Oil

[Greg the byzantine]

Interesting question. I recently received oil from the oil lamp that burns over the relics of st. Panteleimon. When I anoint myself with the Holy Oil should I imediately wipe the oil off with cotton and bury it like we do on Holy Wednesday, or would it be ok to just allow the oil to be absorbed into my skin.

[Matrona]

Most people think it's better to let the oil absorb, but it's okay to wipe it off.

[Andrew21091]

When I'm anointed, I let it just absorb. Why wipe it off?

[Greg the byzantine]

When I'm anointed, I let it just absorb. Why wipe it off?

I really don't know. On holy Wednesday we always wipe the oil off. But this isn't the eucheleon (Holy Unction) This is oil from the lamp above a saints relics. I much prefer to allow the oil to be absorbed.

I pray that St. Panteleimon interceed for me, and that through the oil which was so close to his relics I might be healed of this herniated disk.

[Dorothea]

We were told not to wipe it off this past Pascha (Holy Wed) because it's meant to absorb in the skin. What good does it do to wipe it off? Even if the past in other churches I went to where they'd wipe the oil off (give us cotton balls), I didn't really wipe, but padded a couple times. I preferred to keep it on. Anyway, by the orders of Met. Isaiah this year, we were to keep it on and not wipe it off. :D

[Anhelyna]

Off topic in a way - sorry -- but since we have Greg here

How are you ? is it getting any easier at all ? I've been thinking about you a good deal

[Greg the byzantine]

Off topic in a way - sorry -- but since we have Greg here

How are you ? is it getting any easier at all ? I've been thinking about you a good deal

Oh I am a bit better. I can walk around with a bit less pain, and the pain in my leg is less severe. I still can't sleep through the night, and when I sit down I get a surge of pain down my leg when I sit down so I'm still not supposed to sit for more than 20 minutes. I also still have some numbness in my calf, ankle, and foot.

I am trying to stay positive, but it's very hard because I still have to spend most of the day lying down and it's harder now that I don't have school to keep me occupied, and the summer weather is starting to creep in. My Physical Therapist is really great though he also recently had a herniated disk and it took him 4 months to see significant improvement, and he has seen many cases and recovery is a long process, but 90% of people eventually get back to their regular activities. The orthopedic surgeon is also considering an epidural. All I can do are some minor stretches and prayer.

Thanks for thinking of me, I also think about you and Raymond and pray for you both when I pray the paraklisis to St. Panteleimon.

[Kristos]

Oh I am a bit better. I can walk around with a bit less pain, and the pain in my leg is less severe. I still can't sleep through the night, and when I sit down I get a surge of pain down my leg when I sit down so I'm still not supposed to sit for more than 20 minutes. I also still have some numbness in my calf, ankle, and foot.

I am trying to stay positive, but it's very hard because I still have to spend most of the day lying down and it's harder now that I don't have school to keep me occupied, and the summer weather is starting to creep in. My Physical Therapist is really great though he also recently had a herniated disk and it took him 4 months to see significant improvement, and he has seen many cases and recovery is a long process, but 90% of people eventually get back to their regular activities. The orthopedic surgeon is also considering an epidural. All I can do are some minor stretches and prayer.

Thanks for thinking of me, I also think about you and Raymond and pray for you both when I pray the paraklisis to St. Panteleimon.


Push for the epidural - you will feel better instantly and the relief will give your body a chance to heal. There is no reason to wait 4 months to see if it gets better on it's own when you can feel better tomorrow and start the recovery process. Too much damage can be done to your nerves in 4 months. I still have residual 17 years later.

[gzt]

The idea of wiping it off is in case it doesn't absorb into the skin before it touches something else. It is especially important with the sacrament to make sure this doesn't happen, but much less so with holy oil from the lamp of some saint. You should still take care, and if you think it necessary to wipe it off, do so.

[Greg the byzantine]

Push for the epidural - you will feel better instantly and the relief will give your body a chance to heal. There is no reason to wait 4 months to see if it gets better on it's own when you can feel better tomorrow and start the recovery process. Too much damage can be done to your nerves in 4 months. I still have residual 17 years later.

Thank you Kristos. I think the best advice comes from people who have gone through it. I am going to the orthopedic surgeon tomorrow and I am going to tell him I would like the epidural.

The thought of nerve damage scares me and so does the thought of residual pain, I'm only 19 and if that's the case then my best years are already behind me, and they weren't all that great. I think the psychological impact of this is making me even worse.

[Anhelyna]

truly Greg , as you have discovered there is nothing worse than constant pain - it wears you out physically and emotionally .

You really do need help with pain relief - and I'm not just talking of popping pills until the pain has gone - I'm talking about advice and treatment from a Pain specialist .

[Mary of Bethany]

Thank you Kristos. I think the best advice comes from people who have gone through it. I am going to the orthopedic surgeon tomorrow and I am going to tell him I would like the epidural.

The thought of nerve damage scares me and so does the thought of residual pain, I'm only 19 and if that's the case then my best years are already behind me, and they weren't all that great. I think the psychological impact of this is making me even worse.

Prayers for you, Greg!

:crosseo:

Mary

[Matrona]

My prayers for your relief from pain, Greg.

I'm not just talking of pooping pills

Um, I don't think that's how they're supposed to work. ;)

[Anhelyna]

One of these days I'll remember to proofread :-P

[Kreikkalainen]

God be with you Greg.

[Shubunkin]

Prayers for you, Greg. :crosseo:

[Monica, child of God]

In the Russian church when they do the unction service they annoint seven times, once after each gospel reading. After the first or second annointing, your skin can't absorb anymore so we wipe the excess off and put the tissues in the Holy Garbage :)

But if you're just getting one swipe I would think you could let it absorb.

M.

[MariaRegina]

In the Russian Orthodox Church, we wipe the holy oil on our arms and smooth it over the rest of our faces. Father makes tiny crosses with the oil so that he does not give us too much of it.