Has anyone ever been curious about a possible Female and Married Priesthood. I know that in actuality there has been since the first century in many places. If interested in Private reply: repairthebreach@taosnet.com

I'm Antiocian Orthodox and our priest is married and has 6 kids.

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Originally posted by ampmaster:
which orthodox branch bardasos? greek? russian?

He is right, Orthodoxy allows it.

Invisible girl,
In reply to your question, The Orthodox Catholic church is a branch of the Catholic and Orthodox church's who have been living and honoring each others traditions since the sixth century, before there was any kind of split or division. We share the same Mass and the same Sacraments, but our Orders have always allowed for a Married priesthood, and also for Women to be ordained as deacons, as well as in some cases Presbytera, which is an ordained minister of the Sacraments, i.e. priest. In some cases women preside over jurisdictions as well.

This was the case in several early communities in southern Italy centuries ago, and seems to be coming back in other places as well, due to necessity, and the wishes of the people.

Unfortunately, when you try to look up "Orthodox-Catholic" on the web, you will no doubt find numerous references, however, many of these are independent "spin off" churches. It's ok, and I'm sure they do a good job where they are, but it does cause some confusion.

We are a Western Rite, (Catholic) branch of Orthodoxy. The Reference to Eastern is because the Church began in the Eastern Countries. Our lineage traces back to the first Apostles, through Antioch, before Rome. Many of us came from Roman Roots, and others from Russia.

We have the same Mass as the local parishes, but we tend toward smaller, more personal gatherings. In fact there are a couple of places in the Mass for a short time of sharing within the group. A lot of interaction and active participation, with everyone coming up around the altar for the Consecration and Communion.
This is the form that many of our monastic communities use to this day.

We all have the same beliefs, and really are the same church, coming out of different cultures.

There is a broad family out there, and a
good comfortable place for all of us.

Yes , of course, to answer your question we come from a lineage of the Church in Antioch. Our Orders are both Russian and Old Catholic, from Utrect Holland.

Thank you for the age reminder. I live and work in a rural mission surrounded by young people, and have four adopted children of my own. I guess We really forget that there is a difference, but it is always good to try to encourage others. It would have been nice if someone older than me had taken that time to do that when I was growing up.

which orthodox branch bardasos? greek? russian?

oh and just a bug in your ear did you miss the "youth" part of youthnoise? married and 20 years in the priest hood puts you at... what 40?

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many popes and priests were married for centuries after the apostles

Millenia to tell you the truth (happened up to anout 1000 years + ago) it was against church law, but it did happen

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Soooo, I will tell you now, that I am a Married Priest of an Orthodox Branch of the Catholic Church

Wow. There are no Orthodox Catholic Churches where I live...could you tell me more about your church?

Thanks Invisible girl,

I agree completely. This is not at all the way things started. The first pope, Peter...well, Jesus healed His mother-in law of a fever.
Yep, many popes and priests were married for centuries after the apostles. And it was and still is common to have women Deacons in many places throughout the world, as in the first century.

In the catacombs, there are in fact ancient mosaics and paintings of Mass being celebrated by a woman, with other women around the altar.

Soooo, I will tell you now, that I am a Married Priest of an Orthodox Branch of the Catholic Church, and have been for over 20 yrs. My wife is also a newly ordained Priest and Overseer of one of our Regions in the Southwest.

No matter what men try to do with institutions, there is always a way to follow your heart.

Peace, Bardasos

repairthebreach@taosnet.com

I have never met a priest who was female or married, although I would like to. I don't see why they shouldn't be, though. I think that in many ways the Church is sexist. The role of women has changed drastically since Bible times and the Church does not seem to have realized this. I also think that it would be good for priests to married. It would give them better insights into family life.

Thanks for your reply Shade. I think that most people who are actually following their heart, do tend to be nice. I'm encouraged to hear of her.

I actually work directly with an Eastern Branch of the Catholic Church that is making it possible for both women and married individuals to be validly ordained as priests.

There's a woman priest in a church around me. She's also lesbian. I met her at some rally. She's pretty nice.