Due to Covid-19 church guidelines, all guests attending our wedding ceremony in person at the church must register on the link below prior to our ceremony.
Please click the link "VIEW" below on September 4, 2021 at 1:30pm CST to watch our ceremony if you cannot join us in person.
The wedding ceremony of the Greek Orthodox Church is filled with ritual and symbolism. Each of the acts observed today have a special significance and reflect the most important elements of marriage: Love, Faith, and Mutual Respect. In the following sections, we have listed some important aspects of the Greek Orthodox marriage ceremony and their meaning.
The priest blesses the rings of the bride and groom, and the koubaro (wedding sponsor) then exchanges the rings between the couple three times. The ring exchange signifies that in married life, the weakness of one partner will be balanced by the strength of the other; by themselves, the bride and groom are incomplete, but together they are made whole. The three repetitions reflect the Holy Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The priest holds the stefana - the wedding crowns that are joined by a ribbon to unite the bride and groom - and blesses the couple three times. The stefana symbolize the love, glory, and honor with which God crowns the couple as they establish a new household and lead their family together.
Ephesians 5:20-33 is read, which speaks of conditional love, devotion, and respect for one another in marriage. John 2:1-11 is also read, recalling the wedding at Cana when Christ performed the first of His miracles and blessed the institution of marriage.
The Christian prayer emphasizes the importance of trusting God in all things. It is a commitment that His will be done in our daily decision making, forgiveness of sins, and protection from evil.
The couple drinks wine from a common cup to symbolize that they will share everything in life, including both joys and sorrows. Their joys will be doubled and their sorrows halved because they will be shared.
The priest leads the couple in a circle around the wedding table three times. The priest holds the Gospel in his hands, reminding the bride and groom that the Word of God should lead and guide them through life. The circles represent eternal marriage, for a circle has neither beginning nor end.
At the Ceremony's End, the priest recites parting prayers and encourages the newlyweds to walk forward together in peace and faith.
At this time, Father Sotiri will introduce Deacon Sonny, who will recite a Catholic blessing over the bride and groom.
The bride and groom will take a moment to walk over to the icon of the Virgin Mary to offer prayers and flowers. The Ava Maria hymn will be played during this time of prayer. The Ava Maria ritual is a part of the Catholic/Italian wedding tradition.