Abstract:

Since its existence, mankind has sought various solutions to diseases that his power and knowledge cannot afford, and believed in healing power of dreams, water, religious objects, icons, votive offerings, murals, and saints, etc in situations where medical knowledge falls short. The aim of this study is to examine the healing methods in six churches in the Bithynia region. In this context, primarily healing rituals from the ancient times were examined, and the gods/goddesses believed to have healing power in the Greek and Roman periods and their methods were introduced. The powers of the gods and goddesses, believed to have healing powers in paganism, continued when the Christian belief began to spread and later with Jesus, Mary, and saints. It is seen that the healing stories told in ancient sources are similar to those the Bible and holy texts. However, it is seen that different applications were preferred in healing methods, especially when mental illness and epilepsy were perceived as the intrusion of the devil or the seizure of one's soul. Within the scope of this study, the healing methods in five churches in Bursa (Kumyaka (Sige), Archangels Church; Karacabey, Uluabat (Ulubat), St. Michael Church; Gemlik Panagia Phaneromene Church; İznik Koimesis Church; Tepecik Archangel Michael Church), and in one church in Balıkesir (Erdek, Kapıdağ Yarımadası Panagia Phaneromene Monastery Church) are discussed comparatively in line with the information given in the travel books. As a result, it has been revealed that the treatments applied especially to mental patients in the structures examined have similar applications. In this study, these applications were examined in detail. Since the subject is the healing methods in the churches, detailed architectural presentations of the buildings were not presented; only the healing methods were mentioned.

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