Unions of the Damned
From LanceaSanctum
Contents |
[edit] A Word Against Kindred "Marriage"
The standard Christian marriage rite begins with an exploration of the purposes of marriage:
First, It was ordained for the procreation of children, to be brought up in the fear and nurture of the Lord, and to the praise of his holy Name.
Secondly, It was ordained for a remedy against sin, and to avoid fornication; that such persons as have not the gift of continency might marry, and keep themselves undefiled members of Christ's body.
Thirdly, It was ordained for the mutual society, help, and comfort, that the one ought to have of the other, both in prosperity and adversity.
Whereas the first and arguably most important role of marriage is inappropriate for Kindred, the institution itself must be considered for what it is - a mortal sacrament. While the Damned may find use for a partnership which fulfilled the second and/or third purposes listed, the origin of Marriage is as old as Genesis, in which Adam and Eve were told to "be fruitful, and multiply." Without the procreative component, what is left are two aspects of any potent friendship. Among mortals, even such a union as this, which did not produce progeny, might become holy through the love shared between its partners. Love, however, is rare among the Damned - if possible at all - and is all too frequently perverted for us by the blood. Therefore, the very condition of Damnation renders impossible any union of two Damned which could be considered "Marriage." Blessed Unions are not for the Damned.
[edit] Damned Unions: A Shared Purpose
As a remedy against unnecessary sin and an institution of mutual society, Unions can serve their purpose among the Damned, even as we each serve out our own Holy Purpose within Creation. Two kindred who learn to trust each other, or whose Requia would be enhanced through institutionalized support from another Damned, could benefit from a ceremony rooted in Longinian Tradition. Let no Sanctified cleric wed two heathens in united sin, but neither let any cleric turn away those Kindred who would have their partnership rooted in faith.
All Kindred share something: our Divine Mandate of Blood. Thus, it is in blood that Kindred must join. Let those who seek out our clergy for Rites of Union be shown that their partnership should be no shelter from the Curse with which God gifted them. Let us provide them with a ceremony that exalts the Purpose they were Embraced to serve, and that celebrates the union as a cooperative effort toward that Purpose. Let us show them how to be as the Alpha wolf and his Mistress, fierce hunters more deadly in concert than any stronger wolf alone.
[edit] Preparing a Ceremony with the Uniting Kindred
personalizing ceremonies according to cleric and participants according to different purposes of union.
[edit] Sanctifying a Union of the Damned
This Rite was developed within The Diocesan Dialectic, its outline created by the late Bishop Hedwig Augusta.
Greetings to group and soon to be married
Explaination or description of responsiblities of those to be married
Exchange of vows and symbol of loyalty
Announcment of the new couple who is now one.
If the couple or the officiant wish, then perhaps words of philosophy or quotes or scriptures might be incorporated. It may just be easier to get a copy of the ceremony from a Justice of the Peace. But, overall, I would think it better that those getting married take part in what is to be said and done.
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