www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Marriage is a Holy Mystery

Since summer months are often the times when a couple will decide to get married, I thought it would be a good idea to discuss marriage, impediments to marriage in the Eastern Churches, and problems faced with interfaith marriages, premarital sex and conception, and other difficulties faced by the engaged couples and their soon to be in-laws.

In the Greek Orthodox Church, the priest announced that he will not marry a couple unless the Orthodox party has been attending the Holy Services regularly (at least twice a month). This caused quite a stir and a couple was denied marriage. The priest said that marriage within the Orthodox Church is a Holy Mystery that is not to be taken lightly just because the yia-yia wants her grandchildren married in the church.

1. I obviously have no first-hand experience in this area (I'm a college sophomore), but I know of certain interfaith couples & children in those families. I really don't know what would constitute "success" in those cases. Seriously, if a Baptist & Orthodox Christian were be wed then what's the ideal situation with respect to the children's spiritual formation? I know a girl was baptized Catholic, raised Jewish, went to Church services on major holidays and claimed to be a Catholic & Jew at the same time. Speaking practically, I think of confused children, but with an older couple I suppose this wouldn't be a problem.

2. You cannot expect young people constantly bombarded with semi-pornographic images on television & elsewhere to abstain through HS & college. Not happening. (I am speaking in general terms here.)

3. I respect that priest, makes sense to me.

Our priest gave a sermon recently where he mentioned an incident that happened years ago. A couple in the parish was planning marriage and during the rehearsal, I believe it was, he overheard the groom tell the best man that if it didn't work out there was always divorce. Our priest called off the wedding. I really respect that. It doesn't matter if you already paid the caterer marriage shouldn't be entered into like that.

I really respect that priest!