Junior Rasmussen
If you're planning an Orthodox wedding, you might be wondering how long the ceremony will last. Well, you can expect the ceremony to take around 45 minutes to an hour. In that time, you'll take part in several rituals, including the Rite of Betrothal, where rings are exchanged, and the Crowning, where crowns or wreaths are placed on the couple's heads. There are no vows in the Orthodox ritual, but the couple states that they are there freely and are not already married.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Duration | 45 minutes to 1 hour |
| Location | Orthodox Church |
| Participants | Bride, groom, godparents, maid of honor, best man, bridesmaids, groomsmen |
| Requirements | Both parties must be baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity; at least one (but preferably both) must be an Orthodox Christian; must present original baptismal certificates |
| Ceremony Elements | Rite of Betrothal (exchange of rings), Crowning (placement of crowns or wreaths on the bride and groom's heads), no vows |
| Legal Documents | State marriage license, certificate from the Diocese (for non-American citizens) |
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What You'll Learn
The ceremony typically lasts 45 minutes to an hour
The ceremony itself involves the Rite of Betrothal, where rings are exchanged, and the Crowning, where crowns or wreaths are placed on or held above the couple's heads. This symbolises the sacrifice required in marriage and the respect and honour of being king and queen of their household. There are no vows in the Orthodox ritual, but the couple states that they are there freely and are not already married.
In some parishes, the betrothal is done at the back of the church, and the ceremony takes place at the front and middle of the church or entirely at the front. The godparents are the guests of honour at the reception, and they sit at the head table. The bride is not given away, but led into the church by the priest, side by side with the groom.
The date of the wedding should be set in advance, and there are certain periods during which marriages are not permitted, including the fast of the Dormition, the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, the last two weeks of Advent, and Christmas Day.
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The wedding must take place in an Orthodox Church
The wedding ceremony is a significant event in a person's life, and for those who follow the Orthodox Christian faith, it is a sacred ritual. If you are planning an Orthodox wedding or are curious about the traditions, it is essential to understand the requirements and rituals. One of the fundamental aspects is that the wedding must take place in an Orthodox Church. This requirement is non-negotiable and forms the foundation of the religious ceremony.
The Orthodox Church sets specific directives that should be followed for a wedding to be recognised within the faith. While some traditions may vary between different Orthodox churches, the requirement for the wedding to be held in an Orthodox Church remains consistent. This requirement stems from the belief that the church is a holy place, sanctified for sacred rituals and ceremonies. By holding the wedding within the church, the couple seeks blessings from God and the church community.
For those who follow the Orthodox faith, the church is more than just a building; it represents a spiritual community and a connection to God. By having the wedding within the church, the couple is surrounded by the spiritual energy and blessings of the Orthodox faith. The church also serves as a physical reminder of the sacred commitment they are making to each other and God. Therefore, the choice of venue is not merely a matter of aesthetics or convenience but holds deep religious significance.
In addition to the requirement of the venue, there are other important considerations for those wishing to marry in the Orthodox Church. Both parties must be baptised in the name of the Holy Trinity, and at least one of them must be an Orthodox Christian. The priest plays a crucial role in guiding the couple through the process, and it is essential to meet with the priest to discuss the requirements and the importance of marriage and raising children in the Orthodox faith.
The Orthodox wedding ceremony is unique and follows a specific outline, including the Rite of Betrothal, where rings are exchanged, and the "Crowning," where crowns or wreaths are placed on or held above the couple's heads to signify sacrifice and the honour of being king and queen of their household. The ceremony typically lasts around 45 minutes to an hour, and while there are no traditional vows, the couple affirms their commitment and devotion to each other and their willingness to enter the marriage freely.
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The Rite of Betrothal: exchanging of rings
The Rite of Betrothal is the first part of an Orthodox wedding ceremony, during which the couple exchanges rings as a symbol of their pledge to enter into marriage and live together in faith, harmony, truth, and love. The priest blesses the rings and the couple with the words:
> The servant of God (groom's name) is betrothed to (bride's name) in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The priest repeats this blessing, this time beginning with the bride's name. The couple then exchanges rings thrice, with the priest making the sign of the cross, and places them on the ring finger of their right hands. In some traditions, the priest will hold the rings to the couple's foreheads and exchange the rings three times to symbolise their devotion and commitment to one another.
The Rite of Betrothal is followed by the Rite of Crowning, during which crowns or wreaths are placed on or held above the couple's heads. This signifies the sacrifice and "give and take" in marriage, and the couple's new status as "king and queen" of their household.
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The Crowning: crowns/wreaths placed on/held above the couple's heads
The Crowning is an integral part of the Orthodox wedding ceremony. It is the second rite of marriage, following the Rite of Betrothal, in which the couple exchanges rings. The crowning ceremony is what truly distinguishes an Orthodox wedding from others.
The crowning ceremony involves the priest placing crowns or wreaths on or holding them above the heads of the couple. The crowns are usually made of flowers and are tied with a ribbon at the back, symbolising the couple's union. The priest will first place a crown on the groom's head, reciting the crown blessing three times:
> The servant of God, [groom's name], is crowned unto the handmaiden of God, [bride's name], in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
The same is then done for the bride. In the Syriac Orthodox Church, the celebrant holds the crown over the couple's heads, waving it in the shape of a cross before reciting a prayer.
The crowns signify the couple's new status as king and queen of their newly created family, entrusted by God to rule their family in faith, love, and harmony. They also symbolise the crowns that await us in Heaven.
After the crowning, the couple may sip from a glass of blessed wine and exchange a kiss. The glass may then be broken, symbolising an indissoluble union. At the end of the ceremony, the priest removes the crowns and blesses the couple, saying:
> Accept their crowns in Your kingdom unsoiled and undefiled, and preserve them without offense to the ages of ages.
In the past, the couple would wear their crowns for a full week after their wedding, but this tradition has been shortened to a quick ceremony after the honeymoon.
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The bride is not 'given away'
In Orthodox weddings, there is no "giving away" of the bride. Instead, the priest leads the couple into the church side by side. This differs from other Christian weddings, where the father of the bride "gives away" his daughter, also known as the "presentation of the bride".
In Orthodox weddings, the bride's father may still walk his daughter down the aisle to meet the groom in front of the altar, but this is called the "Waiting of the Bride". The couple then enters the church together, signifying their equality and unity.
The Betrothal Service marks the start of the wedding ceremony. During this part of the service, the priest formally asks the couple if they wish to marry each other and if they have already committed themselves to anyone else. The priest blesses the wedding rings and places them on the couple's right ring fingers to symbolise their union. The couple does not exchange spoken vows, but their presence at the ceremony signifies their commitment to each other and their consent to God's presence in their marriage.
The Crowning is the second half of the wedding ceremony and contains its most recognisable and visually compelling rituals. During the Crowning Service, the couple is given lit candles to hold, symbolising their individual promises to centre Christ in their married lives. The couple joins hands, and are crowned 'king' and 'queen' of their household, signifying that marriage involves sacrifice and "give and take". The couple then drinks from a cup of blessed wine, symbolising that they will share life's happiness and sorrows together.
The priest will then lead the couple around the wedding table or altar three times, holding the Bible to remind the couple that the Word of God should lead them through life. The circle they create represents an eternal marriage, as a circle has neither a beginning nor an end.
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Frequently asked questions
The ceremony typically lasts 45 minutes to an hour.
Both parties must be baptised in the name of the Holy Trinity. At least one person must be an Orthodox Christian, but both are preferred. The wedding must take place in an Orthodox Church. If one person is not an Orthodox Christian, they must have been baptised with water and in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
The Rite of Betrothal, where rings are exchanged, and the Crowning, where crowns or wreaths are placed on the couple's heads. There are no vows, but the couple states that they are there freely and are not already married.
