Marina & Mina
Crowning Ceremony
The Procession
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The bride and groom are welcomed into the Church with the hymn, “Oh King of Peace”. This hymn is a prayer that God will be present to bless the bride and groom’s marriage and be enthroned as King of their hearts.
Blessing of the Rings
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The rings are blessed three times with the sign of the cross. At each time, the people respond, “Amen”. The priest ties the rings together with a red ribbon. The scarlet ribbon is used to remind the couple that they are bound together by their shared faith in Christ and by the sacrifice of His blood.
Thanksgiving Prayer
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This prayer is a reminder to us of the care God has for His children. As a community, we thank God for all conditions and all events.
Blessing of Adorned Garments
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The priest clothes the groom with a decorated vestment identical to that worn by the priest in the celebration of the Holy Liturgy, and the bride with a smaller cape. This is to signify the spiritual responsibility the couple is assuming for their new family. The groom must be a ‘priest’ to his new family, caring for their spiritual growth. The bride shares in this ministry.
The Pauline Epistle
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Ephesians 5:22-23: This reading reminds us of our roles within the family. The wife is to submit to her husband in love. The husband is to love his wife just as Christ loved the church, which is to say, to lay down his life for her.
The Psalms & Holy Gospel
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A reading from Psalm 19:5, Psalm 128:3-4, and Matthew 19
Matrimonial Prayers
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The first matrimonial prayer is to unite the couple as one and to abide the faithful teachings. The second matrimonial prayer is to grant the couple purity and bless them as God blessed Abraham and Sarah. The third matrimonial prayer is to grant the couple joy and happiness.
Prayer of Submission
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A pray for the couple to submit to God and to each other, and to live in meekness, calmness endurance, and submission.
Anointing With Joyous Oil
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In the Bible, oil is often used as a symbol of the Holy Spirit. Here, the couple is anointed with oil, praying that the Holy Spirit will bless their hearts and their life together with love, holiness, and unity.
Prayer for the Crown
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This is the most sacred part of the marriage ceremony! The priest places the crowns on the bride and groom and makes the sign of the Cross over them. It is with the three-fold sign of the cross, in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, that the Holy Spirit descends and spiritually unites the two individuals into one. From this moment on, they are no longer two, but one flesh. They keep their heads bowed and touching one another, symbolizing at the same time their submission before God and before one another.
Commandments for the Couple
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The priest gives specific instructions to the bride and groom, this includes submitting, respecting, and honoring the other. We then kneel in front of the altar to receive the holy blessings.
End of Service
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You may hear zaghareet, a high-pitched celebratory sound. Egyptian women do this to show excitement, celebration, and joy!