Greek Orthodox Weddings
The Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony is an ancient and beautiful service. A unique part of the ceremony is that the Bride and Groom do not say any vows. The ceremony itself shows the couples’ willingness to come forward and be married, and accept God into their new home. Holy matrimony is a Sacrament during which the Holy Spirit is invoked to join together two individuals as one. Unified in Christ they live together in His love, mutually fulfilling and complementing each other. The Marriage Ceremony of the Orthodox church is full of ritual and symbolism. Each of the acts, which you will observe solemnized today, has a special meaning and significance.
The ceremony consists of two parts: The Service of Betrothal and the Ceremony of the Sacrament of Marriage. Each part of the ceremony has a special meaning and is significant in the joining of husband and wife.
The ceremony starts as the Bride and Groom are each handed white candles to symbolize their willingness to accept Christ into their lives.
Some important elements of the Greek Orthodox ceremony include that the couple must have a religious sponsor(s). They are called Koumbaro (male) or Koumbara (female). They serve as an important witness to the union. Also, during the ceremony, certain acts and phrases are repeated three times. This represents the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The Service of Betrothal
The Bethrothal Service, which in earlier times marked the begnning of the engagement period, is now an ntegral part of the Wedding Service. As the service begins, the priest lights two white candles, which he hands to the female and male to be held throughout the service. The lit candle remind them that Christ will illumnate their way through life. The priest then offers petitions for the health, happiness, and spiritual welfare of the couple.
The Rings
The focus of the Betrothal is the exchanging of rings. The rings are blessed by the priest who takes them into his hand and, making the sign of the cross over their heads, says: "The servant of God ___ (male), is betrothed to the servant of God ___ (female), in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit" (Three Times) and then vice-versa. The Koumbara or Koumbaro then exchanges the rings three times, taking the bride's ring and placing it on the third finger of the right hand of the groom and vice versa. The reason the rings are placed on the right hand is because it is the right hand of God that blesses, and to which Christ ascended. The Koumbara or Koumbaro then exchanges the rings three times on the couples’ fingers. The exchange signifies that in married life the weakness of one partner will be compensated by the strength of the other. This symbolizes the strength of the married couple. The wearing of the rings is a sincere pledge of faithfulness towards each other throughout life.
The Ceremony of the Sacrament of Marriage
The Sacrament of Marriage consists of many important parts. As the priest concludes his prayers and beseeches God to "Join these thy servants, unite them one in mind and one in flesh.", he joins the right hands together of the Bride and Groom, and they stay joined until the end of the ceremony to signify the "oneness" of the couple and the union of the couple.
The Service of the Crowning
The Service of the Crowning that follows is the climax of the Wedding Service. The crowning of the couple with the stefana (two flowered crowns wreaths attached by white ribbon) signifies glory and honor that God crowns them with. The ribbon symbolizes the unity of the couple. They are crowned as the king and queen of their own kingdom, the home, which they will rule with wisdom, justice, and integrity: they will be masters of their home as Christ was crowned Head of the Church. The Koumbaro or Koumbara also plays a part by interchanging the crowns on the couples’ heads three times to symbolize the intertwining of their lives and to crown them in equality, dignity, and love.
The Common Cup
The crowning is followed by readings of the Epistle and the Gospel. The Gospel reading describes the marriage of Cana at Galilee, which was attended and blessed by Christ and where He performed His first miracle. The miracle converted water into wine and was given to the newlyweds. Thus, wine is given to the couple as a remembrance. This is the "Common Cup" of life denoting the mutual sharing of joy and sorrow, the toek of a life of harmony. The drinking of the Common Cup serves to impress upon the couple that they will share everything in life, joys and sorrows, and that they are to "bear one another's burdens." Their joys will be doubled and their sorrows halved because they will be shared.
The Dance of Isaiah, aka The Ceremonial Walk
The priest will then lead the Bride and Groom in a circle around a table on the altar three times. On the table are the Gospel and Cross. The steps around the table represent the unending journey of husband and wife, as they take their first steps as husband and wife, and the Church, in the person of the priest, leads them in the way they must walk. This way is symbolized by the circle at the center of which are the Gospel and the Cross of the Lord. This expresses the fact that the way of a Christian life is a perfect orbit around the ceter of life, who is Jesus Christ, our Lord. The Koumbaro or Koumbara walks behind the married couple holding the stefana in place. As the bride and groom are led around the table three times, three significant hymns are sung. The first speaks of the indescribable joy that Isaih, the Prophet, experienced when he envisioned the coming of the Messiah upon the Earth. The second reminds us of the martyrs of the Faith, who received their crowns of glory from God through the service of their lives. The third is an exhaultation of the Holy Trinity.
The Removal of the Crowns
After the Ceremonial Walk, the priest asks God's blessing on the newly wedded couple. He prays that they will be granted length of life, fair children, prosperity in life and faith, and that they be filled with all of the blessings of the earth. The priest then removes the crowns and asks God to grant the couple a long, happy life together, and asks everyone wtnessing the marriage to add their prayers to theirs that GOd may bless their life together. He then separates the couples’ joined hands, reminding them that only God can separate the couple from one another.
This concludes the ceremony and the Bride and Groom are officially married!! Note the lack of any vows. Not done. Also note the lack of "if anyone objects" and "kiss the bride."
The Jordan Almonds
Sugarcoated almonds are given as a favor (koufeta). The almonds are an ancient cultural tradition. The fresh almond has a bittersweet taste that is symbolic of life itself. The sugar coating is added with hope that the life of the new family has more sweetness than bitterness. When presented to the guests, they represent abundance and sweetness of life.
Other Important Facts
The Greek Orthodox faith is conservative, yet emblematic at the same time. It is very fulfilling spiritually. If a couple wishes to be married in the Greek Orthodox church, there are a few thoughts to keep in mind. One member of the couple must be Greek Orthodox. The non-Greek Orthodox partner must be baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity. Also, the couple cannot get married on certain holy days. The three greatest ones that come to mind are Lent, the first two weeks in August, and January 5th, the eve of Epiphany. Easter is the greatest holiday in the Greek Orthodox church, and Lent is a time of prayer, remembrance, and worship. August 15th is the Assumption of the Virgin Mary; the day believed to be when Mary ascended into Heaven after her death. Epiphany principally commemorates the revelation to the Gentiles of Jesus Christ as the Savior, as portrayed by the coming of the Three Wise Men.
See here.
The ceremony consists of two parts: The Service of Betrothal and the Ceremony of the Sacrament of Marriage. Each part of the ceremony has a special meaning and is significant in the joining of husband and wife.
The ceremony starts as the Bride and Groom are each handed white candles to symbolize their willingness to accept Christ into their lives.
Some important elements of the Greek Orthodox ceremony include that the couple must have a religious sponsor(s). They are called Koumbaro (male) or Koumbara (female). They serve as an important witness to the union. Also, during the ceremony, certain acts and phrases are repeated three times. This represents the Holy Trinity: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
The Service of Betrothal
The Bethrothal Service, which in earlier times marked the begnning of the engagement period, is now an ntegral part of the Wedding Service. As the service begins, the priest lights two white candles, which he hands to the female and male to be held throughout the service. The lit candle remind them that Christ will illumnate their way through life. The priest then offers petitions for the health, happiness, and spiritual welfare of the couple.
The Rings
The focus of the Betrothal is the exchanging of rings. The rings are blessed by the priest who takes them into his hand and, making the sign of the cross over their heads, says: "The servant of God ___ (male), is betrothed to the servant of God ___ (female), in the name of the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit" (Three Times) and then vice-versa. The Koumbara or Koumbaro then exchanges the rings three times, taking the bride's ring and placing it on the third finger of the right hand of the groom and vice versa. The reason the rings are placed on the right hand is because it is the right hand of God that blesses, and to which Christ ascended. The Koumbara or Koumbaro then exchanges the rings three times on the couples’ fingers. The exchange signifies that in married life the weakness of one partner will be compensated by the strength of the other. This symbolizes the strength of the married couple. The wearing of the rings is a sincere pledge of faithfulness towards each other throughout life.
The Ceremony of the Sacrament of Marriage
The Sacrament of Marriage consists of many important parts. As the priest concludes his prayers and beseeches God to "Join these thy servants, unite them one in mind and one in flesh.", he joins the right hands together of the Bride and Groom, and they stay joined until the end of the ceremony to signify the "oneness" of the couple and the union of the couple.
The Service of the Crowning
The Service of the Crowning that follows is the climax of the Wedding Service. The crowning of the couple with the stefana (two flowered crowns wreaths attached by white ribbon) signifies glory and honor that God crowns them with. The ribbon symbolizes the unity of the couple. They are crowned as the king and queen of their own kingdom, the home, which they will rule with wisdom, justice, and integrity: they will be masters of their home as Christ was crowned Head of the Church. The Koumbaro or Koumbara also plays a part by interchanging the crowns on the couples’ heads three times to symbolize the intertwining of their lives and to crown them in equality, dignity, and love.
The Common Cup
The crowning is followed by readings of the Epistle and the Gospel. The Gospel reading describes the marriage of Cana at Galilee, which was attended and blessed by Christ and where He performed His first miracle. The miracle converted water into wine and was given to the newlyweds. Thus, wine is given to the couple as a remembrance. This is the "Common Cup" of life denoting the mutual sharing of joy and sorrow, the toek of a life of harmony. The drinking of the Common Cup serves to impress upon the couple that they will share everything in life, joys and sorrows, and that they are to "bear one another's burdens." Their joys will be doubled and their sorrows halved because they will be shared.
The Dance of Isaiah, aka The Ceremonial Walk
The priest will then lead the Bride and Groom in a circle around a table on the altar three times. On the table are the Gospel and Cross. The steps around the table represent the unending journey of husband and wife, as they take their first steps as husband and wife, and the Church, in the person of the priest, leads them in the way they must walk. This way is symbolized by the circle at the center of which are the Gospel and the Cross of the Lord. This expresses the fact that the way of a Christian life is a perfect orbit around the ceter of life, who is Jesus Christ, our Lord. The Koumbaro or Koumbara walks behind the married couple holding the stefana in place. As the bride and groom are led around the table three times, three significant hymns are sung. The first speaks of the indescribable joy that Isaih, the Prophet, experienced when he envisioned the coming of the Messiah upon the Earth. The second reminds us of the martyrs of the Faith, who received their crowns of glory from God through the service of their lives. The third is an exhaultation of the Holy Trinity.
The Removal of the Crowns
After the Ceremonial Walk, the priest asks God's blessing on the newly wedded couple. He prays that they will be granted length of life, fair children, prosperity in life and faith, and that they be filled with all of the blessings of the earth. The priest then removes the crowns and asks God to grant the couple a long, happy life together, and asks everyone wtnessing the marriage to add their prayers to theirs that GOd may bless their life together. He then separates the couples’ joined hands, reminding them that only God can separate the couple from one another.
This concludes the ceremony and the Bride and Groom are officially married!! Note the lack of any vows. Not done. Also note the lack of "if anyone objects" and "kiss the bride."
The Jordan Almonds
Sugarcoated almonds are given as a favor (koufeta). The almonds are an ancient cultural tradition. The fresh almond has a bittersweet taste that is symbolic of life itself. The sugar coating is added with hope that the life of the new family has more sweetness than bitterness. When presented to the guests, they represent abundance and sweetness of life.
Other Important Facts
The Greek Orthodox faith is conservative, yet emblematic at the same time. It is very fulfilling spiritually. If a couple wishes to be married in the Greek Orthodox church, there are a few thoughts to keep in mind. One member of the couple must be Greek Orthodox. The non-Greek Orthodox partner must be baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity. Also, the couple cannot get married on certain holy days. The three greatest ones that come to mind are Lent, the first two weeks in August, and January 5th, the eve of Epiphany. Easter is the greatest holiday in the Greek Orthodox church, and Lent is a time of prayer, remembrance, and worship. August 15th is the Assumption of the Virgin Mary; the day believed to be when Mary ascended into Heaven after her death. Epiphany principally commemorates the revelation to the Gentiles of Jesus Christ as the Savior, as portrayed by the coming of the Three Wise Men.
See here.
posted by -Me @ 10/03/2004 10:32:00 PM
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