Some remarks on the quasi-medicinal use of oil by Christians in the early Byzantine period
Ireneusz Milewski
Uniwersytet Gdański , PolandAbstract
Sources of the Early Byzantine Period describe Christian practices of using oil for medical purposes. These practices were not usual medical procedures. The sources describe the medical use of oil obtained from church lamps or given by clergymen or by holy men, whose prayers were believed to strengthened the “medical” properties of the oil. These practices were used by Christians in many provinces of the Eastern Roman Empire, including Egypt, Palestine, Syria and Bithynia.
Keywords:
ancient Christianity, pagan customs in everyday life of ancient Christians, ancient history, early Byzantium, oliveReferences
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