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Post by OrthodoxBrit on Nov 18, 2012 21:36:47 GMT 2
Hi all,
I was reading a discussion the other day about Orthodoxy and civil marriages. Does the Orthodox community where you are recognise civil marriages as a marriage or would they consider those who undergo it as living in fornication?
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elionberger
Hermit
Orthodox Church of Korea
Catechumen
Posts: 65
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Post by elionberger on Nov 22, 2012 17:31:28 GMT 2
Korea definitely doesn't recognize civil marriages . . .
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Post by OrthodoxBrit on Dec 14, 2012 8:06:08 GMT 2
That it interesting, thanks.
Does anyone else have any input as I know the Moscow Patriarch accepts them (not as Sacrament though) but am not sure about others.
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Post by JamesfromTA on Jan 5, 2013 14:25:01 GMT 2
I'm not sure on this; I've read on some forums and other places that they are recognised though not as one of the Holy Mysteries of the Church but then I have also read that only the Sacrament is recognised as being valid. It's really confusing!
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Post by OrthodoxBrit on Jan 5, 2013 14:28:35 GMT 2
I know that Egypt has no concept of Civil marriage since all marriage is done through the Islamic or Christian authorities, this is also the reason behind no concept of Civil divorce.
It was the same in the Early Church until Justinian's reforms, which is why they changed the Marriage service at that time also.
I suppose it must all depend on how closely the Church and Government are tied. if they are close then the Government will push for recognition of Government based marriages, though if not then they will remain separate entities.
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Post by JamesfromTA on Jan 5, 2013 14:32:48 GMT 2
It is. I was wondering though; will the Church recognise civil marriages when such civil marriages have had their definitions changed by those particular governments?
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Post by OrthodoxBrit on Jan 5, 2013 15:11:41 GMT 2
Do you mean like the current situation here in the UK where they are trying to allow for Civil partnerships to be labelled marriage?
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Post by JamesfromTA on Jan 5, 2013 15:23:03 GMT 2
Yep.
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Post by OrthodoxBrit on Jan 5, 2013 15:27:59 GMT 2
it will certainly be a dilemma for some since it contravenes the Traditional definition of marriage.
If it goes ahead, I think they will have to recognise that Civil and Sacramental marriage as utterly separate entities and revise any allowances completely. it will be a mess.
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Post by JamesfromTA on Jan 5, 2013 15:33:23 GMT 2
That's what I was wondering. It's definitely an interesting topic.
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Post by Vlad on Jan 6, 2013 3:31:47 GMT 2
Forgive my ignorance... If a couple is not married under the Orthodox definition of the sacrament of marriage, is their marriage not considered authentic by the Orthodox Church? Would two married Hindus or Atheists be committing adultery by Orthodox standards then?
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Post by OrthodoxBrit on Jan 6, 2013 4:54:42 GMT 2
In the strictest Church definition, if a couple are not Sacramentally married it is adultery. Some Orthodox communities would consider a couple who are in a civil marriage to be living in an adulterous situation also.
If a couple are married outside the Church they are not receiving the Sacramental benefits of a Church blessing, in the same way that if someone receives communion from a heterodox community it is not a Sacramental blessing and therefore invalid. This is why converts who are married are usually advised to have their wedding blessed at their Baptism.
As for the recognition of marriage in other faiths. I would imagine that it is the same as the recognition of a Civil marriage, since both are non Sacramental but there is no 'one size fits all' answer. it depends on the Patriarchate these days.
Annoyingly, J is borrowing my book on the Orthodox perspective on marriage at the moment. It may have some more details on this matter. I will check it through once she eventually returns it.
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