The priests of the Patriarchate of Constantinople was allowed to enter into a second marriage: what does it mean

The Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople was allowed a second marriage for priests – whether it’s canonical and what changes we can expect in this regard. Meet the experts.

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There are bishops and priests who won’t put up with this

Vladislav Tsypin, Professor, doctor of Church history, master of theology, head of Department of Church-practical disciplines, the teacher of the Moscow Spiritual Academy:

Archpriest Vladislav Tsypin

– Canonically, verebrate unacceptable. The canons reject it of course. Experiences of the introduction of verebrate at different times took place in some local Churches. We in the Russian Church, this subject was discussed before the revolution, but the local Council of 1917-1918, such a possibility of course rejected. Nevertheless, we have this tradition was introduced by the dissenters-by the Renovationists, and Ukraine schismatics”samosvyaty”.

It is extremely doubtful, from the canonical point of view, the solution to which, unfortunately, may even provoke a split within the Churches. It is very likely that there are bishops and priests who would not want to put up with it. With regard to inter-Church relations, I don’t think that this could lead to the rupture of local Churches with Constantinople, but if there is a collection of some more solutions, it can be. We can’t know in advance.

If to speak about a widowed priests, especially the young, for them celibacy is the problem. But this is not a problem for the Church. Is the path that was set in Russia in the 19th century when widowed priest at a young age may submit a petition to deprive him of his dignity (in view of the fact that his celibate life has been hard for him), while he subsequently was limited to rights in less than one whom the court deprived of dignity. I also want to note that the Church will not solve their personnel problems due to the fact that already in a second marriage the priest will remain in service.

This deviation from the tradition of the Orthodox Church

Vladislav Parsley

Vladislav parsley, doctor of Church history, candidate of theology, Professor:

– This decision is clearly an expression of the modernist course that dominates in the last century in the Patriarchate of Constantinople. If they recognize our renovators legitimate authority after the Revolution (which in turn has imposed similar decisions about veropedia), then, in General, nothing surprising here. This deviation from the tradition of the Orthodox Church, which was absolutely clearly spelled out in the canons of our Church.

A strange and controversial decision, which is contrary to the canons

Archpriest Nikolay Danilevich, Deputy Chairman of the Department for external Church relations of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church

Archpriest Nikolai Danilevich. Photo: Facebook

– The Holy Synod of the Patriarchate of Constantinople was allowed a second marriage for priests.

It is reported by Greek website Church news Romfea, calling it a historic decision.

However, permission for second marriage can be given only in case of widowhood priest, that is, if I die mother, if mother she will leave her husband-priest.

The permission for the second marriage is not given, if the priest himself leaves a wife and wants to marry another. It is said that all these cases shall separately and with special attention to be considered by the diocesan Bishop. In the near future will be sent a formal letter to the Patriarch with a detailed explanation what to do in such cases.

As for me, it’s a strange decision, which is contrary to Church canons or, at least, is quite controversial.

Of course, all happens in life there are exceptions to the rule, and sometimes the bishops allowed for the use of the Church (if the priest is good and active) or leniency of individual priests to enter into a second marriage, but to build exceptions to the grade rule – this is probably too much. According to Church rules, the priest may marry only once. If something does not add up with his wife, the priest or remain a celibate, and continues to serve, or go to a monastery or leave the priesthood and marry a second time. There are exceptions, as I wrote above.

Interestingly, it is the decision of the Patriarchate of Constantinople wanted to spend on a pan-Orthodox Cathedral on the island of Crete in 2016. But all of the Local Churches proceeded against. Especially sharply acted then, on this question, as they say, the Metropolitan of Warsaw Sawa.

Now Constantinople took this decision, but as part of his Patriarchate, if it failed to do so on a pan-Orthodox level.

Prepared By Olga Lunina

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