The analogy of the Church as a hospital

[Douglas Barber]

How ancient is the analogy of the Orthodox Church to a spiritual hospital? I find it in writings of Archimandrite Hierotheos Vlachos and Father John Romanides (as well as in many other writings which seem to draw on those two sources). My question is whether this is for the most part a modern way of interpreting traditional Orthodox ecclesiology, or if the church/hospital analogy itself can be found in the writings of the Fathers of the Church.

[Fr. George Morelli]

Douglas and all interested in this topic, Glory to Jesus Christ! This > topic was covered in an excellent presentation at last year's Orthodox > Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology and Religion (OCAMPR) > meeting at Hellenic College/Holy Cross. John Chirban, PhD.,Th.D., > made the presentation. He is on the faculty there as well as > Harvard. He currently has a grant pursuing this very topic ... you > may want to contact him at HC/HC and/or on our ocampr web site > (www.ocampr.org (http://www.ocampr.org))... hopefully this helps .. in Christ, FrGeorgeMorelli

[Fr John Wehling]

Douglas,

Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!

While I cannot quote a use of the phrase "the Church is a spiritual hospital" in the Fathers (that doesn't mean it's not there, by any means), the use of the therapeutic analogy is widespread and ancient. Our Lord, for example, said, the healthy have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. St John Chrysostom frequently uses medical/healing language in a spiritual sense. These are only two references, but two good ones!

A blessed Lent,
Fr John

[Douglas Barber]

Thank you, Father George Morelli and Father John, for your replies and even more for your blessing.