Sacred Contracts: The Dual Dynamics of Marriage

Official marriage is not simply the union of two people, but a complex and multifaceted institution in which law and faith intertwine to establish sacred and binding frameworks for relationships. In this union, any act of infidelity is regarded as a violation not only of a legally formalized commitment but also of a spiritual covenant established over centuries of tradition. The modern interpretation of marriage portrays it as a carefully constructed social contract, whereby each participant assumes certain roles and responsibilities. This formalization of relationships becomes a kind of “casting”: partners are not merely chosen but are bound by specific requirements of mutual possession, exchange, and accountability. Meanwhile, relationships that exist outside these formal boundaries do not fall under the same system of strict commitments and do not demand such rigorously prescribed behavior. On one hand, this provides greater freedom; on the other, it deprives such unions of the level of social and spiritual recognition that is inherent in official marriages.

Ultimately, the issue comes down to a distinction between the sacred protection afforded to an official union and the more flexible, free-flowing dynamic of relationships that are not codified by law or tradition. This approach helps explain why breaches of commitment within marriage are treated with exceptional severity, reflecting deeply rooted societal values and historical experience.

Can we distinguish between infidelity within an official marriage and relationships outside of it, and how might the notion of “casting” manifest itself?

Answer

An official marriage is defined by the strict frameworks established by both law and religious doctrine, where the union of two people is considered sacred and binding in both spiritual and legal terms. Infidelity within such a union is viewed as a direct violation of these established boundaries and obligations. As one source notes:
"Sin found its reason in the very commandment to ignite in me all sorts of wicked desires: without the Law, sin is dead. Only that which is established by God and blessed by the Church – the union of husband and wife in marriage – is sacred and pure." (source: link )

It is also emphasized that any other type of relationship outside this established union is seen as unblessed and sinful for Orthodox Christians:
"Any other relationship for Orthodox Christians is unblessed and sinful. The shame, even the horror, experienced by women who have had the misfortune of becoming mothers out of wedlock—and which, by the unity of being, is shared by their unfortunate children—is evidence of this conscience." (source: link )

On the other hand, relationships outside the framework of official marriage are not governed by the same strict obligations; they represent a freer, less formalized union. Here, the idea of “casting” is evident in the awareness partners have of the roles they occupy within an official contract. In this context, marriage not only unites individuals but also codifies the requirements of possession, mutual exchange, and a defined division of roles:
"Marriage legalizes the demands of nature—the demands to possess another, to have them as one’s property; a mutually contracted mutual possession of one another. You give so as to take, you bring in so as to receive. What sporadically arises in marriage is not the prerequisite for love—and if anything, it excludes it. The danger of a connection that cannot be confined, the dynamic wonder, do not coexist with the logic of the law." (source: link )

Thus, the difference between infidelity in an official marriage and relationships outside of it lies primarily in the fact that the former breaches an established sacred and legal system of obligations, while the latter lacks such formal codification. In this case, the notion of “casting” can be seen as the perception of marriage as a carefully selected and fixed union, in which each participant is expected to fulfill specific social and material functions—a factor that significantly alters the dynamics of relationships compared to those that are not officially sanctioned.