Comments on: Chrysostom and the Mysteries of Marriage

By: Vincent Francis

Vincent Francis — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 14:13:16 +0000

Re: Fr. Ninan’s “co-equal”

How do you mean “not as subordinate?” Clearly, the Son is subordinate to the Father in the aspect of authority; else he would not be revealed as “son,” but as “co-father.” Or are you suggesting that the Son’s obedience to the cross, which atones for man’s sin and opens the door of salvation was a mistaken imagery, not intended to communicate this truth?

In marriage there is likewise equal dignity as persons in the Image of God, while authority nevertheless belongs to the man. This teaching, articulated by the fathers, is reiterated by recent popes, and clearly shows, among other things, that feminism and no-fault divorce and separation are errors.

By: smith

smith — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 05:51:39 +0000

If St. John Chrysostomos (who BTW I read was raised by a pagan mother) was so fond of marriage, and the miracle of childbirth, and spoke so highly of virginity……. why would he order to destroy one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World?…the Temple of Artemis in Ephesus (present day Turkey)…..a Temple worshiping the Goddess of Virginity and Childbirth? Did he not have any respect for those who came before him?

By: Fr.Thomas Ninan

Fr.Thomas Ninan — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 07:30:24 +0000

Beautiful exposition from St. John Chrysostom. Thank you. It also gives a sense of how the Fathers of that time looked upon women, which through this exposition, I would like to believe they understood as co-equal in the context of the family, as in Trinity and not as subordinate. Perhaps not many supported this view during that time.

By: The case for early marriage | Gladsome Light Dialogues Blog

The case for early marriage | Gladsome Light Dialogues Blog — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 20:49:28 +0000

[...] Chrysostom and the Mystery of Marriage: an article about St. John Chrysostom view on married life by Mike Aquilina [...]

By: BY

BY — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:31:25 +0000

Good stuff! Keep it coming.

By: fr. richard

fr. richard — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 19:58:47 +0000

Thanks for this excellent piece! As a Byzantine-rite priest, I’m grateful for your work here and your many fine posts. I visit your site daily. Christ is risen!

By: Mike Aquilina

Mike Aquilina — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:55:49 +0000

Personally, I’m grateful to him for giving me the phrase “delectable mischief,” which I’ve found useful for describing a certain someone.

By: Polycarp

Polycarp — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:28:35 +0000

What am amazing post. Chrysostom, being the celibate that he was, makes more sense about marriage then some married people I know.

By: Carl Sommer

Carl Sommer — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 14:10:41 +0000

Nice work, Mike. Context is everything.

By: Mike Aquilina

Mike Aquilina — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 01:34:17 +0000

Select Bibliography St. John Chrysostom: On Marriage and Family Life St. John Chrysostom: Baptismal Instructions St. John Chrysostom: Six Books on the Priesthood Peter Brown, The Body and Society John C. Cavadini, The Sacramentality of Marriage in the Fathers Giulia Gasparro, The Human Couple in the Fathers Vigen Guroian, “The Ecclesial Family: John Chrysostom on Parenthood and Children,” in The Child in Christian Thought J.N.D. Kelly, Golden Mouth: The Story of John Chrysostom-Ascetic, Preacher, Bishop Enrico Mazza, Mystagogy: A Theology of Liturgy in the Patristic Age Robert L. Wilken, John Chrysostom and the Jews: Rhetoric and Reality in the Late 4th Century Edward Yarnold, S.J., The Awe-Inspiring Rites of Initiation