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Marriage Preparation

Lesson #1

The Sacrament of Marriage

Marriage, in the Ukrainian Catholic Church, is not merely a legal contract or social arrangement. It is a sacred mystery—a sacrament—through which God’s grace is imparted to the couple. This grace enables them to live out their marital vocation with the self-giving love that reflects Christ’s love for the Church. The sacrament of marriage sanctifies the union of a man and a woman, making it a path to holiness and a means of growing closer to God.

 

1. Definition of Sacrament in the Byzantine Catholic Tradition

In our tradition, sacraments (or "mysteries") are visible signs of God’s invisible grace. A sacrament isn’t simply a ritual but a divine action through which God enters into human life, bestowing grace that sanctifies and transforms the participants.

  • Marriage as a Sacrament: When a man and a woman are united in marriage, the Holy Spirit descends upon them to sanctify their bond. The sacrament does not only mark the beginning of their union but continues throughout their lives, providing the grace needed to live out their calling.

  • The Rite of Crowning: In the Christin marriage ceremony, the crowning of the couple symbolizes their participation in the Kingdom of God, showing that their union is not just earthly but also divine. The crowns represent victory over sin, mutual sacrifice, and their calling to live as icons of Christ’s love.

Marriage, as a sacrament, is not limited to the moment of the wedding ceremony. It is a lifelong journey in which the couple continually grows in love and faith, supported by God’s grace.

 

2. Biblical Foundations of Marriage

The Bible offers profound insights into the nature of marriage, establishing it as a divine institution from the very beginning of human history.

  • Genesis 2:24: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh."

    • This passage reveals that marriage is part of God’s original plan for humanity. The phrase “one flesh” signifies the complete unity of husband and wife—not just physically but emotionally and spiritually. This union reflects the love and unity present within the Holy Trinity.

 

  • Ephesians 5:21-33: In this passage, St. Paul compares the relationship between husband and wife to the relationship between Christ and His Church. Husbands are called to love their wives as Christ loves the Church, sacrificing themselves for their well-being and sanctification. Wives, in turn, are called to respect their husbands as the Church respects Christ. This mutual love and respect form the foundation of Christian marriage.

 

 

3. Marriage as a Reflection of Christ's Love for the Church

The Church teaches that Christian marriage is a visible sign of the invisible reality of Christ’s love for His Bride, the Church. Just as Christ’s love for the Church is self-sacrificial, unconditional, and eternal, so too should the love of husband and wife be.

  • Self-Sacrificial Love: In Ephesians 5:25, St. Paul calls husbands to love their wives “as Christ loved the Church and gave Himself up for her.” This is a love that gives everything, even unto death. It calls for daily acts of sacrifice, whether in small or large ways, for the good of the spouse.

  • Unconditional Commitment: Just as Christ’s love endures forever, marriage is meant to be a permanent, unbreakable bond. The love between husband and wife should mirror the eternal, faithful love that God has for His people.

  • Sanctification: Through marriage, the couple is called to help each other grow in holiness. As they love each other and serve one another, they become more like Christ, who sanctifies and purifies His Church. This means that marriage is not only about companionship and support but also about spiritual growth.

 

4. Marriage as a Path to Holiness

The Church views marriage not just as a human institution but as a divine vocation—a calling from God to pursue holiness together. The journey of marriage is one of mutual sanctification, where the couple supports each other in their walk with Christ.

  • Daily Challenges and Growth: Marriage presents many challenges, but these challenges can become opportunities for spiritual growth. Whether through patience, forgiveness, or perseverance, the couple learns to live out the virtues of the Christian life.

  • Sharing in Christ’s Cross: In the Byzantine tradition, marriage is seen as a sharing in the Cross of Christ. Just as Christ bore the Cross for the sake of love, so too must husbands and wives bear their own crosses—whether that means sacrifices, difficulties, or moments of suffering—trusting that these challenges will lead to resurrection and new life.

  • Living in the Likeness of Christ: As the couple grows in their love for each other, they also grow in their likeness to Christ. Through acts of kindness, service, and mercy within the marriage, they begin to reflect the image of God to the world.

Lesson #2

The Liturgical Celebration of Marriage

In the Church, marriage is celebrated through a beautiful and symbolic liturgical rite known as the "Rite of Crowning." This ceremony is rich with meaning and tradition, expressing the spiritual reality of marriage as a sacred mystery. The symbols, prayers, and actions within the service emphasize the couple’s role in participating in God’s divine plan for salvation, not only for themselves but for all of humanity. Understanding these elements allows couples to experience their wedding day as more than a personal milestone; it is a sacramental event that invites the grace of God into their marriage.

 

1. Overview of the Rite of Crowning

The Byzantine marriage ceremony is called the "Rite of Crowning" because the couple is crowned as king and queen of their new domestic church—an image of their union as a reflection of God’s Kingdom. This rite consists of several key elements that emphasize the sanctity of marriage:

  • The Betrothal Service: This portion typically takes place just before the Rite of Crowning. It involves the exchange of rings, symbolizing the commitment to each other. The rings are blessed and exchanged three times, reminding the couple of their unity with God as a foundation of their union.

  • The Rite of Crowning: The couple is crowned with ornate crowns, signifying the glory and honor bestowed upon them by God in their union. This rite emphasizes that their relationship is sanctified and set apart as a path toward holiness.

  • Procession: After being crowned, the couple, led by the priest, walks in a ceremonial procession around the table (which holds the Gospel), symbolizing their shared journey through life, guided by Christ and the teachings of the Church.

The rite beautifully intertwines the earthly joy of marriage with the heavenly reality of God's Kingdom.

 

2. Symbols Used in the Marriage Ceremony

The Rite of Crowning is filled with rich symbolism that reflects the sacredness of the union and the couple's role within it. Understanding these symbols brings deeper meaning to the ceremony.

  • The Crowns: The crowns are the most striking and significant symbol in the rite. They represent the glory and honor of the couple as they take on their new roles within their domestic church. Crowns are also symbols of martyrdom, indicating that marriage is a journey of self-sacrifice and mutual giving. The crowns are typically placed on the couple’s heads three times, invoking the Holy Trinity’s blessing.

  • Candles: The bride and groom each hold a lit candle throughout the ceremony. The candle represents the light of Christ, which guides them throughout their marriage. Just as Christ is the light of the world, the couple is called to keep Christ at the center of their lives, letting His light shine through their relationship.

  • The Common Cup: During the ceremony, the couple drinks from a common cup of wine. This symbolizes their sharing in the joys and challenges of life together, as well as their unity in Christ. The cup reflects the marriage at Cana, where Christ turned water into wine, blessing the couple’s union and revealing His divine presence in the sacrament of marriage.

  • The Procession Around the Table: The priest leads the couple three times around the table in a circle, symbolizing their eternal journey with God. This procession signifies the continuity of their commitment, with the Gospel as their guide. The circle is a powerful symbol of eternity, with no beginning or end, reflecting the everlasting nature of their union in God’s eyes.

 

3. The Role of Prayers, Scripture Readings, and Blessings

The Rite of Crowning is deeply rooted in prayer and Scripture, emphasizing that marriage is not just a human institution but a divine calling, requiring the continual grace of God.

  • Prayers: Throughout the ceremony, prayers are offered for the couple, asking God to grant them peace, love, unity, and salvation. These prayers emphasize that marriage is sustained not by human strength alone but by divine grace. Prayers for their well-being, for their protection, and for the fruitfulness of their union are essential parts of the rite.

  • Scripture Readings: Key Scripture passages are read during the ceremony, each one highlighting the sacredness of marriage:​

    • Gospel (John 2:1-11): The wedding at Cana is often read as part of the ceremony. In this passage, Christ performs His first miracle at a wedding, transforming water into wine. This signifies His blessing on the couple’s union and His presence in their marriage.

  • Epistle (Ephesians 5:20-33): This passage speaks of the mutual love and respect between husband and wife, modeled on the relationship between Christ and His Church. It reminds the couple that their love should mirror Christ’s self-sacrificial love.

 

  • Blessings: The priest offers blessings throughout the ceremony, invoking the Holy Spirit upon the couple. These blessings seal the sacrament, infusing the marriage with God’s grace and preparing the couple for their life together. The final blessing sends them out to live their vocation as husband and wife, reflecting God’s love to the world.

 

4. The Couple's Role as Participants in a Sacred Mystery

In the Byzantine tradition, marriage is not just about the couple’s love for each other; it is about their participation in a sacred mystery (sacrament). The sacrament of marriage is not something that happens to the couple, but something they actively participate in with God.

  • Marriage as a Vocation: Marriage is a calling from God, inviting the couple to live out their Christian faith together. In accepting the crowns, the couple agrees to walk this path together, helping one another grow in holiness, offering sacrifices, and living a life of mutual love and respect.

  • Cooperation with Divine Grace: By entering into the sacrament, the couple is cooperating with the grace of God, allowing their marriage to become a reflection of Christ’s love for His Church. This requires ongoing commitment, prayer, and spiritual growth, as the couple navigates the challenges of married life together with God’s help.

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