Greek People, the Orthodox Religion and Resilience in the Time of Crisis
This paper examines the role of religion in supporting health and the significance this has on emotional wellbeing in time of crisis for individuals of Greek Australian background. Melbourne, Australia, has a large Greek community whose oldest members were born in Greece and emigrated to Australia 5...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Athens Institute for Education and Research
2024-03-01
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| Series: | Athens Journal of Health and Medical Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.athensjournals.gr/health/2024-11-1-2-Avgoulas.pdf |
| _version_ | 1797289397271396352 |
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| author | Maria Irini Avgoulas Rebecca Fanany |
| author_facet | Maria Irini Avgoulas Rebecca Fanany |
| author_sort | Maria Irini Avgoulas |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper examines the role of religion in supporting health and the significance this has on emotional wellbeing in time of crisis for individuals of Greek Australian background. Melbourne, Australia, has a large Greek community whose oldest members were born in Greece and emigrated to Australia 50-60 years ago. The children and grandchildren of these immigrants were born in Australia but often see themselves as members of a cultural community distinct from the English-speaking mainstream. In addition to language, one of the most significant cultural factors handed down by the immigrant generation is a belief in the importance of religion and religious rituals in maintaining health. These rituals and beliefs are also a powerful tool for coping in times of crisis, illness and other challenges. Its findings are based on several qualitative studies undertaken in Melbourne between 2011-2016. The individuals that participated in these studies relied on religious faith and traditional practices to support them in times of crisis. Their specific beliefs reflect orthodox theology but also folk practices specific to this community and can be applied to wellbeing and resilience shown by this population in times of crisis. They have a strong belief in destiny and generally accept that God provides the means for addressing negative conditions. This paper describes the nature of their beliefs and outlines the ways in which religion serves as the basis for their resilience and ability to cope with adversity. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T19:04:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7105c669879141238b58ae1bdd3db40f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2653-9411 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T19:04:22Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Athens Institute for Education and Research |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Athens Journal of Health and Medical Sciences |
| spelling | doaj.art-7105c669879141238b58ae1bdd3db40f2024-03-01T09:44:26ZengAthens Institute for Education and ResearchAthens Journal of Health and Medical Sciences2653-94112024-03-01111314210.30958/ajhms.11-1-2Greek People, the Orthodox Religion and Resilience in the Time of Crisis Maria Irini Avgoulas 0Rebecca Fanany1Research Fellow, ATINERSenior Lecturer, School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, AustraliaThis paper examines the role of religion in supporting health and the significance this has on emotional wellbeing in time of crisis for individuals of Greek Australian background. Melbourne, Australia, has a large Greek community whose oldest members were born in Greece and emigrated to Australia 50-60 years ago. The children and grandchildren of these immigrants were born in Australia but often see themselves as members of a cultural community distinct from the English-speaking mainstream. In addition to language, one of the most significant cultural factors handed down by the immigrant generation is a belief in the importance of religion and religious rituals in maintaining health. These rituals and beliefs are also a powerful tool for coping in times of crisis, illness and other challenges. Its findings are based on several qualitative studies undertaken in Melbourne between 2011-2016. The individuals that participated in these studies relied on religious faith and traditional practices to support them in times of crisis. Their specific beliefs reflect orthodox theology but also folk practices specific to this community and can be applied to wellbeing and resilience shown by this population in times of crisis. They have a strong belief in destiny and generally accept that God provides the means for addressing negative conditions. This paper describes the nature of their beliefs and outlines the ways in which religion serves as the basis for their resilience and ability to cope with adversity. https://www.athensjournals.gr/health/2024-11-1-2-Avgoulas.pdfgreek peopleorthodox religionfaithresiliencecrisis |
| spellingShingle | Maria Irini Avgoulas Rebecca Fanany Greek People, the Orthodox Religion and Resilience in the Time of Crisis Athens Journal of Health and Medical Sciences greek people orthodox religion faith resilience crisis |
| title | Greek People, the Orthodox Religion and Resilience in the Time of Crisis |
| title_full | Greek People, the Orthodox Religion and Resilience in the Time of Crisis |
| title_fullStr | Greek People, the Orthodox Religion and Resilience in the Time of Crisis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Greek People, the Orthodox Religion and Resilience in the Time of Crisis |
| title_short | Greek People, the Orthodox Religion and Resilience in the Time of Crisis |
| title_sort | greek people the orthodox religion and resilience in the time of crisis |
| topic | greek people orthodox religion faith resilience crisis |
| url | https://www.athensjournals.gr/health/2024-11-1-2-Avgoulas.pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mariairiniavgoulas greekpeopletheorthodoxreligionandresilienceinthetimeofcrisis AT rebeccafanany greekpeopletheorthodoxreligionandresilienceinthetimeofcrisis |