FAQs
Question
What is "The Orthodox Church"?
Answer
The Eastern Orthodox Church, also referred to as The Orthodox Church, is the second-largest Christian group in the world after the Roman Catholic Church, unless you consolidate all 20,000 + Protestant denominations and non-denominational groups. Estimates of the number of worldwide Orthodox Christians range from 250 million to 350 million. Estimates of American members are over one million and the Orthodox Church is one of the fastest – growing Christian churches in America. The Church is focused first and foremost on the living out the Gospel (the good news!) of Jesus Christ our Lord, and its beliefs and traditions are rooted firmly in Scripture. Read more about the basic teachings of the Orthodox Church at this link (copy and paste into your browser): https://www.holyascension.net/for-protestants
Question
Why did Ian and Haley choose to become Orthodox Christians?
Answer
Ian has been attending St. Athanasius Orthodox Church in Nicholasville, KY, for over four years, and Haley has been attending for over two years. We could never begin to adequately express the immense love and thankfulness we have towards our respective evangelical Christian upbringings. Without them, we wouldn't know Jesus. We are so thankful for the good work that those churches do for their communities and the way God uses them, in His love and grace, to draw people to Himself. We both have our own stories and our own reasons we have been drawn to the Orthodox Church, and you should ask us about it! In the Orthodox Church, both of us have felt loved, discipled, and challenged to grow in our devotion to Christ and love for neighbor. We hear the Gospel--and the Gospel preached-- every Sunday. We both find a richness, depth, and beauty to Orthodoxy that has helped us decide to become Orthodox Christians. We know that God has called us to this church, and we believe we can spend our lives in this tradition and raise a family in it. We are being chrismated into the Orthodox Church of America (the OCA) on April 27th, 2024. This is when we will officially become a part of the Church. We couldn't have gotten here without our amazing church family at St. Athanasius! Check out the St. Athanasius church website here: https://bluegrassorthodox.org/ Read about the Orthodox Church of America at their website: https://www.oca.org/history-archives
Question
What is an Orthodox Christian wedding like?
Answer
For the Orthodox Christian, the marriage service is the Church's formal recognition of the couple's unity, a created image of God's love which is eternal, unique, indivisible and unending. The marriage service is patterned after the sacrament of baptism. The couple confesses their faith and their love for God. They are led into the Church in procession. They are prayed over and blessed. They listen to God’s Word. They are crowned with the crowns of God’s glory to be his children and witnesses in this world, and heirs of the everlasting life of his Kingdom. They fulfill their marriage by their reception together of holy communion in the Church. The Orthodox sacrament of marriage is not a juridical contract. It contains no vows or oaths. It is the “baptizing and confirming” of human love in God by Christ in the Holy Spirit. Because of the need for Christ in every aspect of human life, and because it is the firm Christian conviction that nothing can be done perfectly without His presence and power in the Church by the Holy Spirit, two Christians cannot begin to share each other’s life in total unity without first placing that unity into the eternity of the Kingdom of God through the sacrament of marriage in the Church.
Question
What is the closest airport? Where should we stay in Elkins?
Answer
See "Travel" section :)
Question
When should I RSVP by?
Answer
Please RSVP by May 1, 2024.
Question
How do I get to the Augusta Dance Pavilion?
Answer
[input directions here]
Question
What should I wear?
Answer
The attire is "formal", however you'd like to interpret that! We're just happy to have people celebrate with us-- we're not worried about a specific dress code. If you'd like to dress within our color scheme, the colors are: plum/burgundy, soft/muted pink, antique gold, forest green, chocolate brown. Also... you might wanna wear your dancin' shoes... ;)
Question
Is there a rain plan for the Betrothal?
Answer
The pavilion is covered, so the location should work, rain or shine!
Question
Can I bring a plus-one?
Answer
For most of you that have plus-ones, we've factored it into your RSVP options, and we want you to RSVP for them! For anyone that doesn't see an option to include their plus-one in their RSVP, feel free to bring your plus-one-- Just shoot Haley a text so we can factor that into our planning.
Question
Will there be food at your wedding?
Answer
At the Betrothal's reception in Elkins, there will be a meal, cake, and some simple charcuterie. At the Crowning's reception at St. Athanasius, there will be cake and wine.
Question
Where should we bring/send our gift?
Answer
Your presence at our wedding is the greatest gift we could ask for! If you would like to honor us with a gift, you can have it delivered to: 312B Estill St. Berea KY 40403 A wedding card box will be at our reception.