Physicians of the Soul

Abstract

“The guiding of man, the most variable and manifold of creatures, seems to me in very deed to be the art of arts and science of sciences. Anyone may recognize this, by comparing the work of the physician of souls with the treatment of the body...”

With these words, Saint Gregory of Nazianzus, the 4th-century Cappadocian Church Father, begins a discourse on the unique role of the spiritual physician, whose practice has similarities with medical physicians, yet greatly surpasses the latter in depth and breadth. Meditating on this theme seems eminently fitting right now, given the situation the world finds itself in. After a year mired down by a pandemic, we have become obsessed with the care and safety of the body, so it is an opportune time to rebalance our perspective by being reminded of matters of the spirit, the lifeblood of the Body of Christ.