Matrimony

We joyfully celebrate the sacred sacrament of Matrimony. Matrimony is one of the seven sacraments of the Church, a divine institution that is performed in the Church and through which the grace of the Holy Spirit is bestowed upon the couple. This holy union, based on the teachings of the Bible (Gen. 1:27-28; 2:18; Mt. 19:4-6), symbolizes the deep bond between a man and a woman, reflecting the love Christ has for His Church. The sacrament of Matrimony is a lifelong covenant and is a path to holiness, where God’s blessing sanctifies the union and strengthens the couple’s commitment to one another.

The Church upholds certain conditions for the marriage to be valid, ensuring it is entered into with respect and faith. Both partners must be Christians to receive the grace of God, and both must be members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church. If one is not a member, they must first join the Church. The Church also emphasizes the importance of chastity before marriage, mutual consent, and the requirement that marriage cannot occur between close relatives (Lev. 18:6-21; Deut. 7:3-4).

Additionally, as Christian marriage mirrors the unity between Christ and the Church (Eph. 5:32), it is a bond that cannot be broken. Our Church allows only one-to-one marriages, and remarriage is only permitted under specific circumstances, such as the death of a spouse or in cases of adultery (Mt. 19:6-9). Holy Communion is an essential part of the Matrimony service, symbolizing the spiritual nourishment that sustains the marriage.

In the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, the sacrament of Matrimony is administered by bishops and priests, who invoke God’s blessing upon the couple. It is also a sacrament that involves family, as parents' consent must be sought and honored. We celebrate Matrimony as a sacred journey of love, faith, and divine grace, where two people are united to live out God’s plan for their lives and families.