Building an Orthodox Marriage

Building an Orthodox Marriage: A Practical Commentary on the Eastern Orthodox Marriage Rite offers sage counsel that is both practical and grounded in the teaching of the Church, as found in Scripture, tradition, and the marriage service itself. The coauthors bring their knowledge and experience to the aid of readers: Bp John (Abdalah) distills his insights from his many years of marriage and pastoral guidance, as well as from the teaching of Fr Alexander Schmemann, and Nicholas G. Mamey contributes his perspective as a newly married man. Together, they take readers on a journey that prepares them to understand marriage, the “great mystery” that is an icon of “Christ and his Church” (Eph 5.32).

The authors first establish the theological background needed to understand marriage in an accessible way. They then examine and explain the rich prayers and the liturgical actions of the wedding service, and conclude the book with pastoral guidance to help couples build their marriages securely on the Rock, the only foundation that cannot be shaken, our Lord Jesus Christ.

This book is ideal for engaged couples, newlyweds, or those who wish to enrich their marriage at any point in their relationship. It is also an indispensable resource for pastors who help couples to prepare for marriage.

"As I read the book many sentences jumped off the page—off the page and into my heart. If an engaged couple, or married couple of many years, were to read only one book on Orthodox marriage, I would recommend this book. The book is replete with images from the Old Testament, the New Testament, and the rich Orthodox wedding service."         — Dr Albert Rossi, clinical psychologist and author of Becoming a Healing Presence

BISHOP JOHN (ABDALAH) is the auxiliary bishop of the diocese of Worcester and New England in the Antiochian Archdiocese. He was married to Joanne Josephs for thirty years until her repose in 2008. He holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. He is also a certified clinical counselor.

NICHOLAS G. MAMEY holds a Master of Divinity and a Master of Theological Study from Holy Cross Greek Orthodox School of Theology. He married Christina Randol in 2016, shortly after completing work on this book.