POLITICS: RELIGION: The Mothers of Modern Medicine-- women saints

[Guest guest]

I found the names of the two women unmercenary healers I mentioned: Sts.

Zenaida and Philonella. This long article disscusses them and also other women

saints involved in the development of medicine. It is false to assume that

because one particular role (liturgical priesthood) is restricted to men for

important reasons that women were powerless and did not have positions of

importance that allowed them to fulfill their potentials.

From: http://www.orthodoxcanada.org/ Canadian Orthodox Missionary Journal

THE MOTHERS OF MODERN MEDICINE

THE HOLY UNMERCENARY PHYSICIANS

ZENAIDA AND PHILONELLA,

" THE FRIENDS OF PEACE "

11 October

So far as we know, the first of the great " unmercenary physicians " were

women. The sisters, Zenaida and Philonella were born in the district of Tarsus

early in the first century. They were cousins of the Apostle and sisters of

the first Christian bishop of Tarsus, . Born into a highly educated Jewish

family, both sisters had a natural intelligence and a love for learning. When

they entered the famous school at Tarsus to study philosophy, the sisters

were instantly attracted to the lectures of the medical theorists. Their cousin

, Bishop of Tarsus, was an early convert to Christianity and a follower of

their kinsman, Apostle . The two sisters learned the Christian Faith from

St and were attracted by the love and compassion of Christ. After their

baptism, the two gave themselves over more fully to the study of medicine and

began to apply Christian principles and ideas to medical philosophy. They

understood that salvation is a healing process and they were deeply impressed

with the realization that Christ tied the healing of the whole person, spiritual

and physical, with the presence of the Heavenly Kingdom.

When Saints Zenaida and Philonella completed their studies, they moved to

Thessaly, where there were many medicinal mineral springs flowing in the

numerous

caverns of the Felion Mountains. Here, the Greeks had centres of pagan

worship tied to the philosophy of medicine and the worship of Asklepios, the

patron

of healing. The holy sisters desired to bring the Gospel of Jesus Christ to

the great crowds of people who visited these mineral hot springs for healing.

Their earnest desire was to combine scientific medicine with prayer and faith

and so reveal the nature of salvation and proclaim Jesus Christ to whomever

would hear the words of the glorious Gospel.

Finding a cavern with a mineral spring, Zenaida and Philonella built two

cells and a small chapel for themselves. Having thus established a community of

women, a proto-type of the later women's monasteries, They used their wealth to

create a clinic. The pagan physicians not only sought out the wealthy and

generally ignored the poor, but they mixed their medical practice with magic,

superstition and witchcraft. Much money was earned from the sale of medical

amulets, charms and useless compounds. The two sisters opened their hearts to

the

poor.

Philonella was a patient and careful scholar. Almost at once she set herself

to developing experimental medicine which would approach a scientific

medicine. All her life she would labour to free medicine from the idea of magic,

astrology and superstition. Zenaida, on the other hand, was more contemplative.

She

was keenly interested in the suffering of children and worked to develop

pediatric care, but her first love was prayerful contemplation. So famous did

she

become as a spiritual teacher that both men and women sought her spiritual

counsel. Three of her spiritual children, Papias, Pateras and Philocyrus

established a similar a men's charitable community not far from the

cavern-hospital of

the holy sisters. Monasticism was yet in the future and these may have been

married men who dedicated themselves to the service of the poor.

The sisters' love, compassion and openness to the poor and humble attracted

many to the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ and not only the medical skill of

the two sisters became renowned, but the miracles worked through their prayers

established many in the Gospel.

Toward the end of her life, Saint Zenaida became interested in psychiatric

medicine. Many of those who came to their hospital suffered from severe

depression and other psychiatric illnesses. Zenaida had the wisdom to recognize

these

as actual illnesses and concerned herself with their causes and cure.

It is not known in what year Saint Zenaida departed this life, but she left

her sister Philonella to carry on their work and instruct others in Christian

medicine and the faith. After the death of her beloved sister, Philonella

entered more deeply into the spiritual life, leaving the treatment and care of

patients more and more to the students and other nuns. She also became renowned

as

a wonderworker and reposed in peace and at a great age.

The Holy Church bestowed the title, " Friends of Peace " on the two saints

because they both preached and practiced peace, serenity and charity. Philonella

often said that a peaceful and serene disposition could not only aid in healing

but could even prevent illness. For her, the source of true peace was the

Holy Spirit and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace. The disciples

of

Saint Zenaida reported that her last words in this life were a prayer for the

peace of the world.

Not only were Saints Zenaida and Philonella the first Christian doctors

(after Apostle Luke), but they were the first of those saints whom we call the

" unmercenary physicians " ; Christian medicine began with holy women.

________________

THE HOLY UNMERCENARY PHYSICIAN,

SAINT HERMIONE THE MARTYR

Founder of Christian Xenodokion (hospital-inn)

4 September

Our holy mother Hermione was a daughter of Saint Philip the Deacon (Acts

chapter 6). She was born in Caesarea of Palestine early in the first century.

Inspired by a true understanding of the Gospel, she studied the philosophy of

medicine in her native city. After the Christians were driven out of Palestine,

Saint Hermione travelled to Ephesus to seek out the beloved Apostle . By the

time she arrived, the great evangelist had already departed this life.

Joined by her sister Eukhidia, Saint Hermione bought a house and founded a

medical clinic devoted to the treatment of the poor and the homeless. Soon, she

added rooms for these homeless ones and for poor travellers who were ill. Thus

was established the first of those hospital-hostels or " xenodokia " , which

would become so much a part of the Orthodox Christian tradition.

Like the other unmercenary physicians who would come after her, she

understood that salvation consisted in the healing and liberation of the whole

person

-- body and soul together. While ministering to the physical illnesses of those

who came to her, the saint also nourished them with the Gospel and led them

to that true healing and freedom in Jesus Christ.

Filled with the grace of the Holy Spirit, Saint Hermione was given the gift

of prophecy and became a link in that chain of New Testament prophets who were

united in spirit and calling to the great Old Testament prophets.

After a long life of service as physician, evangelist and prophet, Saint

Hermione was granted the crown of martyrdom. During the reign of Emperors Trajan

and Hadrian, she was arrested and, in spite of her great old age and renown,

subjected to terrible tortures in an effort to force her to renounce our Lord

Jesus Christ. She was beheaded on September the fourth and received the glorious

crown of those who choose everlasting life in our Lord Jesus Christ above

this transitory earthly life.

Through her holy prayers, may we also find healing and salvation.

_______________

THE TWO HOLY MELANIES

(5th century)

Our holy mother the elder was born in Spain. Her father was the

consul, Marcel, a very high ranking officer of Rome, and St 's family was

very rich and powerful.

grew up in the great city of Rome, where she became a Christian. St

was married when she was very young, to a rich government officer, and

they had two children, a son and a daughter. When she was twenty-two years

old, St 's husband died. The saint at once decided to become a nun and

serve God. She gave some land and money to her children, freed her husband's

slaves, and began to give away money, food and clothing to the poor. When she

had

sold all of her property and belongings, St set out for Egypt. Here

she visited the holy fathers in the desert and learned much from them. Then, she

moved to Jerusalem and built a house for poor travellers and the poor who

were in need of medical attention. She was not a trained physician, but she

diligently cared for the sick and dying as if they were angels of God.

The saint not only fed poor pilgrims, but she fed as many poor people as she

could, and she even visited prisons and took food and gifts to the prisoners.

St had great wealth, but she did not use it for herself. For

thirty-seven years, she continued to help the poor and those who were in

trouble. Her

son and daughter and other relatives began to send her money for her good

work. St was also a great struggler, and she spent many hours every day

in

prayer. Moveover, she ate only one meal of bread and water a day, and during

the fasts, she did not even eat everyday, but only two or three times a week.

She had only one set of clothing, and everything else that was given or sent

to her, she quickly gave away to the poor.

When she was sixty years old, Saint sailed back to Rome to see her

children and grandchildren. She taught them the law of God, and how to struggle

against the evil-one. She also talked many people into becoming monastics.

Our holy mother reposed in the Lord on 31 December in about A.D.420.

Saint 's granddaughter was named after her. The granddaughter is

called Saint the Younger, for she imitated her holy grandmother in

everything.

St the younger was married when she was thirteen, as was the custom

in those days. Since she was of high rank, she was married to a very wealthy

nobleman. Even at this young age, however, the saint was a true Orthodox

struggler and she loved our Saviour Jesus Christ with her whole heart.

gave birth to two children, and both of them died while they were

still babies. St told her young husband, " It is by God's will and mercy

that He took our children to Himself. It is clear to me that God is calling us

to become monastics, like my grandmother. "

St had to talk to her husband for a long time before he agreed, but

at last, by God's Grace, the young man also decided to become a monk. The

husband, Pinian, founded a men's monastery, and St built a convent. St

, like her grandmother, loved the poor, and she devoted all her wealth to

helping poor people and travellers. During her lifetime, St sold

everything that she had and distributed the money to the poor. She built

shelters

for the poor and xenodoxia (guest houses) for the sick and dying. The saint

fasted and struggled like her holy grandmother.

The saint lived to a very old age, and was granted many gifts of Grace.

Through her prayers, many sick people were healed. The saint peacefully reposed

in

the Lord, and joined her holy grandmother in paradise, to pray for us all.

Through the prayers of the two Saints , may we learn to love the poor,

the sick and the suffering, and learn true, compassionate love, and save our

souls. Amen!

________________

SAINT PAULA OF PALESTINE

(†A.D.404)

Saint a was born in ancient Rome. Her family was very wealthy and she

lived in great luxury. She married a man who was also very wealthy and they had

five children.

When she was only thirty-two years old, a's beloved husband reposed and

she grieved deeply for him. A pious widow named Marcella comforted Saint a

and turned her heart to the Lord. For the first time, a began to think

about the Gospel and she decided to live a truly Orthodox life.

Saint a looked upon her great wealth and thought, " This money could be

used to feed many of the poor and to save people from suffering and misery. "

From that time on, Saint a searched through the great city, looking for

people who were suffering or in need. She gave them not only money, but love and

comfort in a truly Orthodox manner. As she gave away her wealth, Saint a was

often heard to say, " I want to be poor for the sake of the Lord, who became

poor for our sakes. "

When Saint a's children had all grown up, she decided to visit the Holy

Land and reverence the sacred places. She wanted to go away from her wealth and

her dear family, so that she could give her whole life over to Christ our

Saviour.

In Jerusalem, she bought a poor little house and then began to visit all the

holy places. The blessed one shed tears of repentance for her sins and asked

God to give her strength for her struggles. Everywhere Saint a went, she

gave away money to the poor.

Later, she went to Bethlehem. Here she visited the manger cave. After

praying, she said to those with her, " I choose for myself this same town which

our

Saviour chose for Himself. " Saint a then built a women's monastery in

Bethlehem and settled there. The saint used up her last money to build a

hospital

for poor travellers and helping the poor. In her monastery, she served the sick

and the dying with great love. The saint also waited on everyone and lived as

the very least among the sisters. The saint was a very strict faster and

struggler, and she received many gifts of Grace from God.

Before her repose, the saint fell ill and suffered greatly, but she

peacefully read the psalms and prayed. On 26 January, in the year 404, Saint

a

received the Holy Mysteries and reposed in the Lord, Whom she had served with

such

great love.

Through the prayers of our holy mother a, may we too find true Orthodox

life and save our souls. Amen.

[Guest guest]

It is false to assume that because one particular role (liturgical priesthood)

is restricted to men for important reasons that women were powerless and did not

have positions of

importance that allowed them to fulfill their potentials. - Chris

----------------------------------------------

Thanks Chris. All women have the power to fulfill their potential. Thank you

for reminding us of our intrinsic value as nurturers and uplifting two

especially phenomenal women who gave so much.

Just beautiful. And modern medicine is finally recognizing this type of

healing: " Their earnest desire was to combine scientific medicine with prayer

and faith and so reveal the nature of salvation and proclaim Jesus Christ to

whomever

would hear the words of the glorious Gospel. "

Deanna