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Marriage As a Path to Holiness: Lives of Married Saints

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This book sets before us "a few out of the many Christian couples whose crowns have indeed been `taken up' by Christ into His heavenly kingdom. Drawing on that rich but often neglected source, the Lives of the Saints, [this] book provides us with a representative selection of models, of icons in words, to encourage us on our own journey to the kingdom" (p. ix). Above all, this book teaches the Orthodox view that "the marriage bed is undefiled": marriage is an institution ordained by God as a path to holiness. The following are reviews of the lives of those married saints I found most striking and inspiring:

1. Saint John of Kronstadt
Saint John of Kronstadt (1829-1908) was an archpriest of the Russian Orthodox Church who once preached, "I feel my weakness and my unworthiness for the fulfillment of the most sublime service on earth, but I know what can make me more worthy of the rank of a priest . . . . it is love for Christ and for all people. Love is a great force; it makes the weak strong and the small great. Such is the property of pure love, the love of the Gospels. May God, who is wholly love, give me a spark of this love and kindle it into a flame through His Holy Spirit" (p. 75).
Having realized that this love would be an incredible labor, Fr. John "felt the need for an unusual marriage arrangement. Thus, he told his wife at the very beginning of their marriage that he wanted to live with her as brother and sister so that they could better devote themselves to serving God and other people. Although at first his wife was unhappy with this idea, she came not only to accept it, but to be an invaluable help and support to him in his extensive ministry" (p. 75).
Fr. John lived a life that reflected the Gospels in every way. He organized the "Home for Constructive Labor" for the poor of the city. It included "a free elementary school (Saint John especially loved children, saying that the image of God was clearer in them), a workshop where carpentry was taught, a drawing class, a women's workshop for sewing, a workshop for shoemaking, a library for children, a zoological collection, a military gymnasium, and a bookshop for children and adults" (p. 76). He also "had a church, school, orphanage, sawmill, a cooperative store, and a convent built in the poor village where he was born" (p. 76). His labor for the Gospel was so intense that he typically began his day at 3:00 a.m., and often did not retire to sleep until midnight" (p. 76).
Two years after Fr. John's sister-in-law gave birth to a daughter, the sister-in-law's husband died, leaving her with no financial means to raise the child. "Upon hearing of her plight, Saint John suggested to his wife ... that they take their young niece and raise her as their own daughter" (p. 78). Years later, this girl provided a glowing account of growing up in the home of Fr. John and his wife, and of their Christlike love and care for the community.

2. Saint John the Emperor
John Ducas Vatatzes (c. 1192-1254) was known for his "modest disposition, the purity of his life, the cheerfulness of his countenance, his righteousness, and the way he talked with the people every day" (p. 45). When he became emperor of Nicea in 1222, the people continued to love and esteem him because he did not change his previously established way of life. One anecdote particularly points to Saint John's character and concern for the people: "One day, the Emperor noticed with disapproval the extravagance of his son's clothing, and said to him, `Don't you realize that clothing, spun from gold and silken thread, represents the sweat and blood of your countrymen? Your attention should be devoted to their welfare, and not to your own luxury. For the wealth of a king should be considered to belong to his subjects'" (p. 45).

3. Saints Justinian and Theodora
Saint Justinian the Great (483-565) is "widely recognized as the greatest of all the Byzantine emperors" (p. 53). His uncle Justin was as a herder of swine, but after immigrating to Constantinople, he served as a palace guard who later rose to commander of the guard with the title of count. When Justin later became Emperor of Byzantium, he did not forget his favorite nephew, Justinian, who was made Justin's closest adviser. Justin, who was childless, officially adopted Justinian as his son, and made him Caesar and later co-emperor. When Justin died, Justinian and his wife Theodora succeeded him to the throne.
Justinian is best known for his codification of the laws of the Empire, known today as the "Justinian Code." He "tried to establish Christian principles as the foundation for these laws" (p. 54). Justinian is also well known for defending and preserving Orthodox doctrine, for "promoting the well-being of his subjects by rooting out corruption and providing easily accessible justice" (p. 55), and for his magnanimity. As an example of his magnanimity, we can look to his response when General Probus was condemned for insulting him: Justinian "tore up the condemnation and sent the General a pardon: `I pardon you for your offence against me. Pray that God may also pardon you" (p. 55).

4. Saints Isaac and Rebecca
This story gives the Genesis account of Rebecca, the divinely-chosen woman, who was brought by Providence to Isaac, the divinely-chosen man: "Isaac went through the wilderness to the well of the vision, and he dwelt in the land toward the south. And Isaac went forth into the plain toward evening to meditate; and lifting up his eyes, he saw camels coming. And Rebecca lifted up her eyes, and saw Isaac ... And Isaac went into the house of his mother, and took Rebecca, and she became his wife, and he loved her" (p. 228).

I personally know the authors of this book.They have a wonderfully blessed marriage.They sure know what it means to have a good marriage.They live their book every day.They also know how to be a good Christian friend.(They should write a book on that.)a fellow parish member.JP