Is it permissible for a man to marry his deceased wife’s sister? Is it permissible for a woman to marry her deceased husband’s brother?

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III poses a central question: Is it permissible for a man to marry his deceased wife’s sister, and is it permissible for a woman to marry her deceased husband’s brother? He explains that this subject has clear biblical and ecclesial roots.

Biblical and legal origin
The Holy Father cites the Old Testament particularly Leviticus chapters 18 and 20, and Deuteronomy’s reference to a brother marrying his brother’s widow to raise offspring in the name of the dead, and also cites the New Testament and the Lord’s stance in the Gospel of Matthew when discussing with the Sadducees.

Historical ecclesial ruling
His Holiness mentions that the matter was a point of disagreement between him and the late Anba Gregorios, and that he published articles and taught it in the seminary. However, he affirms that the Holy Scripture and church laws forbid these marriages and consider them defiling and prohibited.

Patristic evidence and conciliar laws
He relies on the laws of Saint Basil and fathers such as the laws of Pope Timothy of Alexandria (law 22) and rulings of later councils like the Council of Antioch and Lateran (Anba? / Later conciliar) that forbid marrying the wife’s sister or the husband’s brother and prohibit them ecclesially.

Spiritual and social reasons for prohibition
He affirms that the prohibition is not merely a legal civil text or fear of crimes, but to preserve family chastity, protect lineages, and prevent mixing of familial roles so that a brother does not look at his brother’s wife with a lustful eye because she has become, by law, like his sister.

Distinction between ecclesial and civil prohibition
He clarifies that this prohibition is primarily ecclesial and spiritual; it may not be forbidden civilly at all times, but the Church rejects it to preserve spiritual and moral order.

Summary and remark
The general rule: these marriages are ecclesially forbidden and contrary to the Holy Scripture and the tradition of the Fathers; the Church takes a clear stance in forbidding them to safeguard chastity and lineage, and His Holiness promised to give a subsequent lecture addressing additional details and people’s questions.

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