Hello, i was wondering if anyone would be able to help me. What are the similarities and differences between a Roman Catholic Marriage and an Orthodox Marriage? Any help is greatly appreciated :)

-- Kailah Davids (thehawaiianone@yahoo.com), July 27, 2001

Answers

Response to Catholic and Othrodox marriage

-- (_@_._), July 27, 2001.

Response to Catholic and Othrodox marriage

Kailah,

I am not sure what the ceremonial differences might be, but there are a few doctrinal/theological differences. Here are a couple of links that might help you out: http://www.roca.org/OA/154/154f.htm.htm On Orthodox Marriage part 1 http://www.roca.org/OA/155-156/155h.htm On Orthodox Marriage part 2

http://members.aol.com/Rom4Five/mixedmarriage.html (links to various resources)

** http://interfaith.goarch.org/researchbody.html (This is a very detailed and most excellent study about inter-faith marriages - Orthodox)

Now after bombarding you with this information, let me suggest a compromise between you and your spouse: The Byzantine Catholic Church. This Eastern Rite of Catholicism follows the Divine Liturgy of the Orthodox Church and follows most of it's Traditions, but is in union with Rome. If you are a Latin Catholic, it will probably seem strange to you, but it is in English, and is very beautiful. Your spouse to be should feel reasonably at home, and you can maintain your Catholic Identity. I have just started attending this Liturgy during the week, though for now my Sunday obligation remains with the Latin Rite.

Anyway, it can work, but you and your spouse to be should spend many hours discussing it. As the report points out, there can be great difficulties in inter-faith marriage. Where will the Children be baptised? Where will the wedding be held? Where will you attend your Sunday obligation? What documents need to be prepared to request a dispensation or some other leeway? Whose Bishop needs to approve?

I really think your best bet will be the Eastern Catholic Churches.

God bless you and your spouse to be. May the Holy Spirit guide you to the right decision.

Jeffrey C. Johnson http://www.oca.org/pages/orth_chri/Q-and-A_OLD/Second-Marriage.html On Second Marriage (Orthodox) http://www.oca.org/pages/orth_chri/Orthodox-Faith/Spirituality/Marriage.html (Orthodox)

http://www.cdow.org/marriage.html (Catholic) http://www.icubed.com/~rpoe/cathfaq.htm#orthomat (Catholic) http://www.reu.org/public/catecism/c26.htm (Orthodox)

http://www.vatican.va/archive/catechism/p2s2c3a7.htm (Catholic - Catechism on Matrimony) http://www.prounione.urbe.it/dia-int/arcic/doc/e_arcic_classific.html (starting around line 55)

-- Jeffrey C. Johnson (johjeff@yahoo.com), August 02, 2001.

Response to Catholic and Othrodox marriage

That last post got sort of scrambled. There are more links underneath my signature.

Good luck!

Jeffrey Johnson

-- Jeffrey C. Johnson (see@above.f), August 02, 2001.