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Most Orthodox Christians are unaware that Adam & Eve were created and lived in virginity. Yes. That's right. "Be fruitful and multiply" was a command that was enacted upon after the fall. (Ch 4 of Genesis, St John Chrysostom teaches that Adam "knew" Eve after) There was no marriage in Paradise. There was no hetero-sex, nor homo-sex . They lived as angels.
It can be shocking, but this is the teaching of St Chrysostom, St Gregory of Nyssa even though he was married, Saint Maximos, and St Gregory the Theologian to list a few.
If we understood our own sexuality correctly, we could see the distortions today based on purely earthly indulgences. Saint Maximos teaches that God never intended for us to live as the animals, in passionate physical rage, uniting in a beastly way flesh to flesh. Flesh itself, was given after the Fall.
Granted, God foresaw the fall of Adam & Eve and hence blessed the marriage bed between one woman and one man, however, this too has perimeters for a healthy Christ-centered relationship that ultimately leads to its' goal, the salvation of both individuals. Remember, marriage in itself is no guarantee for a place in heaven, neither is celibacy.
Consider the numerous successful attacks of the evil one today to entice and enslave mankind into sin: There are marriages of vasectomies to have as much sex as wanted, condoms and birth control, exploration before marriage, outside marriage, divorce, homosexuality, bestiality, pornography, masturbation, sex with pregnant women whose seed man has already planted...no farmer returns to the field he has already seeded, he waits patiently for the fruit to come.
Think about the self control and watchfulness that the Church advises us to... married couples are expected to abstain during fasting days, often lengthy 40-day periods and before Holy Communion. Widows are encouraged to live in celibacy, chastity is one of the greatest virtues of self control. Bishops and monastics willingly take on this vow and struggle daily to approach Christ and leave behind pleasures of the flesh. A couple who cannot procreate are no less in value before God, because lying together is not a means to an end, in otherwise this is not their salvation!
Lastly, the ultimate example, Christ came into the world thru Virginity. He himself lived in virginity and honors His holy Mother as more glorious than the angels for her virginity, as our example.
Instead, this passion has consumed our society and distracted us away from our true calling: We are called to return to Paradise, to be sanctified and freed from all forms of slavery of sin. If you are struggling against anything above, keep at it, for in this work God will be pleased!
(I'd be happy to post additional resources from Church fathers)
Check out this link for Teenager resources on the topic, or download my workbook on VIRTUES here:
It can be shocking, but this is the teaching of St Chrysostom, St Gregory of Nyssa even though he was married, Saint Maximos, and St Gregory the Theologian to list a few.
If we understood our own sexuality correctly, we could see the distortions today based on purely earthly indulgences. Saint Maximos teaches that God never intended for us to live as the animals, in passionate physical rage, uniting in a beastly way flesh to flesh. Flesh itself, was given after the Fall.
Granted, God foresaw the fall of Adam & Eve and hence blessed the marriage bed between one woman and one man, however, this too has perimeters for a healthy Christ-centered relationship that ultimately leads to its' goal, the salvation of both individuals. Remember, marriage in itself is no guarantee for a place in heaven, neither is celibacy.
Consider the numerous successful attacks of the evil one today to entice and enslave mankind into sin: There are marriages of vasectomies to have as much sex as wanted, condoms and birth control, exploration before marriage, outside marriage, divorce, homosexuality, bestiality, pornography, masturbation, sex with pregnant women whose seed man has already planted...no farmer returns to the field he has already seeded, he waits patiently for the fruit to come.
Think about the self control and watchfulness that the Church advises us to... married couples are expected to abstain during fasting days, often lengthy 40-day periods and before Holy Communion. Widows are encouraged to live in celibacy, chastity is one of the greatest virtues of self control. Bishops and monastics willingly take on this vow and struggle daily to approach Christ and leave behind pleasures of the flesh. A couple who cannot procreate are no less in value before God, because lying together is not a means to an end, in otherwise this is not their salvation!
Lastly, the ultimate example, Christ came into the world thru Virginity. He himself lived in virginity and honors His holy Mother as more glorious than the angels for her virginity, as our example.
Instead, this passion has consumed our society and distracted us away from our true calling: We are called to return to Paradise, to be sanctified and freed from all forms of slavery of sin. If you are struggling against anything above, keep at it, for in this work God will be pleased!
Check out this link for Teenager resources on the topic, or download my workbook on VIRTUES here:
4 comments:
The Rudder or Cannons of the Orthodox Church prescribe marital (one man and one woman) couples to abstain from sexual relations 40 days before Pascha plus Holy Week, 40 days before Christmas, the Apostles fast, the 15 day fast before Panagias, all major feastdays AND on every Weds and Friday practically throughout the year, plus before approaching before Holy Communion. These are not my guidelines. This is for the sanctification of our marriages and our souls.. That's a lot of "living in virginity".....recommended as our spiritual medicine. That would be helpful to guide young teenagers! Imagine that, chastity
Thanks for the post! You have provided many advantages and disadvantages to blogging in education for those of us who are new to consider. Looking forward to trying
blogging as a way of connecting with my students.
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Many Orthodox Christians are unaware of what the holy Father's wrote. Let me be clear again, these are not my ideas and I realize this information is new to many.
God could have continued to create people as He did Adam and Eve. He is God. He didn't need us to join as man and wife in this way in Paradise.
Our procreation is indeed a consequence of the fall. I do not say that negatively, but for us to correctly understand it was not how God intended for us to live in Paradise, harmony with Him, did not have marriage nor need marriage. This is simply a need of our earthly fallen world. I have heard, God gave that command because He foresaw our fall.
Examples,
How did Christ come? Not as we come into the world, but in the most perfect way. He was not procreated, as we know it, we however are, and in this falleness
Ps 50, " ...in sin did my mother bear me"
The seed of man was not necessary for Him....
Secondly, thru even more striking example, He chooses to come through a most holy virgin. Yet again, an example of the seed of procreation not necessary. She is the new, most perfect Eve, never having laid with a man.
(Much is to be said by the holy father's on virginity, for those who are willing. For those who cannot, there is marriage....etc)
Again, take a look at the fathers quotes.
Marriage was blessed and is blessed as a result of our fall , but however not necessary in Paradise. Neither will the widow have any of her husband's in Paradise...remember when Christ was asked to whom she would belong to in heaven...neither will any be given in marriage
A good spiritual father, (an illumined one, not just any parish priest) I hope can help you further.
Peace,
Elenie
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