Marriage

"Holy Matrimony is Christian marriage, in which the woman and man enter into a life long union, make their vows before God and the Church, and receive the grace and blessing of God to help them fulfill their vows."   The Book of Common Prayer, p. 859

Simply stated, the purpose of marriage is to give life and love to the world. A married couple, by the way they fulfill their marriage vows, will love, honor, and nurture each other. But in Christian marriage, the relationship is also meant to be for others -- an example (or an icon) of what it means to be loving and faithful to another human being, states the website of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Hudson, MA.

Prior to conducting a marriage, the Epsicopal church requires pre-marital counseling, either by the officiating priest, or an approved marriage counselor.  Our service of Holy Matrimony can be found in the Book of Common Prayer, pg. 435. Typically, our Rector, dorsey [at] redeemerchestnuthill [dot] org (the Rev. Dorsey McConnell), officiates at weddings. Upon approval of the Rector, other Episcopal clergy are welcome to officiate at a wedding held in our church. Regardless of who officiates, at least one member of the couple must be a baptized Christian.

Second marriages are allowed in the Episcopal church at the discretion of the officiant with permission of the bishop. Those being remarried are required to attend counseling sessions for an extended period of time.

Photos at right by MelissaCoePhotography.