Christianity & Marriage (Cambridge International IGCSE Religious Studies)

What are the marriage rites?

• Marriage rites are the formal religious ceremonies through which Christians are married. They vary slightly between denominations but usually include the following features:

With or without a Eucharistic celebration

• Catholic and Anglican churches may hold the wedding within a Eucharistic service (Nuptial Mass) or as a separate service without communion
• Non-conformist Protestant churches (e.g. Baptist, Methodist) usually do not include the Eucharist as part of the wedding ceremony

Exchange of wedding vows

• The couple makes public vows or promises to each other before God and the congregation

• Common Christian vows include promises to:

  • Love, comfort, honour and protect each other
  • Be faithful “for better, for worse; for richer, for poorer”
  • Remain together “till death us do part”

• These vows express the couple’s lifelong commitment and their intent to enter marriage freely and faithfully

Exchange of rings or crowns

• Rings are exchanged in most Western Christian traditions (e.g. Catholic, Anglican, Protestant):

  • They symbolise eternal love and fidelity
  • The circle of the ring represents unending commitment

• Crowns are used in Orthodox wedding ceremonies. They:

  • Represent the couple as king and queen of their new household
  • Symbolise the sacrificial love and responsibility of marriage
  • Reflect the idea of martyrdom, i.e. giving one’s life for the other in love and service

The significance of words and actions in marriage rites

Significance of words

• The vows are the most important part of the ceremony:

  • They are the legal and spiritual act that creates the marriage
  • They show that the couple consents freely and knowingly

• The language reflects key Christian values: faithfulness, love, sacrifice and lifelong unity

Significance of actions

• The exchange of rings or crowns is a physical symbol of love,unity and commitment
• The joining of hands by the couple during their vows symbolises them being joined together by God
• Blessings by the minister or priest invite God’s presence and support into the marriage
• Eucharist (in some services) shows that marriage is united with Christ and nourished by faith

Marriage as a sacrament

• In Catholicism, marriage is one of the seven sacraments:

  • A holy mystery that brings God’s grace to the couple
  • A lifelong covenant, not just a contract

• Orthodox Christians also view marriage as a sacred mystery, focusing on spiritual growth and unity

• Some Protestant denominations (e.g. Baptist) do not see marriage as a sacrament but still consider it a sacred gift from God and a serious, lifelong commitment

Worked Example Give two features of a Christian marriage ceremony

[2 marks]

Final answer: Answer:

One feature is the exchange of vows between the couple [1 mark]

Another feature is the exchange of rings [1 mark]

Exam Hint Another version of the 2-mark question above may ask for two vows that might be made at a Christian marriage ceremony. Therefore, take the time to learn some examples of the vows.