==Orthodox 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>
While it is true that ===Natural Family Planning===Even many people who accept the issue of non-abortifacient contraception has not been raised at any ecumenical councils or generally accepted local councils, the issue has been raised by some Church Fathers. Where some Church Fathers speak of the only two methods known to be available "new consensus" position as outlines above think that we would recognise as purely non-abortifacient (Natural Family Planning/rhymn method and coitus interruptus(NFP), they speak in condemnation (Stis superior to contraception. Augustine, St Jerome, Clement of Alexandria)<ref>Saint, Bishop It is often said that the dynamics of Hippo Augustine NFP (1887). "Chapter 18.—Of similar to the Symbol fasts of the BreastChurch) serve as a kind of catechesis for marital sexuality, emphasizing the need for self-control and of honoring God-given fertility while at the Shameful Mysteries of same time recognizing the Manichæans"need for intimacy and allowing for a responsible family planning. In Philip SchaffNFP is also useful for couples having difficulty conceiving. A Select Library Additionally, because of the awareness of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers woman's cycle that it brings it can also help a woman spot health risks manifested through irregularities in the cycle. Modern methods of Natural Family Planning differ greatly from the Christian Churchold "rhythm" method, Volume IVwhich worked by marking days on a calendar and required a regular cycle length to be effective. Grand RapidsNFP can be used by women with irregular cycles, MI: WMas well as by women who are breastfeeding or pre-menopausal. B. Eerdmans Publishing CoWith proper use, NFP is as effective as the Pill. ==Contraception== The dominant view, represented by the Church of Moscow</ref><ref>Jerome, Against Jovinian 1:20, (AD 393) httphttps://wwwmospat.newadvent.orgru/en/documents/social-concepts/fathersxii/30091.htm</ref><ref>Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor of Children 2:10:91:2 (AD 191)</ref>. The only other available method for preventing pregnancy (apart from violent measures such as tightly banding the pregnant abdomen or stabbing the uterus) was chemical/herbal. While some of the Fathers' references to such chemical methods seem clearly to refer to their destroying a child that is being formed in the womb after the sexual act that gave rise to it (abortion)Greek Archdiocese, 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 and St. Caeserius of Arles Orthodox Church in his first Sermon)America<ref>St John Chrysostom, Homilies on Romans 24 [A.D. 391]). http://www.newadventoca.org/fathers/210224DOCmarriage.htm</ref><ref>St Caeserius of Arles, (Sermons 1:12 [A.D. 522asp?ID=19]). </ref>. We should also keep in mind that there was no single prevailing scientific model for how conception took place in the "Age of the Fathers". There were at least two scientific models of conception: the Hippocratic/Galenic "two semen" model (closer to our own), whereby both male and female contributed components to by the child-in-formation, bioethicists Engelhardt and also the Aristotelian "one semen model"Harakas, in which may be fairly described as the male semen was the only component of the early childteaching that non-in-formation and was planted in abortifacient contraception is acceptable if it is used with the fertile soil blessing of the womb during sex (the problem of when "human personhood" began was a separate issue). No Church Fathers weigh into these scientific debates. Howeverone's spiritual father, those that do mention chemical methods, condemn them, whether taken before sex and if it is not used to prevent pregnancy, or taken after sex to destroy the contents of the womb. Thus, all three available methods of preventing pregnancy (coitus interruptus, natural family planning, and herbal/chemical treatments) were condemned at some point by Church Fathers, and none were ever endorsed as acceptableavoid having children for purely selfish reasons.
The position of the Greek Archdiocese of America was given by the Orthodox bioethicist, Father Stanley S. Harakas: "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."<ref>https://www.goarch.org/-/the-stand-of-the-orthodox-church-on-controversial-issues</ref>
The dominant viewWhile it is true that the issue of non-abortifacient contraception has not been raised at any ecumenical councils or generally accepted local councils, represented the issue has been raised by some Church Fathers. Where some Church Fathers speak of the Church only two methods known to be available that we would recognise as purely non-abortifacient (Natural Family Planning/rhymn method and coitus interruptus), they speak in condemnation (St. Augustine, St Jerome, Clement of MoscowAlexandria)<ref>httpsSaint, Bishop of Hippo Augustine (1887). "Chapter 18.—Of the Symbol of the Breast, and of the Shameful Mysteries of the Manichæans". In Philip Schaff. A Select Library of the Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, Volume IV. Grand Rapids, MI://mospatWM. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.ru</enref><ref>Jerome, Against Jovinian 1:20, (AD 393) http:/documents/social-conceptswww.newadvent.org/xiifathers/30091.htm</ref><ref>Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor of Children 2:10:91:2 (AD 191)</ref>. The only other available method for preventing pregnancy (apart from violent measures such as tightly banding the pregnant abdomen or stabbing the uterus) was chemical/herbal. While some of the Fathers' references to such chemical methods seem clearly to refer to their destroying a child that is being formed in the Greek Archdiocesewomb after the sexual act that gave rise to it (abortion), others seem to also include the Orthodox Church 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 and St. Caeserius of Arles in Americahis first Sermon)<ref>St John Chrysostom, Homilies on Romans 24 [A.D. 391]). http://www.ocanewadvent.org/DOCmarriagefathers/210224.htm</ref><ref>St Caeserius of Arles, (Sermons 1:12 [A.D.asp?ID=19522]). </ref>. We should also keep in mind that there was no single prevailing scientific model for how conception took place in the "Age of the Fathers". There were at least two scientific models of conception: the Hippocratic/Galenic "two semen" model (closer to our own), whereby both male and by female contributed components to the bioethicists Engelhardt child-in-formation, and Harakasalso the Aristotelian "one semen model", may be fairly described as in which the male semen was the only component of the early child-in-formation and was planted in the fertile soil of the womb during sex (the teaching problem of when "human personhood" began was a separate issue). No Church Fathers weigh into these scientific debates. However, those that non-abortifacient contraception is acceptable if it is used with do mention chemical methods, condemn them, whether taken before sex to prevent pregnancy, or taken after sex to destroy the contents of the blessing womb. Thus, all three available methods of one's spiritual fatherpreventing pregnancy (coitus interruptus, natural family planning, and herbal/chemical treatments) were condemned at some point by Church Fathers, and if it is not used to avoid having children for purely selfish reasonsnone were ever endorsed as acceptable.
Two dissenting positions are:
:2) That natural family planning alone is an acceptable method of contraception, because it simply involves abstinence from sex during times when fertility is likely. Such is the opinion expressed by the Church of Greece in her encyclical of October 14, 1937<ref>[www.ecclesia.gr/greek/holysynod/commitees/family/3.pdf]</ref>.
While some local churches have issued official statements on this issue, it is not an issue that has been clearly defined by the entire Church.
Vocal opponents to the prevailing view of contraception in Orthodoxy today include [incomplete]: 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.
==Birth Control and Contraception==
Non-contraceptive methods of family planning (to limit the number and/or timing of children) include abstinence and Natural Family Planning.
===Natural Family Planning===
Even many people who accept the "new consensus" position as outlines above think that Natural Family Planning (NFP) is superior to contraception. It is often said that the dynamics of NFP (similar to the fasts of the Church) serve as a kind of catechesis for marital sexuality, emphasizing the need for self-control and honoring God-given fertility while at the same time recognizing the need for intimacy and allowing for a responsible family planning. NFP is also useful for couples having difficulty conceiving. Additionally, because of the awareness of the woman's cycle that it brings it can also help a woman spot health risks manifested through irregularities in the cycle.
Modern 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 can be used by women with irregular cycles, as well as by women who are breastfeeding or pre-menopausal. With proper use, NFP is as effective as the Pill.
==Methods of Contraception==
