What do you say man? You covet profit from your wife and you are not ashamed, nor your cheeks turn red from embarrassment and wish you disappeared in the ground? Those men who marry a woman with the same material condition, or even lower, will marry a together-fighter and a useful help that will bring joy into their house. She will become her husband’s connection to peace, love and communication.

I heard many people saying: “X became wealthier after wedding. Since he got himself a richer woman now he is delighting in richness.” What do you say man? You covet profit from your wife and you are not ashamed, nor your cheeks turn red from embarrassment nor you wish you disappeared in the ground? What happened to the words [worthy] of a man: “The duty of a woman consists of one thing, to keep the assets of the house and take care of her household?” Because this is the reason why God gave her to us, so that she may be our help in these aspects as well as others.

Those men who marry a woman with the same material condition, or even lower, will marry a together-fighter and a useful help that will bring joy into their house. Because a poor wife will take better care of her husband and will please him in everything, is more obedient and avoids to quarrel or any moment of madness and frustration. She will become her husband’s connection to peace, love and communication.

(Translation from: Sfântul Ioan Gură de Aur, Cateheze maritale. Omilii la căsătorie, traducere din limba greacă veche de Preot Marcel Hancheş, Editura Oastea Domnului, Sibiu, 2004, pp. 21-22)