[jesyflowers]

Thanks, Father David, for taking the time to explain all of this! It makes a lot of sense. I may come back and ask more questions when my partner has spoken to his priest - I stress that it was only his vague idea that it might be sensible to have the ceremony in an Anglican church, since his church is in the process of moving and in any case has been using Anglican church buildings.

Forgive me for asking, but could you explain why it is 'not an option' to refuse the paired icons Olga speaks of? My understanding was that she is referring to icons that are separate from those carried by the couple during the ceremony, or am I incorrect? Surely the Church cannot require me to venerate an icon for the rest of my marriage - this would make a mockery of the concept of marriages between Orthodox and Protestant Christians. It also seems to me, frankly, that one cannot and should not simulate faith