Father Michael, thank you for this thoughtful video. You are the first priest (or really person) to ever make the distinction between dating and marriage - at least on KZfaq. As a single Orthodox, I don't know where to go or what to do to meet my partner. Secular dating is rightfully discouraged, and yet, this is how couples form in this era. When you couple this with the low number of Orthodox singles in North America, it creates an endless cycle wherein marriage and family seem hopeless.

Thank you, Fr, I found this edifying. I hadn't considered how putting infatuation on a pedestal denigrates all other types of love, and it is true that as a single man I have more time to focus on showing brotherly love to people in my parish or community who need it, than a married man would. Each member has a different function, we are not all hands or all feet. Christ knows when or if the right time is for us to find a spouse, and that marriage is to be undertaken by someone who wholeheartedly wants to embrace that struggle with us. That last point seems obvious, but I think infatuation may have clouded my judgement on that fact for the past several months.

Times have changed and everyone is forced to date. It is really quite insane how everything today is working against relationships being successful.

Thank you Fr. Michael. I am 22, hoping to move from Seattle to Podgorica at the end of the year, my goal is to find a wife, since I can’t do this by myself. Please pray for me! May God bless you Father, many times over!

Wow this is very relevant, thank you for sharing this!

Very beautiful. Thank you

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So if we can't find someone to marry we can't be saved...if we get married and the wife turns out to be beyond redemption....you go to hell. Wow. Sorry if that's the Orthodox position than I have no assurance of salvation in the Orthodox Church. At least some other churches don't treat single men THIS harsh. Another reason not to become Orthodox for me or join any Church. Be married before you're accepted. I have experienced this often enough. I go to service every Sunday but I won't join a Church until I'm married. I am done with being treated as second class Christian