The institution of Christian marriage, or Holy Matrimony, is a covenant or mutual promise, entered into voluntarily by a man and a woman.  This covenant is enacted by solemn vows, made in the presence of God  in the context of a service of divine worship, that the couple will live together and be faithful to each other to the exclusion of all others, for life.  A wedding service includes prayers for God’s blessing upon the couple and their new family.

The concept of a Christian marriage as a ‘union’ of two people comes from the teaching of Jesus Christ. The Anglican tradition, which is derived from the teachings of the Bible, teaches that a Christian marriage serves three purposes: for procreation of children, to help avoid sin, and for ‘mutual society, help and comfort’. The Bible also teaches us that ‘God is love’ and a Christian marriage is understood to be a symbol of the love between Jesus Christ and the Church.

In a Christian marriage, normally at least one spouse would be a baptised Christian who has an active faith in God which is being expressed through worship and prayer. A couple seeking to be married in a church ceremony with Oaktree who finds that this is not the case will most likely be invited to attend church together and participate in a course about the Christian faith as part of their marriage preparation.

At Oaktree, Christian couples who have been married in accordance with the laws of the state by a civil celebrant, and not in church service, are encouraged to reaffirm their relationship and have it blessed in the context of a service of divine worship.

For further information about marriage and weddings in St Mary’s Caulfield or St Clement’s Elsternwick, please contact the office.