Preparations for the 2nd International Conference of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for Pastoral Health Care are well underway. The Conference will take place in Rhodes between the 12th and 16th of October.
Some 150 representatives have registered for the event so far. Attending the Conference will be all representatives from the Metropolises that belong spiritually and administratively to the Patriarchate throughout the world, the representatives of the Metropolises of the Church of Greece and other Autocephalous Orthodox Churches, the theological schools and ecclesiastical academies, together with professionals (doctors, nurses, social workers, etc.) that care for the sick. Representatives from other Christian denominations and various organizations that are related to the health care will also attend the event.
The theme of the Conference will be “Care before the Gates of Death”. The presentations and workshops will focus on death from a medical, theological, philosophical, psychological and pastoral perspective, with special emphasis on palliative care and home care and hospice programs for those that suffer from incurable deceases and that are in the last stage of life.
The 1st International Conference of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for Pastoral Health Care took place in Rhodes in 2008. After this historic event, the Ecumenical Patriarchate formed the “Network of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for Pastoral Health Care” (see http://www.pastoralhealth-ep.com/). Recently, the Patriarchal Network published a book entitled Let us come forth to therapy – an introduction to pastoral health care. This book includes presentations at the Conference in Rhodes in 2008 together with other texts that deal with pasturing to the sick, their families, and those that care for them. The volume is a guide for all those that that wish to future their education in the areas of pastoral care and health. Preparations have begun for its publication in English.
(Availability and orders: Harmos Publications, Athens: 11 Mavromichalis St., 10678, tel. 210-3830604, fax: 210- 3819439; Thessalonica: 5 Paraskaki St., 54622, tel. 2310-220992, fax: 2310-220910).
September 12, 2011
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Information:
Rev. Dr. Stavros K. Kofinas
Coordinator of the Network of the Ecumenical Patriarchate
for Pastoral Health Care
Address: Lycias 3, 171 24, Nea Smyrni, Greece
Phone: +30-6944 57 3625
Fax: +30 – 210 93 74 217
Email: info@epphc.com, pastoralhealth.ep@gmail.com
Website: http://www.pastoralhealth-ep.com/
