Obitelj i prokreacija u pravoslavnoj teologiji
Family and procreation in orthodox theology

Summary/Abstract: The position and role of family in contemporary society, as well as throughout history, imply an inevitable return to its basic formula: that it is a communion of two people of different sexes united by God’s blessing into one spiritual being, but preserving further on their separate identities. One of the bases of human life in the family communion is its religious foundation. Without that dimension it is difficult to understand the meaning of family, and for that very reason it is no wonder that in the times of spiritual poverty and God-denials the meaning of marriage and its institution has often been questioned. The Christian relation to marriage is based on the understanding that marriage is of divine nature, and not an accidental link of opposite sexes. Importance, obligation and strength of matrimonial unity must last all life long. Christian practice of marriage is based only on sincere commitment to God, which is requited by God’s grace to spouses, and this commitment was (and has remained thus so far) the only strength and power that can replace law by love, so that it can restrain natural instincts in the best way and make them softened, ennobled and directed towards other objectives: towards the spiritual-psychical love of the spouse, Christian education of children, and promotion of moral attitudes and marriage culture. While opting for, understanding and accepting Orthodox-Christian way of life there are only two ways or choices - the way of purity and chastity in a monastic vow, and the way of chastity within the family. In this, as well as in every other sacrament, one brings one’s family life into the Church, in order to include it in the ecclesial way of existence by which the Church makes human nature immortal. Marriage is not merely a mutual relationship and not just mutual acquaintance that does not reach farther than natural loving strength. The spousal relationship and understanding in the Sacrament of Marriage becomes an ecclesial event being realized not according to nature, but through the Church. We observe here a dynamic transformation of a natural sexual instinct, in the same way as the Church forever takes the marital community/union as God’s grace, as a gift of personal freedom and uniqueness.

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