CONCERNING MEDICINE

CONCERNING MEDICINE

      In the book entitled “With the Elder Porphyrios, is found on page 172-3 the following conversation concerning medicine.  “The Elder did not rule out the use of medicine, but  did not give it absolute value regarding its healing role.  One day he asked me, “What is medicine (Greek pharmako?”  I answered, “A chemical preparation we take in order to get well from sickness.”  He was not satisfied with my answer and repeated, “Tell me what  “medicine” (pharmako) means? Doesn’t the word itself tell you something?”  The Elder continued, “Medicine” (pharmako) means “poison” (pharmaki).  Don’t think that medicines only makes the human body better.  They also make it worse.  Why do we take medicine? Because we get sick.  And why do we get sick? Because we get upset.  And why do we get upset?  Because we sin.  If however, we have Christ dwelling throughout our soul, then sin leaves. sadness leaves, sickness leaves, and we throw our medicine away”