Ukrainian Orthodoxy		Orthodoxie ukrainienne

Marrying a Protestant

Question:

I am an Ethiopian Orthodox religion follower and so my family. My girl friend is a protestant religion follower and I really want marry her and how that could happen? Her mom is Orthodox and her dad is a protestant. Need help and please do not post my name.

Answer:

Very Reverend Ihor Kutash kutash@unicorne.org

I am of the impression that the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition would only accept to marry you and your girlfriend if she converted and became Ethiopian Orthodox.

Other Orthodox Churches are not so demanding and would probably agree to marry you and her, providing she has been baptized in the name of the Trinity.  It might mean that you would have to transfer your membership to one of these Churches. 

For the time being, although it appears to have been agreed that there is no fundamental doctrinal disagreement between the Oriental Orthodox (Ethiopian, Coptic, Armenian, Malabar, Syrian) and the Eastern Orthodox (Greek, Antiochian, Ukrainian, Russian, Bulgarian, Rumanian, Serbian, among others), there is still no full Communion between them of which I am aware.

I do not know where you live or what your convictions are about these matters, but you might explore these two possibilities.

If I can be of further help do not hesitate to write.  We shall not publish your name or your question.

Blessings upon the both of you!

Love in Christ,

Fr. Ihor

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