The Greek Orthodox Wedding Ceremony
The Rite of Betrothal
Part I
In the Rite of Betrothal, the couple exchange rings as a sign of their voluntary pledge to enter into marriage and to live together in faith, harmony, truth, and love. The priest blesses the Groom and the Bride with the rings, three times. Then the rings are placed on the ring finger of the right hand. There is a custom where the koumbaros/koumbara or sponsor of the couple will exchange the rings on their hands three times. In Orthodox practice, the wedding rings are worn on the ring finger of the right hand.
The Rite of Crowning
Part II
The second part of the marriage ceremony, the Rite of Crowning, is longer and more complex. The ceremony includes the joining of hands, the partaking of blessed wine from a common cup, and a solemn-joyous procession. The most distinct act is that of placing crowns on the heads of the couple. Prayers accompany each action, and there will be readings from the New Testament.
Candles
lambades
At the beginning of this part of the service, the bride and groom are given candles to hold. These remind us that Christ is the light of the world and illumines the steps of the couple.
Joining of Hands
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After a series of prayers, the priest joins the right hands of the bride and groom. This act is the sign of their unity as a couple. They will hold hands until the very end of the service when the priest will separate them.
The Crowning
stefana
The priest places crowns (stefana), usually of flowers, on the heads of the bride and groom after first blessing them. In Greek practice, the crowns are tied with a ribbon in the back, another sign of their union. The priest recites a prayer three times for the bride and three times for the groom. Once the crowns are placed on their heads, a brief hymn, is sung. There is a custom by which the koumbaro of the couple will exchange the crowns on their heads three times.
The Common Cup
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After the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, the couple will sip from a “common cup” of wine, offered by the priest. This is a sign that they will share all things in life.
The Procession
“Dance of Isaiah”
The priest, holding the Book of the Gospels, will lead the couple around the table three times, singing three hymns. Originally, this procession was a procession of the couple to their first home. Today, the Word of God leads them in their first steps together as a married couple.
The Final Blessing
Removal of the Crowns
In ancient times, a married couple would wear their crowns for eight days. Today, the priest removes the crowns at the end of the ceremony, blessing the bride and groom. This final action reminds the couple of the meaning of marriage: whatever happens to them in their life together, their crowns are a symbol of the Kingdom of God.
