As Orthodox Christians, we believe that life is a gift from God. The All-Holy
and Life-Giving Trinity created all things and granted life to all living
creatures. Out of His love, God made us, human beings, in His own divine
image and likeness, entrusting us as stewards--not owners--of our lives,
blessing us with the capacity of freedom, and calling us to a life of loving
communion.
Christ identifies the very purpose of His incarnation and earthly mission
with the gift of life, proclaiming, "I came tha they may have life,
and have it more abundantly" (John 10:10). Remaining faithful to the
Lord's Gospel, the Orthodox Church invites all human beings to enter in
the living body of Christ, to be sustained through the life-giving sacraments,
and to preserve and perpetuate both spiritual and physical life.
Suicide is the intentional causing of one's own physical death through a
decisive act. Suicide is regarded generally with the Orthodox Tradition
as a rejection of God's gift of physical life, a failure of stewardship,
an act of despair, and a transgression of the sixth commandment, "You
shall not kill" (Exodus 20:13). On one hand, the Church condemns acts
of suicide and declines to offer a funeral service and burial to a suicide
victim. On the other hand, the Church acknowledges that while human freedom
was not annihilated by the Fall, both spiritual factors (like acedia- spiritual
torpor) and physical factors (like depression) can severly compromise a
person's ability to reason clearly and act freely. In regard to suicide,
the Church takes very seriously such spiritual and physical factors, and
responds pastorally by offering a funeral service and burial to suicide
victims whose capacities for judgment and action were found to be significantly
diminished.
Depression is an illness caused by both medical and psychological factors.
It is characterized by physical changes such as loss of appetite, weight
loss, and in some cases, weight gain. Both insomnia and hypersomnia are
common symptoms.
The primary focus of the Church and its pastoral ministry in cases of suicide
is on the living, the family and friends of the deceased. Those left behind
carry a great burden--of hurt, guilt, and shame--with the realization that
their loved one has taken his/her own life. They look to the Church and
especially to the parish family, for strength and hope regarding the deceased,
and for the support and love they themselves urgently need.
Far more cases of suicide than previously recognized involve spirtual and/or
physiological factors that significantly compromise a person's rationality
and freedom. The parish priest should always consult with his diocesan hierarch
in order to discern the proper course of action, the general pastoral recommendation
being that a church burial and memorial services could be granted unless
there were an absence of signficantly diminished capacities.
Source: http://www.scoba.us/news/newsdetail.asp?id=341
See also: http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article8083.asp