This letter was written after the adoption of a law on the decriminalization of abortion by the Cypriot government. This letter of His Eminence Metropolitan Athanasios of Limassol is addressed to the human and Christian conscience of every mother who, perhaps for one reason or another, has thought about abortion—the murder of a human being whom the good God has placed in her hands and in her womb.
My dear sister!
If you are pregnant, above all, do not panic, do not let unpleasant feelings prevail over you, do not allow them to overcome the unspeakable joy of becoming the mother of a new person in the world, a new image of God, a defenseless and innocent creation that you temporarily accept in your womb.
Let not thoughts of doubt overcome you about why this innocent creature wound up inside of you, about what you are going to do with this child, how you will raise it, and what path you will travel together in life.
I well understand that sometimes the circumstances and the means of conception itself can be a traumatic event for a woman, which sometimes she does not even want to remember, but let’s separate the event of conception from the existence of a new person. Arm yourself with all the strength of your invincible maternal love and reflect upon what a great blessing God has given women—to be mothers!
Look, be firm as a rock now, and let no one so much as hint at the possibility of aborting your child who is growing in your womb day by day. Never allow yourself to go from being a mother to being only a murderer of your child, but also, as a result, being guilty of the fact that your child will forever be denied the opportunity to receive Holy Baptism and become a Christian.
Of course, I understand that the existence of a new person in your life with whom you will now be inseparable can change it quite drastically. But the murder of your child by your own hands and all its tragic consequences, which will affect your entire life, are not comparable to your fears about how your life will change, how your family will develop, how you will raise your child: These difficulties are only temporary, they are manageable and can be resolved well, but abortion is an eternal mistake, difficult to face.
Do not believe those who spread the false view today that an embryo is just a part of your body with which you can do anything you want. Modern science and the Word of God are categorically opposed to one another on this matter. An embryo is a developing, completely new person, independent in the future, autonomous, endowed with the great gift from God of free will, who, like a pilgrim, temporarily resides in the body of its mother. But this tiny “pilgrim” certainly needs our love and protection in the first years of its life.
An embryo is an independent entity that has an immortal soul and body already from the very first moment of conception, as our Lord Jesus Christ became a perfect Man from the moment of His conception in the womb of His Most Pure Mother, being both perfect God and Man, incarnate for the sake of our salvation.
Even many modern medical studies confirm that an embryo begins to live independently and develop in the womb of its mother within the shortest possible period, and abortion is undoubtedly physical death for it, occurring without the consent of the victim, defenseless and innocent.
I do take into account that you can be greatly influenced and pressured by your family, your environment, your circumstances, “good counselors,” and doctors, but consider the fact that what they propose and advise would be the biggest sin in your life.
Think about the fact that this decision will be an indelible, fatal mistake that will forever traumatize your existence.
Come to us in the Church; run, make haste, and I am sure that with great love in Christ they will listen to your problems there, will speak with you, not reject you, will help you overcome your fears and worries. I am certain that people will bow with fatherly interest to your case, will accept you, a future mother finding herself in no small difficulty, with great sensitivity and understanding, taking into account all the particularities of your circumstances. Believe in the all-powerful fatherly love of Christ; know that His providence holds sway over absolutely all creatures.
Be assured that if you preserve your child alive, despite the many sacrifices, hardships, and worries, the all-good Christ will bless you and will accompany all the steps of your life as your protector and defender. If God is with us, who can stand against us?
My dear, I wish you victory and triumphal success in your future motherhood!
