[biannaruh]

I write this post to let readers know that I have trained in, and work in, a scientific field, yet, have no feelings of conflict between science and my faith. I deal with scientific principles based on objective observations and studies every day, yet I have no trouble at all accepting the existence of genuine miracles, be they of healing, of deliverance from danger or death, or of myrrh-streaming icons (the icon of St Nicholas from the St Isaac Skete is an example: I have seen the myrrh flow from this icon even as I stood before it). I also know people personally whose path in life is quite inexplicable according to principles of human logic or science; I can only explain it as "the work of God", or, at least, through the intervention of a saint or guardian angel. It is an arrogant scientist indeed who claims that "science has all the answers". Good science has indeed explained so much of the world around us, and has benefited humanity in innumerable ways, yet, I cannot but still be humbled, even with what little I know, and what far more learned people than me know, that there is still so much that we don't know. Maybe with time, and with God's grace ....

Orthodoxy also has exampes of people who worked in scientific disciplines, yet, were men and women of great faith. An outstanding example is that of Dr Valentin Voyno-Yassenetsky, a distinguished professor of surgery in Soviet Russia, who became known as an expert in surgical techniques in treating battlefield injuries. He was also a tonsured monk and priest, and later was consecrated Bishop of Simferopol' and the Crimea (all which was well-known to the Soviet authorities). He was a man versed in "hard science", yet he insisted in the presence of an icon of the Mother of God in any operating theatre he worked in, and would pray before beginning a session of surgery. He is also known to us as St Luke of Simferopol'. His feastday is May 29.

It is also quite astounding that Einstein's contribution to the understanding of the physical world, more than a century after his first publications, even before his hypotheses and theories could be adequately tested, continue, quite rightly, to be felt and expanded upon, and be used to explain the physical world on earth and beyond.

May I say that Albert Einstein is indeed known for many quotes of a "spiritual" nature, which have moved some to describe him as an "intellectual mystic" (whatever that means. However, despite his many pronouncements of a "mystical" or "religious" nature, this is one quote of his which flies in the face of many of the quotes beloved by those who have, for whatever reason, elevated him to a kind of "mythical" status:

I cannot conceive of a God who rewards and punishes His creatures, or has a will of the kind which we experience in ourselves. Neither can I, or would I, want to conceive of an individual that survives his physical death. Let feeble souls, from fear or absurd egotism, cherish such thoughts.

Food for thought, friends.