The priest explained to the Penzens what sin the Church cannot forgive

Sincere repentance, according to the Orthodox canons, is not just regret for a wrongdoing, but a deep awareness of guilt and willingness to change your life abruptly. Priest Alexander Ilyashenko explained that God’s mercy is boundless and covers even the most terrible sins if a person manages to turn to faith during life.

This rule applies even in the case of renunciation of faith. Such a grave sin can be forgiven if a person sincerely reconsiders his actions and returns to Christian covenants.

However, there is one exception where there is no hope of forgiveness. It's about suicide. The priest explains: it is not only the gravity of the act itself, but also the inability to repent after death. At the same time, the church makes a discount on circumstances. If a person committed suicide in a state of severe mental disorder, the ruling bishop may give permission for the funeral service and commemoration in absentia.

The priest stressed that the whole Christian doctrine is permeated with mercy and attention to the details of each case. To save the soul, the most important thing is how a person treated his actions during life and whether he sought to correct their consequences.