Homilies from the Menaion for Every Day of the Year: October 13

The Month of October

Day 13

44. In Time of Illness, One Should Seek Healing First from God, Not from a Physician

(The Sufferings of the Holy Martyrs Karpos and Papylos)

When illness befalls one of us, should we call upon a physician to deliver us from it, or not? We should, because the word of God also advises us to do so. “Honor the physician with the honor due to him, according to your need of him” (Sirach 38:1), it says; and elsewhere: “And give the physician his place” (Sirach 38:12).

Now for another question: should we call upon a physician as soon as illness strikes, or not? No. First of all, we must turn to God and beseech Him to heal us of our illness, and only then call upon a physician. Why? Because our life and death are in the hands of God. Consequently, only God can heal us, while the physician is merely an instrument in His hands. If God does not wish to have mercy on us, the physician will be unable to bring us any relief from our illness. Perhaps you would like proof of this? Very well. We shall gladly provide it.

Once, the wicked persecutor of Christians, Valerius, asked the martyr Papylos, “What is your profession?” Papylos replied, “I am a physician. But know this: I do not heal with herbs that grow upon the earth, but with medicines bestowed from above by God. These medicines not only heal the body but also cure the diseases of the soul.”

Then Valerius said, “There can be no genuine healing without the study of the medical science established by the learned men Galen and Hippocrates.”

Papylos replied, “Galen and Hippocrates can heal someone only when Christ, out of His ineffable mercy, grants healing to the sick person. Otherwise, all their science comes to nothing, and no one derives any benefit from it. But perhaps you would like to test the truth of my words in practice? Very well. Here, beside you, sits a man who cannot see with one eye. Let your physicians restore his sight. If they succeed, then I shall agree with you in everything and say not another word.”

Valerius said, “But is it even possible for anyone to heal him?”

Papylos replied, “He who calls upon Christ, the Healer of all diseases, can heal not only this man but all who are sick.”

“Well then,” said Valerius, “if that is so, make this man see now.”

Papylos replied, “I shall not be the first to do so. Let your physicians first test their power upon the man who has lost an eye, and after them I shall manifest the power of my Christ.”

The physicians assembled, prayed to their gods, offered sacrifices, and busied themselves, shouting throughout the entire day. Meanwhile, the sick man’s eye remained unhealed. “And it became,” says the account, “a spectacle worthy of laughter.”

When it was Papylos’s turn to approach the sick man, he raised his eyes to heaven, touched the blind eye with his hand, and made the sign of the Cross over it. Immediately, the eye opened, and the sick man was healed. At that moment, the man’s spiritual eye was opened as well as his bodily eye. As though awakened from sleep, he recognized the impotence of the vain gods, recognized the power of the true God, and became a Christian.

Now consider: did the science of Galen and Hippocrates help the man with the diseased eye? Did those people help him when God was not with them? Whatever they did, however frantically they busied themselves, however loudly they shouted, nothing came of it all. But as soon as Papylos called upon the merciful Lord, Valerius’s adviser immediately recovered his sight.

Therefore, brethren, when illness befalls you, turn first to God, not to a physician. Beseech the Lord with tears to heal you; repent of your sins; unite yourselves to the Lord through Communion in His most pure Mysteries; and, if you are able, give alms. Only then, having surrendered yourselves wholly to the good and all-perfect will of God, send for a physician.

Then, most likely, your physician will also be of help. And if he is not, at least this great consolation will remain for you: that you are dying at peace with God and with your own conscience. Amen.

Questions on Homily 44:

1. According to the holy martyr Papylos, what diseases does he heal with medicines bestowed from above by God?

2. Under what condition, according to Papylos, can Galen and Hippocrates heal someone?

3. Who, according to Papylos, can heal all who are sick?

4. After what did the eye of the sick man whom Papylos approached open?

5. What did the man healed by Papylos recognize, and what did he become? 

 

Source: The Cheti-Minei: Homilies for Every Day of the Year (Book 1: September, October, November) by Archpriest Viktor Guryev. Publication of the Russian Panteleimon Monastery on Mount Athos, 1896. Translated by John Sanidopoulos.