Changes

So, how exactly does this Mystery bring salvation to people?  There are several ways, but St. John Chrysostom offers one answer to this question in Homily 12 on Colossians 4:18.  By becoming one, the couple symbolizes the relationship between the Persons of the Holy Trinity.  It is important to understand, however that “symbol” in Greek is a much stronger word than it is in English.  In English it almost always means something that points to something else.  However, in the Greek language it means “forming one thing from two things.”  Thus, when St. John Chrysostom says that Christian Marriage is a symbol of the Divine love among the three Persons of the Holy Trinity, he is saying that the Christian couple is participating in the life of the Holy Trinity, that participation being salvation.  

So, how exactly does this Mystery bring salvation to people?  There are several ways, but St. John Chrysostom offers one answer to this question in Homily 12 on Colossians 4:18.  By becoming one, the couple symbolizes the relationship between the Persons of the Holy Trinity.  It is important to understand, however that “symbol” in Greek is a much stronger word than it is in English.  In English it almost always means something that points to something else.  However, in the Greek language it means “forming one thing from two things.”  Thus, when St. John Chrysostom says that Christian Marriage is a symbol of the Divine love among the three Persons of the Holy Trinity, he is saying that the Christian couple is participating in the life of the Holy Trinity, that participation being salvation.  

A beautiful example of Marriage equaling salvation, of God saving by extending grace through Marriage is found in the Old Testament.  God, in promising to restore Jerusalem says,

A beautiful example of Marriage equaling salvation, of God saving by extending grace through Marriage is found in the Old Testament.  God, in promising to restore Jerusalem says,

  “Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.”

  “Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah, and thy land Beulah: for the LORD delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married.”

 

== Ordination ==

== Ordination ==