Statement from the Diocesan Chancery on the Contemporary Question
of Homosexual Marriage to the Clergy and Flock of the Diocese
March 16/29, 2013
Martyrs Sabinus and Papas
Updated November 8/21,
2014
Archangel Michael and
All the Bodiless Powers
The Supreme Court of the
United States and many State Courts have recently considered cases
which deal with the question of homosexual marriage. Given the
ubiquitous coverage the news media is providing on
this issue it is important that our clergymen and parishioners fully understand
the position of the Church in this regard.
Living in a free society
as we do, we should first be thankful that we have the opportunity to practice
our Orthodox Faith without inordinate interference from the government. In recent
history this was not the case in Russia, and is still
not the case in many countries throughout the world. In a free society all views can be shared in the public arena – both
views we agree with as Orthodox Christians and those we disagree with. We call
upon our flock to be guided first and foremost by the
Holy Tradition of the Church in discerning whether any contemporary question is
something that is compatible to the Orthodox faith. If an Orthodox Christian
chooses to engage in public political discourse this should
be done with moderation and with a firm intention and watchfulness not
to fall into extremism. Extremism is not conducive to softening hearts or
bringing others to the faith. Laymen who choose to
engage in political speech should not state that they speak on behalf of the
Church. Strictly speaking such an authoritative
statement can be made only by a bishop or with a bishop’s specific blessing.
It should
also be made clear that living a homosexual or any other sinful
lifestyle is not compatible with Christianity and this has always been the
teaching of the Church. That being stated, it is also crucial to state that the
Church is a Spiritual Hospital and all those wishing to receive the healing
freely offered by God through their repentance and God’s Grace are fully
welcome. This includes those who have participated in immoral or unnatural acts
of any kind as well as those who are tempted by such sins. The Church is
empathetic to those who suffer in such a way and offers them support, healing,
and Christian love. Those actively engaging in any immoral or unnatural
pursuits cannot live a full sacramental life within the Church. However, this
does not mean that we seek to drive away or ostracize those who have
transgressed in such a way. Rather, we must make all efforts to draw those in
such an unfortunate situation back to chastity and the opportunity to again partake in the Life-Giving Mysteries of the Church
and to engage the struggle for their salvation within the parish community.
It is entirely possible
that the decision will eventually be made to recognize
homosexual marriage by the federal government. Several states have already made
such decisions. Under no circumstances will the Church recognize homosexual
marriage, accord it the status of traditional marriage, or bless such unions. However, this is not to state that those who have entered into such
a union have stepped beyond a line from which they cannot return. The
Church has always strongly condemned heresies (such as Novatianism,
Montanism, and Donatism)
which deny the possibility of repentance for those having committed certain
sins. It is crucial that our clergymen not shy away from the position of the
Church as regards the sinfulness of homosexuality and other unnatural expressions
of the God-given gift of human sexuality – but it is also crucial that such
statements be made with love and with a corresponding
invitation to repentance and reconciliation with the Church.
We call upon all to pray for our land – that the Lord will forgive us our
collective societal sins as well as our personal sins and provide us a safe
haven which allows us to work out our salvation in peace.