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I have a problem that involves an American girl whom I have known for the past 5 years. She met Abouna and had a few sessions with him to introduce her to our church. She is very committed to joining our church. She is Lutheran and her father is the pastor of her church.

The problem came up when we told her parents that we are hoping to get married and started talking about the wedding arrangements. They are saying that in the American tradition, the couple gets married at the bride's church. I insisted on getting married at my church, which is not a problem for her, but her parents have a big problem with it.

The father of the bride-to-be is right!!! It is our tradition, too. Once his daughter accepts the faith and is baptized in the Coptic Orthodox Church, it is her church, and that is exactly where she ought to be married!!! The location of the church itself is not important because the Coptic Orthodox Church is one and she will be able to enjoy and partake of all the holy sacraments in any Coptic Orthodox Church regardless of the location.