Kościół wobec chorych fizycznie i duchowo w świetle wybranych wschodnich tekstów prawnych IV wieku
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Date
2021
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Wydawnictwo KUL
Abstract
W niniejszym artykule opisano stanowisko Kościoła wobec chorych fizycznie i duchowo. W rozważaniach oparto się na analizie wschodnich tekstów prawnych IV w., takich jak: Euchologion Serapiona, Kanony Hipolita, Kanony Atanazego, Konstytucje Apostolskie, Kanony Ojców Greckich autorstwa biskupów żyjących w IV w., oraz ustawy synodów, które odbyły się w IV w. na Wschodzie. Z przeprowadzonych analiz wynika, że posługa Kościoła wobec chorych miała znaczenie priorytetowe i była dobrze zorganizowana. Realizowana była przede wszystkim w dwóch wymiarach: materialnym (udzielanie jałmużny, zapewnienie leków oraz miejsc w przytułkach) i duchowym (modlitwa lokalnego Kościoła, a zwłaszcza biskupa, odwiedziny przez biskupa i innych duchownych oraz wdowy, wiernych i katechumenów). Chorzy na specjalnych warunkach korzystali z sakramentów (zwłaszcza z pokuty, która w przypadku choroby penitenta mogła być skrócona). Objęci byli też dyspensami dotyczącymi obowiązkowych praktyk modlitwy i postu, jednak nie byli dyspensowani z udzielania jałmużny. Natomiast chorych duchowo, czyli grzeszników i heretyków, Kościół otaczał opieką duszpasterską. Otrzymywali oni duchowe lekarstwa w postaci karcenia i upominania. Gdyby jednak nadal trwali w grzechach lub w herezji, to dla dobra Kościoła, byli usuwani, aby nie zagrażali zdrowiu duchowemu pozostałych członków wspólnoty.
The article describes the Church’s standpoint regarding physically and spiritually sick people. The article considerations are based on the analysis of Eastern Christian Legal texts from the 4th century, like: The Sacramentary of Serapion, The Canons of Hippolytus, The Canons of Athanasius, The Apostolic Constitutions, The Canons of the Greek Fathers written by bishops of that time and synods arrangements which were held in the East in the 4th century. The result of that analysis shows that Church ministry towards the sick people was a priority and was well organized. That was introduced in two ways: the material (almsgiving, hospital, and medicines providing), and spiritual (prayer of the local Church performed especially by a bishop and other clerics, visitations by bishop, widows, Church members, and catechumens). The sick received the sacraments on special terms (especially the penance, which in case of the sickness could be shortened). They were granted dispensations of compulsory prayers and fasts, which did not include almsgiving. Spiritually sick people, that is sinners, and heretics were covered with Church’s pastoral care. They were given spiritual remedies like chastening and admonition. In case they continued in sin or heresy, they were expelled so that they did not endanger the spiritual health of other Church members and for the Church’s sake.
The article describes the Church’s standpoint regarding physically and spiritually sick people. The article considerations are based on the analysis of Eastern Christian Legal texts from the 4th century, like: The Sacramentary of Serapion, The Canons of Hippolytus, The Canons of Athanasius, The Apostolic Constitutions, The Canons of the Greek Fathers written by bishops of that time and synods arrangements which were held in the East in the 4th century. The result of that analysis shows that Church ministry towards the sick people was a priority and was well organized. That was introduced in two ways: the material (almsgiving, hospital, and medicines providing), and spiritual (prayer of the local Church performed especially by a bishop and other clerics, visitations by bishop, widows, Church members, and catechumens). The sick received the sacraments on special terms (especially the penance, which in case of the sickness could be shortened). They were granted dispensations of compulsory prayers and fasts, which did not include almsgiving. Spiritually sick people, that is sinners, and heretics were covered with Church’s pastoral care. They were given spiritual remedies like chastening and admonition. In case they continued in sin or heresy, they were expelled so that they did not endanger the spiritual health of other Church members and for the Church’s sake.
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Keywords
Kościół starożytny, choroba, opieka nad chorymi, chorzy, grzech, herezja, prawo, Euchologion Serapiona, Kanony Hipolita, Konstytucje Apostolskie, Kanony Ojców Greckich, the ancient Christian Church, care of sick people, sickness, sick people, sin, heresy
Citation
"Vox Patrum", 2021, T. 78, s. 157-182