Library › St Sarapion of Thmuis › Prayer-Book (Euchologion)
Prayer-Book (Euchologion)
St Sarapion of Thmuis, tr. Wordsworth, 1899
Chapter 15
IV. (15—17) Blessing of Oils.
15. Prayer (προσευχή) of Sarapion, Bishop of Thmuis: a prayer (εὐχή) in regard to (εἰς) the anointing oil (ἄλειμμα) of those who are being baptized.1
Master, lover of men and lover of souls (Wisd. xi. 26), compassionate and pitiful, O God of truth, we invoke thee following out and obeying the promises of thine only begotten who has said, “whosesoever sins ye forgive, they are forgiven them” (St. John xx. 23): and we anoint with this anointing oil those who in purpose approach this divine regeneration, beseeching (thee) that (ὥστε) our Lord Jesus Christ may work in them healing and strength-making power, and by this anointing oil may reveal (himself) and heal away from their soul, body, spirit, every mark of sin and lawlessness or satanic fault, and by his own proper grace may afford them remission, that dying (ἀπογενόμενοι) to sin they shall live to righteousness (1 Pet. ii. 24), and being re-created through this anointing, and being cleansed through the washing, and being renewed in the spirit (Eph. iv. 23), they shall be able henceforth to have victory over all the opposing energies and deceits of this world that assail them, and thus to be bound up and united with the flock of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, because through him to thee (is) the glory and the strength in holy Spirit to all the ages of the ages. Amen.
Notes
- See Int. § 7, p. 50, § 9, p. 55, and cp. Can. Hipp. xix. § 116, 118 foll.; St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Cat. Myst. ii. 3; and Apost. Const. iii. 15, and esp. vii. 42, where a prayer somewhat similar to this is described. This unction is not mentioned by Justin, Tertullian, or Cyprian, and seems to have been unknown to Augustine. (See D. Chr. Ant. s. v. Baptism, § 47, by W. B. Marriott.) But it appears to have been customary in Rome at an earlier date, being described at length in C. H. 1. c. No form of Blessing is, however, given there. It seems probable that these three oils were blessed when they were needed, as the prayers imply the presence of the persons concerned.