Ioan COZMA - Grounds for Divorce in the Orthodox Church - A Canonical Approach

Ioan COZMA

Rev. PhD Professor Pontifical Oriental Institute; Faculty of Eastern Canon Law

Abstract:

Divorce continues to be a crucial point of controversy between Orthodox and Catholics. Thus, the genesis of this research stems from the affirmations about the divorceist character of the Orthodox Church versus the still rigid attitude of the Catholic Church on this matter. The article aims to clarify some terminological issues and shed light on how the civil practice of divorce entered the ancient Church. An essential point of discussion is the presentation of two main theories of divorce in the Orthodox Church today. The article is based on documentary and canonical-juridical sources and uses a historical and critical methodology.

Keywords:

marriage, divorce, Orthodox Church, holy canonss

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