Concerning Defilement through Communion with Unjudged Heretics

Strictly speaking, the Mysteries themselves are not defiled; their substance remains intact, meaning they are truly performed (this is taught by the consensus Consiliorum). After all, it is the Holy Spirit itself that operates, and it is impossible for defilement to enter into this action of the Spirit’s completion of the Mysteries. The defilement of the Mysteries concerns their relationship with the members, the faithful, and the effect of sanctification. The Mysteries either sanctify or they do not. Here, defilement is mentioned, which, according to the Fathers and Scripture, is always contrary to sanctification. It is its opposite. On one side is sanctification, and on the other is defilement—the absence of sanctification, condemnation.

"...and let the filthy remain filthy still... and let the holy remain holy still" (Rev. 22:11). Holy – filthy, let him be sanctified – let him remain defiled.

"They have not distinguished between the holy and the profane, nor between the unclean and the clean" (Ezek. 22:26). Holy – profane, clean – unclean.

"For just as holy priests sanctify, so do the defiled bring defilement" (cf. p. 38). Sanctify – defile, holy – defiled.

The opposition of defilement to sanctification, the profane to the holy, and the impure to the sacred is evident. Therefore, defilement pertains to the fact that sanctification no longer occurs, and not to the Mysteries themselves, which are still truly performed.

 

Source: Η έννοια του Μολυσμού των Ορθοδόξων εκ της εκκλησιαστικής κοινωνίας μη καταδικασθέντων αιρετικών [The Concept of Defilement of the Orthodox from Ecclesiastical Communion with Uncondemned Heretics], by Hieromonk Eugenios, Thessaloniki, 2023, p. 710, footnote 1117.