The Russian Orthodox Church teaches that marriage is a sacred union between man and woman for life, ordained by God. It also stresses the importance of chastity before marriage and faithfulness within it. In contrast, many Russian Old Believers see sex as an essential part of married life and believe that it must be limited only to the conjugal bed. They have created detailed laws that govern sexual behavior, including rules on marital intimacy and ethical sexual practices. These laws are based on their interpretation of Scripture, tradition, and experience.
There are specific rules regarding when sex can occur during marriage. Generally speaking, Old Believer couples should not engage in sexual intercourse on Sunday and certain feast days.
They may refrain from it during fasting periods such as Lent and Advent. The exact timing of these restrictions varies depending on the community and region but typically involves abstinence from sex for several weeks or months at a time.
Old Believers place great emphasis on the sanctity of marriage. Conjugal relations are seen as sacred and exclusive to the husband and wife alone. Adultery, masturbation, pornography, prostitution, homosexuality, bestiality, incest, and any other forms of sexual immorality are strictly forbidden under the law. Even kissing and touching without consent are considered serious offenses. Those who violate these laws can face harsh punishments ranging from excommunication to physical violence.
Old Believers view childbearing as a blessing and an obligation. Children are expected to follow the faith and carry on family traditions. Therefore, contraception is strongly discouraged and abortion is viewed as murder. Sexual activity must always lead to conception, which makes birth control unacceptable.
These rules help regulate marital intimacy by establishing clear boundaries around what is acceptable behavior within marriage. They also promote ethical sexual practices such as chastity before marriage and fidelity within it. By following these laws, Russian Old Believer communities seek to honor God's will while living out their beliefs in everyday life.
How do Russian Old Believer communities integrate religious doctrine and traditional law to regulate sexual behavior, marital intimacy, and ethical sexual practices?
Russian Old Believer communities are highly traditionalist and conservative in their approach towards sexuality. They believe that all forms of sexual expression should be confined within marriage between man and woman for procreation purposes only. According to their religious teachings, any form of premarital or extramarital sex is forbidden and considered sinful. Any deviation from this norm is punishable by excommunication from the community.