Spirituality

Religion has always played a major role in culture with the ability to influence specific
aspects of it such as health beliefs and rituals. Therefore, religion has become a crucial part of
patient care within the scope of nursing practice. Religion has been utilized as an effective
coping mechanism for many individuals, especially in times of stress. This is an investigation of
the Greek Orthodox religion as it pertains to patient care and the spiritual needs that should be
addressed.
The Greek Orthodox Church is part of the Eastern Orthodox Church that divided from the
Western Church the Roman Catholic Church during the 16 th century A.D. Since ancient
times, religion has continued to have a major influence on Greek culture. Religious influences
can be seen in certain dietary considerations, health beliefs, and ideas of death as it relates to
competent nursing care.
There are no dietary restrictions in the Greek culture. However, the Eastern Orthodox
Church encourages the fasting of animal products such as meat and dairy products. Fasting is
encouraged on Wednesdays and Fridays; the aim is to fast for at least 150 days of the calendar
year (Wahqvist, Kouris-Blazos, Trichopoulos, & Polychronopoulos, 1991). In addition, there are
certain foods and herbs that are valued for their belief to maintain good health or to cure certain
illnesses (Wahlqvist et al., 1991). Such foods include wild greens, lemons, and artichokes and
lupins. These foods are believed to help lower blood pressure, aid in weight loss, and lower
blood cholesterol, respectively (Wahlqvist et al., 1991).
A folk belief that has its root in health beliefs and rituals is the mtiasma. Mtiasma is
known as the evil eye, which is believed to cause illness. The evil eye can be caused by
jealousy or maliciousness, but mainly excessive praise or admiration (Georges, 1962, p.69).

Signs of illness may include a headache, cramps, or fatigue. However, in some cases, it is fatal
enough to cause death. Since the evil eye has such notoriety in Greek culture, there are remedies
that are practiced in order to avoid it. Such remedies include wearing blue beads with a black and
yellow mti (eye), pinning a satchel of a garlic clove to the undergarment, or spitting three
times towards the object that causes excessive admiration.
In Greek culture, ones life is highly valued. The Greek Orthodox Church states it does
not allow the withdrawal and withholding of medical care when therapy may be futile (Blow,
Sprung, Reinhart, Prayag, Du, Armaganidis, Abroug, & Levy, 2008). Therefore, when providing
patient care, it is vital to provide any means necessary to have the patient comfortable and stable.
For example, if there is a terminally ill cancer patient, pain management is encouraged so as long
as the medication is given in doses that are not certain to lead to death (Blow et al., 2008, p.
425). In addition, any means of artificial support such as mechanical ventilation or organ
transplantation is considered justifiable only when it offers the prospect of continued life
(Blow et al., 2008, p. 425). In cases where the continuation of life is compromised, such as an
individual pronounced brain-dead, termination of artificial support is permitted. In organ
transplantation, the procedure is permitted only if the donor and/or their family have given
consent. However, consent seems to be a bit controversial because according to Greek law, nonrefusal of the relatives is interpreted as consent of the donor (Blow et al., 2008, p. 425).
There are misfortunate instances where illness and death become the inevitable. In such
instances, Greek Orthodox Christians turn to prayer. Prayer is usually performed in the presence
of a holy figure or icon that they may set up in the patients room. These icons are highly valued
and worshipped; they are usually placed next to the patient in order to maintain a healing
connectionwith the divine and to look over them (Fouka, Plakas, Taket, Boudioni, &

Dandoulakis, 2012, p. 1062)). In other instances, blessed oil is used. It is believed to have
healing properties. Blessed oil may be used by a priest or obtained from the Church by the
relatives. With the oil, a holy cross is drawn on the body or a specific part of the body that needs
healing.
When death becomes certain, a priest should be requested in order to perform the first
prayer and light a candle after one has departed. Prayer is performed for the first 40 days. In the
Greek culture, during times of death, it is common to witness the family and friends mourning
and wailing. Shortly after the death of a loved one, funeral arrangements are made. A memorial
service is held in a church and conducted by a priest. A mass is always held 3 days, 9 days, 40
days, 6 months, 12 months, and 3 years in honor of the departed (Mystakidou, Tsilika, Parpa,
Katsouda, & Vlahos, 2003).
Religion has become a vital part of patient care. As each religion has its own beliefs,
these beliefs are what may influence the care of any patients one may encounter. Therefore, it is
crucial that there is effective communication between the health care team and the patient in
order to determine if there are any spirituality needs that should be met. Meeting ones
spirituality needs could entail simply providing a bible or facing the deceased to the right, facing
Mecca. It is important that the health care team remains competent when it comes to spirituality
needs in order to provide the best care possible to individuals who are already in a compromised
state.

References
Blow, H. H., Sprung, C. L., Reinhart, K., Prayag, S., Du, B., Armaganidis, A., Abroug, F., &
Levy, M. M. (2008). The world's major religions' points of view on end-of-life decisions
in the intensive care unit. Intensive care medicine, 34(3), 423.
Fouka, G., Plakas, S., Taket, A., Boudioni, M., & Dandoulakis, M. (2012). Healthrelated
religious rituals of the Greek Orthodox Church: their uptake and meanings. Journal of
nursing management, 20(8), 1058-1068.
Georges, R. A. (1962). Matiasma: Living Folk Belief. Midwest Folklore, 12(2), 69-74.
Mystakidou, K., Tsilika, E., Parpa, E., Katsouda, E., & Vlahos, L. (2003). A Greek perspective
on concepts of death and expression of grief, with implications for practice. International
journal of palliative nursing, 9(12).