www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life The Christian East & West Orthodoxy and Contraception

I am very pleased to learn of a growing movement of Eastern Orthodox brethren who advocate Natural Family Planning. It is called the "Stephanos Project." They have some great articles analyzing Pope Paul VI's Humanae Vitae encyclical from an Eastern perspective. They also discuss Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body.

All great stuff. Here's the website:

http://www.paratheke.net/stephanos/

Also, check out hte link to the Orthodox NFP Association.

in Christ,
Marshall

Resorting to contraception has always been viewed by true Orthodox as part of a broader failure to impose any ascetical discipline upon the body.

Contraception (excepting abortifacient methods) may not be an enormous sin in an of itself, but it certainly could lead one down the path toward a gluttonous life.

In Christ,
Andrew

While there are greater and lesser sins, sin is sin. It is evil and we should avoid it. There is no justification for it. It always leads one away from Christ.

If contraception is a sin (which it is), then why would two spouses wish to lead each other away from Christ? This flies in the face of the Sacrament of Marriage.

in Christ,
Marshall

Dear Brother Marshall,

I've had some personal correspondance with the Orthodox Fr. John Schrodel, the one who designed this web-site. He actually gave me permission to read his thesis for his Master of Divinty from St. Vladimir Orthodox Seminary. His paper inspired me greatly to not only keep my conviction about the sinfulness of artificial contraception but also to continue to affirm the roots of this teaching in the Orthodox Eastern Christian Tradition. In addition, Fr. John was kind enough to post my aritcle on his site which is in total agreement with his. Yet, whereas I focused on the religious implications of artificial contraception, he gave a full gamut of considerations regarding the use of artificial birth control. Any ways thanks for bringing attention to this important topic.

Trusting In Christ's Light,
Wm. DerGhazarian
Looys Kreesdosee
www.geocities.com/derghazar [geocities.com]

Andrew said: ...unless you observe all the fasting periods, including every Friday and every Saturday night!!

Dear Alice,

I've never heard of Friday evening as a regular time for married couples to refrain from sexual intercourse, except in cases where Saturday has a eucharistic celebration. If Fridays, why not Wednesdays as well?

I do know that that some folks abstain throughout all of the lenten periods, for the Glory of God, but that they do this "for a season" and "by agreement," always coming back together again lest Satan tempt them.

In Christ,
Andrew

Dear Andrew,

You and I just seem to spar a great deal brother Orthodox!

Friday is a strict Fast Day in commemoration of the Crucifixion of our Lord, is it not? Fast days are generally days of abstention from other types of pleasure, are they not?

Your last paragraph is basically correct. You express the 'oikonomia' given to those who cannot live up to the norm of abstention for the whole Lenten period.

I really wish that we could stop sparring so much--I do care about matters of faith very much, and I don't pull things out of the air. Forgive me if I offend you with my statements. Orthodoxy has a vast array of opinion, both new and ancient, regarding many matters of faith. I happen to prefer the more conservative and time tested beliefs, more so now that I am older. (Though by no means OLD! )

I am going to refrain from being defensive, but suffice it to say that I have had enough Orthodox catechisis since childhood, and as an unworthy servant of God, am still learning.

Again, I seek your forgiveness if I have offended you at any time.

In Christ our Lord,
Alice

Dear Alice,

It would take a lot to offend me! You have never even come close!

There are only five strict fasting days throughout the year: Elevation of the Cross, Beheading of John the Forerunner, Holy Friday, and the Eves of Theophany and the Nativity.

So my question remains: Are Wednesdays and Fridays usually considered days of abstinence for married couples?

In Christ,
Andrew

Dear Andrew,

Here we go again!

I didn't mean 'strict/strict' fasting days, but abstention from meat and dairy. (Trust me, for ME that is a STRICT fasting day!!!!)

Anyway, if I am not mistaken, our Mt. Athos elder, (and yes, they are more strict than parish priests, especially in dispensing penances) told my husband and myself to abstain. Again, I realize, (and I am NO fundamentalist) that there are differing opinions in a vast array of faith matters within Orthodoxy..my parish priest,(GOA) who although young, is extremely profound in all aspects of Orthodoxy faith and worship in comparison to the half dozen priests I have known well, is willing to accept these differences with the monastics. He will generally not offer the same penances and/or rules, but he does not scoff at those who have accepted them.

Can we PLEASE stop now??? Thankyou.

In Christ,
Alice

The issue of contraception is one of the huge moral lapses of so called "world Orthodoxy." The simple fact is, it's a sin. That it's not being called such only means that (knowingly or unknowingly), a lie is being told - the faith is being misrepresented.

This, however, is only part and parcel of an even larger defection in the Orthodox world. What started out (and arguably legitimatly) as a matter of economy (in the case of couples who realistically would have grave difficulties being chaste to avoid pregnancy in severe cases, like where if the wife got pregnant she'd likely die), has been taken to be moral, and not at all in contradiction to evangelical perfection.

"Economy" (an idea which is terribly abused now) never can become the accepted norm - there has to be at least a consciousness when it is resorted to (and only under spiritual supervision) that it is not the norm, that it is a condescension to frailty.

Seraphim

Dear Reader and Preacher Andrew,

Certainly, traditional married Easterners I know consider Wednesdays and Fridays as strictly "hands off" days.

The canons of the Metropolitan of Kyiv, St John II "the Prophet" do insist on sexual abstinence on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.

That sounds like a terrible penance, but sex counsellors today might agree such a discipline would make for really satisfying Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Or so I've heard . . .

Alex

Dear Seraphim Reeves,

When has world Orthodoxy ever approved of artificial birth control?

Any idea?

And when have Roman Catholic faithful ever truly FOLLOWED their Church's teaching on artificial birth control?

In Canada, it stands at about four per cent of the RC population.

Many abortions in this country are committed by Catholics as well.

There is no need for preaching from a high moral tower.

The fact that the RC Church says one thing, and RC's do another is no cause for moral triumphalism.

Alex

Dear Andrew, would you not consider Clean Monday (1st day of Lent) as also a strict fast day?

Alex, I dub you the permanent lookout for "triumphalism."

Fact is, I think this is the first western post on the whole thread . . .

The fact the Catholics do not follow the Church's teaching does not discredit the teaching. If that were the case, Christ Himself would have been discredited, since most of his disciples could not accept His words (John 6, et al.).

The Catholic tradition on contraception does not make exeptions for oikonomia, because it regards contraception as an intrinsically evil act. Oikonomia in the Catholic tradition allows for periodic abstinence during the fertile periods of the cycle, etc; I'm sure you're all familiar with that.

LatinTrad

That's so true! And it's true of Christianity in general, not just the Western/Latin/Roman Catholic Church (choose your own favorite name ).

Reminds me of the old saying (usually attributed to Bishop Sheen): "Christianity has not been tried and found wanting - it's been found difficult and left untried."