Marriage׃ An Orthodox Perspective

Publication Data: Crestwood, NY: St Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1984
Format: softcover
Number of Pages: 131
Dimensions (l × w × h): 21.7 cm × 14.0 cm × 0.9 cm
Additional Information: black-and-white illustrations
ISBN: 0‒913836‒05‒2

   
by John Meyendorff

Third Revised Edition

“All Orthodox catechisms and textbooks define marriage as a sacrament or a ‘mystery’ of the Church. At first glance, this definition may appear strange; marriage is practiced by Christians and non-Christians alike, by atheists, by generations of human beings who never heard what the word ‘sacrament’ means. Man is born, gets married, begets children, and dies. These are the laws of nature which God established and blessed; but marriage particularly is singled out by the Church. The very special blessing which it bestows upon the man and the woman who get married is called a ‘sacrament.’ Why?”
—“MARRIAGE: An Orthodox Perspective: INTRODUCTION”

CONTENTS

MARRIAGE: AN ORTHODOX PERSPECTIVE
   Introduction
   I. Judaism and the New Testament
   II. The Early Church and Roman Law
   III. Marriage as Sacrament or “Mystery”
   IV. Marriage and Eucharist
   V. Wedding as a Separate Rite
   VI. The Contemporary Rite of Betrothal
   VII. The Crowning
   VIII. A Liturgical Suggestion
   IX. Successive Marriages
   X. Conditions for Marriage
   XI. “Mixed” Marriages
   XII. Divorce
   XIII. Family and Family Planning
   XIV. Abortion
   XV. Married Clergy
   XVI. Marriage, Celibacy and Monastic Life
   XVII. A Word in Conclusion
Appendix I
THE NEW TESTAMENT
Appendix II
THE TRADITION OF THE CHURCH
Appendix III
CANON LAW
Appendix IV
THE LITURGICAL TRADITION
Appendix V
THE MARRIAGE SERVICE
   The Service of Betrothal
   The Service of Crowning