Within Eastern Catholicism and Orthodoxy, the married man must obtain permission of his wife before he can be ordained to the diaconate and the priesthood. If she withholds her consent, then the man cannot be ordained. She is given lots of information so that she is informed. Some women know that they can handle this life of martyrdom -- and it is a total sacrifice. I've known a few wives who delayed giving permission so that they could go on special retreats for the wives of the clergy and "test the waters."
The wife of St. John of Kronstadt lived a life of celibacy along with her saintly priest-husband, so that they both could give full time service to the Church. If she hadn't been there to fix his meals, do his laundry and help with his correspondence, he could not have done all the things he did. He virtually built a city to help the poor.
The wife of St. John of Kronstadt lived a life of celibacy along with her saintly priest-husband, so that they both could give full time service to the Church. If she hadn't been there to fix his meals, do his laundry and help with his correspondence, he could not have done all the things he did. He virtually built a city to help the poor.
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