For those who haven’t been following this blog, let me introduce it a little. I am currently blogging my 21st novel that has the working title Daemon. The novel is about Aksinya, a sorceress, who, to save her family from the Bolsheviks, called and contracted the demon, Asmodeus. Her family was murdered anyway, and she fled with the demon from Russia to Austria.
Father Dobrushin and Aksinya have decided to marry so that they can be rid of the demon. We are continuing with the Orthodox marriage ceremony. Father Makar continues with the marriage prayers...
Ekaterina, “To you, O Lord.”
Father Makar, “For to you belong all glory, honor and worship, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”
They replied, “Amen.”
Dobrushin announced, “Let us pray to the Lord.”
Ekaterina, “Lord, have mercy.”
Father Makar prayed, “God most pure, Author of all creation, through your love for mankind you transformed the rib of our forefather Adam into a woman and blessed them saying, ‘Increase and multiply and have dominion over the earth’, and declared them both to be one through wedlock, ‘for because of this a man will abandon his father and mother and be attached to his own wife, and the two shall become one flesh’ and ‘those whom God has joined together, let no human separate’. You blessed your servant Abraham and opened Sara’s womb, making him the father of many nations. You gave Isaac to Rebecca and blessed her offspring. You joined Jacob with Rachel and from him revealed the Twelve Patriarchs. You yoked together Joseph and Aseneth and gave them as the fruit of their union Ephraim and Manassee. You accepted Zachary and Elisabeth and declared their offspring to be the Forerunner. You made the Ever-Virgin spring from the root of Jesse according to the flesh, and from her you became incarnate and were born for the salvation of the human race. Through your ineffable gift and great goodness you were present in Cana of Galilee and blessed the marriage there, to show that lawful wedlock and the begetting of children that comes from it is your will. All-holy Master, accept the entreaty of us, your suppliants, and, as you were present there, be present here also with your invisible protection. Bless this marriage and grant to these servants of yours, Dobrushin Sergeevich Lopuhin and Princess Aksinya Georgovna Holstein-Gottorp-Romanov the Countess of Golitsyna, a peaceful life, length of days, chastity, love for each other in the bond of peace, long-lived offspring, grace in their children and an unfading crown of glory. Grant that they may see their children’s children. Preserve their marriage bed unassailed. Give them of the dew of heaven from on high and of the richness of the earth. Fill their houses with wheat, wine and oil and every good thing, so that they may also share them with those in need. Grant also to those here with them all their requests that are for salvation. Because you are a God of mercy and compassion and love for humankind, and to you we give glory, together with your Father who has no beginning, and your all-holy, good and life-giving Spirit, now and for ever, and to the ages of ages.”
“Amen.”
The picture of marriage is portrayed in this prayer. This is a foreshadowing to the consummation of marriage. We know that this must occur. We also know the demon will try to kill Dobrushin if he can. The prayer reminds us of the purpose of marriage and the orthodox understanding of marriage.
This is a straight petition for the protection of the marriage and these two people. The ideas fit perfectly in the fabric of this novel.
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