Mortal and Venial sins

Contra,

yes, I think you are correct. I think what the Orthodox posters on here are trying to say is that there certainly are "sins unto death", but those sins and situations may manifest differently for each person. "Sin unto death" would certainly be some form of turning your back on the Holy Spirit - but even "small" sins can eventually cause that. Giving into the Passions - though it may seem trivial - can be a sure sign that we are putting ourselves above God - and that's not so trivial. So outwardly, others may look at our sin and think, oh, that's nothing, but our Spiritual Father, who knows us very well, will know that it's not "nothing", but something very serious, and will counsel us as such, and perhaps have us refrain from receiving the Holy Gifts for a time. Another person may commit the same sin, but the Spiritual Father will discern that in this person's case, the sin is not so serious and will "treat" it differently.

The Orthodox Church has always believed that the Church is our "hospital", and has always diagnosed our disease and applied the medicine individually, as each patient's case requires. That is why we do not have lists, or hard and fast rules that are applied the same to all across the board.

Mary

I kinda had for lack of better terms my unofficial understanding. Mortal sin usually one directly breaking one of the 10 commandments. A Person must have understanding that it is such a sin. It therefor not only offends God but also could likely led one away from God. If continuable chosen over him would cause eternal separation From God.

A venial sin would be the lesser things we do & fail to do. not taking time to give thanks etc etc... Which mentioned earlier could led to a mortal sin?