By Metropolitan Chrysostomos III of Mani
(Homily Delivered on June 30, 2022)
(Homily Delivered on June 30, 2022)
The Holy Unmercenaries Kosmas and Damian, whom we celebrate today, came from Rome and lived in the 3rd century. By studying medical science, they cured many people and even animals from their diseases. They did not receive money as a reward. They were unmercenaries. However, they would tell the healed to believe in Christian teaching.
Both were martyrs for Christ. They were even called Wonderworkers because even after their martyrdom they performed many miracles for the sick. In the Protaton of the Holy Mountain there is a wonderful fresco of them, a work of Panselinos of the 15th century.
These Saints also show us the value of the cooperation of religion and science. They were doctors, but that did not prevent them from being faithful Christians. This is a beautiful ideal. A proper scientist and a conscientious Christian. An excellent combination.
A serious scientist knows that beyond the research and application of his science there is another world, that of the hereafter, of the metaphysical, of the spiritual dimension. Pasteur put it well when he said that "science does not have God, scientists do." In Christian thought and tradition, in the Gospels there is an abundance of information to discover this other world. Undoubtedly, there are still today many scientists who have made this discovery. Doctors, physicists, chemists, astronomers, lawyers, philosophers, historians, economists, engineers, biologists confess their Christian identity and their profession becomes a mission and ministry to fellow human beings.
Thus, scientific research and practice do not hinder the Christian life.
Religion and Science do not conflict. They don't fight each other. They work together and each one knows her limits. The intra-worldly matters are one thing, and spiritual matters beyond this world are another. And the Church acknowledges scientific progress and rejoices when its achievements are put forward for the good of man.
Especially, Christianity, where it properly fits in, which has elevated man and proved that rationality is not a panacea for solving human problems. The great mystery of God and man is not understood by right and godless reasoning. The need for religion is unquestionable for the well-being of each person. Religion is especially manifold beneficial to the scientist. Consequently, the "who" and the "why" of man will be spoken about by religion, the Christian teaching, while the "how" and the "what" will be investigated and recorded by science.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
