Ukrainian Orthodoxy		Orthodoxie ukrainienne

Multiple Partners

Question:

What is the stand of the Orthodox Church regarding re-marriage when one person is divorced and the other has multiple partners?  Are both persons viewed the same?

His family is opposing because of the "divorce" but hers because of the "multiple partners".

Answer:

Very Reverend Ihor Kutash kutash@unicorne.org

I assume that at least one of the parties concerned is an Orthodox communicant. In that case the Orthodox Pastor, after some counselling and making as sure as he can that the couple is truly serious about embarking upon a lifelong journey of growth in the intimacy and communion of fully and consistently dedicated monogamous unity in diversity, will apply to his Bishop for permission to celebrate the Mystery of Marriage, which may also be somewhat penitential in nature since the first one ended in divorce.

Orthodox Pastors are not permitted to celebrate the Mystery of Matrimony where neither of the parties is an Orthodox communicant. The non-Orthodox Christian partner must nonetheless have been baptized in the Name of the Trinity. (Some Orthodox Bishops do require that the non-Orthodox partner also embrace Orthodoxy prior to the Marriage in order to bless the Pastor to celebrate such a union).

I am clearly assuming, as well, that the multiple partners the of the lady in question are a part of her past and not her present life. Hopefully they were a series of relationships by which she was seeking to find one with which she could embark upon the lifelong journey of Matrimony, and not part of a permissive life-style which, if pursued, makes it quite impossible to succeed in the self-giving sacrificial path which is the only way to attain the true vocation and goal of Matrimony.

However repentance is always possible although it can not be taken for granted.  It is not difficut to say "I repent" but true repentance produces fruit in righteous actions and attitudes. Its genuineness ought to be tested by time.

The difficulties this couple is experiencing in getting their families to accept the union may indeed be providential to help test the sincerity and consistency of their intentions so that the Marriage could be true, blessed to all concerned and last a lifetime - and indeed into eternity!

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