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'''Organ donation''' is the act of donating one or more bodily organ organs to another person so that it they may be used in anotherthe recipient's body to increase the risk chance of survival and/or health of the recipient. Such a transfer is called an '''organ transplant'''. Other donations of a similar nature include blood and bone marrow donations. The following will address organ donation by exploring both [[patristics|patristic]] and contemporary [[theology|theological]] thought so as to gain an Orthodox perspective on the subject.

The human body consists of many organs==Factual Information==As humans with a fallen nature, and because of our fallen nature these organs human bodies are subject to corruption , decay, and decaydeath. Diseased organs often lead to Often, death of the physical body is brought about as a result of this corruption and decay in such afflicted personsthe organs of the body. Advances in medical and surgical technology in the past century include , however, now allow the prevention of death and the possibility improvement in health of persons afflicted with diseased organs by the receiving a healthy organ from another human or evenof new organs, in some cases, an animalwhich then replace the old. This is known widely utilized as organ transplantation. Organ transplants are performed almost worldwide to extend the life method of someone who has a diagnosed organ disease. The diseased organ is removed and in its place goes the donated organ. In some cases, multiple organs are transplantedhealing for such afflicted persons. The organ donor might may be one of the following:# a live volunteer, typically a relative of the recipient; # a person clinically diagnosed as brain dead, whose brain is no longer functioning, including the brain stem and cortex, which renders them unable to breathe unassisted; # a person whose organs were removed and preserved upon death until the need arises; # an animal such as a pig, often for its heart valves.

# A healthy human can donate a live volunteerkidney, typically a relative part of his or her liver, bone marrow, and blood without serious long term health risks. Surgeons can transplant many additional organs, such as the recipient;# a brain dead person with a heart beat but is unable to breathe unassisted; # someone whose organs were removed and preserved upon death until lungs, intestines, pancreas, and the need arises; # an animal such as a pigcorneas, often for its heart valvesif the donor is already dead.

A healthy human can donate a kidney==[[Scripture|Scriptural]] and [[Patristics|Patristic Thought]]== [[Apostle Paul|St. Paul]] says that we are called to glorify [[God]] in body and spirit, part saying that our bodies are "members of Christ" ([[I Corinthians|1 Corinthians]] 6:15 NKJ). He goes on to say that "the body is… for the liver, bone marrowLord, and blood without serious long term health risks. Surgeons can transplant many additional organs, such as the heart and lungs, intestines, pancreasLord for the body" (1 Corinthians 6:13 NKJ), and corneas, if the donor "body is the temple of the [[Holy Spirit]] who is already deadin you" (1 Corinthians 6:18 NKJ). There is a small medical risk on Though speaking specifically of fornication and gluttony, St. Paul makes it clear that the part sanctity of a live donor the body is imperative and inviolate, as in and through it involves surgical removal of we are joined to the organ or organsLord and become one spirit with Him.

The lives St. [[John Chrysostom]] says of many adults and children1 Corinthians 6 that the body was formed "that it might follow Christ as a Head, boys and girls, young and old, are saved through such a donationthat the Lord might be set over the body. A donor is often hailed in society as a hero; families often come together as life long friends" Likewise, sharing [[Irenaeus of Lyons]] asserts that "God will bestow salvation upon the common bond whole nature of a donated organ. In this wayman, such a donation is an expression consisting of love body and concern soul in close union, since the Word took it upon him, and sacrifice for adorned with the well being gifts of another child the Holy Spirit, of Godwhom our bodies are, and are termed, the temples. "

HistoricallySpecifically in reference to medicine, the only solid human part history has shown that was transplanted in ancient biblical times was the skin (Harakas, Schurch does not reject secular medicine. [[Apostle Luke|St.Luke the Evangelist]], "Pastoral Guidelines"for instance, 2002was known to be a physician (Col 4:14). Blood transfusions Other [[saint]]s, [[Church Fathers|fathers]], [[hierarch]]s, [[patriarch]]s, and [[priest]]s were also performedknown to be physicians by trade. As far as I can tell, neither blood transfusions nor skin transplants were condemned by the The Church during the Patristic Period. However, transplants of solid organs has always commemorated such physicians as kidneys, livers[[Cosmas and Damian|Ss. Cosmas and Damianos]], Ss. John and corneas have only existed since the 20th centuryCyrus, and only since the 2nd half of the last century have transplants become more commonplace Ss. Panteleimon and safer Hermolaus, recognized for both recipient their theology and donorpiety, as well as healing skills. In fact, St. There are therefore no patristic writings which deal directly with [[Basil the Great]] blessed the issue use of solid organ donations and organ transplantssecular medicine, saying that God worked just as much through the visible world as the invisible. HoweverTherefore, God’s grace is made manifest in the ability to heal through medicine just as much as through miraculous cures. Further, Father Stanley Harakas as long as the goal of pleasing God and other modern Orthodox theologians have written several statements concerning organ donationtending to spiritual health remains primary, and many medicine is in absolute harmony with Christianity. It even makes us more acutely aware of these statements are available on God’s power. St. John Chrysostom also stressed that those with the ability to relieve the Internet (see External Links below)suffering of others and save them from death had a responsibility to do so.

Father StanleyHowever, in particular tells us there are also instances where the fathers specifically expressed that we should always respect the body use of the donormedicine, regarded so highly as a Christian virtue, whether alive should be limited or deadeven avoided at times, and we that prayer and piety should carefully consider such be employed as methods for a decision to donatecure. The donation should certainly be a voluntary act of loveemphasis in healing has always been on prayer, even in conjunction with secular medicine. Blood and marrow donations should St. Basil says “do not be as great an issue as it involves forget that without God there is no surgery healing for anyone,” and causes no obvious harm, “Those who resort to physicians, may they resort to them while relying on God, saying: ‘It is in the name of God that we entrust ourselves to physicians, believing that He will grant us healing through them. ”

FrThus the emphasis in the writings of the fathers has always been placed on healing in conjunction with prayer and awe at the Lord’s miracles. The illnesses of the body are never attended to without attention to the illnesses of the soul, which are far more paramount. Harakas adds And the sanctity of the body, as the following:temple of the Holy Spirit, must always be respected and honored by the physicians and the patients.

:''Such donations are acceptable if the deceased ==Current Orthodox Positions==It is this sanctity that must be considered in organ donation and transplantation. This sanctity must be respected by all parties involved, be they doctor, donor had willed such action, recipient, or if surviving bystanders such as relatives permit it providing and friends. And while this is still a controversial topic about which the Orthodox Church as a whole has no unified stance, there are several factors that it was in harmony with the desires of the deceased. Such actions can noted theologians insist must be approved as an expression of love and considered if they express the self-determination donation of the donor. In all casesorgans is to be carried out in a Christian manner, with full respect for the body bodies and souls of the both donor should be maintainedand recipient.

:''Organ transplants All parties should consider the matter in prayer and in consultation with their spiritual father. As the body and soul are one, both must be ministered to. While the power of reason and human effort should never not be commercialized nor coerced nor take place without proper consentput aside in efforts to heal the sick, nor place in jeopardy should the Lord’s power to heal be forgotten. St. James says "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the identity elders of the donor or recipientchurch, such as and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the use name of animal organsthe Lord. Nor should And the death prayer of faith will save the sick, and the donor Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be hastened in order to harvest organs for transplantation to another personforgiven." (James 5:13-15 NKJ) This must be the first of all considerations when contemplating the possibility of organ donation.''

As FrDonation of an organ should always be an uncoerced act of love. To willingly give of one's life for God or neighbor is the ultimate expression of this love. Harakas implies "Greater love has no one than this, a personthan to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13 NKJ). This self-sacrificing Christian love for one's organs neighbor should be the motivation for such a decision, emulating the sacrifice of Christ Himself. Therefore, such a decision should never be sold at made on the basis of coercion, nor should it be reduced to a transaction of any pricekind (such as for money). The  So that the giving and receiving of life through such a donation should always be an act of love, and so the body 's sanctity be considered and respected, theologians note that the following factors are of vital importance when prayerfully considering such a procedure. * All other medical treatments should first be considered and attempted, such that a donation and transplant is part of a last resort remedy for the afflicted person. * Specific therapeutic goals, such as the prolonging or saving of the recipient's life should be at the forefront, not medical experimentation or curiosity, or political and/or economic gain. * The benefits and risks should be taken into account and weighed carefully. No donor is sanctified through morally obligated to give of himself when it may risk his or her life or wellbeing. At the same time, the quality of life of the recipient prior to and following the transplant must be taken into consideration with the risks and benefits. Organ donation and transplantation should only be done to improve the gift quality of life for the [[Holy Spirit]] recipient. * Various national Orthodox synods differ on their stance on life-ending donation of one’s organs. For example, The Church of Romania states that no donor may end his or her life to donate an organ (such as a heart), even if it is done to save another's life. To them, such an act is tantamount to suicide and is unacceptable. However, The Church of Greece states strongly that a life-ending donation denotes an act of self-sacrificing love, citing "by this we know love, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (1 John 3:16 NKJ). This is a temple perfect example of why the consultation of one’s spiritual father is essential in making such an important decision.* On the subject of transplantations of artificial organs, xenografts (processed animal organs), or cloned organs, again the synods differ. The Church of Greece has not yet established an official position on this subject, saying that more research must be done before the Church can voice Her opinion. The Church of Romania explicitly states that no transplant is permitted that changes or confuses the nature of the Holy Spiritrecipient. For example, animal parts such as Frpig heart valves transplanted into a human body would be unacceptable. Reardon The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America states clearly that no transplant should ever “place in jeopardy the identity of the donor or recipient, such as the use of animal organs.” * Donation must be done with the rights of the patients and families in mind. Willing and informed consent must be given by the donor and recipient, or by family members (see External links sectionwith legal rights)acting on behalf of a patient who is unable to give consent themselves. No one In such a case, the rights and wishes of the patients should sell off even part always be considered first, as well as their best interests both spiritually and physically. Interestingly, The Church of Greece notes that temple; an organ donation made with the consent of family members (when the donor should freely is unable to give consent), transfers the sacrificial virtue of donation to the consenting relatives. This is because the effect that love for a family member has can make such a decision to donate the body of a loved one even harder than donating one’s own body. * As organ donation must be done with express consent, the donation of cells or tissues from an embryo is unacceptable. An embryo is a living being, and is unable to give consent. Therefore, such a procedure should not be allowed.  Additionally, in the case of heart transplants and lung transplants, it should be noted that some Orthodox theologians and hierarchs have objected to save such transplants on the basis that the heart and lungs have deeper theological meaning for the body. As well, these transplants do not yet have a high rate of success, which should be considered as a human lifevalid moral criterion with reference to potential procedures. However While The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America has not issued a formal statement or official stance on matters such as this, it's only fair does offer some guidelines in the links found below. The Church of Greece, however, stresses the importance of the act of willing donation by the donor as an act of love which is far more important than the act of receiving by one in need of organs, stating, “The spiritual benefit of the donor is greater than the biological gain of the recipient to the same extent as the soul is superior to the body. ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:35 NKJ)” The Church of Greece also emphasizes that the donor doctors involved should never incur any medical or related expenses perform such life saving acts with humility, seeing themselves as instruments of God, and that the recipient of such a result wonderful gift as an organ should see themselves as blessed by God, and receive humbly the gift that is being given to them, and realize that the greater act is the virtue of donation from the immortal soul of the donor, rather than the receipt of a body part for one’s biological, mortal body.  ==Pastoral Considerations and Concerns==While some believe that organ donationis a desecration of the temple of the Holy Spirit, others believe that it is a wonderful, self-sacrificial way of showing love for God and neighbor. Though there are differing perspectives on the matters within the Church as a whole, they are all united in emphasizing that, when weighing such a heavy decision, it is absolutely imperative to consult a spiritual father, and pray unceasingly on the matter. As Orthodox Christians, we are called to faith in Christ, who is the Physician of our souls. He has given us the gift of life, and the sanctity of that gift should always be at the forefront of the minds of doctors, patients, families, and spiritual fathers, when that gift of life and love is passed on through the free giving of an organ for the benefit of one's brother. "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver" (2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJ).

*[http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article8083.asp Pastoral Guidelines: Church Positions Regarding the Sanctity of Human Life] by Rev. Dr. [[Stanley S. Harakas ]] ([[GOARCH]])

*[[pubmedhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?db=PubMed&cmd=retrieve&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=12171078|The commerce of human body parts: an Eastern Orthodox response]] - by Fr. Reardon