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Health-related religious rituals of the Greek Orthodox Church : their uptake and meanings

journal contribution
posted on 2012-12-01, 00:00 authored by G Fouka, S Plakas, Ann TaketAnn Taket, M Boudioni, M Dandoulakis
Aim
To examine the uptake of religious rituals of the Greek Orthodox Church by relatives of patients in critical condition in Greece and to explore their symbolic representations and spiritual meanings.
Background
Patients and their relatives want to be treated with respect and be supported for their beliefs, practices, customs and rituals. However nurses may not be ready to meet the spiritual needs of relatives of patients, while the health-related religious beliefs, practices and rituals of the Greek Orthodox Christian denomination have not been explored.
Method
This study was part of a large study encompassing 19 interviews with 25 informants, relatives of patients in intensive care units of three large hospitals in Athens, Greece, between 2000 and 2005. In this paper data were derived from personal accounts of religious rituals given by six participants.
Results
Relatives used a series of religious rituals, namely blessed oil and holy water, use of relics of saints, holy icons, offering names for pleas and pilgrimage.
Conclusion
Through the rituals, relatives experience a sense of connectedness with the divine and use the sacred powers to promote healing of their patients.
Implications for nursing management
Nurse managers should recognize, respect and facilitate the expression of spirituality through the practice of religious rituals by patients and their relatives.

History

Journal

Journal of nursing management

Volume

20

Issue

8

Season

Special Issue: Perspectives on spirituality - opportunities and challenges for nurse managers and leaders

Pagination

1058 - 1068

Publisher

Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Location

West Sussex, England

ISSN

0966-0429

eISSN

1365-2834

Language

eng

Publication classification

C1 Refereed article in a scholarly journal