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MARRIAGE IN THE CHURCH

 

In the earliest days of the church, all marriages were civil ceremonies only.  In later centuries, it became common for Christians who had been married in civil ceremonies to come, subsequently, to the church for their marriage to be blessed.  In the medieval tradition it was customary for the clergy of the church not only to bless existing marriages, but also to officiate at the marriage ceremony itself, a custom which is often continued today.  A church wedding is a public witness to the Christian understanding of what marriage is all about.  By choosing to be married in the church, the couple says, “We recognize marriage to be a gift from God, and we implore God’s blessings and continued support to sustain that gift.”

 

Those who are married at St. Paul’s are therefore expected to continue worshiping at St. Paul’s or at another Christian congregation on a regular basis.