Is my boyfriend's Armenian church in union with Rome?

[katy1001]

Correct. What happens in these kinds of threads is someone who is coming from an entirely different background and needs as simple understandable answer as possible asks a basic question about faith or the Church. The responders, schooled in nuances and details the poser of the question could not possibly grasp get into a dialogue between themselves that leaves the original poster scratching his head, lost and confused.

In trying to answer the enquirer’s question simply and directly, to give a basic understanding that can saitisfy him so he can move on to other more important things than swallowing camels and straining at gnats as some religious people are wont to do since the time of Jesus or before, keep it simple and direct, or the next thing you know we will be discussing the sacking of Constantinople and the crusades.

THANKS grandfather!!
The original question is exactly what I was wondering and I read ALL posts. Some were Very confusing (too much “advanced” information), where your posts were very clear, simple and the one where you mentioned forms of communication that we have now (not in Jesus’ times)…made me smile cause I was able to relate to this way of explaining.
Thanx again!

If I may ask, is there a section/part of the Armenian Church (from Armenia) that is NOT in union with Rome/the Pope?..I ask because at the beginning-middle of this thread I saw a chart (of the 23 churches that make up the Catholic Church) where I see that the
Armenian Church resumed union with CC in 1742. …my boyfriend is Armenian (from Armenia) and he says they " do not follow the Pope in Rome".

We’ve been talking about marriage, and we are confused as to where do we get married (Catholic Church, or Armenian Church), and if I need a dispensation of (what type??) if we were to marry in his church {if he cannot marry in mine}). I am Roman Catholic…soo confusing but important for us to get ‘it right’. I was hoping to learn something through CAF first before going to our churches to ask.

Katy1001

 

[5Loaves]

If I may ask, is there a section/part of the Armenian Church (from Armenia) that is NOT in union with Rome/the Pope?..I ask because at the beginning-middle of this thread I saw a chart (of the 23 churches that make up the Catholic Church) where I see that the
Armenian Church resumed union with CC in 1742. …my boyfriend is Armenian (from Armenia) and he says they " do not follow the Pope in Rome".

We’ve been talking about marriage, and we are confused as to where do we get married (Catholic Church, or Armenian Church), and if I need a dispensation of (what type??) if we were to marry in his church {if he cannot marry in mine}). I am Roman Catholic…soo confusing but important for us to get ‘it right’. I was hoping to learn something through CAF first before going to our churches to ask.

Katy1001

Definitely there is the Armenian Church not in communion with Rome.

I have not been to Liturgy in the Armenian Church but I assume that like our Byzantine rite Divine Liturgies they commemorate their heirarch during the liturgy, a number of times. If you hear “Benedict, the Pope of Rome” you can assume you’re in a Catholic Church. I would assume that if your boyfriend says they are not in communion with the Pope of Rome, then they are not.

You should speak with your boyfriend’s priest right away so that you may understand clearly what the expectation would be for any children you two would have. I would expect that he will be required to be married in the Armenian Church and to Baptize, Chrismate and raise his children (your) children in his Church. The priest might not allow marriage for your boyfriend and someone who is not a member of the Armenian Church. Before you proceed further you do need to get clear information from the Armenian Church priest. Has his priest allowed you to receive the Eucharist in his Church.

 

[Vico]

Armenian Orthodox are in the Oriental Orthodox communion, and is not the same as the Armenian Catholic Church.

See this site for details (Armenian Apostolic) on the Oriental Orthodox page. Armenian on the Catholic Eastern Churches page.

cnewa.org/default.aspx?ID=123&pagetypeID=9&sitecode=HQ&pageno=1

 

[BertBlyleven]

The relationship between Rome and the Armenian Church is fairly good, especially when compared to the Greeks (yikes). There’s actually a long history between Rome and the Armenian Church going back to the crusades. Armenians have adopted many Latin customs, e.g. high altars, mitres, monstrances, lack of iconostasis. As a result marriages and all sacraments are viewed as mutually valid and between both Churches (I believe this is true of all Oriental Orthodox EXCEPT the Copts, who do not acknowledge Roman Holy orders). So, you should be able to get married without a problem. As far as raising children goes, I am not sure what the Armenian Church says.

 

[The_Idiot]

Katy,

I wonder if these two links might give you some help - one is from the US Bishops Conference - so I think it should provide good authoritative information for you . I would suggest you get it printed out

usccbpublishing.org/client/client_pdfs/7-050BI.pdf

And the next is a book available from Alibris - again this should provide authoritative help

alibris.com/search/books/qwork/10810539/used/Oriental%20Orthodox-Roman%20Catholic%20Interchurch%20Marriages%20and%20Other

 

[MarkosC]

Katy,

First and most importantly congratulations to you both, I will pray for you all. Be sure to check out the marriage ceremony texts from both the Roman Catholic and Armenian side, they offer many pearls of spiritual wisdom.

Second, some Armenian churches are in union with Rome, some are not. From what you said, it doesn’t sound like they are.

Third, since they are considered authentic local churches (don’t ask what that is unless you want to be innundated with irrelevent information again . ), it does not usually pose problems from the Catholic side. I also believe that Catholic-Armenian Orthodox marriages are reasonably common and don’t pose many problems from the Armenian side. The USCCB link above will likely have the current rules on the Catholic side.

However, only the actual priests involved can give you authoritative guidance, since they have the most knowledge of how these things are to be done and of course will be the ones doing it.

Markos