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Sex
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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>
:''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'').
==Lust Marital fasting==:''See article: [[Fasting]].Although sex within marriage is often seen simply as "good," abstaining from sex also provides its own good. This abstention, often referred to as "marital fasting," should be voluntary on the part of both husband and temptationwife. "Do not deprive one another except with consent for a time, that you may give yourselves to fasting and [[prayer]]; and come together again so that 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 the desire for food. "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 means of private pleasure but an expression of interpersonal communion."<ref>[http://www.koed.hu/mozaik10/dimitri.pdf Christian Fasting (PDF)] by Dimitri Oikonomou)</ref>Marital fasting is advised for all the usual times of fasting, including before partaking of [[Holy Communion]]. "[A]s with all other spiritual efforts, this must be done under the supervision and at the direction of a 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—it is part of God's creation—but to purify it and to provide us the opportunity to concentrate on the upbuilding of our lives in Christ."<ref name="townsend" />
"Some Orthodox tradition urges believers [[saint]]s have even been called upon to resist not only sexual transgressionsabstain completely from that which is good in marriage itself. The holy martyrs [[Cecilia]] and [[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, but even thoughts they died together as martyrs for the love of sexual transgressionsChrist. As Christ says More recently, Saint [[John of Kronstadt]] and his wife lived together in the same manner, ''"If so that Saint John could give himself over more completely to the tremendous burden of ministry that God placed upon him as a man looks at a woman with list, he has already committed adultery with her priest in his heartnineteenth-century Russia."<ref>''Preserve Them, O Lord'' (Mattby Fr. John Mack. 5:27) Some critics hold this to be an impossible standard Ben Lomond, for who can purge his heart of illicit sexual thoughts? Others (including many monastics) insist that such a purgation is in fact possibleCalifornia, though difficultConciliar Press: 1996. p. 117. </ref>
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 act and pleasurable experience, which strengthens the bond of 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 to move constantly from the carnal to the spiritual perspective. Such progress is only possible within the perspective of the couple's perfection in Christ. The principle that sinful thoughts lead personal relations of the couple ought to be primarily spiritual in order to preserve and to sinful actions increase their spiritual communion and union. This is widely recognizedthe reason why there cannot exist an independent ethic of sexuality according to the [[Church Fathers|Fathers of the Church]].
== Virginity as the Par Excellence of Marriage Celibacy==Parallel to the married life:''See main article: [[Celibacy]].Unmarried people should be celibate, Christian tradition and ethics recognize another equally challenging and rewarding lifestylethat is, that of virginityrefrain from sexual activity. Virginal life consists of virginity Those who have taken monastic vows, or who have been ordained and purity in the physical and spiritual aspects. One may see this in the are not married (either unmarried or widowed), are held to follow a celibate life of Jesus Christ, the proto-type of this lifestyle.
The goals goal of virginity and virginal living are celibacy is not just to remain free of carnal pleasure, but they aim to emancipate a believer from secular cares and straighten orient the persons’ orientations person towards God. Consecrated virginity is a marriage with God that does not involve carnal pleasure. It is solely spiritual. One may say the marital relations of marriage are spiritual too, but they have a carnal aspect. In virginity, the voluntary self-exclusion from carnal pleasure does not aim to mortify Eros in the soul, but to transform it into a godly Eros. This virginity has its ultimate ontological reference to the Triune God.
:"[B]oth marriage and celibacy are ways of living the Gospel, anticipating the Kingdom, which was already revealed in Christ and must appear in strength at the last day. It is, therefore, only a marriage 'in Christ' sealed by the Eucharist, and celibacy 'in the name of Christ,' which carry this 'eschatological' Christian meaning—not marriage concluded casually, as a contract, or as a satisfaction for the flesh, and not celibacy accepted by inertia, or worse, by egotism and self-protective irresponsibility."<ref>''Marriage: An Orthodox Perspective'' by Fr. John Meyendorff. Crestwood, New York, St. Vladimir's Seminary Press: 2000. pp. 70-71.</ref>
== Contemporary Ethical Issues Which Threaten Barrenness==Although children are a consequence of sexual relations, the Sanctity inability to procreate does not necessarily mean that sex is no longer a good thing. In the Old Testament, barrenness was often seen as the result of Sex ==sin. However, many Old Testament figures underwent barrenness, later to conceive through God's will.
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).
"It is important to note that sex is not always 'good' just because it occurs within the confines of Christian marriage. In 1994, Dr. Jocelyn Eldersmarriage, sexual relations which are the first woman appointed to fruit of 'passionate lust' or are the position expression of Uviolence and/or physical control are not blessed.S. Surgeon General In Christian marriage, lost her job as Surgeon General because she dared to say that masturbation should sexual relations must always be freely entered into and must never be taught forced. Manipulation in schoolssexual matters is always inappropriate. Society portrays hedonistic lifestyles even in videos gamesLikewise, any sexual union outside of marriage is a union with death."<ref>''Preserve Them, O Lord'' by allowing characters to have the power to masturbate while riding in vehicles (Grand Theft Auto 2)Fr. John Mack. Sexual perversion has also infiltrated into the cartoon entertainment of childrenBen Lomond, California, Conciliar Press: 1996. p. Characters such as Homer Simpson confess openly to masturbation121.</ref>
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).
*"[H]e who is joined to a harlot is one body with her. For 'the two,' He says, 'shall become one flesh' " (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 Holy 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—as some do today—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'', note on I Cor. 6:13, p. 385.</ref> Sexual sin, just as any other sin, necessitates cleansing through the [[sacrament]] of [[confession]]. == References Confession and guidance==*Stanley SWhen one struggles with sexual issues, it is good to have a spiritual guide to assist in the struggle. Harakas The sacrament of confession not only provides the opportunity to shed past sins and to obtain guidance, ''Living but also to receive the grace of God through the sacrament. Marital fasting should also involve the Faith''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 XIX: 1 Cor. vii. 1, Minneapolis, Minnesota2] by St. John Chrysostom*[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf113.iv.iv.x.html Homily on X.: Colossians, Xiii. 18–25] by St. John Chrysostom*[http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/npnf113.iv.iv. Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, volxii. 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"—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]]