[MO3G]

Keeping this brief:

Dp is greek orthodox, dd is getting christenined greek orthodox

Godparents are macedonian orthodox(my sis and her hubby)
just got back from the greek orthodox church with the priest saying that we cant use our chosen godparents because the church doesnt recognize people of macedonian orthodox.

And i just finalised the invitations that werent cheap



Anyone heard of this before, im not orthodox but i thought that they were pretty much the same (apart from the obvious) because they are both orthodox.

i dont know what to do

ETA. this should be in venting

[miriams]

That's ridiculous. The godparents absolutely do not have to be from the same church. Preferably they are supposed to be Christian however.

[JustBeige]

Is he a family priest? If so maybe someone in DP's family can intervene, or they can go higher than him to get advice.

If its just the local parish then maybe you can ring around a couple of other churches and see what they say.

Normally I agree with Miriams, but I think Orthodox are pretty set in their ways and not very welcoming of other religions etc, especially when you are talking about their 'spiritual guides' ie: godparents. (thats my limited experience anyway)

[Brownie22]

Unfortunately that's pretty standard in Greek Orthodox and I don't think you'll be able to get around it. It is what PP said about the role of the godparent to play a role in the child's religious upbringing even though that rarely happens these days.

This post has been edited by Brownie22: 05/04/2012, 08:04 PM

[annodam]

That's ridiculous. The godparents absolutely do not have to be from the same church. Preferably they are supposed to be Christian however.

No, it is NOT ridiculous & I find offence to that!
Greek Orthodox religion specifically stipulates the Godparents MUST be Greek Orthodox.

Sorry, OP what the Priest told you is correct, you should've asked him first.
The person who bapitises the child ie., puts the oil on the baby HAS to be Greek Orthodox.
Baptising in the Greek Orthodox faith is MORE important than birthdays & marriage even.

[Jenmummy]

The Greek Orthodox Church generally doesn't recognise the Macedonian Orthodox because of the name "Macedonian." It's kind of hard going into anymore detail without offending either Greeks or Macedonians - they have very disparate views.

Godparents have to be Greek orthodox.

This post has been edited by Jenmummy: 05/04/2012, 08:11 PM

[!momo!]

I was christened Greek orthodox ( not really practising) DH and I got married in a Greek orthodox church he was baptized in the uniting church. We were told when it came to christening kids the god parent has to be Greek orthodox. So whilst they will marry you in the church as long as you belong to a religion baptized in the holy trinity in terms of christening children I think they are stricter as the god parent is supposed to raise the child in the faith. You could try contacting the archdioses in your state they should be able to clarify.

[MrsNorthman]

yeah godparents have to be Greek orthodox, as far as I know its always been this way. DP really should have filled you in on this but I'm surprised you didn't have a meeting with the Priest first?

[MO3G]

does anybody know ANY other options??

Our godparents will be staying the same, i dont see the point of getting greek orthodox god parents that just because of their religion and feel as though we and dd have less of a connection to than the godparents we cant have and know for sure that they will be better role models etc..

this sucks!!

[annodam]

I don't blame the partner for not knowing, there's a lot of stuff in the Greek Orthodox religion that I don't know & I'm pretty strict with following religion.
If in doubt, I ask my mum, she knows everything!
I'm shocked your MIL didn't tell you, or an aunt.
If the need arises again, ask an old Greek lady, she'll tell you.

Remember just before 40 days (after the Christening) is up, to return the candle back to the Church.


ETA: Just saw your post, no options unfortunately.

This post has been edited by annodam: 05/04/2012, 08:29 PM