Lenten Abstinence and Spiritual Renewal

During Great Lent, everyone observes spiritual discipline in all aspects of life, including the intimate sphere. The Church insists that married couples temporarily abstain from intimacy, even if the intention is to conceive a child. This requirement not only reflects the pursuit of purity but also teaches the management of one’s passions and emotions during a period of spiritual renewal. The main message is that Lent is a time to strengthen inner resolve and recognize that every action has a spiritual dimension. Ultimately, this approach helps preserve harmony in marriage, allowing the couple to more deeply understand the call for inner transformation that makes this period both unique and significant.

Can sex during Great Lent be considered sinful if its purpose is conception rather than fornication?

During Great Lent, the Church requires married couples to observe temporary abstinence from intimate relations, regardless of whether the goal is to conceive a child. According to a source from file link , "Lent teaches control over one’s feelings and body; it requires temporary abstinence from marital intimacy…" It is also noted that "in married life, the most important element of Lent is marital abstinence. Violation of it calls for repentance…" This means that even if the sexual act is carried out not in the name of lustful debauchery but with the aim of conception, it still contradicts the canons of the Lenten period and is considered a breach of the established Lenten norms.