02.06.2025 09:29
283
Russian priest calls marriage with Muslims permissible under one condition
Interfaith marriages between Orthodox Christians and Muslims are permissible if the couples respect each other's religious feelings, said the secretary of the Makhachkala and Grozny dioceses, hieromonk of the Russian Orthodox Church, John (Anisimov), in an interview with the Ridus publication.
Thus, he reacted to the statement by Archpriest Kirill (Ivanov) opposing marriages between Muslim men and Orthodox women.
Hieromonk John noted that in a multinational country like Russia, interfaith marriages are not uncommon and are permissible under certain circumstances.
"Of course, it is more acceptable to marry someone who believes in your religion. But Russia is a multi-religious country. Mixed marriages are common here. Especially in Dagestan, where I serve. Personally, I think that such marriages are completely permissible if the spouses respect each other's religious views, for example, the man does not forbid his wife from going to church, being a priest, or teaching Christian values to their children," said Ioann.
He added that ancient Jews had strict prohibitions on marriage, and that Orthodoxy is not an Old Testament religion.
Recall that earlier, in a YouTube video, Russian Orthodox priest Kirill Ivanov complained that migrants were marrying Orthodox girls and Islamizing Russia. He claimed that migrants, especially "radicalized" ones, were achieving their goals in this way.
Priest Pavel Ostrovsky, pastor of the St. George Church in the town of Nakhabino, Moscow Region, expressed his opinion on why Christian Russian women often marry Muslim men, noting that the main reason for this situation is that Orthodox men avoid responsibility and are in no hurry to start a family.
Thus, he reacted to the statement by Archpriest Kirill (Ivanov) opposing marriages between Muslim men and Orthodox women.
Hieromonk John noted that in a multinational country like Russia, interfaith marriages are not uncommon and are permissible under certain circumstances.
"Of course, it is more acceptable to marry someone who believes in your religion. But Russia is a multi-religious country. Mixed marriages are common here. Especially in Dagestan, where I serve. Personally, I think that such marriages are completely permissible if the spouses respect each other's religious views, for example, the man does not forbid his wife from going to church, being a priest, or teaching Christian values to their children," said Ioann.
He added that ancient Jews had strict prohibitions on marriage, and that Orthodoxy is not an Old Testament religion.
Recall that earlier, in a YouTube video, Russian Orthodox priest Kirill Ivanov complained that migrants were marrying Orthodox girls and Islamizing Russia. He claimed that migrants, especially "radicalized" ones, were achieving their goals in this way.
Priest Pavel Ostrovsky, pastor of the St. George Church in the town of Nakhabino, Moscow Region, expressed his opinion on why Christian Russian women often marry Muslim men, noting that the main reason for this situation is that Orthodox men avoid responsibility and are in no hurry to start a family.
