О Браке
The Mystery of Holy Matrimony
Marriage is defined as a sacred union blessed by the Church, mirroring the relationship between Christ and His people.
What is marriage? Marriage is a Sacrament in which, when the bridegroom and bride freely promise mutual fidelity before the priest and the Church, their marital union is blessed as an image of the spiritual union of Christ and the Church, and grace is given for devout oneness of heart, for the lawful birth and Christian upbringing of children.✦1 Why is marriage a Sacrament? It's clear that marriage is a Sacrament from these words of the Apostle Paul: "A man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." "This mystery is great; I speak with reference to Christ and the Church" (Eph.2 5:31–32).
Vocation and Virginity
While marriage is a holy state, the Church recognizes the higher calling of celibacy for those who can receive it.
Is marriage required for everyone? No, not everyone is required to marry. Virginity is better than marriage for those who can maintain it in purity. The Lord Jesus Christ spoke specifically about this: “Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it is given… Whoever can accept it, let him accept it” (Matt. 19:11–12). And the apostle says: “To the unmarried and to widows I say: it is good for them to remain as I am.✦ But if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry… The unmarried man cares about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord; but the married man cares about the things of the world, how to please his wife. . “Anyone who gives his virgin daughter in marriage does well; but anyone who doesn’t give her does better” (1 Cor. 7:8–9, 32–33, 38).
Read the original Latin
Что такое брак? Брак есть Таинство, в котором при свободном обещании женихом и невестой взаимной верности перед священником и Церковью, благословляется их супружеский союз во образ духовного союза Христа и Церкви и подаётся благодать благочестивого единодушия для законного рождения и христианского воспитания детей.
Почему брак является Таинством? То, что брак есть Таинство, видно из следующих слов апостола Павла: «Оставит человек отца своего и мать, и прилепится к жене своей, и будут двое одна плоть. Тайна сия велика; я говорю по отношению ко Христу и к Церкви» (Еф. 5:31–32).
Обязательно ли для всех вступать в брак? Не обязательно всем вступать в брак. Девство лучше супружества для того, кто в силах его сохранить в чистоте. Именно об этом сказал Господь Иисус Христос: «Не все вмещают слово сие, но кому дано… Кто может вместить, да вместит» (Мф. 19:11–12). И апостол говорит: «Безбрачным же и вдовам говорю: хорошо им оставаться, как я. Но если не могут воздержаться, пусть вступают в брак… Неженатый заботится о Господнем, как угодить Господу; а женатый заботится о мирском, как угодить жене. .
Выдающий замуж свою девицу поступает хорошо; а не выдающий поступает лучше» (1Кор. 7:8–9, 32–33, 38).
Scripture echoes
- ↩Eph.5.31-Eph.5.32 — For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh. Eph.5.32 — This mystery is profound—and I am speaking with reference to Christ and the church.
- ↩1Cor.7.8-1Cor.7.9 — Now to the unmarried and to the widows I say: it is good for them if they remain as I am. 1Cor.7.9 — But if they cannot exercise self-control, let them marry; for it is better to marry than to burn.
Notes
- 1 ↩Russian «благочестивого единодушия» rendered as 'devout oneness of heart' (pious like-mindedness / concord); some traditional English catechism wording uses 'pious unanimity' or 'godly harmony'.
- 2 ↩Russian «Тайна» here renders Paul's μυστήριον; kept as "mystery" (standard biblical English for Eph 5:32), while «Таинство» elsewhere is "Sacrament."
Catechism of the Orthodox Church (Longer Catechism) companion
Rule yourself daily, not just on retreat
Chosen Portion turns the mirror into a daily practice — a short reading and examining question each morning before you lead anyone.
Chosen Portion makes the mirror daily: the ruler-formation questions this collection preserves become a two-minute morning examination in the app.
- A daily formation reading drawn from centuries of counsel to those in authority
- One pointed examination question a day — two minutes, before the meetings start
- Track your practice over weeks and watch the examined life become a habit