Orthodox Marriage Service
Betrothal
The blessing and exchanging of the couple's wedding rings.
Rings are blessed and exchanged between the couple, showing how the couple are voluntarily committing themselves to each other, and how the weaknesses of one spouse will continually be compensated for by the strengths of the other spouse. The couple are also giving a candle to hold throughout the service, which symbolize the willingness of the couple to receive the illumination of Christ.
Crowning
The moment when the couple becomes husband and wife.
Crowns are placed on the bride and the groom's heads that are exchanged three times. The crowns symbolize multiple things, including: The couple are the king and queen of their home (a kingdom given to them by the authority of God), and how through marriage they will sacrifice of themselves and become martyrs in their mutual giving of their lives for one another.
Scripture Readings
An epistle and Gospel passage are read.
These readings relate how marriage mirrors Christ’s relationship to us—His Church—and the kind of love a groom and a bride should have for each other.
Drinking from the Common Cup
The newlyweds each drink wine one after the other.
Christ's first miracle of changing water into wine at the wedding feast in Cana is recalled when the couple drink sips of (unconsecrated) wine from the Common Cup. This also marks the mutual sharing of the couple's lives as husband and wife of everything life has in store for them: all joys as well as all sorrows.
The Dance of Isaiah
Their First Steps in Life Together
As an expression of joy and gratitude towards God, the priest leads the couple, followed by the sponsor, three times around the wedding table. This circling around symbolizes their journey through life. It shows how Christ will always lead their lives, and how they are supported by the prayers of the people around them (especially their sponsor).
The Sponsor
(Also known as a paranymphios or the koumbaroi)
The sponsor is not only a legal witness to the wedding, but also someone who pledges to guide and support the couple throughout their life. We thank our friends Fr. Konstantinos and Evangelia Koutroubas for agreeing to be our sponsors! Please pray for them.