Glorious outing as Esther weds Innocent in grand style at Church of Pentecost

By Chukwudi Ndubeze

It was all joy, a glorious outing and a celebration of Holy matrimony at the Anglican Church of Pentecost, Awka in Anambra state as Anakwue Esther Chioma said ‘I do’ to Obele Innocent Chukwuebuka.

The wedding ceremony witnessed a good number of family members, friends and well wishers who accompanied the new couple to the alter for the Holy union.

www.odogwublog.com reports that the Chief sponsor of the wedding was Lady Virginia Madueke while the the reception later followed immediately after Church service at the Kasorina Place, Enugu- Onitsha Express road, Awka.

Recall that the Traditional marriage earlier held on the 29th day of December, 2020 at S. I Magnet’s compound, Umudiogo village, Amanuke, Awka North Local Government Area, Anambra State.

Speaking to www.odogwublog.com, father of the bride, Elder Samuel Anakwue, who was full of joy at the union, stated that it means a lot to parents when their heir apparent weds. He even said that his daughter’s marriage has opened doors for the rest of his children who according to him are still single.

He said: “My joy is too much, I feel like I’m already on a throne for having my first daughter opening door for the junior ones, it is very great.”

He urged parents to always advise their children especially when they are about to get married, stressing that it is the job of parents to strengthen and encourage their daughters to pray fervently to God before embarking on marital journey.

Even as he added that prayer is one of the tools for open doors in marriage, he also urged the new couple to build on the rock which is the word of God noting that when marriage is built on the word of God, it will not be carried away by the storm of challenges associated with marriage but when it is built on sand, it may not stand the storm. He said understanding word of God is a tool that holds marriage together.

Also speaking, Evangelist Sister Anakwue Comfort who is the bride’s mother said that there is a kind of joy that comes with giving out one’s daughter in marriage. She thanked God for keeping her alive to give out her daughter in marriage.

She urged mothers to train their daughters very well so that they will not only live good life but be of a benefit to the husband and the family at large.

Also, the representative of the groom’s father, Dr. Obele Dan Obele said marriage is a very big achievement even as he urged the new couple to do everything within their power to grow their marriage.

He advised them not to do anything that will hurt the peace of the marriage stressing that marriage requires patience, tolerance and steadfastness.

He advised parents to steer clear of their children’s marriage, noting that such actions as dabbling into their children’s marriage could put the unity of the marriage at risk.

In his homily to mark the solemnization of the holy matrimony between Chukwuebuka Obele and Chioma Anakwue entitled” the power of
Agreement in marriage”, Amos 3:3 , Reverend Afamefuna Chidiebere Udeh reminded couples that two cannot walk if they don’t agree.

Quoting Amos 3:3 to butres his points , “Can two people walk together without agreeing on the direction? (Amos 3:3 LT) ” , Reverend Udeh encouraged youths entering marriage which he said is a lifetime relationship to be wear the garb of tolerance.

He said: “Marriage as an institution ordained by God has principles which were laid down by God for good to be achieved in it.

‘It is a life time relationship that involves two mature people who had different life training, social and academic up-bringing and as well from two different family. There can be the possibility of the existence of discord among the two people when the basic principles are ignored. Hence our text admonishes us of the need for there to be agreement from the two people coming to leave as husband and wife.

Reverend Udeh pointed out the different areas in life that needed agreement which included the word of God.

According to him , the word of God is the bed rock which guarantees the success of every home.

“In Ephesians 5:21-31, God instruct that the woman must submit totally to the man who is the head of the family and the Man must love his own wife just as Christ loved the Church . submission and Love must be expressed between the couple Just as Christ related with the Church in order to present her as a glorious Church without spot nor wrinkle.

He said two intending couples should be able to accept their personal weakness.

“They must also accept and agree that they are not a perfect been . They are bound to make mistakes as they are two different people who have come to leave together under the bound of marriage. There must be room for forgiveness whenever offences come.

He spoke about family values as another area of agreement between intending couples. 

He said : ” They must also accept and adopt the values which they learnt from their parents. Like the culture of hospitality, caring for the aged and less privilege, sharing things with extended family members. These values must not be jettison in place of modern civilization.

Reverend Udeh concluded by saying that: “The couple must learn to trust God and continue to pray and depend on God for the solution of every problem which they might encounter in their life. God has promise never to leave us nor forsake us as we look unto Him as the Author and finisher of our faith”.

The wedding was attended by several priests led by Rev. Canon Ifeanyi Emegwa,
Vicar, Church of Pentecost, Awka and Rev. Shedrack Obidajua, Vicar
Holy Trinity Church, Amanuke.

Others were Rev. Emeka Okafor,
Mgbo Diocese.

Rev. Sunday Okonkwo,
St. Joseph’s Church, GRA Agu-Awka.

Rev. Afamefuna Chidiebere Udeh,
All Saints Church, Awka.

For Church Of The Pentecost, Awka.

Rev. Canon Ifeanyi Emegwa,
Vicar.

Rev. Chukwudi Nwachukwuma,
Assistant.

Rev. Christian Okoye,
Curate.

Mr. Paul Moneke
COP, Awka.

Mr. Chukwuma Ikegbo
COP, Awka.

Mr. Chimdindu Nwafor,
Epiphany Anglican Church, Awka.

www.odogwublog.com further reports that at the traditional marriage ceremony at Amanuke Awka North local government area, the new couple’s parents  Elder and Mrs Samuel Ikechukwu Anaekwue from Umudiogo village Amanuke and representative of late Mr. Gideon Obele and Mrs Theresa Obele from Enugu- Nanka, Orumba North local government area both in Anambra state, in company of both families exchanged traditions as regards the bride prize paying and wine carrying. It was a happy occasion.