Excerpts from To Baptize or Not: God’s Love and Image article written by Dcn. Nicholas Denysenko in defense of Abp. Elpidophoros baptism of surrogate children of two “married” homosexual men. (see: Elpidophoros Baptizes Surrogate Children of “Married” Homosexuals) Denysenko is a false teacher who contradicts the true teachings of the Church.
by Dcn. Nicholas Denysenko –
…
The outcry over the decision to baptize these children [surrogate babies of homosexual “married” men] represents today’s zeitgeist. At the official level, many of the world’s Orthodox Churches have taken sides in the culture wars on human sexual identity.
Orthodox rejection of same-sex attraction, relationships, and marriage categorizes LGBTQI people as a special type of sinners that warrants expulsion from the community.
The official Church teaching on homosexuality does not represent a consensus within the Church.
Many theologians believe that the issue is unresolved and requires much more study, consultation with the scientific community, prayer, and reflection, even if synods [referring to OCA Synod Official Statement specifically] attempt to mute public theological discussion of the topic.
The homophobic spirit of some Orthodox who have a binary view of the world (e.g., saints or sinners) diverts attention away from the truly pastoral issue at hand: the relationship between God and the children of this couple, and any other couple or single parent for that matter.
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Source: Public Orthodoxy. (Minor organizational edits and bolding of key phrases done by blog editors done to enhance readability.)
See also: OCA Synod Categorically Rejects Same-Sex Unions and Homosexual Self-Identity.
Denysenko’s statement regarding the OCA Synod of Bishops position given last year in Baltimore is non-sense. They are not homophobic – they are being true to the teachings of the Orthodox Church. The Gospel’s teaching and the Orthodox Church’s position on homosexuality is unequivocal. It has nothing to do being “homophobic”.
Same Nicholas Denysenko who, as Director of The Huffington Ecumenical Institute (funded by notorious homosexual Michael Huffington) hosted a symposium where another pro-homosexual priest Fr. Michael Courey advocated for the Orthodox Church to be more inclusive and welcome same-sex couples.
Fr. Michael Courey: Orthodox Church Must be More Inclusive, Welcome Same-Sex Couples
https://www.orthodoxytoday.org/blog/2017/04/fr-michael-courey-orthodox-church-must-be-more-inclusive-welcome-same-sex-couples/
Meanwhile the OCA Synod remains silent and complacent, despite claiming they will not tolerate such pro-homosexual and pro-LGBTQ+ teaching in the Church.
OCA Synod Categorically Rejects Same-Sex Unions and Homosexual Self-Identity
https://www.orthodoxytoday.org/blog/2022/07/oca-synod-categorically-rejects-same-sex-unions-and-homosexual-self-identity/
And the reason for ublicizing an article from an LGBTQ NONE SENSE website is…?
In order to warn the faithful of the false teachers and impostors inside the Church.
Warning to Orthodox Church: False Teachers and Deceitful Venues That Contradict and Distort Church Teaching
https://www.orthodoxytoday.org/blog/2019/07/warning-to-orthodox-church-false-teachers-and-deceitful-venues-that-contradict-and-distort-church-teaching/
The true and unchanging teaching of the Church fully contradicts the false teaching of Denysenko. Father Thomas Hopko, who was the Dean of St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary explains the actual teaching of the Holy Orthodox church on “homosexuality.”
Homosexuality is Sinful and Contrary to Nature, Evidence of Man’s Rebellion Against God and Nature
https://www.orthodoxytoday.org/blog/2023/05/homosexuality-is-sinful-and-contrary-to-nature-evidence-of-mans-rebellion-against-god-and-nature/
Denysenko actually attended and earned a Master of Divinity as St. Vladimir’s Orthodox Seminary. It’s shameful that he’s betraying his calling and undermining the Church theology.
Those who claim that the Bible does not condemn homosexual acts are lying and deluding themselves and others. They directly contradict the Scriptures and the universal teaching of the Holy Orthodox Church. ~ Fr. Ioannes Apiarius
https://www.orthodoxytoday.org/blog/2017/08/the-abnormal-cannot-dictate-whats-normal/