12.2 Acts of blessing

12.2 Acts of blessing 12.2.2.1 Age of confirmation and prerequisites The age of confirmation varies. It depends on the religious maturity and/or the stage in life at which adolescents are generally able to assess the con- sequences of their actions on their own and assume responsibility for their life of faith. Adolescents are brought up in the faith in their parental home, in divine service, and through religious education in the Church. Besides serving to prepare for confirmation, Confirmation Instruction—as the last phase of Church instruction—serves primarily to ensure that the confirmands (cid:129) know the essential principles of our doctrine, in particular the ten Articles of Faith, increasingly appreciate the value of faith, earnestly endeavour to conduct their lives in accordance with the gospel, and align their lives with the goal of faith, the return of Christ. Attending the divine services and Confirmation Instruction is a prerequi- (cid:129) (cid:129) (cid:129) site for being confirmed. 12.2.2.2 Confirmation vow and confirmation blessing Confirmation is celebrated in the context of a divine service. First, the con- firmands answer the question as to whether they intend to remain faithful to God with their “yes”. Afterward they recite their confirmation vow together. This vow dates back to the text of an old baptismal liturgy from the third cen- tury. It is given before God and the congregation, and states the following: “I renounce Satan and all his work and ways, and surrender myself to You, O triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in belief, obedi- ence, and the earnest resolution to remain faithful to You until my end. Amen.” This brings to expression the principle that the confirmands will endeav- our to avoid all evil and ungodly things, and diligently follow the path of the 421 12 Divine service, acts of blessing, and pastoral care gospel. They profess belief in the triune God and announce their intention to conduct their lives in faith and obedience toward God. After the prayer of the officiant, the young Christians receive the confir- mation blessing, which is dispensed upon them through laying on of hands. This blessing strengthens the confirmands in their endeavour to keep their vow to profess Jesus Christ in word and deed. 12.2.3 Weddings, wedding anniversaries, and engagements Marriage is the lifelong union of two people of opposite genders, as desired by God. It is based on an act of free will through which a man and a woman accept each other in their physical and spiritual personality. The Church’s blessing is of great significance for the couple’s future life together. The church wedding must be preceded by a civil or traditional marriage cere- mony. The public promise of fidelity expresses that, from now on, both partners wish to pursue and shape their path of life together. In the wedding ceremony, the marriage is placed under God’s blessing. 12.2.3.1 The wedding blessing The church wedding generally takes place in the context of a divine service. In the address before the wedding blessing, the couple is given instructions for a blessed matrimony. The officiant asks whether they intend to stand by each other in faithfulness under all circumstances and pursue their path of life together in love, under God’s blessing. Both promise this, before God and the congregation, by saying yes. In order to keep this vow, they receive the blessing of the triune God. Love for God and one another is an important prerequisite for keeping the blessing in their marriage undiminished, as well as for finding the strength to lead their life together in harmony and mastering difficult situa- 422