This post was originally published on this site
The Holy Synod of Bishops of the Orthodox Church in America, meeting in its regular Fall 2026 Session at Saint Vladimir’s Orthodox Theological Seminary under the presidency of His Beatitude Metropolitan Tikhon, approved a synodal statement entitled “A Christian Ending to Our Life,” addressing assisted suicide, euthanasia, and the care of those approaching death.
Addressed to the clergy, monastics, and faithful, the statement reaffirms the Church’s teaching on the sacredness of human life while offering pastoral guidance to those who suffer, their families and caregivers, and those serving in the healing professions.
“The dignity of a human person does not rest on strength, independence, or usefulness,” the hierarchs write. “It rests on the image of God, which is no less present in one who lies dying than in one who is in the fullness of health.”
The statement affirms that assisted suicide and euthanasia cannot be blessed by the Church. It distinguishes these acts from appropriate pain relief, hospice and palliative care, and decisions to withhold or withdraw treatments that no longer offer reasonable benefit or impose disproportionate burdens.
The Holy Synod provides pastoral directives for the faithful, clergy, and healthcare professionals, referring questions concerning pastoral care to the diocesan bishop and entrusting decisions about funeral and memorial services to his discernment. The statement also encourages preparation of advance directives and calls upon parishes, monasteries, and Church institutions to strengthen their ministries to the sick, the dying, and those who care for them.
Speaking directly to the sick and those approaching death, the bishops offer reassurance that dependence on others does not diminish a person’s dignity or place in the Church: “You are not a burden to the Body of Christ.” They continue: “When others care for you, you are not taking from them; you are giving them Christ to serve, for He said, ‘I was sick, and ye visited me’ (Mt 25:36).” The statement encourages those who suffer to speak openly with their physicians and priests about their fears, to seek relief from pain, and to receive the Holy Mysteries often.
“Let us therefore care for one another to the end,” the statement concludes. “Let us relieve every pain we can relieve, and sit beside every pain we cannot.”
The full text of the statement, including an appendix containing the advance directive of the ever-memorable Archimandrite Roman (Braga), is available here.
The Holy Synod expresses its gratitude to the special commission appointed under the chairmanship of His Grace Bishop Gerasim, bringing together scholars and physicians with expertise in the issues addressed by the statement. Their careful study and recommendations provided a valuable foundation for the Holy Synod’s deliberations and the preparation of this pastoral letter.
