Definition of "Grave Sin"

TomS · Post by **TomS** » Sun 12 October 2003 6:54 pm

Can someone please refer me to an article which defines the Orthodox definition of what is considered a "grave sin"?

OrthodoxyOrDeath · Sun 12 October 2003 10:51 pm

There are no "Grave" and "Venial" sins in Orthodoxy, at least in the Latin sense. Having said that, I have had some grave sins in my lifetime.

Julianna · Post by **Julianna** » Thu 16 October 2003 7:30 pm

May I ask why you're askin?

TomS · Post by **TomS** » Thu 16 October 2003 10:41 pm

Sure!

I was reading something from the GOA Archdiocese which talked about receiving the Eucharist and said the following:

"Baptized Orthodox Christians fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when they receive Holy Communion. In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, communicants should not be conscious of any grave sin, have fasted and seek to live in charity and love with their neighbors. Persons conscious of grave sin must first be reconciled with God, the Church and their fellow man through the sacrament of Penance (Confession). Frequent reception of the sacrament of Holy Communion is encouraged for all."

But NOWHERE can I find what the definition of Grave Sin is? Now I am pretty sure that one is MURDER, but what else?

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Nektarios14 · Post by **Nektarios14** » Thu 16 October 2003 11:25 pm

Why not ask your spiritual Father? He could give you a rule for how often to go to confession and recieve communion....and that would answer your question.

Lounger · Post by **Lounger** » Fri 17 October 2003 12:03 am

In an earlier thread Tom mentioned this. His church does not offer confession except once a year and everyone communes every week. Also his priest is too busy to talk to anyone even the men wanting to become priests.

Mor Ephrem · Post by **Mor Ephrem** » Fri 17 October 2003 1:13 am

Getting back on topic, OOD says that the Orthodox Church doesn't have any categories of "mortal" and "venial" sins. But what does this mean practically? Are all sins in all cases equal to each other no matter what? Is the college junior who plagiarises "as bad" as a serial murderer? Surely there is some sort of "hierarchy" of sins; even Saint John seems to admit such in his first epistle. If Orthodoxy doesn't have categories of sins the way the Latins do, then what exactly does the Orthodox Church teach about sin in this respect?