David Waggoner
12-12-2005, 08:03 PM
I am not sure where this should be put. I originally posted it on FaithCommunityNetwork's Marriage forum and was directed here from an Orthodox member there. The people involved are all long time friends of mine and attended an independant charismatic church in Michigan. All have been long time christians.
A little over 10 years ago a long-time friend, a believing Jew, who had been married for 20 years in a non-denom charismatic church went thru a real trauma. His wife was feeling "dry" in her walk (we all have been there) and started attending a womens bible study in their neighborhood. It was run by a woman from a local orthodox congregation (I am not sure which orthodox, there is a large greek and a smaller, either syrian or russian congregation near there) who took an interest in her and suggested she meet with a priest. She did. After a few sessions, the priest convinced her that she was living in sin and this dry period was God calling her back to Himself. Since she married a Jew, and they were married in a renegade congregation, she had actually been in fornication for 20 years. She was not married at all in the "eyes of the church." She must disolve this civil union and enter a convent to atone. After a year in the convent she could marry a good Orthodox man but must not have contact with her former husband or her children of fornication.
My friend talked to the priest and went up the chain to the national HQ of the denomination. No one would help him.
Would someone please explain to me what happened and why? Why would the church just break up an otherwise good marriage?
A little over 10 years ago a long-time friend, a believing Jew, who had been married for 20 years in a non-denom charismatic church went thru a real trauma. His wife was feeling "dry" in her walk (we all have been there) and started attending a womens bible study in their neighborhood. It was run by a woman from a local orthodox congregation (I am not sure which orthodox, there is a large greek and a smaller, either syrian or russian congregation near there) who took an interest in her and suggested she meet with a priest. She did. After a few sessions, the priest convinced her that she was living in sin and this dry period was God calling her back to Himself. Since she married a Jew, and they were married in a renegade congregation, she had actually been in fornication for 20 years. She was not married at all in the "eyes of the church." She must disolve this civil union and enter a convent to atone. After a year in the convent she could marry a good Orthodox man but must not have contact with her former husband or her children of fornication.
My friend talked to the priest and went up the chain to the national HQ of the denomination. No one would help him.
Would someone please explain to me what happened and why? Why would the church just break up an otherwise good marriage?