A vow of celibacy, or celibacy, is given only for religious reasons. So Orthodox priests explain. Officially, it is possible only when a person accepts the monastic rank. Actually, for every person, the church believes, there are only two big roads: monasticism, one of whose obedience is the vow of celibacy, or family life.
The path of a layman who wants to take a vow of celibacy is not considered celibacy: it is a personal choice of each person, a small path between two large roads. However, clergymen remind, people and without any vows need to remember: any relationship (we are talking about sex) outside of marriage is nothing but fornication, that is, sin. Some people who are superficially familiar with religion claim that a vow of celibacy does not mean a lack of sexual intercourse. This is not true. Any
intimate relationship (with women, men, especially
children) outside of marriage is fornication and sin.
Celibacy
A vow of celibacy is associated only with men, because a woman cannot be a priest. The church does not insist on the adoption of this vow, but the apostle Paul explained: a person who is not burdened with marriage, thinks more about the spiritual, while a man who has a wife and children is carnal, earthly, and worldly. This does not prevent him from serving God, but an unmarried priest still does it better. Mandatory celibacy in Orthodoxy is only for bishops, and in Catholicism - for most priests and deacons, bishops.
However, history knows of cases when widows became bishops. They took celibacy only upon receipt of the rank. The vow of celibacy applies not only to marriage, but to all types of sex, including masturbation.
Causes of celibacy
The main reason why they take a vow of celibacy is the desire to please and serve God in every way, to get rid of carnal sins, which are considered sexual relations, as well as a test of willpower. However, not only for religious reasons do people take vows. The famous journalist, atheist and scholar Anatoly Wasserman at the age of 17 made a vow of celibacy so that his wife would not interfere with his studies.
However, this is not celibacy: Wasserman, by his admission, refused only marriage. If we talk about women, then the vow of celibacy, which they take, is most often called the vow of chastity. Either fanatical believers or feminists give it.
How to vow celibacy?
A vow can be made for life or for a limited period. Violating it is a grave sin. This should be known to everyone who is going to take this step. Tell your loved ones about your vow - they can help when the time for temptations comes. You can turn to the priest: his recommendations are not placed. However, to take a vow, attending church is not necessary.
About the dangers of the vow
• Lack of the necessary sexual detente for men leads to systematic masturbation (which is already a sin), and sometimes to sexual offenses.
• Some priests, hoping that the Bible forbids only sex with women, become pedophiles or homosexuals.
• Lack of intimate life often leads to the development of diseases of the male genital area: prostatitis, atrophy of the bladder, cancer.