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

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Don't be anxious for your life, what you will eat, nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing. Consider the ravens: they don't sow, they don't reap, they have no warehouse or barn, and God feeds them. How much more valuable are you than birds! Which of you by being anxious can add a cubit to his height? If then you aren't able to do even the least things, why are you anxious about the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if this is how God clothes the grass in the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith? Don't seek what you will eat or what you will drink; neither be anxious. For the nations of the world seek after all of these things, but your Father knows that you need these things. But seek God's Kingdom, and all these things will be added to you.

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	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.

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