The Family. Some Theological and Orthodox Matrimonial Law Aspects
The Family. Some Theological and Orthodox Matrimonial Law Aspects

Summary/Abstract: According to the Orthodox teaching of faith, Family is the first and the smallest cell of the social body. At the same time, it is the first and the smallest cell of the ecclesial body, the primary or ultimate purpose of marriage being the conjugal love, a fulfilment of the unity between the spouses, which makes the family a domestic church. In our study we try to reveal theological meaning of the family, the main sources of the orthodox matrimonial law and to make a synthesis regarding marriage and family life according the matrimonial orthodox law. All the canonical rules regarding the Mystery of Marriage, the marriage and the family form the object of matrimonial orthodox law and have one purpose: to strengthen and defend the orthodox faith, while accompanying the spiritual growth of those who, by entering into family life, yearn to reach the Kingdom of Heaven. Within the matrimonial orthodox law, the role of the canonical rules has been and continues to be the maintenance and reaffirmation of the Christian family’s fundamental character: unity, holiness, universality and apostolic spirit. The orthodox matrimonial law, by his pan-orthodox and local sources strongly differs from the other matrimonial laws. Specifically, the Orthodox Church did neither impose the uniformity of the matrimonial law in all the local churches, nor its autonomy towards Civil Law, as happened with the Catholic matrimonial law. In addition, the Orthodox Church did not compel an almost complete identification between matrimonial and official law, as happened in the Protestant canonical law.

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