In Oriental Orthodox sacramental theology can a mixed marriage be valid?
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From The Sacrament of Holy Crowning in the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church
Today, this Eucharistic tradition is confronted with many challenges. In our pluralistic society the great diversity of religious faith confessions makes the “ideal” of a marriage between Armenian Orthodox partners less a reality in the Church community. The Church now encounters the condition of a “mixed marriage”; a marriage between an Armenian Orthodox and a Christian from another faith confession. Such situations do not change the general meaning of marriage with regard to its intent but certainly present problems when celebrating the rites of blessing.
It should be understood that mixed marriages are neither encouraged nor forbidden by the Armenian Orthodox Church. Sacramental blessing by the church granted through the person of the officient Priest could only be administered and celebrated for those who are baptized Christians. Canonically there is no separate liturgical rite for an Armenian Orthodox and a non- Christian.
As stated, mixed marriages are those between Armenian Orthodox and persons from Christian confessions that acknowledge belief in the Holy Trinity and the Divinity of Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. The celebration of the Sacrament of Crowning, as it is traditionally called, is allowed for a mixed faith union out of concern for the couple’s well being inviting them both to share in prayer and affirm, however possible, their common faith within the rite without compromise of personal or Church integrity. This practice of “oekonomia” thus allows both to share as much as possible. It should remain clear that the acceptance and participation of a non-Armenian Orthodox Christian in the marriage rite does not imply his/her conversion nor does it grant him/her the privilege to actively receive the other Sacraments of the Church. It is only by the Sacrament of Chrismation that one becomes a member of the faith community; after proper catechizes before or after marriage.
Arguably, this is a palliative measure as a consequence of declining religiosity in Europe. The same phenomenon can be identified for other denominations in many European countries with low religiosity:
(Pew Research)
Which clearly reflects in the proportion of mixed marriages:
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