In this sermon, Fr. Stephen reflects on Holy Unction and the true meaning of healing in Orthodox Christianity. The focus is not only on physical recovery, but on the healing of soul and body so that we may turn back to God in prayer. This is an important part of Orthodox teaching, especially as Christians prepare for Holy Week and Pascha. The sermon explains why the Church prays so deeply and seriously when she asks Christ to heal His people.

A central theme of the sermon is that healing is not an end in itself. The Orthodox Church teaches that we do not simply ask God to make us feel better or remove pain so that life becomes easier. We ask Him to heal us so that we can focus on Him, pray more faithfully, and continue moving toward Him. The sermon also explains why life confession for those entering the Church fits this same pattern of hea ...