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Text Box: The Orthodox - Basilian Catechism Q. 1031. To receive the Sacrament of Matrimony worthily is it necessary to be in the state of grace? A. To receive the Sacrament of Matrimony worthily it is necessary to be in the state of grace, and it is necessary also to comply with the laws of the Church. Q. 1032. With what laws of the Church are we bound to comply in receiving the Sacrament of Matrimony? A. In receiving the Sacrament of matrimony we are bound to comply with whatever laws of the Church concern Matrimony; such as laws forbidding solemn marriage in Lent and Advent; or marriage with relatives or with persons of a different religion, and in general all laws that refer to any impediment to marriage. Q. 1033. In how many ways may persons be related? A. Persons may be related in four ways. When they are related by blood their relationship is called consanguinity; when they are related by marriage it is called affinity; when they are related by being god-parents in Baptism or Confirmation, it is called spiritual affinity; when they are related by adoption, it is called legal affinity. Q. 1034. Who has the right to make laws concerning the Sacrament of marriage? A. The Church alone has the right to make laws concerning the Sacrament of marriage, though the state also has the right to make laws concerning the civil effects of the marriage contract. Q. 1035. What do we mean by laws concerning the civil effects of the marriage contract? A. By laws concerning the civil effects of the marriage contract we mean laws with regard to the property or debts of the husband and wife, the inheritance of their children, or whatever pertains to

Text Box: their temporal affairs. All persons are bound to obey the laws of their country when these laws are not opposed to the laws of God. Q. 1036. Does the Church forbid the marriage of Orthodox Catholics with persons who have a different religion or no religion at all? A. The Church does forbid the marriage of Orthjodox Catholics with persons who have a different religion or no religion at all. Q. 1037. Why does the Church forbid the marriage of Orthodox Catholics with persons who have a different religion or no religion at all? A. The Church forbids the marriage of Orthodox Catholics with persons who have a different religion, or no religion at all, because such marriages generally lead to indifference, loss of faith, and to the neglect of the religious education of the children. Q. 1038. What are the marriages of Orthodox Catholics with persons of a different religion called, and when does the Church permit them by dispensation? A. The marriages of Orthodox Catholics with persons of a different religion are called mixed marriages. The Church permits them by dispensation only under certain conditions and for urgent reasons; chiefly to prevent a greater evil. Q. 1039. What are the conditions upon which the Church will permit an Orthodox Catholic to marry one who is not a Catholic? A. The conditions upon which the Church will permit an Orthodox Catholic to marry one who is not an Orthodox Catholic are: 1. That the Orthodox Catholic be allowed the free exercise of his or her religion ; 2. That the Orthodox Catholic shall try by teaching and good example to lead the one who is not an Orthodox Catholic to embrace the true faith; 3. That all the children born of the marriage shall be brought up in the Orthodox Catholic religion.

Text Box: The marriage ceremony must not be repeated before a heretical minister. Without these promises, the Church will not consent to a mixed marriage, and if the Church does not consent the marriage is unlawful. Q. 1040. What penalty does the Church impose on Orthodox Catholics who marry before a Protestant minister? A. Orthodox Catholics who marry before a Protestant minister incur excommunication; that is, a censure of the Church or spiritual penalty which prevents them from receiving the Sacrament of Penance till the priest who hears their confession gets special faculties or permission from the bishop; because by such a marriage they make profession of a false religion in acknowledging as a priest one who has neither sacred power nor authority. Most Bishops grant all their priests this special faculty or permission, but it is not to be exercised injudiciously. Q. 1041. How does the Church show its displeasure at mixed marriages? A. The Church shows its displeasure at mixed marriages by the coldness with which it sanctions them, prohibiting all religious ceremony at them by forbidding the priest to use any sacred vestments, holy water or blessing of the ring at such marriages; by prohibiting them also from taking place in the Church or even in the sacristy. On the other hand, the Church shows its joy and approval at a true Orthodox Catholic marriage by the Nuptial Divine Liturgy (Mass) and solemn ceremonies. Q. 1042. Why should Catholics avoid mixed marriages? A. Catholics should avoid mixed marriages: 1. Because they are displeasing to the Church and cannot bring with them the full measure of God's grace and blessing; 2. Because the children should have the good example of both parents in the practice of their religion; 3.

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