Any State Support of Same-Sex Relations Would Be Unacceptable, Says Russian Orthodox Spokesman

The chairman of the ROC Synodal Department for Church Relations with Society and the Media explained the Church's position regarding same-sex relations.

The Russian Orthodox Church considers same-sex relationships a sin and does not allow either church or state support of them. Vladimir Legoyda said this on the radio "Vera", answering the question of the presenter about the sensational statement of the head of the Roman Catholic Church about same-sex civil unions, Patriarchia.ru reports.

Vladimir Legoyda. Photo: pravoslavie.ru

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Noting that he does not consider it possible to comment on the private opinion of Pope Francis, Legoyda stressed that the position of the Russian Orthodox Church on the issue of same-sex relations remains unchanged.

“We consider same-sex relationships a sin and not only do not welcome, but also do not allow either church or state support of them,” he explained.

According to him, the ban on such relations, like the ban on adultery, is part of the values of the worldview system of Christianity.

“And when our opponents say that there is a physiological attraction, and therefore such a relationship is natural, and therefore permissible, and should be blessed, then they are making a serious mistake,” added Vladimir Legoyda. "Because the point is not that this or that action is physiologically possible, but that there is a value prohibition on such relations. It is important to understand that Christians do not stand for some kind of 'natural' state, but for the established order of God."

He stressed that "there are things that are unshakable."

“This does not mean that the Church does not change. But the Church's task is to clarify and hone its position, and not change it to please the conjuncture. The Church should be wise in terms of the ability to theological explanation of its position in relation to each specific situation, "- explained the head of the Synodal Department of the Russian Orthodox Church on the relationship of the Church with society and the media.

As reported by the UOJ, the premiere of a documentary film took place earlier in Rome, in one of the episodes of which the current head of the Vatican, Pope Francis, proposed to legalize same-sex civil unions.