my question is: I was told that saints oil was to possess possible healing qualities. I would like to use this on my friends arm. Would this be appropriate? How would I go about applying it and what prayer would I use?

Anyways, I thought I'd come to this wise forum for any advice.

Side note: I did have a healing experience with "miracle water" (probably a better way to translate what they called it) at a convent. I was quite shocked, not being orthodox that I was healed overnight for a problem that had been bothering me for months.

Thanks,

Nathan

First, your friend should avail himself of the healing Sacraments of the Church (Confession, Eucharist, Anointing) as well as the skills of the medical community.

After that, it is entirely appropriate to anoint with the "saint's oil". It is always best to receive an anointing with the oil from a saint from a priest (perhaps after an Akathist of Prayer to the specific Saint). But it is within the tradition for one man to anoint and pray over another. No special prayer formula is necessary. Just anoint the affected area and utter a prayer request for healing that comes directly from the heart.

The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects. (James 5:16)

Thanks!

He's on his way to the Mayo Clinic today, so he has the science part covered.

Nathan, there are many things we will never understand regarding how God heals, and I don't know a thing about that particular oil, but I certainly would use it as a sign of faith in the healing power of Jesus Christ. There is a little chapel in Chimayo, New Mexico, where a hole in the floor can be found where many pilgrims over the years have taken handfuls of dirt. There is an old legend behind this, regarding a crucifix found buried where the hole is now. The dirt is considered to have miraculous powers as a testimony to Our Lord. I wear a third class relic of St. Charbel around my neck, a more recent saint to whom healing has been attributed. I agree with the Administrator that your friend should have full participation in the sacramental life of the church. Here is a nice resource for your average layperson: A Ritual for Laypersons: Rites for Holy Communion and the Pastoral Care of the Sick and Dying (Paperback)