Alcohol Consumption in Orthodox Christian Ethics: A Balanced Approach

In Orthodox Christian Ethics, alcohol consumption is a topic that is often approached with caution and moderation. While the Orthodox Church acknowledges that wine was present at many significant biblical events, including the Wedding at Cana where Christ performed His first miracle by turning water into wine, the attitude towards alcohol is one of moderation and temperance.

The Bible encourages moderation in alcohol consumption to maintain a clear mind and self-control. In Ephesians 5:18, it is written, "Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit." (መንፈስ ይሙላባችሁ እንጂ በወይን ጠጅ አትስከሩ ይህ ማባከን ነውና) ኤፌ 5፡18:: This verse emphasizes the importance of avoiding excessive drinking which can lead to unhelpful behavior.

Condemnation of Misuse:

Drunkenness as sin: Both the Old and New Testaments denounce drunkenness as sinful and harmful (Proverbs 20:1, Ephesians 5:18) (የወይን ጠጅ ፌዘኛ ያደርጋል፥ ብርቱ መጠጥም ጠበኛ ያደርጋል፤ በዚህም የሳተ ሁሉ ጠቢብ አይደለም) ምሳ 20፡1፡፡ It is seen as clouding judgment, leading to immoral behavior, and hindering spiritual growth.

Potential for addiction: The Church fathers, like St. John Chrysostom, warned against the dangers of overindulgence and addiction, emphasizing the importance of self-control.

Church Fathers, such as St. Basil the Great warned against alcohol abuse, considering drunkenness a sin impairing judgment. St. Paul also discouraged drunkenness, urging self-control. “አሁን ግን ወንድሞች ከሚባሉት አንዱ ሴሰኛ ወይም ገንዘብን የሚመኝ ወይም ጣዖትን የሚያመልክ ወይም ተሳዳቢ ወይም ሰካር ወይም ነጣቂ ቢሆን ከእርሱ ጋር እንዳትተባበሩ እጽፍላችኋለሁ፤ እንደነዚህ ካለው ጋር መብል እንኳን አትብሉ” (1 ቆሮ 5፡11-13)፡፡

Orthodox Christian Ethics emphasizes treating our bodies as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We must care for our bodies and minds, avoiding harm or impairment, like excessive alcohol.

Moderate alcohol is allowed in Orthodox Christianity but should be consumed mindfully. It can be for celebration and socializing, but should never lead to drunkenness or sin.

While not explicitly banned in Orthodox Christianity, opting for alcohol abstinence can be a wise choice for those valuing physical health, mental clarity, and spiritual welfare. This aligns with Ephesians 5:18, 1 Corinthians 6:10, Proverbs 23:31-32, and Proverbs 20:1 teachings. “ወይም ሌቦች ወይም ገንዘብን የሚመኙ ወይም ሰካሮች ወይም ተሳዳቢዎች ወይም ነጣቂዎች የእግዚአብሔርን መንግሥት አይወርሱም” (1 ቆሮ 6፡10)፡፡

“ወደ ወይን ጠጅ አትመልከት በቀላ ጊዜ፥ መልኩም በብርሌ ባንጸባረቀ ጊዜ፥ እየጣፈጠም በገባ ጊዜ። በኋላ እንደ እባብ ይነድፋል፥ እንደ እፉኝትም መርዙን ያፈስሳል። ዓይኖችህ ጋለሞታዎችን ያያሉ፥ ልብህም ጠማማ ነገርን ይናገራል።” (ምሳ 23:31-32)

Additionally, those who drink alcohol excessively are encouraged to seek support from priests and professional counselors.

In summary, Orthodox Christian Ethics values moderation, self-control, and temperance in alcohol consumption. Followers honor their bodies and faith by responsibly enjoying alcohol according to Biblical teachings and Church Fathers' guidance or may choose to abstain.