May 9, 2000
The Pious Pastors
of the Holy Diocese of Denver
Beloved in the Lord,
Christ is Risen!
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching
them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you
always, to the close of the age.
(Matthew 28:19-20)
A number of you have recently contacted the Diocesan Office regarding the reception of converts from some Christian denominations through Chrismation, as well as concerning the eligibility of certain non-Orthodox Christians to marry an Orthodox Christian in the Mystery of Holy Matrimony.
As you are aware, much has been written in various publications, and much has been spoken in numerous forums, concerning these matters. In regard to our practice, the Holy Eparchial Synod of Bishops of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, following the protocols and practices established by the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, has determined that an individual who was previously Baptized in water, in the "Name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit" by a heterodox Christian church or denomination that has an expressed belief in the Most Holy Trinity is to be received into the Orthodox Church by extreme oikonomia through Chrismation, not through re-baptism, and may be wed in the Mystery of Marriage to his/her Orthodox fiancee.
In general, an individual Baptized in one of the following churches may be received through Chrismation and/or may be married to an Orthodox spouse:
- Anglican Catholic
- Anglican Communion (Church of England, Episcopal, etc.)
- Assembly of God
- Baptist
- Church of the Brethren
- Lutheran
- Methodist
- Moravians
- Non-Chalcedonian and Monophysite Orthodox Churches
- Old Catholic (Polish National Catholic Church, Church of Utrecht, Liberal Catholic Church, etc.)
- Presbyterian
- Roman Catholic
- United Church of Christ.
It is generally assumed that priests and ministers of these thirteen
denominations who conduct baptisms, do so in conformance with the
elements listed in the previous paragraph; that is, in the Name of the
Holy Trinity with the use of water. However, it sometimes occurs that
certain pastors do not baptize in the Name of the Father, and the Son,
and the Holy Spirit,
or may not use water (sometimes they anoint with
oil). Consequently the Presbyter must be very cautious whenever
inquiring of converts how they were "baptized." He should insist on
seeing their baptismal certificate or a transcript of it. If it cannot
be ascertained that the heterodox baptism was done according to the
criteria cited above, the convert must be properly baptized according to
the rite of the Orthodox Church.
It should be further noted that baptisms
performed in the following
churches, however, are not accepted and individuals from these churches
may not be married to an Orthodox spouse in an Orthodox Mystery of
Marriage. They are to be received into the Orthodox Church through
Baptism and Chrismation:
- a. Anabaptists (Mennonite, etc.)
- Christian Scientist
- Disciples of Christ
- Jehovah's Witness
- Mormon (also called "Latter Day Saints)
- Quaker
- Salvation Army
- Seventh Day Adventist
- Swedenborgian
- Unitarian.
May our merciful and risen Lord, Who called each of you to serve at His Holy Altar as a Presbyter, grant you strength and wisdom to faithfully and properly discharge the fearsome duties of the priestly office.
With Paternal Blessings,
+Metropolitan Isaiah
Presiding Hierarch
of
the Diocese of Denver