Marriage in a Roman Catholic Church (Teachings of the Orthodox Church)

Christianity. Orthodoxy. Catholicism. Sense of life. Articles for Christians.

“I am Yahweh your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me, and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments. “You shall not take the name of Yahweh your God in vain, for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. You shall labor six days, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your God. You shall not do any work in it, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates; for in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested the seventh day; therefore Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day, and made it holy. “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long in the land which Yahweh your God gives you. “You shall not murder. “You shall not commit adultery. “You shall not steal. “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.”

Christian Portal

Christian Resources

Vote!


	Marriage in a Roman Catholic Church (Teachings of the Orthodox Church)

QUESTION:

I am hoping someone can help clarify a matter for me that has been prying on my mind for sometime. I was recently married to a wonderful woman who happens to be Roman Catholic. I therefore decided that I would defer and have the wedding ceremony performed in her church. We did not get married at mass because she felt it would not be fair to ask me to do so since I am a member of the Orthodox faith.

I have in no way renounced my belief in Orthodoxy, yet I am being told by my bishop that I am now unable to receive communion in my church. Is this true? If so could you please tell me why it is. I cannot see the reasoning for this. As I have stated previously I have in no way renounced my Orthodox faith. I do not feel as though it is right to deprive the sacrament of communion just because I was married in a Catholic church.

Any information that you can provide to me would be greatly appreciated. I am hoping that this matter can be cleared up, so that I may once again wholly partake in our Divine Liturgy.

ANSWER:

In brief, Orthodox Christians are only to be married in an Orthodox ceremony.

In your case, I would speak with your bishop concerning how the matter can be rectified and how you can be restored to the reception of Holy Communion. He should be more than happy to spell out what needs to be done according to the discipline of his particular diocese.

Published in January 2011.

Read more Christian articles

Recommend this page to your friend!