When a person decides to commit suicide, he does not think that he is committing a terrible mortal sin. Life is a treasure that the Lord gave him. And only he can take away. However, there are also special cases of voluntary departure from life.
No forgiveness
Every Christian has a cross of life. God does not give anyone a burden beyond his strength. The Lord helps those who turn to him through prayers to overcome suffering and sinful temptations.
Any sin can be sincerely repentant. There is time for this. The suicide deprives himself of repentance. Therefore, the Lord cannot forgive him.
The suicide thinks that by killing himself he will get rid of suffering forever. But the soul does not die with the body. She continues to suffer. Forever now.
Those who have decided on a terrible sin are sure that there is no way out in their situation. The Lord will tell you a way out, and not one. You just need to ask him about it.
The suicide crime consists in the fact that he willfully terminate a life that belongs not only to him. But also to God, who gave it to man for improvement. The suicide renounces life responsibilities, forgets about loved ones.
According to church canons, those who voluntarily take their own lives are not given a funeral service in the church. They cannot be buried in church cemeteries. Remembered in funeral prayers and memorial services.
Who is considered suicide
The church also includes those killed in a duel, criminals killed during a robbery, people who died as a result of euthanasia as suicides. And even those who are suspected of committing suicide. For example, if he drowned under unknown circumstances.
The dead fans of extreme sports are considered suicides. They deliberately took risks, knowing that dangerous entertainment could end in death.
Alcoholics, drug addicts and smokers are also slowly killing themselves. True, the church does not classify those who have died from hard drinking as suicides. It is believed that due to the clouding of their minds, they do not give an account of their actions.
For them - an exception
Only suicides with mental illness are not denied in church commemoration. An exception is made for them. Relatives need to take a certificate from the medical institution where the unfortunate person was registered, and write a corresponding petition to the bishop of the diocese.
Put your soul in for your friends
There are also special cases of voluntary departure from life. They cannot be considered a sin.
A person goes to death for the sake of truth and adherence to the highest values. Samson, who brought down the vaults of the temple, in which the Philistine enemies were with him, is not a suicide, but an ascetic.
Those who sacrifice themselves for the sake of other people cannot be called suicides. A soldier with grenades rushed under an enemy tank. A firefighter or policeman who died in the line of duty.
