ORTHODOXY & MENTAL HEALTH

Presented by By All Saints of North America Orthodox Church, Featuring Dr. Philip Mamalakis 

Excerpt: 

"To become fully persons is to be truly united with Christ. Oftentimes, we're tempted to define ourselves by our passions, by our struggles. . . yet we only see who we truly are when we're transformed and no longer controlled by our passions."

Presented by ANCIENT FAITH MINISTRIES' The Illumined Heart PODCAST, Featuring Dr. Philip Mamalakis.

Description:  "Wouldn't it be wonderful to combine the 'best' of classic Orthodox Christian spiritual 'therapies' (praxis) with modern psychological modalities in therapy? In the first of the new fall line-up, Kevin speaks with Orthodox professor and therapist, Dr. Philip Mamalakis about the ground-breaking work in this area he is pioneering." 

Edited by David A. Leeming. 

Dr. Philip Mamalakis contributed the Chapter:

•  "Orthodox Christian Pastoral Care"

Excerpt: 

"Orthodox Christian pastoral care is, essentially, an encounter of persons: the person of the pastor, the parishioner, and the three persons of the Holy Trinity. These encounters can be brief, ostensibly insignificant public encounters, or deep private conversations. Smaller encounters set the stage for deeper encounters in times of struggle or distress. The primary role of the pastor is one of prayerful presence as he enters into the tension of these pastoral encounters, situating each encounter within the life of the parishioner and the life of the Church. 

These encounters can be experienced but not fully defined because persons are created in the image of God, who can be experienced, but not be fully explained or defined. Orthodox pastoral care treats people, not problems or diagnoses, and healing occurs within this encounter of “knowing” and being known in relationships. Pastoral care is focused on bringing healing through reconciling persons with God and his Church."