During the sacrament of unction, the priest anoints Orthodox Christians with holy oil. According to the teachings of the Church, during the blessing of unification (unction), divine grace descends on a person, which is capable of healing various ailments. After the sacrament, consecrated oil is distributed to the believers, which can be used as a great miraculous shrine in everyday needs.
There is a pious custom to take consecrated oil to their homes after participating in the sacrament of unction. During the sacrament, a little wine is added to the oil (as oil is called in the church tradition). The resulting liquid is mixed and anointed by believing Orthodox people.
In everyday needs, consecrated oil is used to anoint sore spots. It is desirable that the person has a special brush, which is used only for anointing the shrine. If a person's body part hurts, then a small layer of oil can be applied crosswise. This is done with special reverence and prayer. Orthodox people believe that cathedral oil helps to heal diseases. In practice, there have been cases when, after anointing, the wounds healed faster, and sometimes serious diseases were healed.
Cathedral oil can be used to smear absolutely any place. In addition, you can make various dressings, for which the bandage is moistened in cathedral oil.
There is a practice of adding cathedral oil to food. Some people even cook in cathedral oil, believing that the food becomes sanctified. This practice is quite logical and legal from the point of view of the Church. However, it is necessary to understand that the conciliar oil will be effective only for the person who received the sacrament of unction. So, for people who did not take part in the unction, the oil will not help in various ailments, although the oil itself will remain sanctified. That is, the oil will be truly holy, but without effective power for the person who did not take part in the unction.
Cathedral oil cannot be used in magical rituals, ceremonies and fortune-telling, since Christian shrines for such activities should not be used by believers. It is advisable to keep the consecrated oil in a clean place. For example, next to icons and holy water.
