Also, if procreation were they only criteria for marriages and relationships blessed by the Church, then there are several wedding of older people that I personally celebrated that were not valid. Every other Orthodox priest in the world can probably say the same thing. There is nothing in Church law that states that two people (heterosexual) should not be married because they are both or individually passed an age where procreation is possible (post-menopausal women for example or men unable to produce sperm).

I do indeed wish you a blessed Pascha-Easter and much peace and love in the Risen Lord.

Andriy

If you are quoting the holy Father John Chrysostom correctly, then St. John is wrong on this issue. There are numerous examples of homosexual activity in the animal world. Any basic biology book will point this out. If marriage was only for the creation of offspring then the church would deny marriages to a couple where the woman is past the age of he possibility of giving birth or in instances where conception is not possible – such as where the woman has had ovarian cancer.
Andriy

Noel,
You raise a question that can be categorized as “an oldie but a goodie”. I suppose that that there are numerous reasons: historical, theological, ethical, political, societal – but they all boil down to ignorance. The Church certainly plays a major part because for years it has adhered to ancient and faulty interpretations of Scripture, adherence to church laws that are no longer valid, as well as picking and choosing certain teachings that have oppressed gay people, women, certain ethnic or racial groups over the centuries. As we know the history of the church “getting into bed” with civil authorities is a long one. Looking at present day Georgia, Ukraine, Russia, and other countries certainly show this “mutual admiration society” born out of the desire for power.
However, in most modern, Western societies, the walls of animosity do seem to be falling down slowly. This has happened because LGBT persons have come out, become visible and straight people have seen that we are not monsters, but average, rather boring people. While I realize that the climate can still be difficult or unsafe for many to reveal who God truly made them to be, whenever we can come out, to family, friends, co-workers etc. we do make it easier for others to accept us. That realization is a necessary step to making changes in civil law for equality.
As far as the Church goes – I truly believe that most of the younger bishops and priests understand this, but the fear to openly express such views is immense and the repercussions greater. They are trying to save an image of the Church that is more suitable for Byzantine or Romanov times instead of 2013.
I bid you peace. Please stay in touch and thank you for your support.
Andriy