Question
first appeared on May 29, 2005
When a man and woman decide to get married by eloping, is that
still considered a legal marriage in the Orthodox Church?
If not, what steps are taken so that it is legal?
Marriage
is a sacrament of the Orthodox Church, and, as such like all sacraments, it
must be done in the Orthodox Church. A
couple who chooses to be married outside of the Orthodox Church excommunicates
themselves by their actions.
Any
marriage done outside of the church by a minister or judge who is licensed to
perform marriages is considered “legal” by the State of
West Virginia
and other states within the contiguous
U.S.A.
This “legal” union is not
considered a marriage, however, by the Church.
The couple must undergo the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony in the Church
to be considered truly “married” and to remain communicant members of the
Holy Orthodox Church.
©Very Rev. Fr. Olof Scott, Sunday Bulletin, May 29, 2005
|
Back to Keyword/Topic Index |
Home |
|
