ππΎππΎππΎ About #Betrothal
Dear and respected members who follow the orthodox education and spiritual service that we convey on the John's Repentance website; Based on the title mentioned in above, we have sent you the following important lesson, so we entrust you to read and learn from it.
Betrothal/Engagement:- means choosing, preparing. Betrothal is a time of togetherness between the two couples before marriage, and it is a time of hope leading to marriage.
Engagement
Engagement is a journey of purpose, courtship, and preparation that you embark on together for a successful marriage life. This is a way for us to start with consent; and wait for the holy marriage and the blessings it will bring us to a great chapter of responsibility. Thus, since betrothal is not a permanent relationship or marriage, matters that happen after marriage should not be done during betrothal. Instead, it is a time to gather our scattered conscience and help each other with a holy purpose.
Things To Do during Engagement
- Religious Unity: Since religion is the primary issue in the life of a Christian betrothed; and most importantly, since marriage is a journey to salvation, religious unity should be the main selection criterion.
- Staying Virgin - Betrothal with virginity and virginity with betrothal have an inseparable basic combination. The Orthodox Church emphatically teaches that both men and women have a Christian responsibility to maintain chastity until the day of their marriage, and in other word, it is a sin to lose virginity before marriage.
- Pray - Praying and asking for God's will to be worthy of holy marriage
- Not extending the engagement period - Unless there is a special reason, it is preferable that it is not less than six months and not more than two years.
Β Β - Getting married in the church system : agreeing to perform their marriage in the church system based on one intention and purpose; Apart from this, if both or one of them are not on the same path, having different thoughts and objectives, their destination will be different. Besides, marriage is not a way of abandoning, but a path of righteousness where you walk together with each other and support each other. Moreover , the covenant of marriage is said to be valid when its basis is confirmed by the sacraments in the true Church order. it is the secret of coming to unity from duality. Otherwise, they will be called two, not one.
- Trust - If we face the interference and rumors of friends and third parties , instead of fighting, it is better to carefully investigate and openly discuss and come to a common position to save our relationship. The secret to a long marriage is tolerance and open communication.
- Courtship - that is, narrowing down the differences of opinion or thinking between them, bringing them to a common point of view, correcting if there are ethical deficiencies, and facilitating the conditions for filling religious deficiencies with the fathers of the Church.
- Christian Morality - Emphasizing love, forgiveness, patience, honesty, compassion, respect, and humility. A person who feels responsible is of great importance to our continued life together; In addition, there should be mutual goals based on future interests and balanced love and affection on both sides. Not only do we expect these Christian behaviors from our fiancee, but they are values that we should practice together, not by blaming, but by showing compassion.
- Economy - establishing the ability to overcome daily life mutually;
- Relative: Confirming that there is no marriage relationship and spiritual relationship between their close relatives
- Father of penitence: meeting the father of penitence regularly and being helped by education, advice and prayer.
(Part 2 continues )π