My cousin is dating other race!!!

[Guest]

Berj,

 

First, I disagree with your remarks about so many parties. I think we don’t have many parties. We have just a couple, maybe three. I don’t think that the diversity of opinions is a sign of a lack of statesman’s mentality. To the contrary, I think the non-availability of diversity is a sign of absence of mentality, at all. I would love to see something like that happen in Azerbaijan, for example. I indeed think that if the old ideas are bankrupt, then we should come up with new ones. On the other hand, who is the judge of which ideas are right and which ones are wrong?

 

I don’t find your statement of Armenia being “us” implying lack of diversity is a valid one. I indeed think Armenia is “us,” and that’s why it is diverse. Otherwise I don’t understand what Armenia means. Is it a concept, geographic location, what is it?

[Guest]

to all,

Those of you who who belongs to Armenian Apostolic church may be interested to know the church's opinion on the mixed marriages issue. Those of you who dont care what the church has to say about it, I still recomend reading this article that I am borrowing from http://www.hyeetch.nareg.com.au/religion/s...raments_p1.html.

 

Mixed Marriages

 

It is an undeniable fact that the more the number of common denominators between individuals entering into the marriage bond, the greater are the probabilities that they may enjoy a peaceful and harmonious life together. Certainly, sharing the same faith and traditions can spare them from many serious problems and strengthen their family ties.

 

If we consider the theology, teachings and didactic concerns relate to the Marriage Sacrament of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and realize that the Church represents a unity in terms of its doctrine and mission, then we may understand that the Church cannot put itself in a contradictory position, i.e., preach the faithfulness of our beliefs on one hand, and preach the eternality of the same beliefs on the other. Therefore, it should be clear to all, as to why the Armenian Church does not, and cannot, encourage mixed marriages between and Armenian Apostolic and a non-Christian to be absolutely impossible. This is not a matter of prejudice and/or unfair discrimination, but rather, it reflects the principles of remaining faithful to our faith.

 

If we confess that the utmost objective of the Marriage Sacrament is to view the union of marriage as an integral part of our faith in Christ, which is expressed by the participation of the couple in the life of the Church, that is, the body of Christ, then it becomes clear that the participation of an individual outside of our faith, or religion in the Marriage Sacrament can ultimately be destructive to the integrity of the Church¡¦s doctrines as well as to the self-respect and dignity of the non-Apostolic believer.

 

All the sacraments of our Church, including marriage, originate with the Sacrament of Baptism. Therefore, it is an absolute prerequisite for marriage that both candidates be Christian believers, baptized and confirmed in the name of the Holy trinity, for they are called upon to be the people of God and members of the Church. Those who are fundamentally opposed to the beliefs, doctrine and mission of the church, should not choose ecclesiastical marriage as the means of commencing their conjugal life.

 

When we look upon the issue in its literal context, the only "mixed marriage", which can take place within the Armenian Church is the one between an Armenian Apostolic and person belonging to a non-Armenian Apostolic Church.

 

The Armenian Apostolic Church considers Churches as Christian and orthodox if they specifically confess the Divinity of the Holy Trinity, believe in the perfection and unity of the Divine and human natures of Christ and use the formula, "In the Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit" during baptism.

 

As stated, the Armenian Church does not encourage such mixed marriages; nevertheless, it does not refuse to perform them either, since, in terms of its mission, it must care for the spiritual well-being of the Christian believers. At the same time, it is thought that the non-Armenian Apostolic Christian can share the ecclesiastical Sacrament to a certain extent without being unfaithful to his/her church and beliefs.

 

This "deviation" from the accepted ways, in ecclesiastical terms, is called "economy", i.e. to utilize the Church¡¦s mission with hope for the future.

 

It must be clear, however, that the participation of a non-Armenian Apostolic in the rite of the Marriage Sacrament of the Armenian Church does not result in automatic change in the confession of faith of the individual; nor does it grant him/her the right to participate in other sacraments of the Armenian Church.

 

Often, however, after acquaintance and some deliberations, the Candidate may wish to accept the Armenian Apostolicism, either prior to the exchange of the martial vows or subsequently. In such cases, the wish of the candidate is naturally granted, once he/she has received the necessary doctrinal instructions.

 

In any event, the Armenian Church does not force, nor does it exert pressure on others to accept Armenian Apostolicism. The candidates are accepted within the Church only when they apply for it by their own free will.

 

There are three classifications of mixed marriages in general, non-theological sense of the word:

 

¡P Individuals from non-Christian religious or heretical sects;

 

¡P Individuals from non-Apostolic Christian Churches;

 

¡P Individuals from other Apostolic Christian Churches.

 

The Armenian Apostolic Church blesses the Sacrament of Marriage between an individual of these classifications and an Armenian Apostolic after the following conditions have been met.

 

Individuals of non-Christian religious and/or heretical sects:

 

¡P Marriage between an Armenian Apostolic and a non-Christian is prohibited as long as the latter has not expressed the desire to accept our Church¡¦s confession of faith, baptism and mission through its sacraments, by his/her own free will in an explicit manner.

 

¡P The following are regarded as non-Christian and heretical; Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Hinduism, Shintoism, Taoism, Paganism, Zoroastrianism, Fetishism, Naturalism, and Atheism. Among the schismatic faiths are Mormonism, Jehovah¡¦s Witness, Scientology, Christian Scientist, Salvation Army, Quakers, etc.

 

¡P First, these individuals should express their desire to become a member of our Church, then receive serious instructions in its catechism, accept its rites, get baptized, and, in this way, obtain membership in the Armenian Church under the supervision of the Pastor.

 

¡P In such cases, the candidates are required to confirm, with a written promise, that they shall raise and instruct their children in accordance to the doctrines and teachings of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Individuals belonging to non-Apostolic Churches:

 

¡P By the term "non-Apostolic", we refer to those Christian Churches, which were not founded by the apostles, and by their doctrines they deviate from the teachings of the churches founded on Apostolic traditions, particularly, in their perception and priesthood. By non-Apostolic churches in general we understand the traditional Protestant or Evangelical churches, such as Lutheran, Calvinist, Presbyterian, etc.

 

¡P In this case as well, the marriage of an Armenian Apostolic to a non-Apostolic individual is prohibited in the Armenian Church and according to its rites, as long as the individual doesn¡¦t express the desire to accept our Church¡¦s confession of faith in an unsolicited and explicit manner, acting on his/her own free will.

 

¡P These individuals should also be instructed in the catechism of the Armenian Church and accept its doctrine. If they are baptized, they must be confirmed and take communion according to the rite of the Armenian Church and, in this way, obtain membership in the Armenian Church, under the supervision of the pastor.

 

In such cases, the candidates are required to give a written promise, that they will raise and bring up their children according to the doctrines and teachings of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Individuals belonging to other Apostolic Churches:

 

¡P By "Apostolic Church", we mean all those churches which are considered to have originated through apostolic tradition and which accept the Holy Trinity, the Nicene Creed, the Church¡¦s seven sacraments and the Church¡¦s hierarchy.

 

Those classified as Apostolic Churches are: the Oriental Orthodox Churches, the Eastern Orthodox Churches and the Catholic Church.

 

¡P As stated above, the greater the common bonds existing between the two candidates for marriage, the higher the probability for a more solid marriage. However, when an Armenian Apostolic and a non-Armenian Apostolic decide to get married, the Armenian Church will grant their wish, after examining and satisfying the following conditions:

 

o Verify and confirm that the non-Armenian Apostolic candidate has been baptized and confirmed by his/her church and/or administer whatever is necessary and proper.

 

o Acquaint him/her with the doctrine and history of the Armenian Church.

 

o Enroll him/her as a member of the Church, upon his/her request.

 

o Receive assurance that, after the wedding the children will be brought up and educated in accordance to the teachings of the Armenian Church.

 

Forbidden marriages according to the Canon regarding incest:

 

¡P Parents with their own children, grandchildren or great grandchildren

 

¡P Brothers and sisters with each other.

 

¡P Uncles and aunts with nieces and nephews

¡P Cousins

 

¡P Foster parents with foster children

 

¡P Foster children with the children of foster parents

 

¡P Godfathers with goddaughters

 

¡P Godfathers with the mothers of their godsons

 

¡P Godchildren with the children of their godfather

 

¡P Godmothers with their godsons

 

¡P Godmothers with the father of godsons

 

¡P Brothers-in-law with sisters-in-law

 

 

 

 

[This message has been edited by surorus (edited November 29, 2000).]