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24 December 2023
Protocol No: 1224:23
UKASE
STATEMENT REAFFIRMING THE SANCTITY OF HOLY MATRIMONY
AS CHRIST-GOD INTENDED FOR HIS CREATION
The Bishops of the OCA-UAOC / Apostolic Orthodox Church – Standing Episcopal Conference of Orthodox Bishops have learned with a heavy heart the recent Directive of the Bishop of Rome allowing for the Blessing of Same Sex Unions by Clergy of the Roman Catholic Church. This also includes Bishops and Priests of the Eastern Rites under his Jurisdiction; however, many of the Eastern Rite Catholics, including the Ukrainians, have stood with Orthodox Christians rejecting this ill advised and corrupt practice that violates the heart and core of God's Plan for His creation begun with Adam & Eve, our first parents, in the Garden of Eden!
All throughout the History of the Judeo-Christian Patrimony, beginning with the Prophets of the Old Testament and continuing to St. Paul the Evangelist and the Apostles, such perversion and departure from Divine Laws, the Natural Law and moral common sense have been strongly and rigorously condemned by the Church.
Our Blessed Jurisdiction, Hierarchy, Clergy and Laity alike, must join together to re-affirm that Holy Orthodoxy is incontrovertible in holding fast to what Almighty God has willed for the good of Family Life and for His creation. Marriage is a Holy Sacrament (Covenant) between one MAN and one WOMAN confected and BLESSED by a Priest or Bishop of Holy Orthodoxy. It has always been clearly understood that the purpose of this Great Sacrament is for Pro-creation and the spiritual and physical comfort of those joined together.
This Blessing of the Man and Woman is the center of the Salvific Experience begun on Mt Sinai with Moses and culminating in the Holy Pascha of Christ-God. This Holy Sacrament not only unites the Man & Woman in Covenant, but ALSO unites them with the All Holy Good & Life Giving Spirit, Who is the Source and Guarantor of all promises, oaths and vows that Christians make. This includes such vows or promises whether they be integral parts of the Holy Sacraments or included within voluntary Holy Acts of Obedience and submission to the Will of Almighty God in loving submission to His Majesty. Thus, giving a Blessing confirms these things and cannot be used to confirm a sinful action (same sex union) which is distortion of the TRUTH!
It is our Prayer that such influences of the Evil One, which began in the Heavens before the Creation of the World, now be brought to naught. And further, that those who are in Offices of great responsibility or authority and who effect the lives of countless souls…if they have gone in error…return to the Eternal Truths and practices of the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic and Orthodox Church that have Existed since time immemorial.
Protocol No: 1224:23
UKASE
STATEMENT REAFFIRMING THE SANCTITY OF HOLY MATRIMONY
AS CHRIST-GOD INTENDED FOR HIS CREATION
The Bishops of the OCA-UAOC / Apostolic Orthodox Church – Standing Episcopal Conference of Orthodox Bishops have learned with a heavy heart the recent Directive of the Bishop of Rome allowing for the Blessing of Same Sex Unions by Clergy of the Roman Catholic Church. This also includes Bishops and Priests of the Eastern Rites under his Jurisdiction; however, many of the Eastern Rite Catholics, including the Ukrainians, have stood with Orthodox Christians rejecting this ill advised and corrupt practice that violates the heart and core of God's Plan for His creation begun with Adam & Eve, our first parents, in the Garden of Eden!
All throughout the History of the Judeo-Christian Patrimony, beginning with the Prophets of the Old Testament and continuing to St. Paul the Evangelist and the Apostles, such perversion and departure from Divine Laws, the Natural Law and moral common sense have been strongly and rigorously condemned by the Church.
Our Blessed Jurisdiction, Hierarchy, Clergy and Laity alike, must join together to re-affirm that Holy Orthodoxy is incontrovertible in holding fast to what Almighty God has willed for the good of Family Life and for His creation. Marriage is a Holy Sacrament (Covenant) between one MAN and one WOMAN confected and BLESSED by a Priest or Bishop of Holy Orthodoxy. It has always been clearly understood that the purpose of this Great Sacrament is for Pro-creation and the spiritual and physical comfort of those joined together.
This Blessing of the Man and Woman is the center of the Salvific Experience begun on Mt Sinai with Moses and culminating in the Holy Pascha of Christ-God. This Holy Sacrament not only unites the Man & Woman in Covenant, but ALSO unites them with the All Holy Good & Life Giving Spirit, Who is the Source and Guarantor of all promises, oaths and vows that Christians make. This includes such vows or promises whether they be integral parts of the Holy Sacraments or included within voluntary Holy Acts of Obedience and submission to the Will of Almighty God in loving submission to His Majesty. Thus, giving a Blessing confirms these things and cannot be used to confirm a sinful action (same sex union) which is distortion of the TRUTH!
It is our Prayer that such influences of the Evil One, which began in the Heavens before the Creation of the World, now be brought to naught. And further, that those who are in Offices of great responsibility or authority and who effect the lives of countless souls…if they have gone in error…return to the Eternal Truths and practices of the One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic and Orthodox Church that have Existed since time immemorial.
