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Why priests can't get marriedtranslated

September 11, 2026 · 1 min read

Are priests really not allowed to marry and why?

Priests really can't get married.

This prohibition was first formulated in the so-called Rules of the Holy Apostles: “We command that of those who have entered the clergy as celibates, those who wish to marry should only be readers and singers” (Rule 26), and then repeatedly confirmed at Church Councils. So, in more detail, we read about the impossibility of marriage for a clergyman in the sixth rule of the VI Ecumenical (Trullo) Council:

“Since the Apostolic Canons decree that of those admitted to the clergy as celibates, only readers and singers can marry, then we, observing this decree, determine: from now on, neither a subdeacon, nor a deacon, nor a presbyter after ordination has the right to marry. If anyone dares to do this, let him be deposed. If any of those preparing to receive holy orders wishes to enter into a legal marriage, let him do so before being ordained as a subdeacon, deacon or presbyter.”

It is important that the rule prohibiting marriage applies to people already in the priesthood, and does not mean that clergy (unless, of course, they are monks) cannot have a family.…

Source: Журнал ФОМА  ·  Read the full story →
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