With the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June 2022, several states have placed much-needed restrictions on abortion. In light of this, many couples are considering contraception or birth control to prevent any “unwanted” pregnancies. It is important to remember what the Church teaches regarding contraception, “controlling” pregnancy, and childbirth. Contraception and hormonal birth control are not acceptable for unmarried Orthodox Christians; those who are not married should remain celibate until marriage. Even in a loving Christian marriage, the use of contraception and hormonal birth control are typically not acceptable. Natural methods of controlling conception, however, are encouraged by the Church.
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Birth control vs. contraception
Firstly, a clarification: birth control and contraception are not synonymous, though society tends to treat them that way. Contraception generally refers to artificial methods that act against conception of a child (i.e. the morning-after pill, IUDs). Birth control, in contrast, refers to methods that limit the number/timing of children naturally, like NFP and abstinence.
Except for medical reasons, contraception is generally not acceptable in the eyes of the Church. NFP and abstinence, on the other hand, are in harmony with Church teaching.
The purpose of sex
Is it okay for a married Christian couple to have sex without the goal of conceiving a child? Could a husband and wife “be together” without falling into sin? The purpose of sexual union plays an important role in understanding the position of the Church.
The Orthodox position on contraception and birth control only somewhat mirrors that of the Roman Catholic church, which historically understood sex as a purely procreative act. Over time, Catholicism has embraced the unitive aspects of marriage as well. But to this day it insists that possibility of procreation is essential anytime a husband and wife engage in sexual intercourse.
The Eastern Orthodox Church, on the other hand, views human sexuality as beautiful when ordered according to God’s design. She also always highlights multiple purposes for sex. To the Orthodox, intimate union and protection against the selfish abuse of sex are just as important as procreation. And while it may be ideal that all three purposes are present in every marital sexual act, nowhere are we taught we must always have all three.
The Orthodox Church in America (OCA) states: “Married couples may express their love in sexual union without always intending the conception of a child”. Think of it like this. When we eat, we do it to nourish our bodies and to enjoy what God gave us. If you eat a piece of chocolate, you engage the second purpose, but not the first. And that is completely okay. So long as we do not abuse it to the point it damages our health and undermines food’s other purpose. So it is with sex within marriage.
The Orthodox Church’s teachings on contraception
Recently, the Greek Orthodox archdiocese began permitting the use of non-abortifacient contraceptives in marriage to “space children, enhance the expression of marital love, and protect health”. However, many other jurisdictions of the Church continue to uphold Tradition and condemn contraceptives altogether, as many forms of contraception that claim they are non-abortifacient, do in fact prevent implantation of a fertilized egg, which is a unique human being. Inability to implant in the uterus essentially means that the fertilized egg will die, and that human life will end.
Does the Church condone hormonal birth control if there is a medical reason?
Generally speaking, yes; but in certain circumstances, no. If a doctor has prescribed hormonal birth control for a medical reason, the Church usually employs oikonomia. She will thus be merciful and lenient toward the woman taking the birth control. However, is there is a treatment alternative that does not require the woman to take hormonal birth control and is accessible to the patient, the Church would counsel in favor of the alternative. Ultimately, every woman should seek counsel from her priest before moving forward with any type of birth control.
The Orthodox Church allows both birth control and some forms of contraception within marriage, subject to the following conditions:
1. Human life cannot end as a result
Human life, according to modern science and ancient theology, begins at the moment of conception (fertilization). At this moment, a human being has all the genetic information he/she needs to be a unique individual separate from his/her mother. This is why the Church considers abortion a form of murder and will always condemn abortifacient contraception.
2. You have the blessing of your spiritual father
Secondly, you must have the approval and blessing of your spiritual father if you desire to use non-abortifacient contraception. And this is typically unusual, since most priests will counsel abstinence or NFP first, unless you have a medical reason for needing the contraceptive.
The Church provides a helpful guideline: fasting!
In her wisdom, the Orthodox Church provides us with the spiritual discipline of fasting. Traditionally, the fast includes not just abstinence from certain foods, but also from sexual intercourse between husband and wife. If, as faithful Orthodox Christians, we fast in accordance with the ecclesiastical calendar, we would fast for approximately 180-200 days out of the year. That means if we follow the Church’s prescribed fasting schedule, birth control comes rather naturally.
There are only 12-24 days a year on which conception of a child is actually possible for a woman. We can remove about a third of these, because at least four to eight of these days will coincide with fasting days. If we live an authentic Orthodox Christian life, contraception is not even necessary most of the time!
Conclusion
Ultimately, the Orthodox Church’s position on contraception boils down to understanding marriage as an exercise of agape love. If a person decides to use contraception within marriage purely for selfish reasons, this violates that principle. So long as these decisions are mutual between both marriage partners, and are blessed by your priest, agape love is still the focus of your marriage.
Read More: Things To Consider When Getting Married In The Orthodox Church
7 Responses
Hi again! My boyfriend and I were discussing this subject as he is looking to join our local Orthodox Church. He was raised Baptist’s and I was raised non denominational. He has always held some “legalistic- type” beliefs, especially towards gender roles. I agree with this article but he finds non-abortifacient contraception to be a sign of less faith. He’s not keen on NFP either as he doesn’t believe that is fully giving it to God. I am concerned as a woman because I think there is a level of personal responsibility to not put kids a bad situation where they may be mentally, emotionally, and financially neglected, and I I fear for health and safety of the women in any situation like that. I feel like we can still have faith and also have a level of personal responsibility (ex. Spacing kids out to recover). As parents would we not be called to be responsible? Can you please help me understand this in scripture?
Anonymous,
Lovely to see you again, as always! There is no Scriptural evidence to support the idea that non-abortifacient contraception is a sign of less faith, firstly. Secondly, NFP is merely the husband and wife agreeing to abstain for a time, which is what St. Paul indeed counsels us to do, so long as the husband and wife agree to abstain together. In the Orthodox Faith, we fast frequently (we have written many articles on this topic). During these fasting days, we not only fast from food, but from sexual activity, laziness, idle talk, etc. So, if one is following the Orthodox Ecclesiastical Calendar faithfully, the spacing out of children comes rather naturally.
There is, indeed, a level of personal responsibility in all things. God does not force us to do anything; we make choices, and God uses those choices to bring about correction and growth. As always with those in need, the Church reaches out a helping hand to support mothers/fathers who find themselves unable to support their children.
We hope this was helpful – God bless!
Hi! Thanks so much for your reply! I’ve really been looking forward to it. That makes sense to me. My boyfriend said he did not agree with everything, so we are seeking counsel with my pastor as well as the local Orthodox Church. I appreciate all your help and insight!
You mention mutual agreement to abstain. I feel like sometimes wives can be shamed or pressured for wanting to abstain for whatever reason and accused of withholding or not fulfilling their marital duty to their husbands. What does the church think of this?
Anonymous,
Seeking counsel is wise. Continue to do so, especially as you and your significant other contemplate what it means to be Orthodox and to devote yourselves to one another, perhaps in marriage in the Church one day.
Unfortunately, yes, both wives and husbands can be shamed/pressured by their spouse for wanting to abstain from sexual relations for a time. In an earlier comment, we discussed fasting. Such a practice is done not to deprive the other of something that (rightly) belongs to them, as the husband’s body is now the wife’s, just as the wife’s body is now the husband’s. Fasting is done as a tool for spiritual discipline, to separate us from earthly desires that can draw us away from God if we allow them to rule over us. A husband and wife must discuss these issues openly and be honest with one another about their motives. If the goal in abstaining is truly to draw both you and your spouse closer to God, you do not simply abstain from sex, but replace it with edifying activities together. Reading Scripture and reflecting upon it together. Praying together. Volunteering somewhere together. Or simply expressing other forms of intimacy (embracing, chaste kisses, holding hands, etc.) when you are abstaining from the procreational, life-giving act of sexual intercourse.
Any spouse who shames or pressures the other must carefully reflect upon why they have chosen to shame/pressure. More often than not, it comes from a position of selfishness and petulance. If the spouse is feeling neglected or seeks connection, discuss this, because feeling neglected or disconnected from your spouse can be debilitating emotionally, for both husbands and wives. The Church counsels discernment and (above all) love for your spouse, in contemplating any course of action that affects you both. Every situation is different, so involving your priest is essential, especially if you and your spouse cannot resolve the issue on your own in a way that is satisfactory to both of you.
Our society places such an emphasis on sex that it often becomes a major issue for many couples. However, many Orthodox Christians find that the rhythms of daily life, when lived out in tandem with the Orthodox calendar, naturally handle their “obsessions” with sex and tamper those desires for them. When we are idle, fulfilling our desires is all we think about. Eating this, doing that. But when we live our lives fulfilling our duties and disciplining our bodies and souls, as the Lord calls us to do, we find that those desires are oriented properly, toward Christ, and they do not jade us as they used to.
Blessed day to you, sister!
Thank you for your response! I appreciate it! Blessed day to you too!
Question about the missing book of Enoch and the book of revelations chapter 13the Beast. Please would like to schedule an interview with the pastor . I don’t know what they call them at the Orthodox Church of Christ, some one official authority.
Richard,
Christ is in our midst. If you wish to speak with Father Seraphim directly via phone or email, please fill out our contact form. He will receive your personal information from there and will reach out to you. We will be editing your comment to protect your privacy. God bless.