www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Eternal Marriage

Hi guys,

I am Orthodox and wanted to start off by saying I love your forum.

I have a question for Byzantine Catholics (although Orthodox and latin Catholics feel free to also comment) regarding their view on Marriage.

As an Orthodox, I learned that Marriage is viewed to be Eternal. That is, it lasts beyond this life time and that I will be still united to my wife. I know that the West does not view it this way and I also understand their reasoning.

What I am curious on is if Byzantine Catholics are ever taught this idea (ie that Marriage is Eternal). I know it isn't dogma, nor is it dogma in the Orthodox Church (apparently even some Orthodox don't agree, but that was news to me).

For the record, I completely agree with this... theologumena. i could get into it, but my purpose here is not to convince anyone of anything, nor is it for anyone else to refute or support this belief but rather to comment on if any of you are familiar with this practice. It's not that I am not interested in your personal POV on the subject but I just ask that the thread not turn into a debate.

Thanks a lot guys,

Xpy

Do you mean if it is taught in marriage preparation?

I thought that marriage crowns are a symbol of this idea, but I've only been to one Byzantine Catholic wedding. That was the explanation I remember.

Terry

Please let's not get this wrong Chrisostomos! We discussed this at an Orthodox marriage seminar once. A participant (convert) asked: 'well, what wife will I be with-my deceased wife or my new wife?'...That is getting it all wrong. There is NO MARRIAGE as we know it in Heaven!!! Heaven is a different dimension all together, which we cannot comprehend with human understanding!

By 'eternal', we understand this to be that *on this earth* we are forever bound together with our spouse..(ideally)

From St. Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral website, Washington, D.C.:



In Christ,
Alice

Alice,

The belief does exist in Orthodoxy that one is marriage is eternal in the real sense of eternal. Sure, marriage may take on a different form in heaven and who can comprehend and the "which one will I be married too in heaven" is a question that Christ does not actually answer and neither can we (becuase as you say, who can comprhend heaven). I'm not trying to convince you that you should believe the same becuase that is not the purpose of this thread. I am only saying that the idea definitely exists in the Orthodox Church. Those who hold it read the "No one shall be given to marriage in heaven" (paraphrased) differently than those who see marriage as an temporal sacrament.

So, my question, to clarify (for Terry), is if the idea I have described (of a truly eternal marriage) exists in teh Byzantine Catholic Church as well. It SOUNDS as if it does in Terry's experience?

I am not so much (so far) looking for textual proof of this. I am looking for a more... socialogical (???) response like "Well, I always had that understanding from my Church" or "Yeah, I have heard of that" or "I have never heard of that idea before. My priest says when we die, the marriage is over." etc...

Xpy

I have been actively and fully immersed Orthodox (Greek) for all my years since birth and I have NEVER heard the concept of being married in Heaven...

I await other's responses from other jurisdictions and traditions..

In Christ,
Alice

I thought Christ answered that very question in Scripture. The question posed to him about the woman who had been married to seven brothers has Jesus telling us that in Heaven they neither marry or are given in marriage.

Marriage is for the here and now--a Mystery reflecting Christ and the Church meant for the sanctification (growth in theosis together) and for a stable environment for the procreation and education of children.

The idea of an eternal marriage is not Christian, but a Mormon idea if not related to some other religion. I, too, have never read or heard this idea in relation to the Orthodox Church.

In Christ,

BOB

"Neither married nor given in marriage"

Many have interpreted that as simply meaning that people do not get married in heaven.

I'll find the book that talks about it. I forget who wrote it... but you would all recognize his name. He didn't make up the idea but it's where the idea was first expounded upon for me.

Xpy

Mt 22:23-31 The same day Sadducees came to him, who say that there is no resurrection; and they asked him a question, saying, "Teacher, Moses said, 'If a man dies, having no children, his brother must marry the widow, and raise up children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers among us; the first married, and died, and having no children left his wife to his brother. So too the second and third, down to the seventh. After them all, the woman died. In the resurrection, therefore, to which of the seven will she be wife? For they all had her."
But Jesus answered them, "You are wrong, because you know neither the scriptures nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.

I think that the Latin, Catholic Byzantine and Eastern Orthodox agree that is possible a second marriage for who is widow

This is certainly true... from anything I have ever learned.

Xpy, Alice and other estimed participants!
It was a common belief in the early Church that marriage was indeed eternal in the full sense of the word.
That is why, if i am correct, many Orthodox still even today after the death of their spouse, enter a monastery.
Several Fathers taught that after the death of a partner you could not marry again.
But given the high mortality rate the Church relaxed its discipline in this area of life.
Stephanos I

I was told by my priest, and I personally believe, that marriage is a bonding of the flesh and spirit and is there an eternal bonding of the souls in union. In other words it is eternal, though not necessarily like we understanding marriage as it exists while we are in our earthly bodies.

http://www.theologic.com/oflweb/forfolks/osbmar.htm



http://www.goarch.org/en/resources/conferences/content.asp?sem=21


http://www.interfaith.goarch.org/wifeabuse.asp

John Meyendorff speaks of this in, "Marriage: An Orthodox Perspective."

Part I of his book "Judaism and the New Testament", the concept of the Eternal Marriage is kind of a running theme. I would have to quote the entire chapter for most qutoes to make any sense. However, here is one I found on the bottom of page 15: "Chrsitian Marriage is not only an earthly sexual union, but an eternal bond which will contiune when our bodies will be "spiritual"a nd when Christ will be "all in all".

The book is wonderful. However, agian, I am not trying to convince others that they must believe this, it is just a quick example I could pull off of my anemic bookshelf.

Xpy

Thank you, I was beginning to think I was going crazy. lol

Are you Orthodox or Byzantine Catholic. Which Jursdiction/rite?

Sorry, I missed your post (I'm working backwards here lol). Are you Orth or Byz (or latin)? Which Jur/rite?


Thanks