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1. Liturgical Aspects 1.1. History 1.1.1. In all cultures marriage has a cultic side. State regulations, tradition, and custom—in all their variety—determine how the wedding ceremony is to be performed. In the early church the bishop had to know when a marriage was taking place (Ignatius Pol. 5.2). The oblatio (bread and wine) that the bridal pair gave for the Eucharist served as confirmatio matrimonii (confirmation of marriage; Tertullian Ad. uxor. 2.8). Two rites were used in the fourth and fifth centuries: velatio (the vow) and benedictio (the blessing). Both took place in the…

1. Perspectives 1.1. In the OT the position of the elderly was one of honor (Lev. 19:32). Understanding is to be found only in the aged (Job 12:12 RSV), and righteousness and judgment are best preserved in the older generation (see Dan. 7:22). Old age and experience are synonymous (Sir. 25:6). The NT develops the same ideas. At 12 years of age Jesus was said to be increasing “in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor” (Luke 2:52). Eph. 4:13 sets as the goal of all perfection “maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.” The NT sees life and death in…