Christ’s Doctors of Love
From antiquity, the Church has recognized medicine as a gift from God. Saint Basil the Great and Saint Gregory the Theologian reminded us that the art of medicine was given by God to heal the body, just as divine grace heals the soul. The doctor becomes a co-worker of the Great Physician Christ, the only one who can heal both soul and body.
The joy of our Ghanaian brethren is truly indescribable! Nine volunteer doctors from Greece, with faith and boundless willingness to offer, came to Ghana as angels of hope, responding to the invitation of the Holy Metropolis. It was a mission that put the Love of the Crucified Lord into practice. Their purpose? Medical care, relief, support, and assistance for our fellow human beings who had never experienced the presence of a doctor in their lives.
Equipped with twenty-two bags full of medicines and medical supplies, donated by companies, parishes, organizations, and individuals, the doctors traversed cities and villages for ten days, visiting schools, churches, makeshift clinics, and even open-air spaces, where they were welcomed by crowds of people seeing a medical team for the first time.
They neither discriminated nor asked questions. They did not consider race, religion, or origin. For them, all were brethren in Christ, “images of God” who were in need of care, comfort, and love.
The cases they encountered were numerous and difficult. Many suffer from malaria and its severe consequences. Others from gastrointestinal problems stemming from the lack of clean food. Mothers and infants are often lost during childbirth due to the lack of clinics and midwives. Thousands of children are deprived of essential vitamins, suffering from diseases that are treated in Greece from childhood. The humid climate and smoke from cooking charcoal cause severe respiratory problems. Poor water quality leads to skin diseases. Parasites, lice, ticks, and snakes cause typhus, infections, and poisoning. Furthermore, the lack of vaccinations leaves the entire population unprotected.
The Greek doctors worked tirelessly, often under difficult conditions, allowing this experience to deeply mark their hearts. Many of them expressed the desire to return, as they realized that the need is immense and their contribution had only touched the surface of the problem. This mission constitutes the first step of a long-term effort of sacred ministry, aiming to bring the light of healing to every corner of the African continent.
The Patriarchate of Alexandria, under the spiritual guidance of His Beatitude Pope and Patriarch of Alexandria and All Africa Theodore II, continues to show the practical affection of Orthodoxy towards the peoples of Africa, both spiritually and materially.
The mission could not have been accomplished without coordinated cooperation. The Holy Metropolis of Accra, with the support of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health of Ghana, the Honorary Consulates of Greece and Cyprus in Accra, the Honorary Consulate of Ghana in Athens, and the Orthodox Missionary Fraternity, managed to overcome bureaucratic obstacles and organize the activity.
The Orthodox Missionary Fraternity, with its many years of charitable work, shows that a Christian is called to imitate Christ, who sacrificed Himself for all of humanity. Medical offering thus becomes an act of faith and love.
From Ghana, with all our hearts, we send thanks to all who think of us, help us, love us, and support us. Every donation, every medicine, every smallest act of love reaches the suffering person. And there, amidst the smiles of children, amidst the tears of relief from parents, the love of Christ becomes visible.
We are grateful to you!
† Daniel of Accra
