How religion affects the marriage between Muslims and Orthodox Christians

1. Interfaith Marriage
Muslim & Orthodox
Christian
By: Kat Cloud and
Jessica Harrington

2. Contents
• Background: Muslim
- Beliefs
- Traditions
- Rules
- Customs
• Background: Orthodox
Christian
- Traditions
- Beliefs
- Rules
- Customs
• Can a Muslim man marry a
Christian women?
• Can an Orthodox Christian
man marry a Muslim women?

3. Background: Muslim
• Follow the teachings from the Qur’an
(Koran)
• God is called Allah
– An unisex name relative to
everyone
• Muhammed is the main prophet/
messenger
• Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, and
Jesus are all considered prophets
• Two denominations
– Sunni (75-90%)
– Shia (10-20%)
• Highest concentration is in South Asia
Locations Number of
believers
(percentage)
South Asia 25%
Middle East 20 %
Sub-Sahara Africa15%
Indonesia 13%

4. Beliefs
SHAHADAH:
no god but
Allah and
Mohammed is
his only
messenger
SALAAH: Pray
five times a
day. Prayers
are said at
dawn, mid-day,
late-afternoon,
sunset and
nightfall.
Zakaat: is
charity given to
the poor and
needy, means
"purification."
Saum: is
fasting in
September.
Hajj: is to visit
the Kaba, in
Mecca during
the Islamic
month of Zul –
Hijjah
Five Pillars of
Islam

5. Traditions
The only requirement is the signing
of a marriage contract
Most marriages are not held in
mosques
Men and women remain separate
during the ceremony and
reception.
Any Muslim who understands Islamic
Tradition can officiate the wedding
If you are having your wedding in a
mosque, many have marriage officers,
called qazi or madhun, who can
oversee the marriage.

6. Rules
Mehr:
• meher -- a formal statement specifying the
monetary amount the groom will give the
bride.
• There are two parts to the meher: a prompt
due before the marriage is consummated
and a deferred amount given to the bride
throughout her life.
• The gift belongs to the bride to use as she
pleases, unless the marriage breaks up
before consummation.
• The meher is considered the bride's security
and guarantee of freedom within the
marriage.
Nikah:
• a ceremony, where the groom or his
representative proposes to the bride in front
of at least two witnesses,
• stating the details of the meher.
• The bride and groom demonstrate their free
will by repeating the word qabul ("I accept,"
in Arabic) three times.
• Then the couple and two male witnesses
sign the contract, making the marriage legal
according to civil and religious law.
Vows and Blessings:
• following the nikah, a recitation of
the Fatihah -- the first chapter of the Quran
• Most Muslim couples do not recite vows;
• Instead their officiant speaks about the
meaning of marriage and responsibilities to
each other and Allah.

7. Customs
Marriage in Islam is viewed as a religious obligation, a contract
between the couple and Allah.

8. Orthodox Christian background
• A derivation of Christianity.
• Follows the bible.
• Orthodox church separated in 11th century after centuries of
disagreement
• Eastern orthodox
• Western orthodox
• 225 million orthodox Christian around the world
• Greece
• Cyprus
• Turkey
• Moldova
• Russia
• Romania

9. Traditions
• A wedding normally takes place during the morning hours
• The Bride and Groom fast prior to the ceremony.
• On the wedding day, the Bride and Groom approach the confessional and
Holy Communion in order that they cleanse themselves of all sin and come
pure before the marriage altar.
• Orthodox church members receive communion on the Sunday before the
marriage ceremony.
• The Bride wears a veil during the wedding service and during the reception
that follows.
1. The Betrothal
2. The Crowning
3. The Scripture Readings
4. The Joining of Hands and Procession
5. The Final Blessing

10. Beliefs
• Believe in:
– God the Father
– Jesus Christ
– Holy Spirit.
• God as Creator of heaven and earth

11. Rules
• The Groomsmen, or best man, must be of Orthodox faith.
• Other witnesses, ushers and Bridesmaids may be non-
Orthodox
• The Orthodox church allows interfaith marriages, if the non
orthodox partner converts.
• If the non orthodox partner doesn’t convert then the ceremony
cannot be held in an Orthodox church.

12. Can an Orthodox Christian man marry a Muslim
women?
Challenges :
• Cannot be married in a
Orthodox Church
–Or someone has to convert
religion
• Becomes more difficult to
baptize children, but possible
Consequences:
• Lose of Sacramental Privileges
• Remain in bad standing with Orthodox Church
• Disownment from family and friends
• Muslim women are banned from marrying outside their religion

13. Can a Muslim man marry an Orthodox
Christian women?
• Men are allowed to marry "people of the book", Christians and Jews.
• A Christian wife has the same rights and duties as a Muslim woman:
– Economic Stability -support
– The Mehr (dowry)
– Religion
• Some demand that the Christian wife should convert
• The husband is not allowed to ban his wife from visiting Church
• He can forbid her to leave their house during Christian festivals or attend a
worship service
• a Christian wife can mention her Muslim children in her will, but her Christian
children remain excluded.

14. References
• http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/wedding-ceremony/articles/muslim-wedding-
ceremony-rituals.aspx?MsdVisit=1
• http://english.islammessage.com/ArticleDetails.aspx?articleId=654
• http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/marriage/interfaith/marrynonchristians/conchal
• http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/how-christians-and-muslims-can-marry--the-
official-guide-8348954.html
• http://www.islamswomen.com/marriage/fiqh_of_marriage_8.php
• http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/denominations/orthodoxy.htm#sthash.K2LCLVro.dpuf
• http://www.antiochian.org/1123706696
• http://wedding.theknot.com/wedding-planning/wedding-programs/articles/orthodox-christian-
wedding-program.aspx?MsdVisit=1
• http://www.goarch.org/archdiocese/departments/marriage/interfaith/general-
readings/orthodoxchristiansintermarry