Katerina,

Thank you for your comment and interest in this topic and website. When you state that “I thought everyone had a private life?”, I must ask you, what is private about the way the heterosexual world celebrates, announces, demonstrates and exhibits their life decisions, love life, marriages, etc.? Every magazine, television show, church bulletin, movie, commercial, conversation, includes information about people’s life choices when choosing a life partner. An entire wedding industry has emerged in the western world to facilitate just that. Gay people are no different. We want to announce our happiness, and invite others to celebrate with us. Everyone wants to love and be loved.

On the issue of sexuality and one’s job or home, have you ever heard of anyone being fired for discussing their wife or husband or not allowed to rent an apartment because they were heterosexual? No! And yet in numerous states, I, and all gay people can be fired simply for just being gay. While most people do not have a second thought when in casual conversation with their boss or work colleagues mentioning their opposite sex spouse, many of us have to go through mental gymnastics in not mentioning our same-sex spouse. Why do I have to remember to say “I went to the movies” instead of “we went to the movies”. Can you pretend not to be straight, even for one day? I have no intention of discussing my sex life with my husband at work, but I should not be fired because I might mention that we went grocery shopping together.

Under the topic of anal penetration, you are a bit misinformed. To make some general statements: Not all gay men participate in anal sex. Lesbians usually do not usually participate in anal sex. Many heterosexual couples participate in and enjoy anal sex. This is not a gay issue.

Finally, on the issue of procreation. As a parish priest for over 20 years, I performed numerous ceremonies for couples well past the age of procreation. This has always been accepted by the Orthodox Church, as second and third marriages are allowed. Marriage is far more than for procreation; this has always been the theology of the Church.

Thank you again for commenting.

I bid you peace,

Andriy

I thought everyone had a private life? I thought what people do in the privacy of their own lives was personal. What does a person’s sexuality have to do with them doing a job, or keeping a home?
Again, forgive me.
I cannot see why a person’s sexual orientation has to be the fount of their being? It certainly isn’t that of a child’s, and we should all aim to be children of Our Heavenly Father.

How can one see the face of God when in male homosexual intercourse one cannot see the face of the other?
I’m struggling to understand the point of male anal penetrational contact, being, as it is, in an exit, not an entrance. How can this be procreational?
We all do things for recreation, and that’s also the point of prayer. To reCreate.
I’m struggling with many passions , the demon of gluttony especially, so I won’t inherit the Kingdom, except the Lord, Have Mercy upon me.
Pray for me, a sinner.

Maria,

Thank you for your email and kind words. I am very happy for you and hope that the move will be very good for you. You are in my prayers. I bid you good health and inner peace,

Andriy

I will soon be moving to a new city. There is only one Orthodox Church there (a Romanian one, if memory serves), but this gives me a chance to "start over". Please pray for me.

God bless! 

Maria 

Thank you for your comment and support of this website. We all need to ask questions. While humility is important, ignorance is not. You are correct that there is an intolerance in the Orthodox Church.  Perhaps this is most evident in the “ethnic” parishes in the diaspora.  They can be very uninviting. While there are usually historical reasons for this, there is not a deep desire to change. I am sorry that you lost your faith as a teenager.  But, it is probably hidden and not lost. I encourage you to find a new parish and live and express the love and acceptance of Christ.  You will help, in the words of St. Seraphim of Sarov, countless others, if you obtain the true peace and message of Christ.  I bid you peace. Please stay in touch.

Andriy