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{{Orthodoxize}}{{Cleanup}}Orthodox teachings concerning (human) 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 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."
==Interpreting Genesis==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 procreation go hand in hand."<ref>''Preserve Them, O Lord'' by Fr. John Mack. Ben Lomond, California, Conciliar Press: 1996. p. 121.</ref>
Orthodox interpretations :"Saint John Chrysostom writes: 'If for a certain period, you and your wife have abstained by agreement, perhaps for a time of prayer and fasting, come together again for the first chapters sake of[[Book of Genesis | Genesis]] inform your marriage. You do not need procreation as an excuse. It is not the Church's view of sexualitychief reason for marriage. There God Neither is credited with it necessary to allow for the origin possibility of life on earthconceiving, the commandment to "be fruitful and multiply thus having a large number of children, something you may not want' (Gen''On Virginity'', quoted by [George] Gabriel, [''You Call My Words Immodest''], p. 1:223), and human sexual differentiation (Gen. 1:27"<ref>''Preserve Them, cfO Lord'' by Fr. 2:18 ff)John Mack. While the Church is not committed to a literal interpretation of the Creation story Ben Lomond, or the historicity of Adam and EveCalifornia, it insists that the story is nevertheless "true," at least typologicallyConciliar Press: 1996. p. 118.</ref>
In the patristic tradition, ==Context of marriage ==:''See main article: [[Marriage]].Marriage is a consequence of the fall of the protoplastsassumed to be voluntary, monogamous, heterosexual, and permanent. Athanasius the Great remarks that in GodWithin marriage, a man's initial plan for manbody belongs to his wife, marriage was not part of it: But the transgression of the commandment brought in marriage because Adam transgressed the law given and a wife's body belongs to him by Godher husband. Adam’s fall For this reason, which resulted to deathone should care for one's body not only for oneself, created the need of putting on 'but also for one's spouse. "garments of skin"'' (Gen. 3:2). This garment is interpreted as man adapting to the condition that was created after the Fall and The wife does not belong to have authority over her own body, but the pre-Fall condition; it husband does not belong to the condition of the Kingdom of God. St. Gregory of Nyssa elaborates on And likewise the ''"irrational skinhusband does not have authority over his own body,but the wife does"'' saying what man put on includes the following([[I Corinthians|I Cor.]] 7: marital relations, procreation, food, growth, old age and death, none of which will exist in the transformation and assimilation of humanity in the Kingdom of Heaven4).
Until humanity lives for eternity in the Kingdom of Heaven, God has ordained There is much [[Holy Scripture|Scriptural]] basis to support marriage as pathway leading to salvationthe only context for sexual relations. Marriage The [[Song of Songs]] is often taken as a sort metaphor for marriage; similarly, the relationship of adaptation God and the [[Orthodox Church|Church]] is also likened to marriage. Union between the new condition parties of man created after marriage is therefore good. "Find joy with the fall of wife you married in your youth... Let hers be the protoplastscompany you keep .. St. Paul in his first epistle to hers the Corinthians makes recommendations on how people can avoid fornication by getting marriedlove that ever holds you captive" ([[Proverbs|Prov. According to the Apostle, true sexual relations can exist only within marriage, because marriage restores sexuality]] 5:19). In the Patristic tradition and in Holy Scripture this view "Marriage is presenthonorable among all, as it is apparent in Stand the bed undefiled" ([[Book of Hebrews|Heb. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians]] 13:4).
:God specifically created [[Adam and Eve|Eve]] for [[Adam and Eve|Adam]]'s 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 marriage, one may engage in sexual activity because of one's own desires; sexual relations within marriage follow God's mandate to "be one." Marriage provides a commitment and a man leaves his father family structure, so that a sexual relationship is uniquely provided with stability, security, the ability to work as a unit, and mother a basis for trust. "When sexual activity is kept within the bounds of life-long commitment, babies are more likely to survive and clings women more likely to his wife, feel secure and they become one fleshloved."<ref name="whymate"'' (Ephesians 5>[http:31)//www.frederica.com/writings/why-humans-mate.html Why Humans Mate] by Frederica Mathewes-Green</ref>
:''"…each man should have his own wife There are many centuries of evidence showing how the concept [of a nuclear family] works in practice: pretty good, usually resulting in the survival and each woman her own husbandsuccess of a new generation, humankind’s first responsibility. The husband should give to his wife her conjugal rightsBonuses of companionship, romantic love, pleasure and likewise the wife to her husbandjoy often appear as well. For the wife does not have authority over her own body In comparison, an ethic of sexual freedom, but where one in four pregnancies ends in abortion and the husband does; likewise the husband does not have authority over his own bodynumbers of children in single-parent homes keeps rising, but the wife doesfails this goal like clockwork. Do not deprive one another except perhaps by agreement Indicators for a set timesexually transmitted disease, divorce, abandonment, impoverishment of women and children, to devote yourselves to prayerunwed motherhood, and then come together again"'' (1 Corinthians 7:2abortion are at record levels; the heartbreak index is at an all-5)time high."<ref name="whymate" />
It is important good for one a child to understand have married parents, and sex within marriage best provides the child with this protection. "Marriage is not a license particularly important for unlimited marital relations, but an opportunity for asceticism. The ascetic character the rearing of children as they flourish best under the Christian life also covers the marital life long term care and nurture of the believerstheir father and mother."<ref>[http://www. According to Stnhclc. John Chrysostom marriage preserves purity, chastity, and even virginityorg/about/pdf/defenseofmarriage. doc A Letter from America's Religious Leaders in Defense of Marriage as a communion (DOC)] whose signers include His Eminence Archbishop [[Demetrios (Trakatellis) of persons is not restricted to the level America|Demetrios of matter and material sense; contrarily matter and material sense serve the communion America]], Primate of the person and Greek Orthodox Church in this wayAmerica, they acquire a spiritual content. and The prayers Most Blessed [[Herman (Swaiko) of the marriage service clearly address this pastoral issue. Washington and New York|Herman]], Archbishop of Washington and New York, Primate, The priest prays for the bed of the couple to remain ''"undefiledOrthodox Church in America."'' </ref>
Sexual arousal, intercourse, and gratification must not be Many couples keep the priority of crowns (''stefana'') from the couple; however, it is this act and pleasurable experience, which strengthens the bond of love between the couple and assists wedding service (often in a box or ''stefanothiki'') above the couple in growing closer to Christ. Fasting, prayers, continencemarriage bed, endurance another reminder of suffering are virtues expected not only for monasticism, but also for married couples. Marriage is to move constantly from the carnal to the spiritual perspective. Such progress is only possible within the perspective sanctity of the couple’s perfection in Christmarital love. The personal relations of the couple ought "They serve as a reminder that God has united them to be primarily spiritual in order each other and to preserve Himself and that He has bestowed His grace upon them to increase their spiritual communion live in unity, faith and unionlove."<ref>[http://www. This antiochian.org/1285 What is the reason why there cannot exist an independent ethic of sexuality according to the Fathers significance of the Church. wedding crowns?] ([[AOCA|Antiochian]])</ref>
It is also important when speaking about sexual relations among spouses to speak about Several of the [[Canon Law|canons]] of the product [[Council of this conjugal unionGangra]]<ref>[http://www. ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf214.viii.v.i.html The creation Council of progeny is a natural consequence Gangra]</ref> (ca. 325-381) uphold sex as part of marriage. There :*"If any one shall condemn marriage, or abominate and condemn a woman who is a direct link between spouse relations believer and child bearingdevout, and sleeps with her own husband, as though she could not enter the Kingdom [of heaven] let him be [[anathema]]" (Canon 1). Procreation is the fruit *"If any one shall remain virgin, or observe continence, abstaining from marriage because he abhors it, and not on account of the union of spouses beauty and an expression holiness of their participation in God’s creative work[[virginity]] itself, let him be anathema" (Canon 9). St. John Chrysostom in reference *"If any one of those who are living a virgin life for the mystery of Lord's sake shall treat arrogantly the conjugal union saying: married, let him be anathema" (Canon 10).*"If any woman shall forsake her husband, and resolve to depart from him because she abhors marriage, let her be anathema" (Canon 14).
:''"And how become they one flesh? As if you should take Canon 13 of the purest [[Quinisext Council]] upholds sex as a part of goldmarriage, and mingle even for [[ordination|ordained]] men::"Since we know it with to be handed down as a rule of the other gold; so in truth here also [[Church of Rome|Roman Church]] that those who are deemed worthy to be advanced to the women as it were receiving [[diaconate]] or [[presbyter]]ate should promise no longer to cohabit with their wives, we, preserving the richest part fused by pleasure, nourishes it ancient rule and cherishes it, [[Apostles|apostolic]] perfection and throughout contributing her own shareorder, restores it back to will that the manlawful marriages of men 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. And the child is a sort of bridge so that the three become on flesh Wherefore, if anyone shall have been found worthy to be ordained [[subdeacon]], the child connectingor deacon, on either sideor presbyter, each he is by no means to each… What then? When there is not child, will they not be two? Not soprohibited from admittance to such a rank, for their coming together has this effect; even if he shall live with a lawful wife. Nor shall it diffuse and commingles be demanded of him at the bodies time of both. And his ordination that he promise to abstain from lawful intercourse with his wife: lest we should affect injuriously marriage constituted by God and blessed by his presence, as one who has poured ointment into oil has made the whole one[[Gospel]] saith: 'What God hath joined together let no man put asunder'; so in truth and the [[Apostle Paul|Apostle]] saith, 'Marriage is it also here"honourable and the bed undefiled'; and again, ' (St. John ChrysostomArt thou bound to a wife? seek not to be loosed. ''"On Marriage and Family Life"'')<ref>[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf214.xiv.iii.xiv.html The Canons of the Council in Trullo: Canon XIII]</ref>
St==Marital fasting==:''See article: [[Fasting]]. John Chrysostom Although sex within marriage is often seen simply as "good," abstaining from sex also saysprovides its own good. This abstention, ''often referred to as "He created one from onemarital fasting, " should be voluntary on the part of both husband and again these two he makes wife. "Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and thus He makes one[[prayer]]; and come together again so that even now man is born 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, just as one fasts from onethe desire for food. For a woman "Rather than repudiating the legitimate pleasure taken in eating and in marital relations, fasting assists us in liberating ourselves from greed and lust, so that both these things become not a man are not two means of private pleasure but one manan expression of interpersonal communion."'' (St<ref>[http://www.koed. John Chrysostomhu/mozaik10/dimitri. ''"On Marriage and Family Life"''pdf Christian Fasting (PDF)] by Dimitri Oikonomou). With this great gift </ref>Marital fasting is advised for all the usual times of childbearing man becomes the donor fasting, including before partaking of life[[Holy Communion]]. Clement "[A]s with all other spiritual efforts, this must be done under the Alexandrian describes supervision and at the progeny direction of man asa wise [[spiritual father]]."<ref name="townsend">[http://www.stmaryofegypt.org/devotion/on_fasting.htm Fasting for Orthodox Christians] by Fr. John Townsend</ref>"[Fasting] also involves abstinence from marital intercourse, not because there is anything evil in it&mdash;it is part of God''"man’s s creation &mdash;but to purify it and to provide us the opportunity to concentrate on the upbuilding of our lives in God’s imageChrist."''<ref name="townsend" />
==Lust "Some Orthodox [[saint]]s have even been called upon to abstain completely from that which is good in marriage itself. The holy martyrs [[Cecilia]] and temptation==[[Valerian]] [([[November 22]])] gave themselves entirely to God from the very first night of their arranged marriage. They were united in spiritual vision during a time of intense Roman persecution in the early Church. After great struggle for the Faith, they died together as martyrs for the love of Christ. More recently, Saint [[John of Kronstadt]] and his wife lived together in the same manner, so that Saint John could give himself over more completely to the tremendous burden of ministry that God placed upon him as a priest in nineteenth-century Russia."<ref>''Preserve Them, O Lord'' by Fr. John Mack. Ben Lomond, California, Conciliar Press: 1996. p. 117.</ref>
Orthodox tradition urges believers It is important for one to resist understand marriage is not only sexual transgressionsa license for unlimited marital relations, but even thoughts an opportunity for [[asceticism]]. The ascetic character of the Christian life also covers the marital life of sexual transgressionsthe believers. As Christ saysAccording to St. John Chrysostom, marriage preserves purity, [[chastity]], ''"If and even virginity. Marriage as a man looks at a woman with lustcommunion of persons is not restricted to the level of matter and material sense; contrarily, he has already committed adultery with her matter and material sense serve the communion of the person and in his heartthis way, they acquire a spiritual content."'' (Matt. 5:27) Some critics hold The prayers of the marriage service clearly address this to be an impossible standard, pastoral issue; the priest prays for who can purge his heart the bed of illicit sexual thoughts? Others (including many monastics) insist that such a purgation is in fact possible, though difficultthe couple to remain "undefiled. "
In Abstaining from sexual relations before (and outside of) marriage aids in the ascetic practice of fasting from marital relations within marriage. Sexual arousal, intercourse, and gratification must not be the priority of the couple; however, it is this contextact and pleasurable experience, which strengthens the question bond of masturbation love between the couple and assists the couple in growing closer to Christ. Fasting, prayers, continence, endurance of suffering are virtues expected not only for [[monasticism]], but also for married couples. Marriage is an interesting oneto move constantly from the carnal to the spiritual perspective. Several church fathers (such as Nicodemus Such progress is only possible within the perspective of the Hagiorite) condemn it as "onanism," although scholars now agree that Onancouple's sin was avoiding a divinely-ordered impregnation (Gen. 38:10)perfection in Christ. The prevalence personal relations of masturbation--indeed, standard psychology texts describe it as developmentally normal--leads critics the couple ought to be primarily spiritual in order to preserve and to complain that its proscription represents an impossible commandincrease their spiritual communion and union. At This is the same time, reason why there cannot exist an independent ethic of sexuality according to the popularity [[Church Fathers|Fathers of a sin does not prevent it from being a sin ("the way is narrow..."). Also, a few people apparently never masturbate, or succeed in resisting the impulseChurch]].
But why is masturbation a sin? In contrast to adultery or rape==Celibacy==:''See main article: [[Celibacy]].Unmarried people should be celibate, what harm does it do? One answer is that a masturbator is probably also entertaining lustful thoughts--precisely the sin mentioned by Christ, refrain from sexual activity. But might one legitimately fantasize about one's spouse Those who have taken monastic vows, or intended spouse? Or masturbate without thinking about anything at all? Unsurprisingly, perhaps, the question is who have been ordained and are not mentioned in the creedsmarried (either unmarried or widowed), nor has Orthodoxy produced the equivalent of papal [[encyclical]] capable of finally deciding the matterare held to follow a celibate life.
The principle Some of the Church teachings say that sinful thoughts lead to sinful actions celibacy is widely recognizedbetter than marriage, while others hold them more equally. It may be "One of the paradoxes of Christian [[ethics]] is that some thoughts marriage and celibacy, if they presuppose different practical behaviors, are not so much sinful as wasteful based on the same [[theology]] of the Kingdom of time God and energy; and that an , therefore, on the same spirituality."<ref>''Marriage: An Orthodox believer will naturally try to fill his or her life with positive influencesPerspective'' by Fr. [[John Meyendorff]]. Crestwood, focusing on those things which truly matterNew York, St. Vladimir's Seminary Press: 2000. p. 69.</ref>
If lust St. Paul indicated his preference for celibacy: "It is good for a man not to be avoidedtouch a woman. ... For I wish that all men were even as I am myself. But each one has his own gift from God, then how are Orthodox believers one in this manner and another in that. But I say to approach courtship, dating, romance, the unmarried and falling in love? Obviously, it to the widows: It is natural good for such couples to feel sexual attraction for one another, and as long them if they remain even as this is the "priceI am" of marriage, such feelings must be conceded to be good(I Cor. What7:1, then does the Church have to say about kissing--not to speak of progressively greater forms of non7-marital intimacy? The answer is that various authorities have thundered against all such lapses; lovers have generally ignored their advice; and spiritual fathers try to manage such situations as best they can8).
==Some illicit sex acts==The goal of celibacy is not just to remain free of carnal pleasure, but to emancipate a believer from secular cares and orient the person towards God.
Many sex acts :"[B]oth marriage and celibacy are proscribed ''de facto'' because their participants are not allowed to marry (or more preciselyways of living the Gospel, anticipating the Kingdom, because any marriages which they might attempt would not be recognized by was already revealed in Christ and must appear in strength at the Church)last day. For example, since the Church does not accept "gay marriage It is," all homosexual acts are therefore forbidden, sex being limited to only a marriage. The same could be said 'in Christ' sealed by the Eucharist, and celibacy 'in the name of sex between close relatives (including certain fictive kinships such as in-lawChrist, adoptive' which carry this 'eschatological' Christian meaning&mdash;not marriage concluded casually, or godparent relationships)as a contract, or sex between humans and nonhumans. On as a satisfaction for the other handflesh, sex between Orthodox believers and non-Orthodox is not similarly proscribedcelibacy accepted by inertia, or worse, since mixed marriages are recognized (though not celebrated) by the Churchegotism and self-protective irresponsibility. If an "<ref>''Marriage: An Orthodox believer happens to be married to a non-Orthodox, they are of course permitted to have sexPerspective'' by Fr. John Meyendorff. If that believer happens to be "married" to a same-sex partner Crestwood, howeverNew York, then the Church would tend not to accept that, even if their "marriage" were legally recognizedSt. Vladimir's Seminary Press: 2000. pp. The status of a "Herodian" marriage is theologically murky70-71.</ref>
Other sex acts ==Barrenness==Although children are mentioned in various places as inherently illicita consequence of sexual relations, even when performed by married couples. "Sodomy" is usually taken the inability to refer to anal procreate does not necessarily mean that sex (including heterosexual)is no longer a good thing. In the Old Testament, though depending on barrenness was often seen as the context it might have other meaningsresult of sin. However, many Old Testament figures underwent barrenness, later to conceive through God's will.
== Virginity as Several saints are turned to especially with the Par Excellence problem of Marriage ==Parallel to the married life, Christian tradition and ethics recognize another equally challenging barrenness and rewarding lifestylechildlessness, that of virginityincluding Ss. Virginal life consists [[Anna]], [[Elizabeth]], [[Roman the Wonderworker]] ([[November 27]]), [[Hypatius of virginity Rufinus]] ([[March 31]]), and purity in the physical and spiritual aspects[[Irene Chrysovalantou]].<ref>[http://www.angelfire. One may see this in the life of Jesus Christ, the proto-type of this lifestylecom/ga/riggs/SpecialSaints. html Orthodox Saints for Special Intentions]</ref>
Chrysostom says in regards to virginity, ==Temptation==:''"I am persuaded that virginity is much more honorable than marriageJust as with other desires of the flesh, but this does not force me the temptation to place marriage amongst those that are dishonorable, but rather I praise it"''(St. John Chrysostom. ''"On Marriage and Family Life"'')sin sexually often presents itself. The acknowledgment of In these cases, the mind must instruct the value of marriage accentuates body as to the superiority of virginityright course. Virginity supersedes the law "Do not follow your lusts, because it supersedes the fallen naturerestrain your desires. A virginal life prefigures If you allow yourself to satisfy your desires, this will make you the life laughing-stock of the Kingdom your enemies" ([[Wisdom of God, where carnal desires and secular cares do not existSirach|Sirach]] 18:30-31).
Virginity is a life filled with eschatological expectation. Virginal life does Orthodox tradition urges believers to resist not come into contradiction with marriageonly sexual transgressions, but it is its par excellenceeven thoughts of sexual transgressions. St. PaulAs Christ says, although he refers to marriage as the ''"great mysteryIf a man looks at a woman with lust,"'' makes plain his preference for virginity, which is what he himself followed. Jesus Christ also says clearly has already committed adultery with her in reference to virginity, is not for all to follow, but those whom this calling has been granted his heart" ([[Gospel of Matthew 19|Matt.]] 5:1127). Choosing virginity places a human person above every social expediency or biological determinismSome critics hold this to be an impossible standard, it underlines humanity’s freedom and absolute value. The human for who practices a life can purge his heart of virginity lives as an angel, although having illicit sexual thoughts? Others (including many monastics) insist that such 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 purge is an insult to the magnitude of virginity. Marriage serves death by bringing forth children; howeverin fact possible, virginity raises a barrier to its breaking and interrupting the transmission of the inherited obligation to deaththough difficult.
The goals of virginity and virginal living are not just Not only should one avoid yielding to remain free of carnal pleasuretemptation, but they aim one should also take care not to offer temptation to emancipate a believer from secular cares and straighten the persons’ orientations towards Godothers. Consecrated virginity is a marriage with God that does not involve carnal pleasure. It is solely spiritual. One may say "A wink of the marital relations of marriage are spiritual tooeye, but they have and a man makes trouble; a carnal aspect. In virginitybold rebuke, the voluntary self-exclusion from carnal pleasure does not aim to mortify Eros in the soul, but to transform it into and a godly Erosman makes peace" (Prov. This virginity has its ultimate ontological reference to the Triune God10:10).
King [[David]] allowed his desires to get the better of him when he desired Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. After Bathsheba refused David's advances, David sent Uriah into battle, so that he would be killed. When the [[Prophet]] Nathan advised David that his actions were displeasing to God, David repented, confessing his sin ([[II Kingdoms|2 Sam.]] 11:12).
== Contemporary Ethical Issues Which Threaten the Sanctity of Sex ==[[Monastic rule]]s often include injunctions to fight against sexual temptation.
=== Adultery =Sexual sin==''"Adultery refers to voluntary sexual intercourse between a married man and someone other than his wife or between a married woman and someone other than her husband"'' Sexual [[sin]] may include adultery, fornication (''"Adultery"'' in Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionaryincluding premarital sex), Eleventh Editionrape, Merriam-Websterincest, Incbestiality, prostitution, pornography, masturbation, sexual fantasies, and [[homosexuality|homosexual practices]]. These are condemned by the Church not for their own sake, 2003)but to protect her members from harming themselves and others through inappropriate behaviors. Note that sexual sin is not regarded as especially different from other types of sin, to which all are susceptible.
St. Paul repeatedly attacks this vice in his Epistles"In Christian marriage, sex, like so many other aspects of our lives, undergoes a transfiguration. He urges In the flock to flee from sexual immorality because it world, sex is a direct defiling an expression of lust, of conquest, of using others for the temple satisfaction of the Holy Spirit (Corinthians 7:18-20)self. In his Epistle to This is why, in the Romans, St. Paul says plainlymoral disintegration of this fallen world, those who live with a carnal mind live in enmity preoccupation with God, thus convincing the faithful sex inescapably leads to believe they are not debtors to the flesh (Romans 8:7-9). It and is appropriate to understand that the Apostles were very concerned linked with preoccupation with the spiritual violence and physical purity of the faithfuldeath. To emphasize Unbridled, nonsanctified sexual activity is satanic, filled with the severity devil's hatred of the carnal sin of adulteryGod, Nikodemos the Hagiorite says in reference to Leviticus 20: 10mankind, :''"Adultery and life itself. It is such a great evil that God commands the man and the woman committing it to be put to deathsuicidal."<ref>'' (The HagioritePreserve Them, Nikodemos, The ExomologitarionO Lord'' by Fr. TransJohn Mack. Fr Ben Lomond, California, Conciliar Press: 1996. George Dokosp. Republic of Greece, 2006)119.</ref>
Society has slowly begun accepting adultery, "It is important to note that sex is not always 'good' just because it occurs within the sanctity confines of conjugal union has slowly demisedChristian marriage. Society has separated In marriage, sexual relations which are the fruit of 'passionate lust' or are the divine aspects expression of marital relations violence and simplified sex to a carnal act/or physical control are not blessed. In another poll seven years agoChristian marriage, more than 3 out of 4 Americans say the way television programs show sex encourages irresponsible sexual behavior (Teens, Sex, & the Mediarelations must always be freely entered into and must never be forced. [www.mediascope.org], 15 March, 2000). The encouragement of immoral Manipulation in sexual behavior matters is clear, especially on the World Wide Webalways inappropriate. For exampleLikewise, if a person is not satisfied with their spouse’s any sexual performance, companies will facilitate for the customer an adulterous relationship. In particular, the Ashley Madison Agency assists married individuals in finding sexual gratification union outside of marriageis a union with death. "<ref>''"When monogamy becomes monotonyPreserve Them,"O Lord'' is the commercialized slogan of this agencyby Fr. John Mack. Another online company that facilitates affairs isBen Lomond, California, the Meet to Cheat CompanyConciliar Press: 1996. p. This agency has offices all over Europe and North America and is dedicated to providing desperate homemakers with the man of their dreams121. </ref>
Many Christian Churches also have begun accepting behavior the Orthodox Church believes is sinful The [[ten commandments]] include injunctions against adultery and immoralcoveting a neighbor's wife (Ex. 20:14,17). Immoral thinking has managed to take over Other books of the consciences of major denominations. According to a report taken in 1991 by Old Testament, such as Proverbs and the General Assembly Wisdom of the Presbyterian ChurchSirach, also advise against sexual sins::''*"it does not matter who sleeps with whom or whether sexual activity is premarital or maritalTake no notice of a loose-living woman, heterosexual or homosexualfor ... her words are smoother than oil, but whether it their outcome is responsiblebitter as wormwood, mutual, honest sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death..." (Prov. 5:2-5).*"But the adulterer has no sense; act like him and full of joyful caringcourt your own destruction"'' (A report to Prov. 6:32).*"This is how the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Churchadulteress behaves: when she has eaten, as reported by Peter Steinfelsshe wipes her mouth clean and says, 'I have done nothing wrong' "What God Really Thinks About Who Sleeps With Whom," The New York Times, June 2, 1991(Prov. 30:20).
== References ==The [[New Testament]] continues to uphold these ideas. Christ, when explaining his teaching to his [[disciple]]s, said, "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, [[false witness]], blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man" (Matt. 15:19-20; cf. [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]] 7:21-23). St. [[Apostle James (son of Zebedee)|James]], in the Apostolic Council, sought to teach the Gentiles, not to trouble them, "but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood" ([[Acts of the Apostles|Acts]] 15:20). St. Paul also wrote to the Corinthians with warnings:*"Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God" (I Cor. 6:9-11).*"Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord" (I Cor. 6:13).*Stanley S"[H]e who is joined to a harlot is one body with her. Harakas For 'the two,' He says, 'shall become one flesh'Living " (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 temple of the FaithHoly Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?" (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'', Minneapolisnote on I Cor. 6:13, Minnesotap. 385.</ref> Sexual sin, just as any other sin, necessitates cleansing through the [[sacrament]] of [[confession]]. ==Confession and guidance==When one struggles with sexual issues, it is good to have a spiritual guide to assist in the struggle. The sacrament of confession not only provides the opportunity to shed past sins and to obtain guidance, but also to receive the grace of God through the sacrament. Marital fasting should also involve the 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 on ColossiansXIX: 1 Cor. vii. 1, 2] by St. John Chrysostom*[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf113.iv.iv.x.html Homily X. Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, vol: Colossians iii. 18–25] by St. John Chrysostom*[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf113.iv.iv.xii. 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)
[[Category:Ethics]]
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