Homosexuality

The Teaching of the Orthodox Church

The Orthodox Church has stood unequivocally against homosexual actions from the very beginning. Both Holy Tradition and Holy Scripture¹ condemn the practice. What is more ambiguous, however, is whether homosexuality is a genetic, inborn orientation or a personal choice; there are Orthodox who argue both ways. In either case, any practicing Orthodox Christian cannot at the same time be a practicing homosexual.

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Official Orthodox Statements

• SCOBA's Statement on Homosexual Unions
• Statement from the Coptic Orthodox Church
• On Same-Sex Unions - Epistle of the Clergy of the Western Diocese of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (2004)
• The Canadian Conference of Orthodox Bishops Speaks Out on the Issue of Same-Sex Marriage

Articles from an Orthodox Perspective

• The Homosexual Christian - by Fr. Thomas Hopko
• Gays and the Orthodox Church: Can I still join the Church if I'm a homosexual? - Fr. Ted Stylianopoulos
• Homosexuality and the Church - by V. Rev. William Caldaroni
• Orthodoxy, Homosexuality, the NCCC and the UFMCC - From Holy-Trinity.org
• Homosexuality and the Church - by H.H. Pope Shenouda III, also available in PDF format (495k)
• Christianity and Homosexuality: Russians Speak Out by Srdja Trifkovic, August 17, 2000
• Gay ... But Not Funny by Fr. Joseph Huneycutt

Personal Testimonies

• "I was in Hell" - A light-bearing post from Huw Raphael

Non-Orthodox Sources

• Considerations Regarding Proposals To Give Legal Recognition To Unions Between Homosexual Persons - from the Roman Catholic Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith

Recommended Books

• Straight & Narrow: Compassion & Clarity in the Homosexuality Debate by Thomas E. Schmidt. InterVarsity Press: 1995. (ISBN 0830818588)
• Homosexuality: A New Christian Ethic by Elizabeth R. Moberly. James Clarke Company: 1997. (ISBN 0227678508) (Orthodox author)

Other Resources

• NARTH
• Exodus International
• ¹ See Leviticus 20:13, Romans 1:26-27, and 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 in particular.