Old Testament reading - Genesis I, 26-28,31a
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
So God created man in His own image; in the image ofd God He created him; male and female He created them.
Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good.”
New Testament reading - Ephesians V, 20-33
[Give] thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
submitting to one another in the fear of God.
Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord.
For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is the head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body.
Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word,
That He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.
So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself.
For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.
For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.
“For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.”
This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.
Gospel reading - John XV, 9-17
“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father's commandments and abide in His love.
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
“This is My commandment, that you love one antoher as I have loved you.
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.
“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.
“No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.
“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.
“These things I command you, that you love one another.”
Some of the prayers used...
Almighty God, you send your Holy Spirit to be the life and light of all your people. Open the hearts of these your children to the riches of his grace, that they may bring forth the fruit of the Spirit in love and joy and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Heavenly Father, maker of all things, you enable us to share in your work of creation. Bless this couple in the gift and care of children, that their home may be a place of love, security, and truth, and their children grow up to know and love you in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O Lord our God, who made man out of the dust of the ground in your own image, and formed women out of his side to be his help and his companion; send down your blessing upon these your servants, whom we have joined together in holy matrimony. Grant to them purity of heart and integrity of will, so that your holy institution of marriage may be honourable in them, and the bed undefiled, in all righteousness. Unite their hearts to fear and love you; and may they abide in mutual love towards each other in your peace, until the coming of your Son Jesus Christ and his kingdom, or until death separates them. Crown their life with your goodness, and grant to them an abundance of such things as they will need: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, we praise you that you have consecrated the state of matrimony to such an excellent mystery, that in it is signified and represented the spiritual marriage between Christ and his Church. Grant that this holy union may be reflected in their life together, in accordance with your will, that they may be a unified witness to your unfailing love. Look mercifully upon these your servants, that, in accordance with your word, this man may love his wife as himself, leading her selflessly in their Christian life, in the same way that Christ has loved the Church and given himself for it, loving and cherishing it as his own flesh; and that this woman may be loving, faithful, and obedient to her husband in the same way that the Church puts her trust in Christ. O Lord, guide them in your truth. Bless them both and grant that they may inherit your everlasting kingdom: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
