BOC and Marriage

[Fr Gregory]

Eira

Unfortunately the Orthodox rules are not sufficiently simple to allow me to give you the straightforward answer you may be seeking. And, sadly, law sometimes seems not to understand love!

However, as a general principle the Orthodox Church recognizes only marriages celebrated in the Orthodox Church between baptised members of the Orthodox Church.

This is quite different from the position of the Roman Catholic Church. That Church would accept an Orthodox marriage and has no difficulties celebrating a marriage between Roman Catholic and Orthodox persons.

The Orthodox Church does not deny that people married outside the Church are married, only that they are not married according to the rules of the Orthodox Church.

The Orthodox rules – known as Canon Law – need to be interpreted and applied in individual cases, and so I can’t give precise advice in your case because I do not have sufficient information.

There could be potential difficulties if you became Orthodox and then married “outside the Church” (which is how a Roman Catholic marriage would be seen). So you should discuss the matter with an Orthodox Priest who can offer you advice according to your particular circumstances.

If you married “outside the Church” and then sought to become Orthodox, your marital situation could also cause potential difficulties (unless, of course, your husband also sought to become Orthodox).

Fr Gregory