Orthodoxy and the Environment

The earth on which we dwell is sacred. When God created the world through the Word, all that He made was good. Before He rested, God created man in His image and according to His likeness. He took man from the earth, formed and shaped him and breathed life into him. God gave man dominion over the earth and all things on it. The intnetion was that man would use what God had given him for his needs. But when the first created man fell from grace, and fell into a state contrary to what God intended, all of creation was affected. We are called to use and not abuse what God has given us, but this will only begin when we realize the sacredness of humanity and when we begin to see God in others and in the environment around us.

"Man lives in coexistence and direct realtionship with his environment and creation in general. This coexistence and the quality of this relationship sets its mark on the quality of his life. Holy Scripture, the Fathers and the whole of the Church's liturgical tradition and life refer frequently to man's relationship with creation, underlining the necessity of harmony in this relationship. They also indicate ways for man and nature to work together, opening up paths that man must follow in order to arrive with creation at his ultimate goal, salvation." (Man and the Environment: A Study of St. Symeon the New Theologian. Anestis G. Keselopoulos. St. Vladimir's Seminary Press, 2001)

For more information on the position of the Orthodox Church on the Environment please visit the following website:

www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/environment/