23 September/October 6 2025 The Conception of Saint John the Baptist

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Issues concerning abortion and contraception are of continuing pastoral concern. We have addressed the issue of abortion here. The question of contraception also needs clarity. Therefore, we offer this book by Priestmonk Kosmas, which has the blessing of Archbishop George of Sydney, Australia and New Zealand and my endorsement. Included below is a statement from Archpriest Gregory Naumenko (Lecturer Emeritus) who for many years taught Pastoral Theology at Holy Trinity Seminary.

The Lord protect and save us!

+ Bishop Luke

Abbot of Holy Trinity Monastery

Rector of Holy Trinity Seminary

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Statement from Archpriest Gregory Naumenko

Your Grace, dear Vladyka Luke,

I had been teaching Pastoral Theology at our Seminary starting with the 1983-84 school year. Being the spiritual child of Archimandrite Cyprian (Pyzhov) my views on family planning were very conservative (which was basically that the only form of birth control allowable was abstention). So that was what I taught to my students. At times, one student or another would inform me that they knew of a priest that allowed birth control. I knew that Archbishop Laurus and Metropolitan Vitaly strongly disapproved of such practices. However, I was curious about what the other ROCOR bishops thought. I got my chance to find out in October of 1990. That was when the glorification of the Optina Elders took place in the Cathedral Church of Saint Nicholas in Montreal, Canada. Following the Divine Liturgy there was a festive banquet and all the bishops were placed at the head table on a dais. As we waited for the food to be served, people started coming up to the dais and asking the bishops to sign their commemorative brochures. I took the opportunity to go down the line and ask all the bishops about «допустимости противозачаточных средств» (Is it permitted to use contraceptives?) The answer was one and the same from all the hierarchs: «НЕТ» (No).

Archpriest Gregory

 Icon of the Most Holy Theotokos, Protectress of the Unborn

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