Do the Orthodox allow contraception?

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Monica4316

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I would appreciate any true information from the Orthodox here… I keep hearing the Orthodox allow contraception. (I mean artificial contraception). Is that true?

I read in a book that was linked in another thread that the Orthodox don’t see much difference between artificial contraception and period continence… is that true as well?

(the Catholic Church does say though that period continence is not to be used for any reason at all so that there’s no contraceptive mentality… and artificial contraception is not allowed at all)

thank you
 
How do you all see this quote from St John Chrysostom?

Why do you sow where the field is eager to destroy the fruit, where there are medicines of sterility [oral contraceptives], where there is murder before birth?. . . Indeed, it is something worse than murder, and I do not know what to call it; for she does not kill what is formed but prevents its formation. What then? Do you condemn the gift of God and Fight with his [natural] laws? (Homilies on Romans 24 [A.D. 391]).

I’m not just looking for debate I’m looking for the Orthodox understanding of this…
 
I’m not sure, but I think it may vary depending on the bishop.
 
Monica4316 said:
I would appreciate any true information from the Orthodox here… I keep hearing the Orthodox allow contraception. (I mean artificial contraception). Is that true?

I read in a book that was linked in another thread that the Orthodox don’t see much difference between artificial contraception and period continence… is that true as well?

(the Catholic Church does say though that period continence is not to be used for any reason at all so that there’s no contraceptive mentality… and artificial contraception is not allowed at all)

thank you
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How come you are curious? Since you are Catholic you must follow what Holy mother church dictates.

As far as orthodox goes why do you not ask a Catholic priest, they are also very familiar with the Orthodox ways and will explain you better than any of us can.
 
There are quite a few resources on the internet regarding the Orthodox Churches’ views on abortion and on divorce ; much less Orthodox resources however, when it comes to their teaching on contraception.

I don’t think it’s accidental. There is a lot of controversy today in this area within the Eastern Orthodox Churches. The consequent *present-day * Orthodox consensus would seem to permit “responsible use of contraception within marriage,” but only within marriage.

A good article, which also contains the quote Monica4316 cited in post #2 :

Orthodox Evangelical ; Orthodoxy and Contraception

The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, in their statement The Stand of the Orthodox Church on Controversial Issues , appear to confirm the existence of a strong consensus among their modern day theologians, writers,thinkers that responsible use of contraception within marriage is okay:
The possible exception to the above affirmation of continuity of teaching is the view of the Orthodox Church on the issue of contraception. Because of the lack of a full understanding of the implications of the biology of reproduction, earlier writers tended to identify abortion with contraception. However, of late a new view has taken hold among Orthodox writers and thinkers on this topic, which permits the use of certain contraceptive practices within marriage for the purpose of spacing children, enhancing the expression of marital love, and protecting health.
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This division didn’t really exist 50 years ago. Back then, the Eastern Orthodox Churches were much more closely aligned with the teaching of the Magisterium on the subject of contraception.

They need our prayers.
 
As with a number of issues in Orthodoxy, you will find some Orthodox who are vehemently against contraception, while others have no problem with it.
 
I would have to say I doubt it. Seems sort of unorthodox.
 
The best answer I have heard is that no Saint in the Orthodox Church has ever said it was fine, but rather usually condemned the idea. Whatever liberal Bishops or Priests that try to say that it is acceptable in marriage, do not have the backing of any Saint, and should be challenged.
 
Eliazer said:
How come you are curious? Since you are Catholic you must follow what Holy mother church dictates.

As far as orthodox goes why do you not ask a Catholic priest, they are also very familiar with the Orthodox ways and will explain you better than any of us can.
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I totally believe that contraception is intrinsically evil… I am not doubting what the Church says on this. I wanted to clarify if the Orthodox really accept contraception or not, frankly I find it surprising if they do… But I have read a quote by a priest supporting it and I heard it depends on the priest - maybe not all support it then… But I think its important to have a unified teaching.
 
pacloc said:
The best answer I have heard is that no Saint in the Orthodox Church has ever said it was fine, but rather usually condemned the idea. Whatever liberal Bishops or Priests that try to say that it is acceptable in marriage, do not have the backing of any Saint, and should be challenged.
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Does it ever come up in a Synod? It makes sense to say its a liberal movement but is there a way in the Orthodox church to come to a unified conclusion?
 
Monica4316 said:
… But I have read a quote by a priest supporting it and I heard it depends on the priest - maybe not all support it then… But I think its important to have a unified teaching.
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But as you have discovered, there IS no unified teaching on any number of things in Christian Orthodoxy.
 
Eliazer said:
How come you are curious? Since you are Catholic you must follow what Holy mother church dictates.

As far as orthodox goes why do you not ask a Catholic priest, they are also very familiar with the Orthodox ways and will explain you better than any of us can.
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Why is she curious?

Why is that any concern of ours? This is a forum called Catholic **Answers. **
People come here to ask questions. That’s what’s been going on since it first started.
 
Monica4316 said:
I would appreciate any true information from the Orthodox here… I keep hearing the Orthodox allow contraception. (I mean artificial contraception). Is that true?

I read in a book that was linked in another thread that the Orthodox don’t see much difference between artificial contraception and period continence… is that true as well?

(the Catholic Church does say though that period continence is not to be used for any reason at all so that there’s no contraceptive mentality… and artificial contraception is not allowed at all)

thank you
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If you ask in general, most Orthodox bishops will say no it’s not allowed. However, if you consult with the bishop or priest about your particular circumstance, he may say it is allowed FOR YOU. This cannot be extrapolated as a general allowance for anyone else.
 
I have friends who are Orthodox (a married couple). What they told me is that the church doesn’t have a specific teaching on it, but each married couple is supposed to consult with their priest to make that decision.
 
It varies from autocephalous church to autocephalous church. So, for example, the Church of Greece (not to be confused with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, which is headed by the Ecumenical Patriarchate, not the Church of Greece), holds that the only permissible form of birth control is Natural Family Planning. Some Orthodox even hold that NFP isn’t even allowed, although I am not aware of any autocephalous church that teaches this position officially (maybe Jerusalem or Alexandria?). Meanwhile, the Russian Orthodox Church and the Orthodox Church in America both allow artificial non-abortifacient birth control as long as the local priest of the couple is consulted and the couple intends to start a family at some point or already has.
 
Is Metropolitan Hilarion, spokesman of the Russian church only speaking for himself then? He has spoken against contraception publicly numerous times
 
detles said:
I have friends who are Orthodox (a married couple). What they told me is that the church doesn’t have a specific teaching on it, but each married couple is supposed to consult with their priest to make that decision.
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There is a teaching and it is forbidden. However, economia may be granted in certain circumstances.
 
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