SPIRITUAL GUIDANCE
IN THE
ORTHODOX CHURCH
The Church of Christ is a community…The Church is a body with many parts of members…The Church is a body which was established by God, and is maintained by God, for the purpose of the Salvation of Souls.
For the body to exist and live effectively and efficiently, certain rules must be created and enforced. From time to time it is necessary for our Holy Orthodox Christian Church to inform you, our beloved, on important issues that affect your spiritual lives. With love and understanding, we wish to advise you on certain rules of our Church so that any misunderstandings may be avoided.
As your priest I request your cooperation. Furthermore, I am ready and willing, with the sole guidance of Christ, to work with you, talk to you and advise you, in matters concerning your spiritual life.
Holy Communion
- No person is allowed to receive Holy Communion in any Orthodox Church unless they are of the Orthodox faith.
- No Orthodox Christian may receive Holy Communion in a non-Orthodox Church (i.e., Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Baptist, etc.)
- Couples who are not married in the Orthodox Church cannot participate in the sacrament unless a priest, hearing their confession, deems it necessary for them to receive Holy Communion.
- The Church does not permit divorce, but because of love and compassion, the Church tolerates it. Therefore, those who have obtained a civil divorce but have not been released from the Church through Spiritual Court, may not receive Holy Communion, nor be a sponsor at a Baptism or a Wedding.
Baptism
- The sponsor (Godparent) of a child being baptized in the Orthodox Church must be an Orthodox Christian in good standing, and must be involved in the life of the church; if married, must be married in the Church, and if divorced, must have been released from the Church through Spiritual Court.
- The sponsors must be over 12 years of age.
- If the sponsor is from another Orthodox church, they must have an accompanying letter from their parish priest stating that they are in good standing and that there are no impediments concerning their spiritual status as Orthodox Christians.
- Orthodox Christians may not become sponsors at Baptisms/Confirmations in non-Orthodox Churches (i.e. Roman Catholic, Episcopal, Lutheran, Baptist, etc.)
Weddings
- The best man/woman or koumbaro must be an Orthodox Christian in good standing and involved in the life of the church. Non-Orthodox Christians cannot assume this responsibility.
- If the bride or groom was born in Greece and came to the United States after their 16th birthday, he/she must have a certificate from his/her Diocese in Greece assuring that he/she has not been married prior to this marriage. The same is required of those who have come to the Metropolis of New Jersey from another Orthodox Diocese.
- If an Orthodox Christian is asked to participate in a non-Orthodox wedding, he/she may not receive Holy Communion at that service (i.e., Roman Catholic).
- If you are aware of anyone who has not been married in the Church, please let us know so that we may be able to contact that person and make the necessary arrangements for the marriage to be performed with the blessings of our church.
Instruments in the Church
“In her love and understanding, our Holy Orthodox Church has allowed for the use of the organ for the processional and recessional at weddings, as this is part of the American wedding traditions. No other instruments – trumpet, violin, etc., are to be used for weddings or any other Orthodox Sacrament or Service.” Soloist in the church only prior to the wedding.
FUNERALS
- It should be understood that funerals can only be performed for those who are baptized Orthodox Christians.
- Under no circumstance does our church allow a person to be cremated. A religious service cannot be performed.
- If the sponsor is from another Orthodox church, they must have an accompanying letter from their parish priest stating that they are in good standing and that there are no impediments concerning their spiritual status as Orthodox Christians.
- Baptized Orthodox who are married outside the Church, and are divorced but have not been released by the Church through Spiritual Court, cannot be brought to the Church for the funeral service unless a priest has previously heard their confession and was aware of their intentions.
DIVORCE
- A Church divorce may be granted after a civil decree has been given, but only after every effort to reconcile the couple has been made.
- The Church does not permit divorce but because of love and compassion for the people involved, divorce is at times tolerated. The Church grants divorce through the Spiritual Court that reviews the case after a petition is made.