THE SANCTITY OF THE ORTHODOX CHRISTIAN FAMILY

It is the Almighty God, not man, that established the law of marriage, therefore, marriage is sacred. In the marriage, the husband and wife become “one flesh” (Genesis 2:24), which the holy Apostle Paul calls “a great mystery” (Ephesians 5:32). The mystery is so great and wonderful that a man will leave his father and mother with their blessing, and be joined to a woman in marriage. In this joining, he will be devoted to her with sacrificial love and devotion, and she to him.

This relationship between man and woman, husband and wife, is a life-long commitment based on true love. Love Love as defined by the holy Apostle Paul: “Love suffers long andis kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up…bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails…And now abide faith, hope, love, those three, but the greatest of these IS LOVE” (1 Corinthians 13:4-13). These characteristics of love explain that one who loves must be patient, gentle, is not jealous, is not rude, insulting, handles adversity with courage, does not despair and as Saint John Chrysostom writes “puts up with everything,” does not wear out (Galatians 6:9) it “never fails.” True love does not ever fail. “Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. Let all taht you do be done with love” (1 Corinthians 16:13-14).

In the marriage union, the husband and wife become “one flesh” (v. 24), which the holy Apostle Paul calls “a great mystery” (Ephesians 5:32). This great mystery points to the greater mystery: the mystery of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His Bride, the Church. (Ephesians 5:22-33). For He left His Father and bcame Man to seek a Bride. He loved His Bride and gave Himself to her and in his holy vision of the new heaven and earth, the Apostle saw this Bride, the “New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven, from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband” (Apocalypste 21:1-2). The “New Jerusalem” is the city built by God (Hebrews 11:10). It is THE PERFECTED Church, the “bride” ready for “her husband, Christ, the abode of the Righteous eternally.

The head of the Christian family is none other than our God and Savior Jesus Christ. Our family must be a Christ centered family. Everything revolves around Him and His Divine Teachings. Nothing can ever threaten or harm the unity, harmony, love, and dignity of the Christ blessed family. A devout family is a family that seeks guidance from Him through faith and prayer. As Christians we are able to discern between right and wrong, between good and evil, and are always prepared to sacrifice all for Him Who gave His life to save us. The Christian family is never confused what direction to follow, what path to walk upon, because we follow God’s Divine Light which illumines brightly the road to His divine Kingdom.

Through our Baptism we received God’s grace, the grace that communicates to the true believer life in Christ. This Divine grace continues through our whole life. The grace which keeps us united with our Creator and God. It is this grace which guides, inspires and protects us from evil, evil attaks,
and evil thoughts. The grace of God helps us to succeed in accomplishing every good thing.

No matter what storms and tribulations we experience in life we must remain strong in faith and possess undiminished trust in God’s love for us. Our Christians families must remain close to Him and follow faithfully His Divine admonitions and instructions. The world which we live in today is a world filled with conflict and uncertainty. People without faith in God collapse and are not able to function and help themselves. Instead of believing in God they tragically are obedient to evil and faceless entities on the internet that lead them to certain destruction. All parents should protect their children, teach them our Christian faith, Holy Scripture, values, principles, self-respect, respect of others, responsibility, discipline, morality, ethics, to do good and be compassionate, to be humble, to be generous, kind and obedient to God’s law.

God is with us at all times and places. God will never abandon us or His craeation. His Divine Love is the purest form of love and unconditional. It is up to us to heed His Divine word and to implemented in our lives. There is no present or future without Him and without His Divine grace. We must pray unceasingly: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me a sinner.” Also, seeking the holy intercessions of the Ever Virgin Mary: “Steadfast protection of Christians, constant advocate before the Creator: do not despise the cry of us sinners, but in your goodness come speedily to help us who call on you in faith. Hasten to hear our petition and to intercede for us, Theotokos, for you always protect those who honor you.”

__________________

“Glory Be To GOD
For
All Thngs!”

– Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sinere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God

+ Father George