"SE MUTILARON INDEBIDAMENTE, POR ESTE MISMO HECHO HACEN UNA DECLARACIÓN DE SU PROPIO LIBERTINAJE". BASILIO DE ANCIRA. EL FENÓMENO DE LA CASTRACIÓN A TRAVÉS DE LOS TEXTOS DE LOS PADRES Y ESCRITORES DE LA IGLESIA EN EL IMPERIO BIZANTINO.

Originally, the word "eunuch" meant "the keeper of the bed." Over time, the term "eunuch" had the meaning of one who could not have intercourse or procreate, because either his genitals or his gonads have been removed. In the Church, the phenomenon of castration is evident in monastic circles. Of course, there is no shortage of reactions and restrictions on when a eunuch can or cannot join the clergy. The words of Jesus in Matthew's Gospel 19,12 caused a lot to be written and said by the Fathers of the Church regarding castration. The condemnation of voluntary castration is first found in the canons of the Holy Apostles. Subsequently, many Fathers and Ecumenical Councils referred to the phenomenon of castration in relation to the clergy and monasticism. In this paper, we will examine the phenomenon of castration in the Christian teaching on the clergy and monasticism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]