What is the Orthodox Christian view on the atonement and is Penal Substitutionary Atonement Orthodox?

The patristic and biblical quotes in this collection reveal what Orthodox Christians actually teach about the atonement, debunking prevailing myths. The quotes show multiple biblical and patristic perspectives: Christ as 'ransom for all' (1 Tim 2:6), 'triumphing over' principalities and powers (Col 2:15), and the 'sweet exchange' where 'the iniquity of many should be concealed in One Righteous Man, and the righteousness of One should justify many that are iniquitous' (St. Athanasius). Rather than modern theories, the Church Fathers emphasize Christ taking 'upon Himself our sins' as 'a ransom for us, holy for lawless, guileless for evil, just for the unjust' (St. Athanasius). These truthful quotes help debunk misconceptions about what the Orthodox Church has historically taught about the atonement.

The quotes in this collection help debunk myths by showing the actual range of patristic and biblical teaching on atonement. Some emphasize Christ bearing our sins ('he made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin' - 2 Cor 5:21), others focus on propitiation ('he is propitiation for our sins' - 1 John 2:2), while others highlight Christ as a ransom or victory over death. By presenting both substitutionary language and themes of divine wrath directly from the sources, this collection helps readers distinguish between prevailing myths and what the Church Fathers actually teach.

ALEXEI MECHEV on the Atonement

What a sad sight before our eyes! Our Savior is in the tomb. In the coffin is our Joy, the Treasure of our heart. But how could You, our Joy, be contained in this small tomb? Is this the place for You? You, living on earth, gave life to everyone, and now You Yourself lie lifeless. You dried up everyone's tears, and now You yourself plunge Your loved ones into tears for Yourself. Do you belong here? This is a place for us mortals, and not for You, the Immortal -- for us with corruptible and sinful bodies, for us sinners worthily condemned to death, and not for You, the Most Holy and Sinless. Brethren! Let us weep and mourn: it was we who, by our sins, imprisoned the Sinless One in the bonds of death, it was we, condemned to death, who forced Him to descend to the gates of death.

ALEXEI MECHEV

St. Alexei Mechev (+1923), Homily on Holy Friday

Twentieth Century