The history of hospitals has been shaped by principles in accord with the teachings of Christ and the commandment of fraternal charity. The origin of the institutions of the early Christian era that we now call hospitals, was the hospice and had the explicit duty of carrying out the functions of hospitals. His duty was to help needy brethren in the name of the Christian community. The Christian virtue of hospitality had broad significance, its purpose was to extend various forms of assistance, both individual and collective, and to meet a diversity of needs such as Hospices sheltered travelers, give help to the poor, the sick, the aged, orphans, abandoned children, and widows.
Diaconia is the earliest