Wedding Program
Question
Our Marriage Ceremony
Answer
Holy Matrimony is a Sacrament of the Orthodox Church steeped in ritual and symbolism. The service consists of beautiful prayers and hymns extolling marriage and emphasizing its responsibilities. Each of the acts observed today has a special meaning and significance and is performed three times to honor the mystical power of the Holy Trinity.
Question
The Betrothal Service and Blessing of the Rings
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The rings are blessed by the priest who takes them in his hands and touches the foreheads of the bride and groom with them. Then, making the sign of the cross over the couples heads says "the servant of God...is betrothed to the handmaiden of God... in the name of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit." The rings are placed on their right hands. Koumbara Alexia participates by exchanging the rings from Penny to Andy's hand three times indicating the couples mutual support and common strength. This shows that in marriage they will compliment each other and be enriched by the union. The priest then joins the right hands of Penny and Andy denoting their "oneness" from this moment forward and they remain clasped until the end of the ceremony. The wedding service begins immediately following the betrothal service.
Question
The Candles
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During the service, two candles are lit which symbolizes the lamps of the five wise maidens that prepared to receive Christ the Bridegroom by lighting their lamps with oil. The candles symbolize the spiritual willingness of Penny and Andy to receive Christ who will bless them throughout this sacrament.
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The Crowning
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Stefana (crowns joined with a ribbon) are placed upon Penny and Andy's head by the priest as they are now to be respected as King and Queen in their own family. While the crowning takes place the priest invokes the blessing of God upon the union. Koumbara Alexia participates by exchanging the crowns three times symbolizing the complimentary roll of husband and wife. Some interpret the crowns used in the Orthodox wedding ceremony to refer to the crowns of martyrdom since every true marriage involves immeasurable self-sacrifice on both sides.
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The Readings
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The crowning is followed by two designated readings from the scriptures. The first is from St. Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians (5:20-33) concerning the mystery and holiness of Christian marriage and the duties and responsibilities of the husband and wife to each other. The second is St John's Gospel on Christ's first miracle at the marriage of Cana (2:1-12). These readings show that our Lord Jesus Christ blessed the sacred institution of marriage.
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The Common Cup
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The Gospel reading describes the marriage in Cana of Galilee which was attended and blessed by Christ, and for which he performed his first miracle. There He converted the water into wine and gave of it to the newlyweds. In remembrance of this blessing, unconsecrated wine is given to Penny and Andy in a "common cup". The drinking of wine from the common cup impresses upon the couple, from that moment on, they will share everything in life; joys will be doubled and sorrows halved because they will be shared.
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The Dance of Isaiah
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The priest then leads Penny and Andy in a circle around the table on which are placed the Gospel and the Cross. The former contains the word of God, the latter is a symbol of our redemption by Jesus. Still wearing their crowns and holding hands, Penny and Andy, are taking their first steps as a married couple. The Church, in the person of the priest, leads them in the way they must walk. During the ceremonial walk around the table, a hymn is sung to the Holy Martyrs reminding the newly married couple of the sacrificial love they are to have for each other in marriage, love that seeks not its own but is willing to sacrifice it all for the one loved.
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The Blessings
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As the couple returns to their place, the priest charges the newlyweds: "Be magnified O bridegroom, as Abraham, and blessed as Isaac, and increased as Jacob, walking in peace and working in righteousness the commandments of God. And thou, O bride, be thou magnified as Sarah, and glad as Rebecca, and increased like un to Rachel, rejoicing in thine own husband, fulfilling the conditions of the law, for so is well pleasing unto God."
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The Removal of the Crowns
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Following the blessing, the priest removes the crowns and using the Book of the Gospels, separates the right hands of Penny and Andy, which have been clasped together throughout the ceremony. Using the Holy Book to part their hands shows that only God can separate the union of the new husband and wife.
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The Koumbara
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It is considered a great honor to be invited to be the Koumbaro or Koumbara as it is an honor to the couple for them to accept the responsibility. This act actually unites Alexia to Penny and Andy as extended family. May God bless this Koumbario aways.
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The Tradition of Koufeta
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The sugar-coated almonds, or "koufeta" are placed on the tray with the crowns. The guests are given a "Boubouniera" with an odd number of koufeta signifying that the newlyweds will be undivided. The hard bitterness of the almond represents the endurance of the marriage and the sweetness of the sugar, the sweetness of future life.