Number DOI: http://doi.org/10.33209/2519-4348-2707-9627-2025-13-180

Volynskyi Blahovisnyk. № 13. 2025. P.249-278.

Summary

The publication presents the history of the emergence and formation of the rite of blessing couples who have lived together for many years without receiving the Sacrament of Matrimony in the Orthodox Churches of St. Volodymyr’s Baptism. It is noted that this rite belongs to private church services in the Churches of St. Volodymyr’s Baptism. The study identifies what prompted the appearance of this rite in the Orthodox Churches of St. Volodymyr’s Baptism and examines the period when it was particularly in demand within these Churches.

The research reveals that in the ROC (UOC MP) was initially recommended to use the jubilee rite of the UGCC for the blessing of couples who have lived together for many years without the Sacrament of Matrimony. The source suggesting the use of the UGCC’s jubilee rite in the liturgical practice of the ROC (UOC MP) is identified. It is demonstrated that this rite was not borrowed from either the Byzantine or Latin liturgical traditions, but is instead a product of the UGCC’s own creativity. The rite was composed in accordance with the classical rites of the Byzantine tradition. It is noted that the jubilee rite of the UGCC served as the foundation for the creation of a blessing rite for such couples in the ROC (UOC MP). The paper specifies when this rite emerged in the ROC (UOC MP). It is noticed that the structure of the rite in the ROC (UOC MP) also included a prayer from the rite of second marriage.

The structure of the UGCC’s jubilee rite is presented and visually compared with the structures of the blessing rite in the ROC (UOC MP) and UOC KP (OCU) editions. It is shown and explained how the UGCC’s jubilee rite inspired the creation of a similar blessing rite in the ROC (UOC MP) and UOC KP (OCU).

The study also presents the moment when in the ROC (UOC MP) appeared a new edition of the rite of blessing couples who have lived together for many years without receiving the Sacrament of Matrimony. It is revealed that it is based almost entirely on the wedding rite of the ROC. Nonetheless, distinctions from the standard wedding rite are noted and explained.

The article identifies when the UOC KP first introduced a formal rite for blessing couples who have lived together for many years without a church blessing. It is shown that this rite was derived from the 20th-century rite of the ROC (UOC MP), which itself originated from the 19th-century jubilee rite of the UGCC.

It is emphasized that the UGCC has not had and currently does not have a specific rite for blessing couples who have lived together for many years without the Sacrament of Matrimony. The UGCC’s response to this pastoral challenge is noted, as well as the consideration of whether it is time for the UGCC to develop a proper rite for this need today.

Key words: Church Blessing for Couples Who Have Lived Together for Many Years Without Receiving the Sacrament of Matrimony, liturgical book, trebnyk (Book of Needs), temple, church order, church rite, Churches of St. Volodymyr’s Baptism.

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