Speaking at the centenary celebration of the Medical Association of Thessaloniki, held at the Ceremony Hall of Aristotle University, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew emphasized the profound spiritual and social responsibility entrusted to doctors. “The Church entrusts doctors with an apostolic responsibility,” he stated, highlighting the significant overlap between faith and medical science in the service of humanity.
“You practice a cutting-edge science,” the Patriarch said, addressing the audience of physicians. “You minister to humanity, save lives, and restore health. In this sacred mission, the Orthodox Church’s legacy of valuing human dignity is upheld, giving absolute honor and sanctity to every person.” He emphasized that rather than a conflict between faith and science, medical work represents a cooperation between the two, benefiting both individuals and society at large.
Bartholomew drew a meaningful distinction between the roles of a professional and a minister, underscoring that medical professionals are also servants of humanity, driven not only by expertise but also by compassion and moral responsibility. He spoke of how essential it is for doctors to uphold the Hippocratic Oath while integrating Christian moral values in their practice. “In these times of multiple confusions,” the Patriarch noted, “the experiential relevance of Christian moral traditions to Hippocratic principles is more necessary than ever.”
The Patriarch also reminded the audience of the Church’s view of the medical profession as a vocation, not merely a career. “The elevation of a profession to a vocation is a personal, spiritual endeavor,” he stressed, adding that it requires a “conscious, internal choice,” exercised in daily practice and through the voluntary pursuit of virtue.
Drawing from the example of Christ, whom the Church refers to as the “physician of souls and bodies,” Bartholomew pointed to the divine mandate to heal the sick as a responsibility that the Church passes on to today’s doctors. “This divine commandment is updated by the Church and, in this way, doctors are entrusted with an apostolic responsibility,” he said, emphasizing the importance of approaching patients with compassion, regardless of their background or ability to pay.
The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Greek Deputy Minister of Interior Kostas Gioulekas, local government officials, political party representatives, and several high-ranking members of the clergy; Metropolitan Justin of Nea Krini and Kalamaria, as a representative of the Holy Synod of the Church of Greece, Metropolitan Philotheos of Thessaloniki, Metropolitans Nikodimos of Neapolis and Stavroupolis, Barnabas of Kassandria, Bartholomew of Smyrna and Bishop Nikiforos of Amorio.
Source: ANA-MPA, Translated by: Konstantinos Menyktas
