On Marriage and Family Life (Popular Patristics Series)

by St. John Chrysostom (Author)

No one in the city has done this, you say? Why don't you hurry to be the founder of this good custom, so that posterity may attribute it to you? If anyone envies or imitates this custom, your descendants will be able to say to inquirers that you first introduced this practice. In the competitions of the unbelievers, at symposia, many people sing the praises of those who have improved these unedifying rites. All the more in the spiritual rite everyone will give praise and thanks to the one who first introduces this wonderful innovation. This will bring both honor and benefit to him. When this is tended by others, it will bring the reward of its fruits to you who first planted it. This will make you quickly a father, this will help your children prosper, this will aid the bridegroom to grow old together with his bride. Just as God continually threatens the sinners, saying, “Your children shall be orphans and your wives widows,” so also He promises to those who are always obedient a pleasant old age together with every good gift.