im divorced and catholic, my girlfriend is orthodox, can we get married?

Question

i got divorced 6 years ago, but can we get married by the orthodox religion?

Answer 1

Yes, you can be married in an Orthodox church. And no, under most circumstances, you will not be required to convert to Orthodoxy. (Only if your girlfriend is a member of an extremely conservative Orthodox community would that be the case, and in such a case, I would steer clear of that community and go to a church in a mainstream Orthodox jurisdiction like the Greeks, the Antiochians, or the OCA). An Orthodox priest would not care about your previous marriage, as long as you have indeed been divorced, and as long as you weren't married more than twice before.

However, bear in mind that if your girlfriend is not a regular church-goer, you should be prepared for a friendly lecture (if you're lucky) from the parish priest about how you should be coming to church. (After all, why would you want to bother getting married in church if you're not going to be real members of it?) There are a lot of "cultural" Greeks, Arabs, Ukrainians, etc., who are nominal Orthodox but don't really ever go to church except maybe on Pascha and Christmas. If that's the case with her, you'll get a talking to from the priest. He'll also have problems if you guys are already living together. Some priests in that case make a couple separate for a few months before he'll marry them. But he'll probably marry you -- what other chance will he have to get you in the door?

Another thing to bear in mind is that by getting married in the Orthodox Church, you'll really be bidding farewell to the Catholic Church for good. You should think hard about whether you really care about that. My suggestion is, find an Orthodox parish where everything is in English and where you both feel comfortable, make it your home, and talk to the priest. If you're serious about being members of the parish, he'll make it work for you. And if you miss the Mass at all, you'll be very happy with the Orthodox Liturgy. IMHO it's more beautiful than the Catholic Mass.

Answer 2

If you are a Catholic who is divorced and you were married according to the Catholic Church, you cannot marry anyone without having the first marriage declared invalid (an annulment).
The Orthodox Churches usually allow 3 marriages in the church. But if you married in her church it would not be recognized by the Catholic Church.
You need to talk to a priest and give the necessary information and get the right answer. Most everyone else is just giving their opinion.

Answer 3

You need to join the orthodox church to be married in it. I have some russian friends who are orthadox and when they get married its ususally by a justice of the peace or something because their church wont marry them to someone who is not orthodox

Answer 4

That would be a question best directed to a priest in the Orthodox Church, or your local diocesean cannon law expert.

Answer 5

i don't know about the orthodox religion, but you can be married. if you are in love and committed to each other, you can be married. don't worry about religion.

Answer 6

Yes but you might have to get an annulment before you can recieve communion. Talk to the Priest.

Answer 7

You can get married by either religion...just visit your local priest.

Congrats on your marrage :)

Answer 8

yes but it dont matter what religeion you are it matters if you Know Jesus! dont marry anyone till they know or you will have no peace in the house!!!!!!!!!!