Orthodox Wedding Traditions: A Guide To Greek Ceremonies

The Greek Orthodox Church is a branch of the Eastern Orthodox Church, which follows specific traditions and requirements for weddings. The ceremony, also known as the Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, is considered a holy mystery or sacrament that unites a man and a woman not only to each other but also to Christ. To be recognised by the Church, the wedding must be performed within an Orthodox church, chapel or cathedral, and officiated by an Orthodox priest. The couple must also meet certain requirements, including being baptised in the name of the Holy Trinity, and at least one member of the couple must be an Orthodox Christian. The ceremony includes several rituals such as the exchanging of rings, the crowning of the couple, and the joining of hands, symbolising their commitment to each other and to their faith.

Marriage requirements

Who can get married in the Orthodox Church?

Both parties must be baptised in the name of the Holy Trinity, and at least one person must be an Orthodox Christian. The Church does not bless or perform marriages between Orthodox Christians and non-Christians. If one person is already married, they must first receive a blessing from their bishop recognising the divorce and allowing remarriage. If widowed, a legal death certificate must be produced.

The Church does not officiate marriages during certain seasons or on certain dates. These include:

• All Wednesdays and Fridays (unless during feast periods)
• Any evening before one of the Twelve Major Feasts
• The four extended fasting periods:
• Nativity Fast (Nov 15 – Dec 24)
• Great Lent (dates vary)
• Apostles’ Fast (the Monday after All Saints to June 29)
• Dormition Fast (Aug 1 – Aug 14)
• August 28/29 (the Beheading of St. John the Baptist)
• September 13/14 (the Exaltation of the Holy Cross)

Where can the wedding take place?

The wedding must take place in an Orthodox church building, not at a private home, botanical garden, beach, etc.

The Wedding Party

The Koumbaros/Koumbara is the most important member of the wedding party. The couple must have one, and they must be a member in good standing of the Eastern Orthodox Church. The Koumbaros/Koumbara is not the same as the best man/maid of honour. The latter serves as a legal witness, while the former is an ecclesiastical witness, attesting to the reality of the marriage. The Koumbaros/Koumbara may also exchange the rings and the crowns, and hold the ribbon as the couple walk around the ceremonial table. The couple may also have a best man and maid of honour who are not members of the Orthodox Church.

Legal Documents

The following documents are required to complete the application for an ecclesial marriage license:

• Baptismal certificates for both parties
• A copy of the civil Certificate of Marriage (if already civilly married)
• Civil divorce papers (if previously married in a civil service)
• Original ecclesial divorce certificate (if previously married in the Orthodox Church)
• A civil marriage license

Items for the Wedding Day

• A pair of wedding crowns
• Wedding rings
• Candles
• A silver tray
• Almonds

Legal documents

The legal documents required for a Greek Orthodox wedding vary depending on the location of the wedding and the couple's circumstances. Here is a list of the possible documents you may need to provide:

Civil Wedding Documents:

• Passport copies of both parties (photocopies of the originals).
• Full birth certificates of the bride and groom, with both parents' names, certified by an Apostille stamp.
• Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage from the municipality, county office, or town hall, certified by an Apostille stamp. This document confirms that there is no legal or other impediment to the marriage.
• Divorce Certificate or Decree Absolute for previously married parties, certified by an Apostille stamp.
• Official documents from the court if either party has changed their name.
• Certificate of Adoption, Deed Poll Certificate, or Death Certificate, if applicable.
• Apostille Stamp to legalise and validate the documents for international use.
• Passport copies of two witnesses.

Orthodox Wedding Documents:

• Passport copies of both parties (photocopies of the originals, no translation or Apostille required).
• Baptism records of both parties, signed and stamped by the parish priest. If not in Greek, a Greek translation is required, certified by the Greek Embassy, Consulate, or Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
• Full birth certificates of the bride and groom, with both parents' names, certified by an Apostille stamp and translated into Greek.
• Certificate letter from the church of non-previous marriage, certified by the bishop of the area of residence. This letter should also state that the couple is free to marry in the chosen location (e.g., Santorini, Athens, etc.).
• Certificate of No Impediment to Marriage from the municipality, county office, or town hall, certified by an Apostille stamp.
• Divorce Certificate or Decree Absolute from Civil and Church Authorities for previously married parties, certified by an Apostille stamp.
• If one party is of another Christian dogma, not Orthodox, more acts are required, and the couple should contact the church for more information.
• Official documents from the court if either party has changed their name.
• Certificate of Adoption, Deed Poll Certificate, or Death Certificate, if applicable.
• Apostille Stamp to legalise and validate the documents for international use.
• A copy of the newspaper in which the wedding notices were posted, if required by the local church and priest.

Additional Requirements:

• All documents must be translated and certified/stamped by the local Greek Embassy or Consulate in the couple's country.
• Names on passports and all documents must match exactly.
• Documents should not be dated more than three months before the wedding day, especially the Certificate of No Impediment.
• After the wedding ceremony, the couple must go to the office of vital statistics to register their marriage within 40 days.
• The couple must stay in Greece for at least one working day after the wedding to sign their Marriage Certificate at the local town hall.
• Some town halls require a wedding notice to be published in a local newspaper for each party, translated into Greek.
• Some town halls require a Wedding License from the couple's country of residence, translated and Apostille-stamped.

Ceremony items

A Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony is made up of two services: the Service of Betrothal and the Service of Marriage or Crowning.

The Service of Betrothal

The Service of Betrothal is the first part of the wedding ceremony and includes the following items:

• The Doxology: A small prayer that asks the couple and the audience to glorify God.
• Opening Petitions: Similar to prayers, these are a list of requests to God to bless everyone in attendance, the couple with love and peace, and the couple with children in the future.
• Two Short Prayers: These prayers talk about the theological truths of marriage and help the couple understand that it is the love of God that has brought them together.
• The Exchange of Rings: The rings are prayed over three times for the groom and three times for the bride, and then placed on the right hand. The Koumbaro/a (the sponsor) will then exchange the rings three times, sealing the couple's commitment.
• The Closing Prayer: This is the longest prayer of the Betrothal Service and offers an overview of the significance and underlying meaning of the rings, as well as the couple's lifetime commitment to one another.

The Service of Marriage or Crowning

The second part of the wedding ceremony is called the Service of Marriage or Crowning and includes the following items:

• Reciting of Psalm 127/128: This reading states that all the blessings the couple will receive in the future are provided by God.
• Doxology: The Doxology reminds everyone that God rules over all beings that he created and that they should adore and praise him.
• Wedding Candles: The father will light two candles from the same flame and present them to the bride and groom, symbolising the couple's spiritual willingness to receive Christ, the "Light of the World", into their lives.
• Petitions: The father makes introductory general petitions and then a series of requests to God on behalf of the bride and groom.
• Three Prayers: These prayers ascribe to God the institution of marriage and the preservation of His people through the ages. Humanity is portrayed as one continuous fabric, in which is interwoven everyone from Adam and Eve to the present generation of believers.
• Crowning: The priest takes two wedding crowns, or Stefana, and blesses the couple in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, before placing the crowns upon their heads. The Koumparos or Koumpara then interchanges the crowns three times as a witness to the sealing of the union.
• Scripture Readings: The Scriptures summarise the beliefs of the Orthodox Church on marriage and reinforce the message behind the prayers and hymns of the wedding service. The Letter to the Ephesians (5:20-33) is read, followed by a reading from Saint John’s Gospel (2:1-11).
• The Lord’s Prayer: Everyone joins in to say the Lord's Prayer.
• Drinking From The Common Cup: The bride and groom will drink from the Common Cup, which contains blessed wine, three times each. This displays the bitter and sweet moments the couple will share throughout their lives.
• Procession: After drinking from the Common Cup, the father, the bride and groom, and the Koumbaro/a will walk around the table three times. This procession represents the couple's first steps as husband and wife and is done in the presence of God.
• Final Exhortation and Dismissal: This is the ending of the ceremony, with the father making congratulatory remarks and offering guidance towards a long and healthy marriage. The crowns are removed, and the bride and groom kiss one another before the dismissal.

Ceremony location

The ceremony location for a Greek Orthodox wedding is a very important consideration. The sacrament of marriage is a holy mystery and is intimately tied to the life of the Church. Therefore, it must be administered within a physical church building under the authority of bishops. This means that the wedding must take place in an Orthodox church, chapel or cathedral. It is not permitted to take place at any other venue, such as a private home, botanical garden, beach, hotel or park.

The couple should first check the liturgical calendar to ensure their desired date is available, as there are certain times and dates when marriages are not permitted. These include fasting days, Lenten periods, feast days and various holy days. The couple should also consult with the priest as soon as possible to take into account his schedule and the availability of the church facilities.

Ceremony date

When planning a Greek Orthodox wedding, it is important to consider the date of the ceremony. The Orthodox Church does not officiate marriages during certain seasons or on specific dates. These prohibited dates include:

• All Wednesdays and Fridays (unless they fall during feast periods)
• The eve of any of the Twelve Major Feasts
• Extended fasting periods, such as the Nativity Fast, Great Lent, Apostles' Fast, Dormition Fast, and more
• The Epiphany, Holy Week, and the Twelve Days of Christmas
• The Lenten Season
• High-holy days in summer, such as the Beheading of St. John the Baptist and the Exaltation of the Holy Cross
• The day before any significant feast day

It is worth noting that the priest officiating the marriage has some discretion and may grant permission for weddings during these periods in exceptional circumstances.

When selecting a wedding date, it is crucial to communicate with the priest as early as possible, taking into account their schedule and the availability of the church facilities. Additionally, couples should be mindful of the time required for pre-marital preparation, typically around 3-4 months, to complete the necessary program before the wedding.

In summary, choosing a suitable date for a Greek Orthodox wedding involves considering the liturgical calendar, consulting with the priest, and allowing adequate time for pre-marital preparation to ensure a meaningful and blessed ceremony.

Frequently asked questions