What is polyeleos in the Orthodox Church?

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

The literal translation of the word "polyeles" from the Greek language is "many mercy." Due to the same sound, it is sometimes translated as "oil". This is really appropriate, since at the polyeleos service the bishop or cleric of the temple anoints the forehead of everyone who kisses the festive icon.

At this time, the choir sings psalms 134 and 135, repeatedly repeating the words "for his mercy is forever." Polyeleos is a solemn part of the divine service, therefore it takes place several times a year, always on Sundays or holidays. What is polyeleos in Orthodoxy? There are several answers to this question.

What are polyeleos in the Church

The answer to this question will help you better understand the intricacies of worship. Firstly, polyeleos is a remembrance of the myrrh-bearing women. After the crucifixion, the Savior was laid in a tomb, wrapping his body in linen. On Sunday morning, the women came to the coffin with vessels in which there was myrrh - a special fragrant oil. There they were met by an angel whoannounced the Resurrection of Christ. The most significant event in the history of mankind was marked by the solemn part of the divine service.

Secondly, answering the question of what a polyeleos is, it is impossible not to mention the special grace of God poured out on Christians. During the earthly life of Jesus Christ, oil and myrrh were of great value. As a sign of gratitude, honored guests were anointed with fragrant oil. The Gospel speaks of a woman who smeared the Savior's feet with oil and wiped them with her hair, which speaks of her high virtue - humility. Today it is also difficult to imagine your life without oil, not church, but ordinary - vegetable and creamy.

In Orthodoxy, there is a custom to thank the Lord for generosity. What is a polyole? Roughly speaking, this is thanksgiving to God for the oil. Blessed water prayers - honoring the main liquid for everything that exists on earth. It is not for nothing that everything that is of particular value to a person is used in church sacraments. Bread and wine, products from which Holy Communion is prepared, prosphora and Easter bread - artos. All this is of great importance for Orthodox Christians and is especially revered. All these products are sacred.

Oil Healing

Holy oil is sold in every church shop. In small containers, most often with an icon glued to the bottle. This oil is poured after a prayer service to one or another saint. It must be applied with prayer, anointing the forehead or a sore spot on the body crosswise. Often so smearedsmall children.

For example, Orthodox mothers noticed that if during the period of epidemics of colds, anointing a child with oil consecrated on the relics of the Matrona of Moscow, the risk of catching an infection is significantly reduced. One should not forget about praying to the one whose oil is being anointed.

Prayer to the Matrona of Moscow for healing

Unfortunately, not everyone knows enough prayer appeals to one or another saint. Since the use of oil consecrated on the relics of the Matrona of Moscow was given as an example, then the prayer will be specifically for her.

O blessed mother Matrono, now hear and accept us, sinners, praying to you, having learned to accept and listen to all those who suffer and mourn in all your life, with faith and hope for your intercession and help of those who come running, quick help and miraculous healing giving to everyone. May your mercy not fail now to us, unworthy, restless in this many-fuss world and nowhere to find consolation and compassion in spiritual sorrows and help in bodily illnesses: heal our sicknesses, deliver us from the temptations and torment of the devil, passionately fighting, help me convey my worldly Cross, to endure all the hardships of life and not lose the image of God in it, preserve the Orthodox faith until the end of our days, have strong hope and hope in God and unfeigned love for neighbors; help us, after departing from this life, reach the Kingdom of Heaven with all those who please God, glorifying the mercy and goodness of the Heavenly Father, in the Trinity of glory, the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, inages of ages. Amen.

All-night vigil with polyeleos

On Saturday evening, believers gather in the temple. The all-night vigil begins - a special solemn service that begins at 18.00. When Great Lent is underway, Psalm 136 of King David is added to the usual psalms during the vigil.

Before the beginning of the polyeleos, the clergy open the Royal Doors, lamps and lamps are lit throughout the temple. A censing is performed, during which the choir sings the Sunday troparion "The Cathedral of the Angels". If the all-night vigil is performed before the feast, then instead of the Sunday troparion, magnifications are sung. The same is with the Gospel: either one of the Sunday chapters is read, or a festive one.

Then, the choir, together with the parishioners, sings the chant "Seeing the Resurrection of Christ", especially loved by the flock:

Seeing the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one. We worship Thy Cross, O Christ, and we sing and glorify Thy Holy Resurrection: Thou art our God, unless we know Thee otherwise, we call Thy name. Come, all faithful, let us bow down to the holy resurrection of Christ: behold, the joy of the whole world has come by the Cross. Always blessing the Lord, let us sing of His resurrection: having endured the crucifixion, destroy death by death.

The reading of the canon begins - a work that tells about the life of the saint whose name the holiday is named. The present Christians venerate the festive icon or the Gospel, and the priest anoints their faces with oil. According to the rules, it is necessary to first listen to the canon, and then approach the cleric. But most often the anointinghappens while reading. This is done because of the large number of people who want to receive "special mercy".

Today, not many parishioners understand the essence of church sacraments and rituals. Few people are interested in the question of what polyeleos are. But the beauty of the solemn service attracts a large number of people. In ancient times, everyone who wanted to become a Christian was required to study the catechism and pass an exam before the rite of baptism. Therefore, everyone could answer what polyeleos were, even if asked about it late at night.

Now from those times in the Liturgy there is an exclamation "Depart the catechumens". All unbaptized parishioners were removed from the church before the Eucharist, only the faithful had the right to participate in this.