LIFE IS A GIFT OF GOD “I URGE YOU IN THE SIGHT OF GOD WHO GIVES LIFE TO ALL THINGS…” 1 Timothy 6:13

We live, tragically, in a world where human life is not respected or protected. Millions of unborn children are murdered every year throughout the world with impunity. Their murder is justified by both the ‘mother’ and the state and not only condoned but applauded it and treated as a right. Abortion was a common, largely accepted practice in pagan Grego-Roman antiquity, often used for family planning without religious taboo. It was not criminalized until the second or third century AD. Unlike early Christianity, which strongly condemned it, ancient pagan societies often viewed it a a private, pragmatic decision. Therefore, current societies have reverted back to the pagan practice and have passed laws to encourage the practice of infanticide. This is also a clear indication that secular governments today have declared a war against Christian precepts, morality, beliefs, and ethics. Instead of humanity moving forward the world governments have chosen to go backwards. Instead of humanity becoming more civilized and dignified have chosen to adopt the more barbaric, destructive, and beastly ways of life.

Tragically and sadly abortion has become accepted and conducted in countries where the majority of the population is Christian. An example is all the former Christian European countries, the U.S.A,, African countries, Central and South American countries, as well as Asian. The Christian Church has always condemned abortion. The great holy Fathers of the Orthodox Church always viewed abortion as a grave sin and equated it with murder. Since our bodies ARE TEMPLES OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, TO KILL AN INNOCENT HUMAN BEING IS A CRIME, NOT ONLY AGAINST THAT PERSON, BUT ALSO AGAINST GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT. Thus, one cannot be a faithful Orthodox Christian and be "pro-choice" when it comes to abortion. One cannot profess belief in the One True God and the Divine sanctity of human life He established, while at the same time condoning a woman’s "right to choose" whether she will kill her unborn child.

The Orthodox Church considers it her duty to protect the most vulnerable and dependent human beings, especially unborn children. Therefore, under NO CIRCUMSTANCES CAN THE ORTHODOX CHURCH BLESS ABORTION. In the Orthodox view, the mother always bears responsibility before God for the sin of abortion, along with the doctor who performed the abortion. If the father gave his consent then he, too, bears responsibility.

Saint John Chrysostom (A.D. 347-407), known as "Golden-Mouthed" for his eloquent preaching, strongly emphasized the sanctity of human life as A DIVINE GIFT, FOCUSING ON ITS INHERENT VALUE, ITS STATUS AS A TEMPLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND THE RESPONSIBILITY OF STEWARDSHIP OVER IT. His writings on Genesis and the New Testament, directly, address THE DIGNITY OF HUMAN LIFE AND CONDEMNS ACTIONS THAT VIOLATE IT. He, also, regarded life NOT as a personal possession to be disposed of at will, but AS A LOAN FROM GOD. He emphasized that human beings are stewards of their lives, obligated to preserve them for God’s honor and THE SALVATION OF THEIR SOULS.

The Church believes that human life begins at conception and that the fetus is a human being with potential, not merely potential life. While the Church does not condone abortion, it makes a distinction in rare, extreme cases where the pregnancy places the mother’s life at direct risk. Also, the Church calls for compassion for those who have had abortions, inviting them to healing through repentance. Furthermore, he taught that the human body is NOT merely a "BRUTE BEAST" but A VESSEL FASHIONED TO CORRESPOND TO THE SOULS’ NOBILITY. He argued that Christians must use their bodies to praise God rather than for indulgence or self-destruction. In his homily 24 on Romans, Saint John Chrysostom condemned the practice of abortion, referring to it as "MURDER" and a "SLAUGHTER" that makes the "CHAMBER" OF PROCREATION A CHAMBER OF MURDER".
He argued that such actions are WORSE THAN KILLING, AS THEY PREVENT A LIFE FORM BEING BORN AT ALL. He criticized the obsession with wealth, particularly when it comes at the cost of human life or when the rich ignore the poor. He argued that wealth should be used to nourish the poor.

There are other, ancient Christian sources which speak against abortion. The Didache is one of the oldest Christian works, contemporary with some of the New Testament writings; it was most likely composed around the year A.D. 100. It condemns what is also calls PHARMAKEIA and goes on to say, "You shall not slay the child by abortion. You shall not kill what is generated." The Epistle of Barnabas contains similar language, and Saint Clement of Alexandria associates the destruction of the fetus with the destruction of agape for humanity. As Christians, we believe that our lives are not accidents. We have been called into being from nothingness by God, and are meant for Eternal Life. God’s calling us into being is the sign of a love we can only begin to imagine, a love revealed most perfectly in Christ.

Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ said: "You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment" (Matthew 5:21).

Our Holy Orthodox Church teaches that human life is created in the image and likeness of God and begins at fertilization. The Church does NOT distinguish between "formed" and "unformed" embryos, regarding the fetus as a unique human person regardless of its development. Holy Scripture interprets the personhood of the unborn, such as in the case of Saint John the Baptist leaping in his mother’s womb. "And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, THAT THE BABE LEAPED IN HER WOMB; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit…For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, THE BABE LEAPED FOR JOY" (Luke 1:41-44). Saint John was only six months old in his mother’s womb at the time. The fetus, John the Baptist, leaps not merely due to natural movement, but through Divine influence to recognize the presence of our Savior in Mary’s womb.

The Holy Canons of the Orthodox Church are very clear on abortion. Canon 21: Women who prostitute themselves. and who kill the child thus begotten, or who try to destroy them when in their wombs, are by ancient law excommunicated to the end of their lives. We, however, have softened their punishment and condemned them to the various appointed degrees of penance for ten years. (Council of Ancyra, A.D. 314). This indicates clearly the gravity of the crime of abortion.

In our Holy Orthodox Christian Tradition and Faith the understanding of the Second Coming is clear: the Lord Jesus Christ truly will return. His Second Coming is not a myth, nor an empty promise, nor is it a metaphor. In fact, each time the Divine Liturgy is celebrated, the priest makes a proclamation to the Father which reveals how the Church responds not only to the Second Coming of Christ, but to all of His work.

"Remembering this saving commandment [Jesus' command to eat His flesh and drink His blood] and all that has been done for us–the Cross, the Tomb, the Resurrection on the third day, the Ascension into Heaven, the sitting at the right hand and the Second and Glorious Coming–we offer You Your own, from what is Your own, on behalf of all and for all."

Orthodox Christians also believe the New Testament revelation of the Second Coming of Christ is meant to stimulate our preparation for it, not our speculation about it. This explains the relative simplicity with which the Nicene Creed, the most Universal Confession of faith in all of Christendom, addresses Christ’s return: "He…will come again, with glory, to judge the living and the dead, whose Kingdom shall have no end." The emphasis of historic Orthodoxy is that Jesus will come again, not when He will come again. There are numerous testimonies in Holy Scripture of the actuality and indisputability of the future UNIVERSAL JUDGMENT. Of these testimonies the most complete picture of this LAST JUDGMENT by our Savior is given in Matthew 25:31-46 (When the Son of Man shall come in His glory, and all the holy Angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him and He will separate the one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats…"). In accordance with this picture we may draw conclusions regarding the characteristics of the JUDGMENT. It will be:

UNIVERSAL, that is, extending to all people living and dead, good and evil, and according to other indications given in the word of God, even to the fallen angels themselves (2 Peter 2:4; Jude, 5:6);
SOLEMN AND OPEN, for the Judge will appear in all His glory with all His holy Angels before the face of the whole world:
FINAL AND DEFINITIVE, determining for all eternity the fate of each one who is judged. The result of the Judgment will be ETERNAL REWARD–BLESSEDNESS FOR THE RIGHTEOUS AND TORMENT FOR THE EVIL WHO ARE CONDEMNED.

All Christians who believe in the Last Judgment ought to prepare themselves accordingly for that "dread" day of judgment. Every Christian is responsible to the Almighty God for all his/her actions in this earthly life. Everyone is accountable for everything and including all sins of commission and omission. The Lord said: "If thy hand offend thee, cut it off; it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell (gehenna), into the fire that is not quenched" (Mark 9:43-44, likewise 45-48).

Our Lord, God and Savior Jesus Christ is very clear about anyone who threatens a child: "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea" (Matthew 18:6). It is not a mystery to anyone what He would do to one who murders a child before he/she is even born.

________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
+ Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George