The Other Unforgivable Sin

Patristic theology, and traditional teachings of Orthodoxy from the Church fathers of apostolic times to the present. All forum Rules apply. No polemics. No heated discussions. No name-calling.


Justin Kissel

Post by Justin Kissel »

FWIW...

"If any one in sickness has been subjected by physicians to a surgical operation, or if he has been castrated by barbarians, let him remain among the clergy; but, if any one in sound health has castrated himself, it behoves that such an one, if[already] enrolled among the clergy, should cease[from his ministry], and that from henceforth no such person should be promoted. But, as it is evident that this is said of those who wilfully do the thing and presume to castrate themselves, so if any have been made eunuchs by barbarians, or by their masters, and should otherwise be found worthy, such men the Canon admits to the clergy." - 1st Ecumenical Council, Canon 1

Padraig
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Post by Padraig »

romiosini wrote:

That wouldn't be normal.

That isn't the issue. Nobody said it was normal.

romiosini wrote:

Now but if I understand the modern (Traditional and Ecumenists) I dont think they would him/her into the Church. I wonder what would the priests on this forum would think. This issue needs strong research. Because Transexuality is Sodomy at it's peak no?

A priest who refused such a person baptism would be guilty of a grave sin. A transsexual might be expected to remain celibate; nobody is saying that the Church has to change any of its rules. But it needs no research at all. All it needs is a little common sense.

romiosini wrote:

But how would this person be baptised? It won't only scandalize the Church but the people too!

If the Church and the people are scandalized because the Church receives those who turn to her, the Church and the people had better get their heads on right. Our Savior came to save the world, not to turn people away because of what they have done in the past.

romiosini wrote:

(Think! A woman, i.e. a literate whore, who desired to become a man, (and let's say she's gotten the attachments also...) and later on becomes Orthodox and becomes a BISHOP!)

Get serious.

romiosini wrote:

GOOD LORD, I wonder, how can anyone really repent from it spiritually and physicily? (I don't think when you remove your attachements (as a man) is possible to have them back...)

It would, of course, be extremely difficult for such people to even want to come into the Church, when they would be met by ignorant people telling them they had committed an unforgivable sin and were unworthy of baptism.

Do you suppose that any of us are anything but sinners? Do you suppose that any of us are worthy of God's mercy?

romiosini wrote:

(Sorry but this is a little wierd, I hope I haven't affended anyone of you.)

I think what you are saying is very close to blasphemy, because you are allowing your horror of transsexuals to make you uncharitable, and you are supposing that God is as unmerciful as you are.

Patrick

romiosini

Post by romiosini »

Easy Patrick, being an adolescent, of course you can ask questions that sound completely blasphemous if you don't know. But just wondering, when the person (a guy) (that became a woman) would repent and be baptised... I'm guessing he/she would be baptised as a man right? I just don't know how would the church react. I know from the Traditionalists Church in my regions have problems with young people who like their opposite sex. But what would you think when a person who is a transexual but meets the church but does not revert to his GOD-given gender and still acts to the gender he changed too?

anyways, it isn't of course, Homosexuality is a forgivable sin. Look at Father Seraphim Rose of Platina of Blessed Memory! A former Homosexual who became a hesychast (if not, then almost like one) in the Forests of Platina. But I guess, transexuality can be forgiven if taking at certain mesures according to the priest who recieves him/her repenting.

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George Australia
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Post by George Australia »

romiosini wrote:

But I guess, transexuality can be forgiven if taking at certain mesures according to the priest who recieves him/her repenting.

Dear in Christ romiosini,
It is good when we realise we may have been mistaken. The issue at hand is the forgiveness of sin. The Church teaches that all sin can be forgiven, and the Church condemnes the teaching that certain sins cannot be forgiven. This is the Novatian heresy. You can find out about it here.
George

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尼古拉前执事
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What about Sins against the Holy Spirit?

Post by 尼古拉前执事 »

Actually, I feel I should point out that the Holy Scriptures say that the only unforgivable sin is sin against the Holy Spirit.

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