Holy Matrimony is the sacrament by which two baptised Christians enter into a lifelong union by making vows before God and the Church. The couple expresses their mutual love and seeks God’s blessing on their union, which is sealed by the Holy Eucharist of Christ.
Our Lord Jesus Christ gave a very specific meaning and significance to marriage. Following the Old Testament Law, but going beyond its formal way of thinking, Jesus taught the uniqueness of human marriage as the most perfect natural expression of God’s love for mankind and His own love for the Church. Marriage is the human expression of the creative and caring love of God; the perfect love of the Holy Trinity for the world. Through the Church’s formal recognition of the couple’s unity and its incorporation into the Body of Christ, the marriage becomes the image of the divine love of God.
A Christian marriage also suggests that the couple embraces the dedication and disciplines required in Christian marriage. This service affirms your commitment and belief that marriage is a lifelong covenant. The key to marriage is not trying to find the right person. It is trying to be the right person. A covenant relationship requires intimacy, openness and honesty, caring and sharing.
Parishioners are asked to contact the Church Office at least eight months prior to the date of a wedding. All weddings are to follow the cannons of the Armenian Apostolic Orthodox Church. The couple must meet with the Pastor at least once before the wedding date for pre-marital preparation. The church office will make all necessary arrangements for the deacon, organist and soloist, and will provide the couple with additional details and forms. Weddings may not take place on Sunday mornings, during Great Lent or Holy Week, or on the following five major feast days.