MARRIAGE UNDER FIRE

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God and Savior,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

MARRIAGE UNDER FIRE

"In the Mystery (Sacrament) of marriage the Church invokes the help of God on those being married, that they might understand, fulfill, and attain the aims set before them; namely, to be a "house church," ("e kat’ oikon ecclesia"), to establish within the family truly Christian relationships, to raise children in faith and life according to the Gospel (Evaggelion), to be an example of piety for those around one, and to bear with patience and humility the unavoidable sorrows and, often, suffering which visit family life." This is the true meaning and purpose of the Christian marriage.

Modern marriage, however, has been reduced to cohabitation and sharing common interests. A mutual understanding that although married each spouse can function almost independently of each other. They, at times, act independently without taking in any consideration of the other. Each one has his/her circle of friends, they may have separate bank accounts, have their own hobbies, and take separate trips. Communication with each other is flawed and therefore creates disagreements and conflict within the marriage. In many cases their profession takes presidents over everything, including who will raise the children. The role of each spouse is somewhat blurred and it causes a power struggle among them. All of this and more creates an unhealthy environment within the marriage. The spouses are not rivals within the marriage but one should respect the other and be willing to act as one.

Marriage today is faced with many challenges and even more distractions. The spouses seem to compete with each other and ignore the needs of the other. There is no cohesiveness or unity within modern marriage. All of these differences draw the spouses away from each other which unfortunately leads to divorce. However, in today’s secular society there are many other reasons for the break up of a marriage. The so-called "open marriages" and promiscuous behavior (whether in an "open" structure or through secretive, non-consensual acts) are significant contributing factors to relationship breakups and divorce. A primary risk is one or both partners developing romantic, rather than just physical. connections with outside partners. Infidelity among couples is one of the primary causes of divorce.

However, even Christians who have been married in the Church have been infected by this wicked temptation. Divorce among Christians has increased over the years and tragically entire families have been devastated by it. Reasons for divorces of Christian marriages are similar to civil marriages i.e., promiscuity, infidelity, lack of communication, pride or egoism, rivalry, choosing the single life rather than married life, seeking excitement, personal ambitions, and lack of devotion and love. Sadly, the number of ecclesiastical divorces within our Churches has also increased dramatically over the years. Even among Orthodox clergy who are married but have succumbed to the same temptations of promiscuity have ended in divorce. This is, however, most scandalous to Orthodox Christians who look up to the clergy to set the proper Christian example. This evil behavior of the clergy who have betrayed their ordination should know better than anyone else what a awaits them and the consequences of their evil actions are when they stand before God on Judgment Day.

We believe that the beginning moment in the existence of the Christian family is the sacred action of Marriage. The chief part in the rite of the Mystery (Sacrament) of Marriage is the placing of the crowns upon those being married with the words: "The servant of God (name) is married to the handmaid of God (name) in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," and then the common blessing of both with the thrice-repeated short prayer "O Lord our God, crown them with glory and honor." Our Savior Jesus Christ Himself commanding that faithfulness be preserved in marriage and forbidding divorce, mentions these words of the book of Genesis and instructs: "What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder" (Matthew 19:4-6). These words of the Lord clearly testify to the moral dignity of marriage. The Lord Jesus Christ sanctified marriage by His presence at the marriage in Cana of Galilee, and here He performed His first miracle. [Resources: The Orthodox Study Bible and Orthodox Dogmatic Theology)

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"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
+ Saint John Chrysostomos

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With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George