Q&A Home > C > Consecration

• I am an Italian extremely interested in Orthodox theology. As far as I know, Latin Catholicism and Byzantine Orthodoxy do not consider it a sin for a layman to use what has been used for religious purposes (for mundane uses, ex. to use a candle, previously used at home to pray, just to have light in one's house). Does Oriental Orthodoxy agree?
• There was a young man who was interested in me recently. I felt strongly that the Lord did not wanting us to continue on the path to marriage. My family felt the same. As it came to an end, I began thinking about what marriage is and why it's necessary. I understand the beauty of it and its purpose of sanctification and salvation, but I feel that sanctification can come by our family members and those that are close to us. Being consecrated seems to be a great way to devote all your time and energy to being filled by the Lord and to share the excess with the fellow members of His body. My father of confession says that the only option for us is marriage. If that really is the case for me, I think I would be doing myself and God a major injustice to marry a man who doesn't have the same passions as I do when it comes to serving His kingdom. Most people say that I should be careful not to set my standards too high. I don't understand how God wouldn't want anything less than that for me, if He does in fact want me to be married. I do not want to get married because of social reasons. If I meet a man whom I feel is dedicated to being filled by Christ and filling others the same, and wants to be a part of a team to do so even more, then I would see a reason to be married. Otherwise, I honestly don't see why I should marry. Consecration would be a better route, I think?