Man’s health and causes of its loss according to the Orthodox anthropology

Abstract

The state of man’s health is a multidimensional notion and a dynamic phenomenon changing with time. Describing a man as healthy we mean that the person in question is in a state of relative stabilisation and interior harmony of various spheres of his being: physical, psychological and spiritual. The notion of man’s health, existing in the Orthodox anthropology, is inseparable from the state of human nature that the first man – Adam – was given. The latter was supposed to lead or rather develop it, in synergy of his free will with the grace of God, to perfection. The Christian way of experiencing and living with illnesses is full of humility, patience and hope in God. Faith helps to understand and make the illness meaningful. A believing man sees the period of loss of health as a time of trial and conversion, when through repentance one can renew his relationship with God. State of health is an aim that can be achieved only in the perspective of eternity and as such should be a subject of continuous commitment and unceasing care of all the people.