The Uneven Weight of Mortal Sins

In the world of traditional doctrines, where the designation of seven key sins is fundamental, contradictions and nuances in their interpretation have always existed. On one hand, all these sins carry a mortal threat to the soul, destroying its path to salvation; on the other, certain sins, such as suicide, occupy a unique position where repentance is not possible. The primary idea here is that no spiritual feats, no prayers of saints, nor the holiness of angels can compensate for the devastating power of these transgressions unless they are redeemed by true and profound repentance, accompanied by a sacrifice that symbolizes the redemption of the very essence of human error. Meanwhile, suicide, as one of the mortal sins, stands out with its inescapable status – it is the only act for which there is no path to forgiveness, underscoring its exceptional danger to the soul. This analogy reminds us that the spiritual legacy of teachings is never unequivocal, and each act has its own evaluation, degree of responsibility, and path to possible reconciliation with higher forces. Ultimately, the analysis of the doctrine shows how a fine line is drawn between the exalted danger of each sin and the specific measure for its redemption, leaving room for deep reflections on the nature of guilt and true redemption.

Can all seven deadly sins be considered equivalent, or do some sins differ in severity from others?

The main traditional doctrine distinguishes seven major sins, which are the source of others; however, the presented quotes show that the mortal sins are not always regarded as absolutely equivalent in their severity and consequences.

For example, one source explains in detail that all mortal sins are characterized by the same danger to the soul – they “kill the soul,” depriving it of salvation, and only through sincere and pure repentance and the Blood of the Savior can the wrongdoing be redeemed. It is stated as follows:
"Any mortal sin has such weight that it cannot be erased by all the feats of the saints, nor all the holiness of the Angels, nor all the prayers of the Most Holy Virgin. On the scales of Divine justice, nothing can outweigh the weight of one mortal sin, except the Cross and the Blood of the Savior. Therefore, sin is the greatest of all evils." (source: link )

Particular attention is also given to the differences among the mortal sins. In one of the texts, it is specifically noted that among all mortal sins, only suicide is such that there is no provision for repentance:
"Among mortal sins, only for suicide is there no repentance; the other mortal sins, by the great, ineffable mercy of God towards fallen humanity, are cured by repentance." (source: link )

Thus, although all seven deadly sins are united by a common concept of mortality and the magnitude of guilt, some of them may have a distinct, more severe nature. In this case, suicide is highlighted as the sin for which repentance cannot be achieved, indicating its exceptional danger compared to other mortal sins.

Supporting citation(s):
"Any mortal sin has such weight that it cannot be erased by all the feats of the saints, nor all the holiness of the Angels, nor all the prayers of the Most Holy Virgin. On the scales of Divine justice, nothing can outweigh the weight of one mortal sin, except the Cross and the Blood of the Savior. Therefore, sin is the greatest of all evils." (source: link )

"Among mortal sins, only for suicide is there no repentance; the other mortal sins, by the great, ineffable mercy of God towards fallen humanity, are cured by repentance." (source: link )