The priest stepped up to the pulpit and began his sermon, which made my scalp prickle. He spoke not of love and respect, but of duty and obedience. He quoted gospel passages that had no place in history, let alone the modern world. Yet here they were – dusted off and shoved back under our noses.
The priest boomed, ‘As Genesis states, “Adam’s role is to be Eve’s master.” This sentiment was again ordained by the Colossians – “wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the church, his body, and is himself its Saviour.”’
As the minutes wore on, my skin bristled with rage. Poor Angela appeared as though she might pass out. Until finally, the storm of oppression and condemnation was over. Gentle music filled the church, yet no one moved a muscle.
But the sermon was simply the entrée for the main event. The moment the music was over, the priest came in for a second attack. With a flash of grey steel in his eyes, he asked the young couple to repeat their wedding vows.
Slowly, hesitantly, James repeated his wedding vows, as prompted by the priest. James paused at the words you must obey me, your husband, your owner.
Orpheus cleared his throat, causing James to glance up at him. A dark red stain spread over James’s face. I wondered then of the threats and inducements that had made James agree to marry a woman he didn’t know.
James continued his vows. ‘…you must obey me, your husband, your…owner.’
I took a sharp breath, along with most women in the room.
The priest stopped, turned to me, narrowed his eyes. Then he aimed his evil eye back at the congregation. ‘These are words you may not be familiar with – yet – but I assure you, you soon will be.’
James pushed a gold ring onto Angela’s petite finger, the ring sitting loosely upon it. The priest turned back to Angela, his voice as sharp as the tip of a knife. ‘Repeat these words after me.’
Angela glanced at me and I nodded. And so she agreed to love, honour and obey a man she barely knew – to become his property – for him to do with as he wished – when he wished – for as long as she was to live. Separation was no longer an option. Divorce was strictly prohibited.
But the priest wasn’t finished. He went in for the kill. ‘And may I remind you, Angela, as a woman, if you ever commit adultery, if you ever sleep with another man, perhaps an old lover, you will be a condemned woman – and you will be stoned.’ Angela swayed on her feet. ‘We will also allow the same law as stated in the Liber Augustalis – “If a husband catches his wife in the very act of adultery, he may kill both the adulterer and his wife, but without any further delay.” Clearly, these same laws do not apply to any male. He may take as many women as he wishes.’
What the hell!
This time the congregation erupted. It took the priest beating his gavel repeatedly against his pulpit to quieten the church.
James stepped forward and caught Angela, held her up.
‘You may kiss your…property,’ said the priest, performing the sign of the cross.
Property!
Heat rushed through my body, and flames sat hidden beneath my skin. I glanced at Ezra, who was as pale as Angela. Clearly this was news to him. Right now he didn’t expect me to become his property, but in time…would he?
James raised Angela’s veil, revealing eyes that were full of unspilt tears that needed no encouragement to trickle down her face. James found his handkerchief and wiped her tears gently away. Then he kissed her quickly on the lips.
The congregation shuffled in their seats.
‘Do that kiss again – properly this time,’ said the priest, a small smile playing at the corners of his lips.
‘Excuse me!’ whispered Angela.
The priest narrowed his eyes before he replied. ‘Timothy says, “Let a woman learn in silence with all submissiveness I permit no woman to teach or have authority over a man; rather, she is to remain silent.” So, I won’t ask again. Angela – submit to your husband.’
James stared at the priest, aghast.
‘Take control of your wife, James. It is God’s law!’
James blinked furiously, his face turning a deep shade of red.
Words danced on the tip of my tongue. Fire sat ready. Not long from now, I would be standing where Angela stood. Ezra would be given the legal authority to take control of me.
‘It’s okay,’ said Angela quietly, touching the side of James’s face, turning his attention towards her.
The air thickened. A single fly could be heard buzzing in the rafters.
James placed one hand firmly around Angela’s waist, pulled her close. He whispered something in her ear that no one else could hear. And then he bent down and kissed his wife in a way that left the front row of the congregation blushing.
Finally, he pulled away and Orpheus started clapping.
‘Good. Very good.’
The congregation stood and applauded, but no one matched the passion showed by Orpheus. I froze, my eyes lasered on Angela, who looked as though she’d been stripped naked in public.
But the priest was not done. ‘It would be remiss of me not to remind you both that you will now be expected to produce a family, a large family.’ He turned to Angela, his words stern. ‘May I remind you of the words from Genesis, “I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth; in pain you will bring forth children. Yet your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”’
No one spoke. No one moved. Orpheus clapped his hands three times and the music started. The bride and groom stumbled
