Anna Karenina: Part V, Chapter 4

Love Leading the Pilgrim, Edward Burne-Jones

Part V, Chapter 4 of Anna Karenina is loaded with Biblical references. The scene depicts the wedding ceremony of Kitty and Levin. Originally I wanted to keep all of these passages together in one post, but I kept exceeding the number of labels allowed! In order to label things correctly, I have split this post in two. Everything in bold is Biblical. The passages I will focus on today are highlighted.

When the deacon had finished the liturgical prayer, the priest turned to the bridal pair with a book: "Eternal God, that joinest together in love them that were separate," he read in a gentle, piping voice: "who hath ordained the union of holy wedlock that cannot be set asunder, Thou who didst bless Isaac and Rebecca and their descendants, according to Thy Holy Covenant; bless Thy servants, Konstantin and Yekaterina, leading them in the path of all good works. For gracious and merciful art Thou, our Lord, and glory be to Thee, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, now and forever and ever." 

"Amen!" the unseen choir sent floating again through the air. 

" 'Joinest together in love them that were separate.' What deep meaning in those words, and how they correspond with what one feels at this moment," thought Levin. "Is she feeling the same as I?"

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"...bless Thy servants, Konstantin and Yekaterina, leading them in the path of all good works."

Psalm 23:3
He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. 

"For gracious and merciful art Thou, our Lord . . ."

Psalm 145:8
The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy.

More like this here.

" . . . glory be to Thee, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, now and forever and ever." 

Romans 11:36
For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever.

For the first three verses in this passage, go here.

(Source: BibleGateway. Image Source: WikiPaintings)

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