The worst sin: Priests of the Russian Orthodox Church have removed questions from the future of the soul of a suicidetranslated

September 1, 2026 · 1 min read

The worst sin: The priests of the Russian Orthodox Church have removed questions from the future of the soul of a suicide glavny.tv

Source: GN church: Russian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) · Read the full story →

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💬 Comments (12) 🌐 Translate comments

Matthew Thomas

I remember Father John saying last year that the Church has always prayed for suicides in private, so this isn't really new. Still, it's good they're being open about it now instead of just leaving families in the dark. Makes you think twice about how we treat people who are really struggling.

Nikolla Nako

Po mendova për atë që tha Matthew Thomas për lutjet private. Në kishën tonë në Gjirokastër kemi parë familje që vuajnë shumë pas një vetëvrasjeje, dhe nuk dinin çfarë të bënin. Është mirë që tani flitet haptazi, sepse heshtja vetëm i lë njerëzit më të vetmuar.

Ευάγγελος Παπαγεωργίου

Συμφωνώ με τον Matthew Thomas. Στο Ηράκλειο έχουμε δει οικογένειες να σπαράζουν μετά από τέτοια τραγικά περιστατικά και να μην ξέρουν αν μπορούν να ανάψουν καν καντήλι. Καλό είναι που το λένε πια ανοιχτά, έστω και αν η Εκκλησία μας εδώ στην Ελλάδα δεν το έχει αλλάξει ακόμα.

Georg Weber

In unserer Gemeinde hier in Hamburg haben wir auch schon Familien erlebt, die nach einem Suizid nicht wussten, ob sie überhaupt eine Kerze anzünden dürfen. Schön, dass die russischen Priester das jetzt offen sagen, auch wenn es bei uns in der serbischen Kirche noch nicht so klar geregelt ist. Macht einen nachdenklich.

Hannah Hall

I remember when our priest here in Chicago quietly prayed for a young man who took his own life back in the nineties. The family was lost about lighting a candle or even mentioning him at liturgy. Good that the Russian priests are saying it out loud now; it takes some of the extra weight off the people left behind.

Stephen Walker

I remember something similar in our parish years ago — the family felt they couldn’t even say his name at the memorial table. It’s a quiet relief to hear the priests speak plainly about God’s mercy rather than adding to the burden. Did your priest explain anything about the prayer itself, or was it kept very private?

Elizabeth Hall

I remember hearing something similar from our priest years ago too, that private prayers for the departed have gone on quietly for a long time. It does seem kinder to be open about it now, especially for the families left behind. Have you come across any particular service or prayer that Father John mentioned?

George Miller

I remember a similar case in our Melbourne parish about fifteen years back. The family felt they had to hide the whole thing, even from the priest at first. It’s good when the Church says plainly that God’s mercy isn’t cancelled by one terrible moment; takes some of the extra guilt off the living.

Emma Mitchell

I remember that kind of silence in our own parish years ago too, George. A young man from our choir took his life and the family carried the shame for months before they even told Father. It’s a relief the Church is clearer now about God’s mercy; still, I always pray for the living ones left behind, they seem to carry twice the weight. Have you seen any change in how your Melbourne community handles the funerals since then?

Ruth Wilson

I remember that shame weighing on families too, Emma. Our parish had a similar case with a teenage girl from the youth group a few years back; her parents waited almost a year before they could even talk about it in confession. The clearer teaching on God’s mercy has helped some, but you’re right, the ones left behind still seem to carry most of it. Have the funerals in your Melbourne parish started including more open prayers for the living family now?

Laura Baker

I remember that shame too, Ruth — our own youth group lost a boy to suicide back in 2018, and his mom told me it took her months just to say his name out loud at coffee hour. The clearer teaching on mercy has eased some of the guilt for the parents here, but I still see the siblings carrying it the longest. Have you noticed if your parish started any quiet support meals or check-ins for the surviving kids?

Peter Evans

I remember that same heavy silence in our Boston parish back in the nineties, Emma, when old Mr. K. from the men’s group lost his son that way. The family tiptoed around it for months, and Father only found out after the fact. The clearer word on mercy does lift some of the old dread, but you’re right, the ones still here carry the real burden. Has your Melbourne priest started offering any quiet memorial prayers for the living families now?