We reject any attempt to create a theological framework which would normalize same-sex erotic relationships or distort humanity’s God-given sexual identity.
by OCA Synod –
The Orthodox Church teaches that the union between a man and a woman in marriage reflects the union between Christ and His Church (Eph. 5). As such, marriage is by this reflection monogamous and heterosexual. Within this marriage, sexual relations between a husband and wife are an expression of their love that has been blessed by God. Such is God’s plan for male and female, created in his image and likeness, from the beginning, and such remains his plan for all time. Any other form of sexual expression is by its nature disordered, and cannot be blessed by the Church in any way, whether directly or indirectly.
That said, the Holy Synod of Bishops expresses its pastoral concern and paternal love for all who desire to come to Christ and who struggle with their passions, temptations, and besetting sins, whatever those might be. The Church is a hospital for the sick; Our Lord has come as a physician to heal those who are ailing. Imitating our Savior, who stretched his arms wide on the Cross, we welcome with open arms all who desire the life of repentance in Christ.
Over the course of recent years, His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon and the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America have made numerous pronouncements affirming the Orthodox Christian teaching on marriage and sexuality. Metropolitan Tikhon, at the 18th All-American Council in Atlanta, Georgia, on July 20, 2015, in his opening address, stated that:
“… the Orthodox Church must continue to proclaim what she has always taught: that marriage is the union between one man and one woman and the Orthodox Church in America can in no way deviate from this teaching…”
Among the Holy Synod’s affirmations of the same teaching are the “Synodal Affirmations on Marriage, Family, Sexuality, and the Sanctity of Life,” from the 10th All-American Council, Miami, Florida, taking place from July 26-31, 1992; the “Synodal Reaffirmation of the SCOBA statement titled ‘On the Moral Crisis in our Nation,’” issued May 17, 2004; and the synodal “Statement concerning the June 26 US Supreme Court decision,” issued June 28, 2015.
Therefore, in accord with the timeless plan of God our Creator, the unchanging teaching of Christ the Savior announced through his holy apostles and their successors, and the consistent witness of the Holy Synod of the Orthodox Church in America, the Holy Synod affirms what the Scriptures clearly and plainly proclaim and the holy fathers unerringly confess, namely: that God made human beings in two sexes, male and female, in his own image, and that chaste and pure sexual relationships are reserved to one man and one woman in the bond of marriage.
As such, we affirm that sexual relationships are blessed only within the context of a marriage between one man and one woman. Motivated by love and out of sincere care for souls, we call those who suffer from the passion of same-sex attraction to a life of steadfast chastity and repentance, the same life of chastity and repentance to which all mankind is called in Christ.
We call upon all clergy, theologians, teachers, and lay persons within the Orthodox Church in America never to contradict these teachings by preaching or teaching against the Church’s clear moral position; by publishing books, magazines, and articles which do the same; or producing or publishing similar content online.
We reject any attempt to create a theological framework which would normalize same-sex erotic relationships or distort humanity’s God-given sexual identity. The holy apostle Paul writes that such teachings will “increase to more ungodliness,” and that such a “message will spread like gangrene” (2 Tim 2:16-17), misleading the faithful and inquirers seeking the truth.
Any clergy, theologian, teacher, or lay person who contravenes our directive thus undermines the authority of the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America by disregarding the Holy Synod’s consistent and unwavering teaching on these matters. We call on any such persons to cease their disruptive activities, which threaten the peace and tranquility of the Orthodox Church in America, cause scandal and uncertainty, and tempt those who struggle against their disordered passions to stumble.
Consequently, those who teach these errors become participants in the sin of those whom they have tempted or whom they have failed to correct, and thus should seek remission of this sin in the mystery of holy confession. Those who refuse correction open themselves to ecclesiastical discipline.
Thus, we, the Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in Americas, conclude by once again affirming that all clergy, theologians, teachers, and lay persons of the Orthodox Church in America should teach nothing other than the fullness of the Orthodox faith, which is the fullness of the saving truth.
We remind our faithful and clergy that every person of goodwill is welcome to visit our parishes. However, reception into the Church, and continued communion in Christ at the sacred Chalice, is reserved for those who strive to live a life of repentance and humility in light of these God-given truths, conforming themselves to the commandments of God as the only path of salvation in Christ. All of us are sinners, but it is for precisely this reason that Our Lord Jesus Christ calls us to “Repent and believe in the Gospel, for the kingdom of God is at hand” (Mk. 1:15).
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HT: OCA. (Minor organizational edits and bolding of key phrases done by blog editors done to enhance readability.)
See also: OCA – 20th All-American Council.
Axios! To Metropolitan Tikhon and all of the Hierarchs of the OCA. We all sin in the eyes of our Lord and Savior. We are called to repentance and to “go forth and sin no more”.
AXIOS! The OCA Synod publicly proclaims what other Orthodox Christian priests and teachers have been preaching for a long time.
“Do not self-identify with any sin or any passion. You are not your sin. If you are a Christian and believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Son and Word of the living God, True God of True God, the Redeemer and Saviour of all mankind, then you must reject and abandon the “gay” or “homosexual” identity or label. “You are not your own; you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body” (1 Corinthians 6:19-20).
You are a man or a woman made in the image and likeness of GOD. A creature that must continually cling to Christ and walk the narrow road that leads to salvation. A human being that can become divine and holy through God’s grace, Christ’s love, and the power of the Holy Spirit, through the intercession of the Saints, and help from prayers and the holy sacraments, worship, and practices of the Holy Orthodox Church.” – Fr. Ioannes Apiarius
Not Gay or Homosexual, but Men and Women Created in the Image and Likeness of God
https://www.orthodoxytoday.org/blog/2019/06/not-gay-or-homosexual-but-men-and-women-created-in-the-image-and-likeness-of-god/
I was in attendance. The audience responded with great enthusiasm, many gave a standing ovation. Today I am proud and grateful to be under this Synod’s omophor!!
Thank you Lord Jesus for moving these mountains as we stand firmly in alignment with your teachings and not the sins of the unrighteous. The glory is all yours! Amen! Rejoice!
Hello,
I am seeking support in signing below petitions. I created 2 in case 1 is taken down:
https://chng.it/VmWX6LNS
https://ourfight.online/28b91920-00b9-41f1-8be3-c9ea48da29c3
Anaxios!
There are several petitions being circulated. One by Helleniscope.com.
Please sign and forward to everyone Orthodox Greek or otherwise you know in case anyone of them gets taken down.
Hi Margaret thank you so much for signing ourfight petition! I am aware of Helleniscope. I was the one who initiated the process until they shut my petition down on change.org due to language they didn’t approve of. I had reached almost 300 signatures before they removed it. As a result, I decided to alter the language and create a new petition on change.org. New link is: https://chng.it/VmWX6LNS. I created this one and the ourfight petition before Helleniscope took initiative and put theirs out there. It’s awesome that they did that! I signed Helleniscope’s petition as well. The more the merrier 🙂 I feel it’s great to have all of them circulating in case one gets shut down again. Thank you. If you don’t mind, get the word out on my petitions as well. Appreciate it!
Thank God Almighty for our Church Fathers who set the Church in righteousness to this day. May we stand up for what is right and what The Lord Himself ordained in His Church. Let not the cunning one come and steal, kill and destroy any part of the Orthodox Church. May the God Almighty bless and protect His Bride Church and us
.
Amen Sister!
It is the duty of all Orthodox to “stand firm and hold to the traditions which you [we] were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us” (2 Thessalonians 2:15) teaching nothing contrary to or in addition to the fullness of the Orthodox faith as delivered to us. Let us hope for a chorus of such proclamations.
Vagante and illegitimate bishop Lazar Puhalo voiced his displeasure and aversion to the OCA Synod’s statement. While he avoids naming the OCA bishops specifically (he is duplicitous, not dumb), it is clear which “public statements” he is referring to.
Having been previously called to silence by the OCA bishops for posting outrageous and non-Orthodox views on homosexuality and transgenderism, Puhalo is deviously wording his posts to give himself wiggle room and escape accountability for accusing the bishops of hate, malice, and severe anxiety disorder. Thankfully, we see right through his deception.
I’m glad to see an unambiguous and faithful reiteration of the constant, unchanging, and unchangeable teaching regarding this aspect of human sexuality. Unfortunately in my time attending a couple OCA congregations there were definitely termites working in the foundation to undermine this obvious and essential moral doctrine. Hopefully this statement will push back on that tendency among some to undermine the Church’s teaching in this area. Also encouraging to see was the reaction of those present.
And why am I not surprised to see that Archlayman Lev Puhalo is accusing those who defend Christian moral doctrine as having psychological issues. That seems to be a favorite slander of his.