A Greek
Orthodox Wedding
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.
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 GO 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 focus of the Betrothal is the exchanging of rings.
The priest starts by blessing the rings and the couple. The rings
are then placed on the third fingers of the right hands of the Bride
and Groom. 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. This symbolizes the strength of the
married couple .
The Ceremony of the Sacrament of Marriage
The Sacrament of Marriage consists of many important
parts. As the priest concludes his prayers, he joins the right hands
together of the Bride and Groom , and they stay joined until the
end of the ceremony to signify the union of the couple.
The Crowning
The crowning of the couple with the stefana (two flowered
crowns attached by white ribbon) signifies glory and honor that
God crowns them with. The ribbon symbolizes the unity of the couple.
The Koumbaro or Koumbara also plays a part by interchanging the
crowns on the couples? heads.
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 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.
The Ceremonial Walk
The priest will then lead the Bride and Groom 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. The Koumbaro or Koumbara walks behind the married
couple holding the stefana in place.
The Removal of the Crowns
After the Ceremonial Walk, the priest blesses the
couple. The priest then removes the crowns and asks God to grant
the couple a long, happy 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!!
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