Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States
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One of my closest friends will be getting married next year, and I am uncomfortable to walk in his wedding, since my wife will not be walking with me. My friend gave me the sense that I am doing a selfish act by not just sacrificing from my end since I will not be required to link my arms/hold hands with whomever I am assigned. I understand that many people would not mind the situation as there may not be anything necessarily sinful/wrong with the situation. However, I am not sure that in every wedding from here on out, I will have to explain myself and why I walked in one wedding and not the other. Therefore, I tried to convince the future groom that I will be in every part of his preparation of getting married and will attend all the functions as the other groomsmen. I just could not walk. I could even be a deacon and really be a part of the wedding. Unfortunately, he really wants me to walk with the other groomsmen as it would mean so much to him.

Your decision is 100% correct. It is unacceptable to walk arm-in-arm or hand-in-hand with anyone other than your wife. No one should ask that of you or expect anything different. Even if your wife does not complain, deep in her heart she will bothered by seeing you in that context. I am sure she will appreciate your love and respect towards her by your uncompromising stand. I hope this will be a lesson for your friend as well. "Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate" (Mark 10:9).
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