The Mysteries of Service

 Marriage is a natural relationship instituted by God from the beginning. But in Christ we see its deeper mystery as a revelation of Christ's relationship to the Church, and as a living icon of the Holy Trinity (Gensis 2:24; Matthew 19:1-12; Ephesians 5:21-33). The Bride and Groom are crowned to symbolize their God-given dominion (Genesis 1:28) over the "domestic Church" of their home and to challenge them to a sacrifical love that imitates Christ's love for His Church (Ephesians 5:25-32). Such love is always free, total, faithful, and fruitful. 

Christ established the priesthood so that the fruits of His death and Resurrection, made available through the Mysteries, would be made available to all mankind throughout the ages (Lk 22:19; Mt. 28:18; John 20:22-23).

The East has maintained the ancient practice of ordaining married men to the priesthood, choosing to reserve the call to celibacy "for the sake of the kingdom" for the monastic life. Bishops are celibate. 

By the laying on of the Bishop's hands, a man receives the Sacrament of Holy Orders. By the grace of this Sacrament, a priest carries on Christ's saving work, becoming more fully a steward of God's mysteries "rightly dividing the word of truth." It is the priests duty to administer the Sacraments, preach the Gospel, and be a source of spiritual teaching and consolation for this flock.