The Greek Orthodox Church and Symbolisms

DIVORCES

     An ecclesiastical divorce may be granted after a civil decree has been give. However, the parish priest must exert every effort to reconcile the couple and avert a divorce. Should the priest fail to bring about reconciliation, he will transmit the petition of the party seeking the ecclesiastical divorce to the Spiritual (Ecclesiastical) Court of the Diocese. The decree of the civil divorce must accompany this petition. The petition must include the names and surnames of the husband and wife, their addresses, the familial surname of the bride and where, when, and by which priest the ecclesiastical wedding was conducted. The petitioner must be in good standing with his or her parish and with the Archdiocese. Christian Orthodox members of the Greek Orthodox Church who do not have an ecclesiastical divorce when they are separated and have obtained only the civil divorce, may not marry in the Church until receipt of the ecclesiastical divorce. Members of the Church who have only received a civil divorce and not an ecclesiastical divorce are not permitted to receive Holy Communion or to be sponsors in weddings, and godparents in baptismal ceremonies.