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'''''Contraception''''' is the term used to describe the intentional prevention of conception or impregnation. Thus contraception here does not refer to [[abortion]], or to those contraceptive techniques understood to be abortifacient in nature. {{Template:Disputed}}
Opinions about ===Natural Family Planning===Many advocates of Natural Family Planning (NFP) believe it is superior to contraception have varied in the Orthodox Church. There It is complete unanimity often said that no form the dynamics of contraception that is abortifacient is acceptable and there are definitive ecumenical canons that proscribe abortifacients. The Fathers NFP (similar to the fasts of the Church, such ) serve as Ss. Athanasius the Great, John Chrysostom, Epiphanios, Jerome, Ambrose, Augustine a kind of Hippo, Caesariouscatechesis for marital sexuality, Gregory emphasizing the Great, Augustine of Canterbury need for self-control and Maximos honoring God-given fertility while at the Confessor, all explicitly condemned abortion as well as same time recognizing the use of abortifacientsneed for intimacy and allowing for a responsible family planning. SsNFP is also useful for couples having difficulty conceiving. Jerome and Clement of Alexandria have also explicitly condemned coitus interruptus (withdrawal) in their discussions Additionally, because of the sin of Onan. The Fathers awareness of the Church have not expressed opinions on the "moment" at which life begins, so woman's cycle that our clear distinctions between non-abortifacient and abortifacient contraception may be anachronistic, and may not have existed it brings it can also help a woman detect health risks manifested through irregularities in the minds of the Fatherscycle. Consequently these Fathers' condemnation may extend to all contraceptive Modern methodsof NFP can be used by women with irregular cycles, as well as by women who are breastfeeding or pre-menopausal. However there are a range of opinions in With proper use, NFP is as effective as the present day on the issue of non-abortifacient contraceptionPill.
:1) There are those who hold the view that one of sex's natural purposes is the procreation of children (i.e. sex is naturally oriented towards or "for" procreation), and that to actively separate the procreative aspect of sex from its purpose of uniting husband and wife (by natural family planning or artificial contraceptive methods) is to distort it.==Contraception==
:2)There are those who argue that natural family planning is acceptableThe dominant view, because it simply involves abstinence from sex during times when fertility is likely. Such is represented by the opinion expressed by [[Patriarchate of Constantinople]], the Church of Greece Moscow<ref>https://mospat.ru/en/documents/social-concepts/xii/</ref>, the Orthodox Church in her encyclical of October 14, 1937America<ref>[http://www.ecclesiaoca.gr/greek/holysynod/commiteesorg/family/3DOCmarriage.pdfasp?ID=19]</ref>, and by the bioethicists Engelhardt and [[Stanley S. Harakas]], may be fairly described as the teaching that non-abortifacient contraception is acceptable if it is used with the blessing of one's spiritual father, and if it is not used to avoid having children for purely selfish reasons. Constantinople, in its 2020 document, ''For the Life of the World: Toward a Social Ethos of the Orthodox Church'', says: "The Orthodox Church has no dogmatic objection to the use of safe and non-abortifacient contraceptives within the context of married life, not as an ideal or as a permanent arrangement, but as a provisional concession to necessity" (§ 24).
While some local churches have issued official statements on this issue, it is not an issue that has been clearly defined Some would follow the earlier position taken by the entire Churchof Greece in her encyclical of October 14, 1937<ref> [www.ecclesia.gr/greek/holysynod/commitees/family/3.pdf]</ref>, which accepted birth control but not contraception, i.e., it accepted abstinence and NFP, but condemned any method of contraception.
Vocal opponents to the prevailing view Where some patristic writers speak of contraception in Orthodoxy today include [incomplete]:BpNFP and withdrawal (''coitus interruptu''s), they condemn it (St. [[Hilarion (Alfeyev) Augustine of VolokolamskHippo |Hilarion of ViennaAugustine]] [ROC]<ref>Saint, Bishop of Hippo (1887). "Chapter 18.—Of the Symbol of the Breast, Bpand of the Shameful Mysteries of the Manichæans". Artemije In Philip Schaff. A Select Library of Kosovo the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, Volume IV. Grand Rapids, MI: WM. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.</ref>, St [SOC[Jerome]] <ref>Jerome, FrAgainst Jovinian 1:20, (AD 393) http://www. Josiah Trenhamnewadvent.org/fathers/30091.htm</ref>, Fr. [[Patrick Henry Reardon|Patrick ReardonClement of Alexandria]])<ref>Clement of Alexandria, FrThe Instructor of Children 2:10:91:2 (AD 191)</ref>. However, as John SchroedelNoonan has shown, in each of these cases their position followed from their unbiblical idea, Fradopted from Stoic philosophy, that sexual desire was evil and thus marital intercourse was only permissible for procreation. John A. Peck <ref>Noonan, chapters III and Fr. Patrick DanielsonIV.</ref>
==Methods==Although some patristic references to contraceptive herbs and potions refer to their destroying a child that is being formed in the womb after the sexual act that gave rise to it (abortion), others seem to also include the idea that these methods were also used to "sterilise" the womb to prevent this process from being initiated (St [[John Chrysostom]] in his 24th Homily on Romans<ref>St John Chrysostom, Homilies on Romans</ref> and St. [[Caesarius of Arles]]<ref> in his first Sermon)St Caeserius of Arles, (Sermons 1:12 [A.D. 522]). </ref>.
Methods There are also individuals who would follow the Stoic view represented by St Augustine and others, that any form of birth control or contraception other than abstinence is sinful in that the only permissible act of family planning can be broken down into five categories: Natural Family Planningmarital intercourse is for the purpose of procreation.<ref> Sacred Seed, withdrawalSacred Chamber, barrier contraceptiveshttps://theorthodoxlife.wordpress.com/2015/05/18/sacred-seed-sacred-chamber/</ref><ref>Orthodoxy, hormonal contraceptivesContraception, and sterilizationSpin Doctoring: A Look at an Influential but Disturbing Article, https://cjshayward. A distinction com/contraception/ </ref> Such individuals follow the typically Latin view that procreation is implicit here between ''birth control'' or ''family planning'' an essential feature of marriage, and ''contraception''which privilege the procreative end above the unitive. Whereas the former terms may include all five categoriesEastern tradition typically follows St John Chrysostom in holding that procreation is a normal feature of marriage, "contraception" is usually reserved for those methods which more directly inhibit or act against conceptionbut not essential to it.
===Natural Family Planning===Even many people who accept :Marriage does not always lead to child-bearing, although there is the word of God which says, "new consensusBe fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth." position We have as outlines above think that Natural Family Planning (NFP) witnesses all those who are married but childless. So the purpose of chastity takes precedence, especially now, when the whole world is superior to contraceptionfilled with our kind. It is often said that At the dynamics of NFP (similar to beginning, the fasts procreation of the Church) serve as children was desirable, so that each person might leave a kind memorial of catechesis for marital sexualityhis life.... But now that resurrection is at our gates, emphasizing the need for self-control and honoring God-given fertility while at we do not speak of death, but advance toward another life better than the same time recognizing present, the need desire for intimacy posterity is superfluous. If you desire children, you can get much better children now, a nobler childbirth and allowing for a responsible family planningbetter help in your old age, if you give birth by spiritual labor. NFP :So there remains only one reason for marriage, to avoid fornication, and the remedy is also useful offering for couples having difficulty conceivingthis purpose. Additionally<ref>Chrysostom, because pp. 85-86.</ref> '''[the following needs citations and perhaps clarification as to whether each of these reject birth control, contraception, or both)''' Vocal opponents to the awareness prevailing view of the woman's cycle that it brings it can also help a woman spot health risks manifested through irregularities contraception in the cycleOrthodoxy today include: Metropolitan [[Hilarion (Alfeyev) of Volokolamsk|Hilarion of Vololamsk]] [ROC], Bp. Artemije of Kosovo [SOC], Fr. [[Josiah Trenham]], Fr. [[Patrick Henry Reardon|Patrick Reardon]], Fr. John Schroedel, Fr. John A. Peck, and Fr. Patrick Danielson. ==Methods of Contraception==
Modern methods Methods of Natural Family Planning differ greatly from the old "rhythm" method, which worked by marking days on a calendar and required a regular cycle length to be effective. NFP contraception can be used by women with irregular cyclesbroken down into four categories: withdrawal, as well as by women who are breastfeeding or pre-menopausal. With proper usebarrier contraceptives, NFP is as effective as the Pillhormonal contraceptives, and sterilization.
Besides being ineffectiveWhen opponents of contraception look for biblical support for their position, methods they inevitably point to the story of withdrawal have traditionally been opposed Onan in Genesis 38, claiming that the sin committed by Onan was his commission of ''coitus interruptus''. However, this is an almost exclusively Western reading of the Church text. The only Eastern Father to read the Onan account as overa condemnation of contraception was [[Epiphanius of Cyprus | St Epiphanius of Cyprus]]. [[Origen]] had not done so in his commentary on the passage, <ref>Selections on Genesis, PG 12.129</ref>, nor had [[John Chrysostom | St John Chrysostom]] <ref>''Homilies on Genesis'' 62.1, PG 54.533)</ref>, nor [[Ephrem the Syrian | St Ephrem the Syrian]]<ref>''In Genesim et in Exodum commentarii'', 34.1</ref>. Moreover, according to Noonan, Epiphanius had taken this position “only in the context of his anti-indulgence Gnostic polemic.”<ref> Noonan, p. 101.</ref> It was his friend [[Jerome | St Jerome]] who was to shape the Western (mis)reading of Onan through his [[Vulgate]], which departed significantly from both the Hebrew and Old Latin he used as the basis of his translation. In addition to adding the word for semen which is not in the original, he slants the fleshtext to make it appear that ''coitus interruptus'' was the reason he was punished by God, saying “God slew him because he did a detestable thing". But the Hebrew has only “he did not please God,” and the Old Latin that “he appeared evil before the Lord,” neither of which focuses on the act.<ref>See Noonan, pp. 101-102.</ref>.
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A distinction is implicit here between birth control (or family planning) and contraception. The latter term is usually reserved for those methods which more directly inhibit or act against conception. Non-contraceptive methods of family planning (to limit the number and/or timing of children) include abstinence and Natural Family Planning. ==SynopsisOrthodox Teaching on Birth Control and Contraception== ==Birth Control==Non-contraceptive methods of family planning (to limit the number and/or timing of children) include abstinence and Natural Family Planning.
As [[Paul Evdokimov]] wrote, "In the age of the Church Fathers, the problem of birth control was never raised. There are no canons that deal with it."<ref>Evdokimov, p. 174.</ref> The Orthodox bioethicist [[H. Tristram Engelhardt]], Jr., agrees, writing, "Despite detailed considerations of sexual offenses by ecumenical councils, and by generally accepted local councils, and despite a recognition that marriage is oriented toward reproduction, there is no condemnation of limiting births, apart from the condemnation of abortion."<ref>Engelhardt, p. 265. </ref>
The position of the Greek Archdiocese of America was given by Harakas:3)There are those who teach that non-abortifacient "Because of the lack of a full understanding of the implications of the biology of reproduction, earlier writers tended to identify abortion with contraception is acceptable if it is used with . 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 blessing expression of one's spiritual fathermarital love, and if it is not used simply to avoid having children for purely selfish reasonsprotecting health. [http"<ref>https://www.ocagoarch.org/DOCmarriage.asp?ID=19 The statement on marriage and family from -/the 10th All-American Council stand-of -the Orthodox Church in America] follows along these lines.-orthodox-church-on-controversial-issues</ref>
===Withdrawal===
===Barrier Contraceptives===
==Bibliography==
*[[John Chrysostom |Chrysostom, St John]]. ''On Marriage and Family Life''. Crestwood: St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2003.
*[[H. Tristram Engelhardt|Engelhardt, H. Tristram]], Jr. ''Foundations of Christian Bioethics''. Swets & Zeitlinger, 2000. See especially Chapter Five.
*[[Paul Evdokimov|Evdokimov, Paul.]] ''The Sacrament of Love: The Nuptial Mystery in the Light of the Orthodox Tradition''. Crestwood: St Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1985. See especially pp. 174-180.
*[[John Meyendorff|Meyendorff, John]]. ''Marriage: An Orthodox Perspective'', second expanded edition. Crestwood: St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 1975. See especially Chapter Thirteen.
*Noonan, John T., Jr. ''Contraception: A History of Its Treatment by the Catholic Theologians and Canonists''. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1966.*[[Philip Sherrard|Sherrard, Philip.]] "''Humanae Vitae'': Notes on the Encyclical Letter of Pope Paul VI," in ''Sobornost'' 5:8 (1969).*Zaphiris, Metropolitan ChrysostomosGerasimos. "The Morality of Contraception: An Eastern Orthodox Opinion," in ''The Journal of Ecumenical Studies'' 11:4 (1974). ''Note:'' http://jonathanscorner.com/writing/contraception/ provides a commentary on Zaphiris 1974 and an "opposing views" piece to the "new concensus".
*Zion, William Basil. ''Eros and Transformation: Sexuality and Marriage: An Eastern Orthodox Perspective''. Lanham: University Press of America, 1992. Chapter Seven is entitled "Orthodoxy and Contraception."
==External links==
*[https://orthodoxmiscellany.blogspot.com/2026/02/1937-encyclical-from-church-of-greece.html 1937 Encyclical from the Church of Greece on Procreation and Contraception]
*[https://orthodoxmiscellany.blogspot.com/2026/02/1978-encyclical-from-church-of-greece.html 1978 Encyclical from the Church of Greece on Procreation and Contraception]
===Organizations===