What does the Orthodox Faith tell us about suicide ?
Our faith teaches us that, no matter how hopeless our plight in life may seem, with God there is always cause to have hope. Our Lord continually emphasizes this, not only by His words, but likewise by His deeds, and most specifically by the miracles that He performed which transformed what often seemed to be hopeless situations into occasions of joy. As seen in the image of Judas, who sunk into despair and hopelessness and hung himself — he, like the Wise Thief, could have repented and sought and received forgiveness — when one forgets that “with God, all things are possible,” one can indeed sink to such a state of despair that suicide might appear to be a solution. However, as we know, suicide is never a valid solution to life’s trials and difficulties and, as such, it might be termed the ultimate form of despair, the ultimate admission that even with God, there is no hope for one’s life and crises. God is the Source and Giver of life — life which is sustained by the Holy Spirit, W
