Holy Matrimony
A wedding in Anglican tradition is called Holy Matrimony. Holy Matrimony is a sacramental act - an outward and visible sign of an inner spiritual grace from God. The love between bride and groom, who are the ministers of this sacrament, creates a new community of relatedness offered at worship to God in Christ. The Church solemnizes and blesses this new communion in Christ. It sees matrimony as a sign of God's love for the created world and of Christ's love for the Church. Thus, Holy Matrimony must be undertaken with a strong commitment to a lifelong relationship that will continue for ever to be a vehicle of God's grace.
In Christian marriage, a man and a woman enter into a life-long union, making their vows before God and the Church to live their lives with Jesus Christ as the foundation of their marriage.
The Book of Common Prayer states:
“… marriage is not to be entered into unadvised or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.”
Thus, we at Christ Church take marriage quite seriously. We are here to help couples plan and prepare not only for their wedding ceremony, but also for their entire married life. Classes for those planning to be married in the church are available. Please contact Fr. Chris Schutte: cschutte@christchurchphoenix.org for more information.