Throughout history, there has been much debate about the morality of living together before marriage. In Christianity, the Bible states that men and women are to be joined together in matrimony "until death parts them" (Romans 7:2), which implies that it is wrong for unmarried couples to live together as if they were married. This belief stems from the idea that marriage is a sacred institution ordained by God and should only occur between a man and woman who have made a lifelong commitment to each other.
Russian religious narratives frame premarital cohabitation as moral decay differently than Western cultures do. While some Russian Orthodox leaders may view cohabitation as immoral, others see it as an acceptable practice so long as the couple is committed to marrying. The concept of khleb i sol is also present in Russian culture; this means "bread and salt," or hospitality to guests. As such, hosting someone in your home can be seen as an act of charity and even a sign of good faith. Cohabiting without marriage in Russia is often referred to as "living in sin."
Many Russians believe that it is more acceptable for unmarried couples to engage in sexual intercourse than those living together outside of marriage due to its association with infidelity and promiscuity.
In terms of attitudes toward sex, Russian culture generally sees it as something that belongs within the confines of marriage and not casual relationships. Pre-marital sex is viewed as taboo and often associated with shame and disgrace. This attitude has led to a higher rate of pregnancy among teenagers and single women. Despite these views, there are still instances of young people engaging in risky behavior related to sex and relationship issues like rape, violence, and divorce. There are some organizations in Russia dedicated to helping youth avoid these outcomes through education and counseling programs. While Russian religious narratives may frame premarital cohabitation as morally wrong, they have been influenced by historical factors like the patriarchal family structure, cultural norms around hospitality, and attitudes about sex.