Greek Orthodox response to DOMA decision
From Metropolitan Isaiah of Denver
On June 26, 2013 the United States Supreme Court ruled on two same-sex
marriage cases. The Court knew it was making history since both decisions affect
the civil administration of one ofthe most-basic human institutions.
Our Greek Orthodox Church exists in these United States, at local and national
levels, as the Body of Christ. We are grateful for the freedoms afforded us to freely
practice as well asto articulate and represent the ancient, Apostolic Christian faith.
Our Greek Orthodox faithful exist individually as citizens of this land, and we
must likewise be grateful for the personal liberties we enjoy. We are obligated by
our ancient, Apostolic Christian faith to respect the properly-legislated civil laws
and the duly-adjudicated legal decisions of our local and national governments.
These simple realities are clear to us. It is our Lord Himself Who commands
that we “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the
things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). We are to respect civil authority and to
abide by the laws of our land.
It is the Apostle Paul who expands this command of the Savior and who
prescribes our proper and healthy relationship with civil authority in saying, “I
exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be
made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet
and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable
in the sight of God our Savior” (1 Timothy 2:1-3).
As citizens we enjoy the privilege in this American nation to freely voice our
opinions, informed by our Orthodox Christian conscience. We also enjoy the
freedom to live our lives in accordance with our Orthodox Christian conscience,
without interference from those in civil authority. These are our rights; they are
protected by the Constitution and by the laws enacted in accordance therewith.
Complete text
On June 26, 2013 the United States Supreme Court ruled on two same-sex
marriage cases. The Court knew it was making history since both decisions affect
the civil administration of one ofthe most-basic human institutions.
Our Greek Orthodox Church exists in these United States, at local and national
levels, as the Body of Christ. We are grateful for the freedoms afforded us to freely
practice as well asto articulate and represent the ancient, Apostolic Christian faith.
Our Greek Orthodox faithful exist individually as citizens of this land, and we
must likewise be grateful for the personal liberties we enjoy. We are obligated by
our ancient, Apostolic Christian faith to respect the properly-legislated civil laws
and the duly-adjudicated legal decisions of our local and national governments.
These simple realities are clear to us. It is our Lord Himself Who commands
that we “Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the
things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:21). We are to respect civil authority and to
abide by the laws of our land.
It is the Apostle Paul who expands this command of the Savior and who
prescribes our proper and healthy relationship with civil authority in saying, “I
exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be
made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet
and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable
in the sight of God our Savior” (1 Timothy 2:1-3).
As citizens we enjoy the privilege in this American nation to freely voice our
opinions, informed by our Orthodox Christian conscience. We also enjoy the
freedom to live our lives in accordance with our Orthodox Christian conscience,
without interference from those in civil authority. These are our rights; they are
protected by the Constitution and by the laws enacted in accordance therewith.
Complete text
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