Ukrainian Orthodoxy		Orthodoxie ukrainienne

Intercommunion

Question:

What are issues that need to be discussed before a  marriage should take place between a Roman Catholic and a Ukranian Orthodox Catholic?  Is the Eucharist believed in the same way?

Response:

Dr. Alexander Roman alex.roman@unicorne.org

The theology of the Eucharist is the same in both the Roman Catholic and Ukrainian Orthodox Churches.  But the Churches are not in communion with one another which means that Roman Catholics cannot receive Communion in any Orthodox Church as a result.

There are a myriad of issues to settle before a marriage between a Roman Catholic and a Ukrainian Orthodox can take place.  You should, as a priority, consult with your respective pastors.  If one of you decides to join your future spouse in the same faith by becoming either Catholic or Orthodox, that will definitely solve any issues that arise as a result of an inter-confessional marriage. 

A Roman Catholic marrying an Orthodox Christian will never be able to be fully integrated in an Orthodox parish and vice-versa.  Certainly, the Roman Catholic Church allows Orthodox Christians to receive Communion in its parishes, but ONLY if that is allowed by the Orthodox tradition – which it is not.

Then there is the issue of which Church the children will be baptized and raised in.  It is possible to do all this with the husband and wife remaining with their respective Churches.  But it is very difficult and, in my experience at least, this situation has a negative impact on the kind of family unity that should exist between husband and wife and their future children and also their extended family.  To be blunt, I cannot in good conscience recommend it.  Even if one side feels that his or her religion “isn’t all that important,” the impact will be felt during religious holidays and life events. 

I would recommend you both think this through and go well beyond the day of your wedding in so doing.  I’m not telling which of the two Churches you should perhaps consider uniting together in.  All I’m saying is that it would be in your best long-term marital and family interests to be united in ONE faith and Church. 

[ Home ] [ Articles ] [ Prayer ] [ Saints ] [ Theophilus ] [ Q & A ] [About Us] [ ]

Ukrainian Orthodoxy - Українське Православ'я