The Teaching of the Ante-Nicene Church Teachers About «Mixed» Marriages, According to 1 Cor. 7

Abstract

The following article is devoted to a relevant topic related to the possibility of a Christian marrying a non-Christian. An appeal to the Ante-Nicene period reveals the main aspects of Church teaching on mixed marriages, including problems associated with exceptions to the rules that took place in the first centuries of Christianity. Highlighting the most important principles for regulating the issues of entering into a mixed marriage, the author comes to the conclusion that, given the peculiarity of the circumstances, as well as the guaranteed provision of religious freedom to the believing party in these circumstances, the Church made leniency and recognized the marriage of its members with non-Christians.