Non Christian husband

SamanthaAnastasia

Just a library lady
Dec 21, 2018
1,271
1,284
Earth
✟168,148.00
Country
United States
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Private
so, I am thinking of converting to orthodox Christianity.
However, my husband is agnostic and I have a few questions.
Do any other users on here have a nonchristian spouse?
My husband doesn’t mind me going to church but likes to take trips on the weekend.
Should I feel guilty if my husband wants to go out of town on the weekend?
How would you approach that?
Is going on vacations(even short weekend trips) and I am unable to go to church considering sinful?
Thanks
 
  • Prayers
Reactions: anna ~ grace

~Anastasia~

† Handmaid of God †
Dec 1, 2013
31,133
17,455
Florida panhandle, USA
✟922,775.00
Country
United States
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Married
My husband is not Orthodox - generally is rather anti-Orthodox. It has its particular challenges, but it doesn't mean I can't be Orthodox. It gives me some unique opportunities to live out my faith in fact. But your priest is definitely the one to talk to.
 
Upvote 0

rusmeister

A Russified American Orthodox Chestertonian
Dec 9, 2005
10,404
5,021
Eastern Europe
Visit site
✟434,711.00
Country
Montenegro
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Married
My wife converted several years before I did.
I put up with it, drove her to church, was bored with the Liturgy.
At the same time, I was being exposed to evils that eventually convinced me that a spiritual war was actually going on. My wife snuck CS Lewis and Alexander Schmemann into my reading.
 
Upvote 0

“Paisios”

Sinner
Site Supporter
Aug 8, 2014
2,876
4,622
55
✟594,142.00
Country
United States
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Married
so, I am thinking of converting to orthodox Christianity.
However, my husband is agnostic and I have a few questions.
Do any other users on here have a nonchristian spouse?
My husband doesn’t mind me going to church but likes to take trips on the weekend.
Should I feel guilty if my husband wants to go out of town on the weekend?
How would you approach that?
Is going on vacations(even short weekend trips) and I am unable to go to church considering sinful?
Thanks
My wife is not Orthodox, but has been very supportive of me during my journey to Orthodoxy. She has attended some services with me, prepares appropriate meals for fasts for me (since I am a horrible cook and she does almost all our cooking), and has been very gracious about it all even though she has no interest in becoming Orthodox herself.
 
  • Like
Reactions: ~Anastasia~
Upvote 0

JasonV

Active Member
Nov 2, 2017
154
83
USA
Visit site
✟26,455.00
Country
United States
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Private
"For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband." 1 Cor 7:14

But be aware of this as well: "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?" 2 Cor. 6:14
 
Upvote 0

Ignatius21

Can somebody please pass the incense?
May 21, 2009
2,237
321
Dayton, OH
✟22,008.00
Faith
Eastern Orthodox
Marital Status
Married
As others have said, it's a matter for spiritual counsel between you and your priest. There isn't any universal right answer -- and yes, your priest may counsel you differently than someone else's. In my 8 years of Orthodoxy I have seen some extremely unlikely spouses convert after years of being uninterested or even opposed to Orthodoxy.

As to your very specific question about whether it's considered sinful to miss Liturgy to do other activities with your spouse, my personal opinion is that it's not ideal but it's a matter for spiritual judgement. If you've become Orthodox, you are called to be faithful to the Church and her services, but also to be faithful to your husband. Being heavy handed toward someone who hasn't "seen the light" yet is usually disastrous, and if taking a few weekend trips with your husband keeps the relationship strong and gives you a chance to maybe talk about your faith with him, then perhaps it's what is required.

I used to strive after clear, precise answers to all things. They simply don't exist.
 
Upvote 0