Health and medicine in the Eastern Orthodox tradition
Book Description
This groundbreaking exploration reveals how Eastern Orthodox Christianity approaches the interconnected nature of spiritual, psychological, and physical wellness. Stanley S. Harakas presents the first comprehensive examination of Orthodox perspectives on health and modern medicine, offering valuable insights for both healthcare professionals and spiritual seekers.
The book serves as a bridge between ancient wisdom and contemporary medical practice, helping healthcare providers understand how Orthodox faith influences patients' experiences of illness and healing. For Orthodox believers, it deepens appreciation of their tradition's rich therapeutic heritage, while general readers discover a profound spiritual framework that views human wellness holistically.
Central to this work is the Orthodox Church's continuous tradition of spiritual healing, which remains vibrantly alive today. From the miraculous interventions attributed to saints to the liturgical practices that minister to the sick, Orthodox Christianity recognizes illness as affecting the whole person. The sacrament of holy unction exemplifies this integrated approach, addressing not merely physical symptoms but the complete human experience of suffering and restoration.
Harakas illuminates how this ancient tradition offers practical wisdom for navigating health challenges while maintaining spiritual equilibrium. The book demonstrates that Orthodox Christianity provides not just theological concepts about healing, but lived practices that honor the sacred dimension of human vulnerability and recovery. This comprehensive resource opens new pathways for understanding how faith and medicine can work together in service of genuine wholeness.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Short (< 200 pages) (~5 hours)
📄 Length: 190 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Aspect religieux
- ✓ Explore Médecine
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects
- ✓ Explore Liturgy
- ✓ Explore Église orthodoxe
- ✓ Explore Jésus-Christ dans la liturgie
- ✓ Explore Religious aspects of Medicine
- ✓ Explore Doctrines
