The Eastern Orthodox Church’s views on abortion are influenced by Church doctrine and canons, which are the authoritative rules or laws that guide the Church’s practice. These provide a basis for the Church’s teaching and pastoral response to abortion.
- Doctrine: The Eastern Orthodox Church doesn’t have a single, comprehensive document outlining its doctrines like the Roman Catholic Church’s Catechism. However, its teachings on the sanctity of life and the nature of sin inform its stance on abortion. Life is viewed as a gift from God and is considered sacred from conception. Therefore, abortion is generally considered a grave sin, as it involves the ending of a human life.
- Canons: The canons of the Orthodox Church, which are rules or laws derived from ecumenical councils and Church Fathers, address abortion in several instances:
- The Quinisext Council, also known as the Council in Trullo (692 AD), includes several canons condemning abortion. For example, Canon II equates performing an abortion with murder.
- The canons of St. Basil the Great, a 4th-century Church Father, also discuss abortion. Canon VIII states that a woman who deliberately aborts a fetus is subject to the same penance as a murderer.
- Principle of Economy: The doctrine of “economy” or “oikonomia” in Orthodoxy allows for some leniency in the application of canons in certain circumstances. This principle may be applied to offer compassion and mercy to individuals who have had abortions, acknowledging their repentance and offering a path towards healing and reconciliation.
- Pastoral Guidance: Eastern Orthodoxy places significant emphasis on the role of the spiritual father or confessor in guiding individual believers. In cases involving abortion, Orthodox clergy are called upon to provide pastoral care and guidance, balancing the condemnation of the act with recognition of the complex factors that can lead to such a decision.
These teachings and guidelines shape the Orthodox Church’s stance on abortion. However, as with other Christian traditions, views on abortion can vary among Orthodox Christians, reflecting influences such as personal experiences, cultural context, and individual interpretations of faith and morality.