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CIRCUMCISION
It is known that Jews and Moslems practice circumcision for religious reasons. Some doctors deem circumcision necessary for reasons of health and cleanliness. The Orthodox Church does not prohibit circumcision as long as it is not practiced for religious reasons.
SUICIDE
Since no one is permitted to take the life of another, no one is permitted to take his or her own life, that is, to commit suicide. Suicide is murder and consequently a grave sin.
Committing suicide signifies loss of patience, hope, and faith in God. A person of faith does not lose hope, no matter how great the difficulties he or she faces. The Orthodox Church denies a Church funeral to a person who has committed suicide. Only when a doctor certifies that such a person has lost his or her sanity does a Church permit a Church funeral.
AUTOPSY
When the causes of illness have not been diagnosed before a person's death, the doctors with the permission of the next of kin, perform an autopsy. Often an autopsy leads to enlightening observations. Because of this, the Orthodox Church does not prohibit the autopsy of the dead, although a body may not be given strictly for medical research or experimentation.
Because the human body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit, the Orthodox Church insists that those who perform the autopsies accord the utmost respect to the body.
CREMATION OF THE DEAD
Various Christian groups, instead of burial, prefer the cremation of the dead, which was customary among many ancient peoples. The Orthodox Church, however, mindful of the fact that the human body is the Temple of the Holy Spirit and inspired by the affection towards her departed children refuses to deliberately destroy the body, and has adopted the burial of the dead, as it appears in the catacombs, and in the graves of the Martyrs and Saints.
Cremation, therefore, is contrary to the faith and tradition of our Church and is forbidden to Orthodox Christians. A Church funeral is denied to a person who has been or will be cremated.
FASTING IN THE ORTHODOX CHURCH
Just as there are times for feasting in the Church, there are also times for fasting. Jesus Christ Himself often fasted and insisted that the people fast as well.
Fasting is not a set of dietary laws or legalistic requirements. Rather, fasting accompanied by prayer, is a spiritual aid which disciplines the body and soul and enables them to strive together to bring the whole person closer to God, especially during the preparation periods for the great feast days of the Church. The following are fast days and seasons:
The Day before Epiphany—January 5
The second Wednesday and Friday of the Triodion
The last week before Great Lent
Great Lent
Holy Week
Holy Apostles Lent
Dormition of the Mother of God Lent—August 1 through August 14
Beheading of St. John the Baptist— August 29
Exaltation of the holy Cross—September 14
Christmas Lent—November 15 through December 24
All Wednesdays and Fridays, except those noted
below.
The following are fast days on which fish is permitted:
Annunciation Day—March 25. If, however, Annunciation Day does not come during Lent, then the day is completely fast-free.
Palm Sunday
Transfiguration—August 6
The following days are completely fast-free:
The first week of the Triodion, including Wednesday and Friday (This time period is always determined by the date of Holy Pascha for that year.)
Easter Week (Diakainisimos or Bright Week -the following Pascha -Easter)
The week following Pentecost
December 25 through January 4
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