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{{Orthodoxize}}{{Cleanup}}Orthodox teachings concerning sex overwhelmingly hold that it ought to be confined to the [[sacrament]] of [[marriage]] (which is assumed to be voluntary'''Sex''', monogamousor '''sexual relations''', heterosexualincludes not only sexual intercourse, and permanent). That isbut also other sexual activity, Orthodox believers are expected even to choose between two paths the extent of equal dignity: (1) hand-holding or kissing. In order to understand this, sex must be understood not only as a life of [[virginity]] or [[celibacy]]matter for the body, possibly including [[monastic]] vows; or (2) but also as a matter for the married lifemind. Various biblical and [[patristics|patristic]] writings condemn sex acts which occur outside of these bounds, including:

:*Adultery (sex which violates the marriage commitment)==Purpose==:*Fornication (sex beforeGod created mankind with a sexual appetite. "[A] man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, or without, marriage):*Homosexuality:*Rape:*Various sexual practices other than penile-vaginal intercourse:*Sex between human and non-human partners they will become one flesh" (e[[Genesis|Gen.g]] 2:24). animals In its proper context of [[marriage]], angels):*Incest:*Masturbation:*Sexual fantasiessex can be a good thing.

In addition:"Sexual relations within marriage are holy and blessed by God. Saint [[Gregory the Theologian]] says: 'Are you not yet married in the flesh? Do not fear this consecration; you are pure even after marriage' (''Oration on Holy Baptism'', quoted by George Gabriel, ''You May Call My Words Immodest'', p. 3). The sexual union of man and woman in Christian marriage is sanctified, set apart, hallowed, sacred, we should consider holy. And it is good. At the same time&mdash;and I cannot emphasize this point strongly enough&mdash;the related issues Church teaches us clearly that sex is not ''the essence'' ofChristian marriage."<ref>''Preserve Them, O Lord'' by Fr. John Mack. Ben Lomond, California, Conciliar Press: 1996. p. 116.</ref>

Sex provides an opportunity for a married couple to become intimate with one another.*"The goal of sex in marriage is spiritual union. Through the joining of two physical bodies in marital love comes a unique oneness of soul. Saint [[John Chrysostom]] instructs us:'Their intercourse accomplishes the joining of their bodies, and they are made one, just as when perfume is mixed with ointment" (''12th Homily on Colossians'').<ref>''Preserve Them, O Lord'' by Fr. John Mack. Ben Lomond, California, Conciliar Press: 1996. p. 119.</ref>*Abortion"Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, andlikewise also the wife to her husband" (I Cor. 7:3).*"Sexual relations provide an opportunity for the development of a spirit of [[martyr]]dom. This is the type of martyrdom that exhibits self-denial and submission to the other."<ref>''Preserve Them, O Lord'' by Fr. John Mack. Ben Lomond, California, Conciliar Press:*Birth control1996. p. 123.</ref>

While all It is also important when speaking about sexual relations among spouses to speak about the product of this conjugal union. The creation of progeny is a natural consequence of marriage. There is a direct link between marital relations and childbearing. Procreation is the above have fallen under fruit of the condemnation union of one or another Orthodox authority, no unanimity exists for many marriage and an expression of them, and man's participation in any case, oneGod's spiritual father may make allowances based on the principle of [[oikonomia]]creative work. St. Note that sexual sin is not regarded as especially different from other types of sinJohn Chrysostom, in reference to which all are susceptible. ("One is holy...") As the [[Sayings mystery of the Fathers]] reminds usconjugal union,says:

:''The same God who said "Do And how become they one flesh? As if you should take the purest part of gold, and mingle it with the other gold; so in truth here also the women as it were receiving the richest part fused by pleasure, nourishes it and cherishes it, and throughout contributing her own share, restores it back to the man. And the child is a sort of bridge so that the three become on flesh, the child connecting, on either side, each to each… What then? When there is not fornicate" also saidchild, "Do will they not judgebe two? Not so, for their coming together has this effect; it diffuse and commingles the bodies of both.And as one who has poured ointment into oil has made the whole one; so in truth is it also here"(St. John Chrysostom, ''On Marriage and Family Life'').

A focus on sexual sin obscures the fact St. John Chrysostom also says, "He created one from one, and again these two he makes one and thus He makes one; so that Orthodoxy views sex within marriage as fundamentally good--at least in this worldeven now man is born from one. For a woman and a man are not two but one man" (Apparently sex does not exist in the afterlifeSt. John Chrysostom, though marriage may''On Marriage and Family Life'').) In contrast to Western (Roman Catholic) views With this great gift of sex as an instrumental good (thus accounting for that church's well-known opposition to birth controlchildbearing, as man becomes the "purpose" donor of life. St. [[Clement of sex is said to be procreation), Alexandria]] describes the Orthodox tendency has been to prefer a sacramental over an instrumental interpretationprogeny of man as "man's creation in God's image."

==Love In the [[Old Testament]], sex for the purpose of procreation was emphasized, as children were evidence of God's blessing on a marriage. However, procreation is not the reason for marriage. "Procreation is not the only purpose of sex in marriage, but sex and morality==procreation go hand in hand."<ref>''Preserve Them, O Lord'' by Fr. John Mack. Ben Lomond, California, Conciliar Press: 1996. p. 121.</ref>

Biblical and patristic literature abounds with moral pronouncementsSaint John Chrysostom writes: “Thus, many of which are now alien marriage was given to Orthodox tradition. For exampleus for procreation also, internet satirists cite Old Testament verses to but much more for the effect that[http://wwwpurpose of extinguishing our burning nature.godhatesshrimp.com God Hates Shrimp] And Paul is a witness to counter similar diatribes from Protestant pastor [http://wwwthis, saying, `Because of fornications, let each have his own wife,’ and not for the purpose of procreation.godhatesfags.com Fred Phelps]And he commands that you come together again, whose well-known opposition not for you to homosexuality is likewise based on Old Testament prohibitionsbecome fathers of many children. Granting But to come together again for what purpose? `So that Satan may not every rule in the Bible or church tradition is applicable any longertempt you,’ he says. He continues, how but he does one distinguish those which remain in forcenot say, from those which do not? To `come together if you wish children.’ But what extent are social mores a factordoes he say? For example`If they cannot abstain, let them marry,’ for in the beginning, we no longer accept levirate marriageas it was said, or marriage between partners who are very younghad two purposes. Are other moral strictures similarly subject But later, with the earth and the sea and the entire world filled, one reason alone remains: to revision?cast out debauchery and lasciviousness.” ("On Virginity", as quoted by George S. Gabriel). <ref>''You Call My Words Immodest' by George S. Gabriel. https://thoughtsintrusive.wordpress.com/2012/08/30/you-call-my-words-immodest/.</ref>

Christ's teaching George S. Gabriel interprets the above passage as condoning the practice of the [[New Commandment]] or [[Greatest Commandment]] suggests that "lovecontraception: " The plain meaning of Chrysostom’s words is the principle , If for a certain period, you and your wife have abstained by which all other commandments are to be evaluated. (Note that ''caritas'' here refers not to romantic loveagreement, and couple perhaps be better translated as "caring.") Is it possible to love someone, for a time of prayer and yet rape them? Surely not. Is it possible to love someonefasting, and yet sleep with them outside of come together again for the bonds sake of your marriage? Very likely, yet many Orthodox voices would insist that such a choice represents a fundamental miscalculation. While You do not need procreation as an excuse. It is not the act may seem harmless enough, they say, in fact it violates the Greatest Commandment by not allowing chief reason for marriage. Neither is it necessary to occur within allow for the context possibility of the supreme commitment conceiving, and unity that is the sacrament thus having a large number of marriagechildren, something you may not want." ("You Call My Words Immodest"). <ref>''You Call My Words Immodest' by George S. Gabriel. https://thoughtsintrusive.wordpress.com/2012/08/30/you-call-my-words-immodest/.</ref>

Theologically, the sacrament ==Context of marriage ==:''See main article: [[Marriage]].Marriage is bestowed not by the priest upon the coupleassumed to be voluntary, monogamous, heterosexual, but by the husband and wife upon one anotherpermanent. In that light Within marriage, might a couple legitimately sleep together without benefit of clergy? On a desert island, yes. However, for those of us living amidst human society, it behooves us man's body belongs to arrange our lives in conformity with good order, which entails (among other things) ensuring that marriage be undertaken seriouslyhis wife, and with public acknowledgement. At least our hypothetical couple might take into account the opinions of the church, including their spiritual father, who would be expected a wife's body belongs to raise objections to any sort of unofficial marriageher husband. (Some Orthodox thinkers For this reason, howeverone should care for one's body not only for oneself, do recognize "de facto" marriages or marriages "in Godbut also for one's eyesspouse. " as morally binding in some circumstancesThe wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, such as a couple living togetherbut the wife does" ([[I Corinthians|I Cor.]] 7:4).

==There is much [[Holy Scripture|Scriptural]] basis to support marriage as the only context for sexual relations. The purpose [[Song of sex==Songs]] is often taken as a metaphor for marriage; similarly, the relationship of God and the [[Orthodox Church|Church]] is also likened to marriage. Union between the parties of marriage is therefore good. "Find joy with the wife you married in your youth... Let hers be the company you keep ... hers the love that ever holds you captive" ([[Proverbs|Prov.]] 5:19). "Marriage is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled" ([[Book of Hebrews|Heb.]] 13:4).

Orthodox interpretations of the first chapters ofGod specifically created [[Adam and Eve|Eve]] for [[Book of Genesis Adam and Eve| GenesisAdam]] inform the Church's view benefit. This creation forms a new being, a new unit, even before there are children within a marriage. " 'It is not good for man to be alone,' but it is also positively good to be together."<ref name="whymate" /> Outside of sexualitymarriage, one may engage in sexual activity because of one's own desires; sexual relations within marriage follow God's mandate to "be one. There God " Marriage provides a commitment and a family structure, so that a sexual relationship is credited uniquely provided with stability, security, the origin ability to work as a unit, and a basis for trust. "When sexual activity is kept within the bounds of life on earth-long commitment, the commandment babies are more likely to survive and women more likely to "be fruitful feel secure and multiply (Genloved. 1"<ref name="whymate">[http:22), and human sexual differentiation (Gen//www. 1:27, cffrederica. 2:18 ff)com/writings/why-humans-mate. html Why Humans Mate] by Frederica Mathewes-Green</ref>

In the patristic tradition, marriage is a consequence :"There are many centuries of evidence showing how the fall concept [of the protoplasts. Athanasius the Great remarks that a nuclear family] works in God's initial plan for manpractice: pretty good, marriage was not part usually resulting in the survival and success of ita new generation, but marriage arose because transgressed the law given to him by Godhumankind’s first responsibility. Adam’s fallBonuses of companionship, which resulted to deathromantic love, created the need of putting on ''"garments of skin"'' (Gen. 3:2). This garment is interpreted pleasure and joy often appear as man adapting to the condition that was created after the Fall and does not belong to the pre-Fall condition; it does not belong to the condition of the Kingdom of Godwell. St. Gregory In comparison, an ethic of Nyssa elaborates on the ''"irrational skinsexual freedom,"'' saying what man put on includes where one in four pregnancies ends in abortion and the following: marital relationsnumbers of children in single-parent homes keeps rising, procreationfails this goal like clockwork. Indicators for sexually transmitted disease, fooddivorce, growthabandonment, old age impoverishment of women and deathchildren, unwed motherhood, none of which will exist in the transformation and assimilation of humanity in abortion are at record levels; the Kingdom of Heavenheartbreak index is at an all-time high. "<ref name="whymate" />

Until humanity lives It is good for eternity in the Kingdom of Heavena child to have married parents, God has ordained and sex within marriage as pathway leading to salvationbest provides the child with this protection. "Marriage is a sort of adaptation to particularly important for the new condition rearing of man created after children as they flourish best under the fall long term care and nurture of the protoplaststheir father and mother."<ref>[http://www.nhclc. Storg/about/pdf/defenseofmarriage. Paul doc A Letter from America's Religious Leaders in his first epistle to Defense of Marriage (DOC)] whose signers include His Eminence Archbishop [[Demetrios (Trakatellis) of America|Demetrios of America]], Primate of the Corinthians makes recommendations on how people can avoid fornication by getting married. According to the ApostleGreek Orthodox Church in America, true sexual relations can exist only within marriageand The Most Blessed [[Herman (Swaiko) of Washington and New York|Herman]], because marriage restores sexuality. In the Patristic tradition Archbishop of Washington and in Holy Scripture this view is presentNew York, Primate, as it is apparent The Orthodox Church in St. Paul’s Epistle to the EphesiansAmerica. </ref>

:Many couples keep the crowns (''stefana'') from the wedding service (often in a box or ''stefanothiki'') above the marriage bed, another reminder of the sanctity of marital love. "… They serve as a man leaves his father reminder that God has united them to each other and mother to Himself and clings that He has bestowed His grace upon them to his wifelive in unity, faith and they become one fleshlove."'' <ref>[http://www.antiochian.org/1285 What is the significance of the wedding crowns?] (Ephesians 5:31[[AOCA|Antiochian]]).</ref>

Several of the [[Canon Law|canons]] of the [[Council of Gangra]]<ref>[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf214.viii.v.i.html The Council of Gangra]</ref> (ca. 325-381) uphold sex as part of marriage:''*"…each man should have his own wife If any one shall condemn marriage, or abominate and each condemn a woman who is a believer and devout, and sleeps with her own husband, as though she could not enter the Kingdom [of heaven] let him be [[anathema]]" (Canon 1). The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rights*"If any one shall remain virgin, or observe continence, abstaining from marriage because he abhors it, and likewise not on account of the wife to her husbandbeauty and holiness of [[virginity]] itself, let him be anathema" (Canon 9). For *"If any one of those who are living a virgin life for the wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does; likewise Lord's sake shall treat arrogantly the husband does not have authority over his own bodymarried, but the wife doeslet him be anathema" (Canon 10). Do not deprive one another except perhaps by agreement for a set time*"If any woman shall forsake her husband, and resolve to devote yourselves to prayerdepart from him because she abhors marriage, and then come together againlet her be anathema"'' (1 Corinthians 7:2-5Canon 14).

It is important Canon 13 of the [[Quinisext Council]] upholds sex as a part of marriage, even for one [[ordination|ordained]] men::"Since we know it to understand marriage is not be handed down as a license for unlimited marital relationsrule of the [[Church of Rome|Roman Church]] that those who are deemed worthy to be advanced to the [[diaconate]] or [[presbyter]]ate should promise no longer to cohabit with their wives, we, but an opportunity for asceticism. The ascetic character of preserving the Christian life also covers ancient rule and [[Apostles|apostolic]] perfection and order, will that the marital life lawful marriages of the believersmen who are in [[Holy Orders|holy orders]] be from this time forward firm, by no means dissolving their union with their wives nor depriving them of their mutual intercourse at a convenient time. According Wherefore, if anyone shall have been found worthy to St. John Chrysostom marriage preserves puritybe ordained [[subdeacon]], or deacon, or presbyter, chastityhe is by no means to be prohibited from admittance to such a rank, and even virginityif he shall live with a lawful wife. Marriage as a communion Nor shall it be demanded of persons is not restricted to him at the level time of matter his ordination that he promise to abstain from lawful intercourse with his wife: lest we should affect injuriously marriage constituted by God and material senseblessed by his presence, as the [[Gospel]] saith: 'What God hath joined together let no man put asunder'; contrarily matter and material sense serve the communion of [[Apostle Paul|Apostle]] saith, 'Marriage is honourable and the person bed undefiled'; and in this wayagain, they acquire 'Art thou bound to a spiritual contentwife? seek not to be loosed. The prayers of the marriage service clearly address this pastoral issue' "<ref>[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf214.xiv.iii.xiv. html The priest prays for the bed Canons of the couple to remain ''"undefiled."'' Council in Trullo: Canon XIII]</ref>

Sexual arousal==Marital fasting==:''See article: [[Fasting]].Although sex within marriage is often seen simply as "good," abstaining from sex also provides its own good. This abstention, intercourseoften referred to as "marital fasting, and gratification must not " should be voluntary on the priority part of the coupleboth husband and wife. "Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and [[prayer]]; however, it is this act and pleasurable experiencecome together again so that Satan does not tempt you because of your lack of self-control" (I Cor. 7:5). Marital fasting offers an opportunity to resist fleshly desires and redirect energies into worshiping God, which strengthens just as one fasts from the bond of love between desire for food. "Rather than repudiating the couple legitimate pleasure taken in eating and in marital relations, fasting assists the couple us in growing closer to Christliberating ourselves from greed and lust, so that both these things become not a means of private pleasure but an expression of interpersonal communion."<ref>[http://www.koed.hu/mozaik10/dimitri. pdf Christian Fasting(PDF)] by Dimitri Oikonomou)</ref>Marital fasting is advised for all the usual times of fasting, prayers, continence, endurance including before partaking of suffering are virtues expected not only for monasticism[[Holy Communion]]. "[A]s with all other spiritual efforts, but also for married couples. Marriage is to move constantly from this must be done under the carnal to supervision and at the direction of a wise [[spiritual perspectivefather]]."<ref name="townsend">[http://www.stmaryofegypt.org/devotion/on_fasting.htm Fasting for Orthodox Christians] by Fr. Such progress John Townsend</ref>"[Fasting] also involves abstinence from marital intercourse, not because there is only possible within the perspective of the couple’s perfection anything evil in Christ. The personal relations it&mdash;it is part of the couple ought God's creation&mdash;but to be primarily spiritual in order to preserve purify it and to increase their spiritual communion and union. This is provide us the reason why there cannot exist an independent ethic of sexuality according opportunity to concentrate on the Fathers upbuilding of the Churchour lives in Christ. "<ref name="townsend" />

It "Some Orthodox [[saint]]s have even been called upon to abstain completely from that which is also important when speaking about sexual relations among spouses good in marriage itself. The holy martyrs [[Cecilia]] and [[Valerian]] [([[November 22]])] gave themselves entirely to speak about God from the product very first night of this conjugal uniontheir arranged marriage. The creation of progeny is They were united in spiritual vision during a natural consequence time of marriage. There is a direct link between spouse relations and child bearingintense Roman persecution in the early Church. Procreation is After great struggle for the Faith, they died together as martyrs for the fruit love of the union Christ. More recently, Saint [[John of spouses Kronstadt]] and an expression his wife lived together in the same manner, so that Saint John could give himself over more completely to the tremendous burden of their participation ministry that God placed upon him as a priest in God’s creative worknineteenth-century Russia. St"<ref>''Preserve Them, O Lord'' by Fr. John Chrysostom in reference the mystery of the conjugal union sayingMack. Ben Lomond, California, Conciliar Press: 1996. p. 117.</ref>

:''"And how become they It is important for one flesh? As if you should take the purest part to understand marriage is not a license for unlimited marital relations, but an opportunity for [[asceticism]]. The ascetic character of gold, and mingle it with the other gold; so in truth here Christian life also covers the women as it were receiving marital life of the richest part fused by pleasurebelievers. According to St. John Chrysostom, marriage preserves purity, nourishes it and cherishes it[[chastity]], and throughout contributing her own share, restores it back to the maneven virginity. And the child is Marriage as a sort communion of bridge so that persons is not restricted to the three become on fleshlevel of matter and material sense; contrarily, matter and material sense serve the child connecting, on either side, each to each… What then? When there is not childcommunion of the person and in this way, will they not be two? Not so, for their coming together has acquire a spiritual content. The prayers of the marriage service clearly address this effectpastoral issue; it diffuse and commingles the bodies priest prays for the bed of both. And as one who has poured ointment into oil has made the whole one; so in truth is it also herecouple to remain "'' (Stundefiled. John Chrysostom. ''"On Marriage and Family Life"'').

StAbstaining from sexual relations before (and outside of) marriage aids in the ascetic practice of fasting from marital relations within marriage. John Chrysostom also says Sexual arousal, ''"He created one from oneintercourse, and again these two he makes one and thus He makes onegratification must not be the priority of the couple; so that even now man however, it is born from onethis act and pleasurable experience, which strengthens the bond of love between the couple and assists the couple in growing closer to Christ. For a woman and a man Fasting, prayers, continence, endurance of suffering are virtues expected not two only for [[monasticism]], but one man"'' (Stalso for married couples. John ChrysostomMarriage is to move constantly from the carnal to the spiritual perspective. Such progress is only possible within the perspective of the couple''"On Marriage and Family Life"'')s perfection in Christ. With this great gift The personal relations of childbearing man becomes the donor of lifecouple ought to be primarily spiritual in order to preserve and to increase their spiritual communion and union. Clement This is the Alexandrian describes reason why there cannot exist an independent ethic of sexuality according to the progeny [[Church Fathers|Fathers of man as, ''"man’s creation in God’s imagethe Church]]."''

==Lust and temptationCelibacy==:''See main article: [[Celibacy]].Unmarried people should be celibate, that is, refrain from sexual activity. Those who have taken monastic vows, or who have been ordained and are not married (either unmarried or widowed), are held to follow a celibate life.

Orthodox tradition urges believers to resist not only sexual transgressionsSome of the Church teachings say that celibacy is better than marriage, while others hold them more equally. "One of the paradoxes of Christian [[ethics]] is that marriage and celibacy, if they presuppose different practical behaviors, but even thoughts are based on the same [[theology]] of sexual transgressions. As Christ saysthe Kingdom of God and, ''"If a man looks at a woman with listtherefore, he has already committed adultery with her in his hearton the same spirituality."<ref>'' (MattMarriage: An Orthodox Perspective'' by Fr. 5:27) Some critics hold this to be an impossible standard[[John Meyendorff]]. Crestwood, for who can purge his heart of illicit sexual thoughts? Others (including many monastics) insist that such a purgation is in fact possibleNew York, though difficultSt. Vladimir's Seminary Press: 2000. p. 69. </ref>

In this context, the question of masturbation is an interesting oneSt. Several church fathers (such as Nicodemus the Hagiorite) condemn it as Paul indicated his preference for celibacy: "onanism," although scholars now agree that Onan's sin was avoiding It is good for a man not to touch a divinely-ordered impregnation (Genwoman. ... 38:10)For I wish that all men were even as I am myself. The prevalence of masturbation--indeed But each one has his own gift from God, standard psychology texts describe it as developmentally normal--leads critics to complain one in this manner and another in that its proscription represents an impossible command. At But I say to the same time, unmarried and to the popularity of a sin does not prevent it from being a sin ("the way widows: It is narrow...good for them if they remain even as I am")(I Cor. Also7:1, a few people apparently never masturbate, or succeed in resisting the impulse7-8).

But why The goal of celibacy is masturbation a sin? In contrast not just to adultery or raperemain free of carnal pleasure, what harm does it do? One answer is that but to emancipate a masturbator is probably also entertaining lustful thoughts--precisely the sin mentioned by Christ. The principle that sinful thoughts lead to sinful actions is widely recognized.But might one legitimately fantasize about one's spouse, or intended spouse? Unsurprisingly, perhaps, the question is not mentioned in the creeds, nor has Orthodoxy produced the equivalent of papal [[encyclical]] capable of finally deciding believer from secular cares and orient the matterperson towards God.

If lust is to be avoided, then how :"[B]oth marriage and celibacy are Orthodox believers to approach courtshipways of living the Gospel, dating, romanceanticipating the Kingdom, which was already revealed in Christ and falling must appear in love? Obviouslystrength at the last day. It is, it is natural for such couples to feel sexual attraction for one anothertherefore, only a marriage 'in Christ' sealed by the Eucharist, and as long as this is celibacy 'in the "price" name of Christ,' which carry this 'eschatological' Christian meaning&mdash;not marriageconcluded casually, such feelings must be conceded to be good. Whatas a contract, then does or as a satisfaction for the Church have to say about kissingflesh, and not celibacy accepted by inertia, or worse, by egotism and self-protective irresponsibility."<ref>''Marriage: An Orthodox Perspective'' by Fr. John Meyendorff. Crestwood, New York, St. Vladimir's Seminary Press: 2000. pp. 70-not to speak of progressively greater forms of non-marital intimacy? 71.</ref>

==Some illicit sex actsBarrenness==Although children are a consequence of sexual relations, the inability to procreate does not necessarily mean that sex is no longer a good thing. In the Old Testament, barrenness was often seen as the result of sin. However, many Old Testament figures underwent barrenness, later to conceive through God's will.

Many sex acts Several saints are proscribed ''de facto'' because their participants are not allowed turned to marry (or more preciselyespecially with the problem of barrenness and childlessness, because any marriages which they might attempt would not be recognized by the Church)including Ss. For example[[Anna]], since [[Elizabeth]], [[Roman the Church does not accept "gay marriage," all homosexual acts are therefore forbiddenWonderworker]] ([[November 27]]), sex being limited to marriage. The same could be said [[Hypatius of sex between close relatives Rufinus]] (including certain fictive kinships such as in-law, adoptive, or godparent relationships[[March 31]]), or sex between humans and nonhumans[[Irene Chrysovalantou]]. On the other hand, sex between Orthodox believers and non-Orthodox is not similarly proscribed, since mixed marriages are recognized (though not celebrated) by the Church<ref>[http://www. If an Orthodox believer happens to be married to a non-Orthodox, they are of course permitted to have sexangelfire. If that believer happens to be "married" to a same-sex partner, however, then the Church would tend not to accept that, even if their "marriage" were legally recognizedcom/ga/riggs/SpecialSaints. html Orthodox Saints for Special Intentions]</ref>

Other sex acts are mentioned in various places ==Temptation==Just as inherently illicitwith other desires of the flesh, even when performed by married couplesthe temptation to sin sexually often presents itself. In these cases, the mind must instruct the body as to the right course. "SodomyDo not follow your lusts, restrain your desires. If you allow yourself to satisfy your desires, this will make you the laughing-stock of your enemies" is usually taken to refer to anal sex (including heterosexual[[Wisdom of Sirach|Sirach]] 18:30-31), though depending on the context it might have other meanings.

== Virginity as the Par Excellence Orthodox tradition urges believers to resist not only sexual transgressions, but even thoughts of Marriage ==Parallel to the married lifesexual transgressions. As Christ says, Christian tradition and ethics recognize another equally challenging and rewarding lifestyle"If a man looks at a woman with lust, that he has already committed adultery with her in his heart" ([[Gospel of virginityMatthew|Matt. Virginal life consists of virginity and purity in the physical and spiritual aspects]] 5:27). One may see Some critics hold this to be an impossible standard, for who can purge his heart of illicit sexual thoughts? Others (including many monastics) insist that such a purge is in the life of Jesus Christfact possible, the proto-type of this lifestylethough difficult.

Chrysostom says in regards Not only should one avoid yielding to virginity, :''"I am persuaded that virginity is much more honorable than marriagetemptation, but this does one should also take care not force me to place marriage amongst those that are dishonorable, but rather I praise it"''(Stoffer temptation to others. John Chrysostom. '' "On Marriage and Family Life"''). The acknowledgment of the value A wink of marriage accentuates the superiority of virginity. Virginity supersedes the laweye, because it supersedes the fallen nature. A virginal life prefigures the life of the Kingdom of Godand a man makes trouble; a bold rebuke, where carnal desires and secular cares do not exista man makes peace" (Prov. 10:10).

Virginity is a life filled with eschatological expectation. Virginal life does not come into contradiction with marriageKing [[David]] allowed his desires to get the better of him when he desired Bathsheba, but it is its par excellencethe wife of Uriah. St. Paul, although he refers to marriage as the ' After Bathsheba refused David'"great mysterys advances,"'' makes plain his preference for virginityDavid sent Uriah into battle, which is what so that he himself followedwould be killed. Jesus Christ also says clearly in reference When the [[Prophet]] Nathan advised David that his actions were displeasing to virginityGod, is not for all to followDavid repented, but those whom this calling has been granted confessing his sin (Matthew 19[[II Kingdoms|2 Sam.]] 11:1112). Choosing virginity places a human person above every social expediency or biological determinism, it underlines humanity’s freedom and absolute value. The human who practices a life of virginity lives as an angel, although having a body, lives like those among the bodiless powers. For this aforementioned reason, the possibilities of perfection following this lifestyle are numberless. On the contrary, the despising of marriage is an insult to the magnitude of virginity. Marriage serves death by bringing forth children; however, virginity raises a barrier to its breaking and interrupting the transmission of the inherited obligation to death.

The goals of virginity and virginal living are not just [[Monastic rule]]s often include injunctions to remain free of carnal pleasure, but they aim to emancipate a believer from secular cares and straighten the persons’ orientations towards God. Consecrated virginity is a marriage with God that does not involve carnal pleasure. It is solely spiritual. One may say the marital relations of marriage are spiritual too, but they have a carnal aspect. In virginity, the voluntary self-exclusion from carnal pleasure does not aim to mortify Eros in the soul, but to transform it into a godly Eros. This virginity has its ultimate ontological reference to the Triune Godfight against sexual temptation.

== Contemporary Ethical Issues Which Threaten "In Christian marriage, sex, like so many other aspects of our lives, undergoes a transfiguration. In the world, sex is an expression of lust, of conquest, of using others for the satisfaction of self. This is why, in the moral disintegration of this fallen world, preoccupation with sex inescapably leads to and is linked with preoccupation with violence and death. Unbridled, nonsanctified sexual activity is satanic, filled with the Sanctity devil's hatred of Sex ==God, mankind, and life itself. It is suicidal."<ref>''Preserve Them, O Lord'' by Fr. John Mack. Ben Lomond, California, Conciliar Press: 1996. p. 119.</ref>

=== Adultery ==="It is important to note that sex is not always 'good'"Adultery refers to voluntary just because it occurs within the confines of Christian marriage. In marriage, sexual intercourse between a married man relations which are the fruit of 'passionate lust' or are the expression of violence and someone other than his wife /or between physical control are not blessed. In Christian marriage, sexual relations must always be freely entered into and must never be forced. Manipulation in sexual matters is always inappropriate. Likewise, any sexual union outside of marriage is a married woman and someone other than her husbandunion with death."<ref>'' (Preserve Them, O Lord''"Adultery"'' in Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionaryby Fr. John Mack. Ben Lomond, Eleventh EditionCalifornia, Merriam-Webster, IncConciliar Press: 1996. p., 2003)121.</ref>

StThe [[ten commandments]] include injunctions against adultery and coveting a neighbor's wife (Ex. Paul repeatedly attacks this vice in his Epistles20:14,17). He urges Other books of the flock to flee from sexual immorality because it is a direct defiling of Old Testament, such as Proverbs and the temple Wisdom of the Holy Spirit (Corinthians 7Sirach, also advise against sexual sins:18*"Take no notice of a loose-20)living woman, for ... In his Epistle to the Romansher words are smoother than oil, St. Paul says plainlybut their outcome is bitter as wormwood, those who live with sharp as a carnal mind live in enmity with God, thus convincing the faithful two-edged sword. Her feet go down to believe they are not debtors to the flesh death..." (Romans 8Prov. 5:72-95). It is appropriate to understand that *"But the Apostles were very concerned with the spiritual adulterer has no sense; act like him and physical purity of the faithfulcourt your own destruction" (Prov. To emphasize the severity of the carnal sin of adultery, Nikodemos the Hagiorite says in reference to Leviticus 206: 10, 32).:''*"Adultery This is such a great evil that God commands how the man adulteress behaves: when she has eaten, she wipes her mouth clean and the woman committing it to be put to death"says, 'I have done nothing wrong' " (The Hagiorite, Nikodemos, The ExomologitarionProv. Trans. Fr. George Dokos. Republic of Greece, 200630:20).

Society has slowly begun accepting adultery, because the sanctity of conjugal union has slowly demisedThe [[New Testament]] continues to uphold these ideas. Society has separated the divine aspects of marital relations and simplified sex Christ, when explaining his teaching to a carnal act. In another poll seven years agohis [[disciple]]s, said, more than 3 "For out of 4 Americans say the way television programs show sex encourages irresponsible sexual behavior (Teensheart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, Sexthefts, & the Media[[false witness]], blasphemies. [wwwThese are the things which defile a man" (Matt.mediascope15:19-20; cf.org[[Gospel of Mark|Mark], 15 March, 2000] 7:21-23). The encouragement St. [[Apostle James (son of immoral sexual behavior is clearZebedee)|James]], in the Apostolic Council, especially on sought to teach the World Wide Web. For exampleGentiles, if a person is not satisfied with their spouse’s sexual performanceto trouble them, companies will facilitate for the customer an adulterous relationship. In particular"but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, the Ashley Madison Agency assists married individuals in finding from sexual gratification outside of marriage. ''"When monogamy becomes monotonyimmorality, from things strangled,and from blood"'' is the commercialized slogan ([[Acts of this agency. Another online company that facilitates affairs is, the Meet to Cheat Company. This agency has offices all over Europe and North America and is dedicated to providing desperate homemakers with the man of their dreamsApostles|Acts]] 15:20).

Many Christian Churches St. Paul also have begun accepting behavior wrote to the Orthodox Church believes is sinful and immoralCorinthians with warnings:*"Do not be deceived. Immoral thinking has managed to take over Neither fornicators, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the consciences kingdom of God. And such were some of major denominationsyou. According to a report taken But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in 1991 the name of the Lord Jesus and by the General Assembly Spirit of our God" (I Cor. 6:9-11).*"Now the Presbyterian Church, body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord" (I Cor. 6:13).:''*"it does not matter [H]e who sleeps with whom or whether sexual activity is premarital or marital, heterosexual or homosexual, but whether it joined to a harlot is responsibleone body with her. For 'the two, mutual' He says, honest and full of joyful caring"'shall become one flesh' " (A report to I Cor. 6:16).*"Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the General Assembly temple of the Presbyterian ChurchHoly Spirit who is in you, as reported by Peter Steinfels, "What whom you have from God Really Thinks About Who Sleeps With Whom,and you are not your own?" The New York Times, June 2, 1991(I Cor. 6:18-19).

"The libertines in Corinth&mdash;as some do today&mdash;argued that illicit sex (adultery and fornication) is as necessary for the body as eating, and both are irrelevant to the spiritual life. Paul contends the body belongs to God, and everything is relevant to the spiritual life. Therefore, dealing with sin means controlling our bodies."<ref>''The Orthodox Study Bible:New Testament and Psalms'', note on I Cor. 6:13, p. 385.</ref> Sexual sin, just as any other sin, necessitates cleansing through the [[sacrament]] of [[confession]]. == References Confession and guidance==*Stanley SWhen one struggles with sexual issues, it is good to have a spiritual guide to assist in the struggle. Harakas The sacrament of confession not only provides the opportunity to shed past sins and to obtain guidance, ''Living but also to receive the grace of God through the sacrament. Marital fasting should also involve the Faith''guidance of a father confessor. ==See also==*[[Abortion]]*[[Birth control]]/[[Contraception]]*[[Chastity]]*[[Divorce]] ==Reference==<div class="small"><references /></div> ==External links==*[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf112.iv.xx.html Homily XIX: 1 Cor. vii. 1, Minneapolis, Minnesota2] by St. John Chrysostom*[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf113.iv.iv.x.html Homily on X.: Colossians, Xiii. 18–25] by St. John Chrysostom*[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf113.iv.iv. Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, volxii. html Homily XII.: Colossians iv. 12, p13] by St. 304John Chrysostom*[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf113.iii.iv.xxi.html Homily XX.: Ephesians v. 22–24] by St. John Chrysostom*[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf109.xiv.ii.html Against Publishing the Errors of the Brethren], chapters 6-10 on Colossians Chapter 12barrenness and infertility, 5by St. John Chrysostom*[http://www.comeandseeicons.com/c/inp62.htm Orthodox Icon of the Conception of the Theotokos]*[http://www.oca.org/QA.asp?ID=230&SID=3 Church's view of masturbation] ([[OCA]])*[http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article8076.asp For the Health of Body and Soul: An Eastern Orthodox Introduction to Bioethics] by Fr. [[Stanley S. Harakas]] ([[GOARCH]])*[http://www.frederica.com/writings/the-real-meaning-of-sex.html The Real Meaning of Sex] by [[Frederica Mathewes-Green]]*[http://www.frederica.com/writings/what-to-say-at-a-naked-party.html What to Say at a Naked Party] by Frederica Mathewes-Green*[http://www.frederica.com/writings/the-oneida-experiment.html The Oneida Experiment] by Frederica Mathewes-Green*[http://www.frederica.com/writings/lets-have-more-teen-pregnancy.html Let's Have More Teen Pregnancy] by Frederica Mathewes-Green*[http://www.frederica.com/writings/overthrown-by-eros.html Overthrown by Eros] by Frederica Mathewes-Green*[http://www.frederica.com/writings/born-that-way.html Born That Way] by Frederica Mathewes-Green*[http://realserver.goarch.org/ram/en/sexual_pur.ram Sexual Purity and Healthy Relationships (RAM)] video (GOARCH)*[http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles8/Morelli-Smart%20Marriage-XIII-The-Theology-of-Marriage-and-Sexuality.php Smart Marriage XIII: The Theology of Marriage and Sexuality] by Fr. George Morelli*[http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles6/MorelliHypersexuality.php "Sexual Addiction"&mdash;An Orthodox and Scientific View] by Fr. George Morelli Ph.D.*[http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles5/MorelliSexIsHoly.php Sex Is Holy: Psycho-Spiritual Reflections in a Secular World] by Rev. George Morelli*[http://atijournal.org/ATI_Vol4_No1.pdf There is No Sex in the Church] by Fr. Sergei Sveshnikov (ROCOR)