Marriage: An Orthodox Perspective
John Meyendorff's Marriage: An Orthodox Perspective emerged from the ecumenical dialogues of the 1960s, when Eastern Orthodox theology was gaining fresh attention in the West and questions about marriage, divorce, and sexuality were becoming pressing across Christian denominations. Writing as a prominent Orthodox theologian and seminary professor, Meyendorff sought to articulate the distinctive Orthodox understanding of marriage for both Orthodox believers navigating modern challenges and Western Christians curious about Eastern tradition.
Meyendorff presents marriage as fundamentally sacramental rather than contractual, rooted in the mystery of divine love rather than legal obligation. He traces the development of Orthodox marriage theology through patristic sources, showing how the Eastern church understood matrimony as an icon of Christ's union with the church and a path toward theosis or divine participation. The work carefully distinguishes Orthodox approaches to divorce and remarriage from both Roman Catholic indissolubility and Protestant permissiveness, arguing for what Meyendorff calls "pastoral economy" — a middle way that upholds the ideal of lifelong union while recognizing human failure and the possibility of forgiveness and restoration. He addresses practical questions about mixed marriages, the role of sexuality, and the relationship between marriage and monasticism within Orthodox spiritual life.
The book has remained influential as one of the clearest English-language presentations of Orthodox marriage theology during a period of significant cultural change around family life. Meyendorff's balanced approach has shaped discussions within Orthodox communities about how to maintain traditional teachings while ministering pastorally in contemporary contexts. Who should read this: Orthodox Christians seeking to understand their tradition's distinctive approach to marriage, clergy involved in marriage preparation and counseling, and scholars of comparative Christian ethics interested in Eastern perspectives on sexuality and sacrament. Those looking for practical marriage advice or self-help approaches will find this too theological and historically oriented.