Rhiannon Hendricks
A Greek Orthodox wedding is a beautiful and symbolic affair, steeped in ancient tradition. The ceremony is rich with rituals and is one of the seven sacraments of the Greek Orthodox Church. The wedding consists of two parts: the Service of Betrothal and the Service of the Crowning. The ceremony is approximately 40 minutes to an hour long, and the couple must be members in good standing of the Greek Orthodox Church. The Greek Orthodox wedding is a meaningful and spiritual experience for the couple and their community.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ceremony Length | 40-60 minutes |
| Ceremony Location | Greek Orthodox Church |
| Participants | Bride, Groom, Koumbaro (best man), Koumbara (maid/matron of honor), flower girl, ringbearer, ushers, bridesmaids, priest |
| Ceremony Parts | Betrothal/Service of the Promise, Service of the Crowning (Prayers, Crowning, Readings from Scripture, Common Cup, Dance of Isaiah) |
| Other Traditions | No vows, crowns, rings, koufeta (sugar-coated almonds), pre-marital counseling |
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What You'll Learn
The Service of Betrothal and the Service of the Crowning
A Greek Orthodox wedding is steeped in ritual and symbolism, reflecting the theology of the Church. The ceremony is divided into two parts: the Service of Betrothal and the Service of the Crowning.
The Service of Betrothal
The Service of Betrothal is the first part of a Greek Orthodox wedding. It involves the exchange of rings as a sign of the couple's pledge to enter into marriage and live together in faith, harmony, truth, and love. The priest blesses the rings three times, saying, "The servant of God (groom's name) is betrothed to the servant of God (bride's name) in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit." The rings are then placed on the ring finger of the right hand, as the right hand represents virtue within the Bible. In the prayers of betrothal, the priest will refer to married couples in the Bible, such as Isaac and Rebecca, Abraham and Sarah, and Joseph and Thamar, where rings are signs of authority. The prayer will also reference the Prodigal Son, who had a ring placed on his right hand when he returned to his father.
The Service of the Crowning
The Service of the Crowning is the second and more complex part of a Greek Orthodox wedding. It is considered the climax of the Marriage Service, as the bride and groom are regarded as part of the "royal family" of God and are crowned king and queen of their own dominion. The crowns, which are usually made of silver or gold, symbolize victory and honour bestowed upon the couple by God. The Crowning Ceremony is followed by Scripture readings, which summarize the beliefs of the Orthodox Church on marriage and reinforce the message behind the prayers and hymns of the wedding service. The bride and groom then drink from the Common Cup, which contains blessed wine, three times each, symbolizing the bitter and sweet moments they will share in their life together. Finally, there is a procession, during which the father, the bride and groom, and the Koumbaro/a (the Greek Orthodox sponsor of the union) walk around the table.
The entire Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony, including both the Service of Betrothal and the Service of the Crowning, typically lasts around 45 minutes to an hour.
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The couple's commitment to each other and Christ
A Greek Orthodox wedding is a sacraments of Holy Matrimony. It is not merely a social event but a spiritual one in which the couple receives God's grace and becomes sanctified agents of God's purpose in their marriage. The couple's commitment to each other is sealed with their commitment to Christ.
The Greek Orthodox Church requires that the couple appoint Orthodox Christian wedding sponsors, who are in good standing with the Church. These sponsors are to be guides for the couple throughout their marriage and will likely be the future godparents of their children. The male sponsor is called the Koumbaro and will always be the best man, while the female sponsor is called the Koumbara and will be the maid or matron of honour. These sponsors were traditionally responsible for gifting the couple a silver tray to hold the bride and groom's crowns and rings.
The wedding ceremony consists of two parts: the Service of Betrothal and the Service of the Crowning. The latter consists of five sections: The Prayers, The Crowning, Readings from Scripture, The Common Cup, and the Dance of Isaiah. The rituals in the sacrament are done three times to signify the Holy Trinity (God the Father, Christ the Son, and the Holy Spirit).
During the ceremony, the priest lifts the book of the Holy Gospel, bringing it down between the couple's clasped hands as a reminder that only God can separate them from one another. It symbolises that Christ will always be their way back to each other should they begin to drift.
In preparation for the wedding, the couple is expected to attend pre-wedding classes and pre-marital counselling offered by the Church. The bride and/or groom are also encouraged to participate in the sacraments of Holy Confession and Holy Communion the week before the wedding.
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The role of the priest
The Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony is steeped in tradition and symbolism, and the priest plays a pivotal role in guiding the couple through the sacred rituals. Firstly, it is important to note that a Greek Orthodox wedding is not just a social event; it is a sacrament recognised by the Church. Therefore, the presence of a priest is essential to officiate the ceremony and bestow God's grace upon the couple.
One of the key responsibilities of the priest is to ensure that the couple meets the prerequisites for a Greek Orthodox wedding. This includes confirming that at least one member of the couple is a baptised Orthodox Christian and a member in good standing of the specific Greek Orthodox Church where the wedding will take place. The priest also ensures that the couple has completed pre-marital counselling and has participated in the sacraments of Holy Confession and Holy Communion the week before the wedding.
During the wedding ceremony, the priest leads the Service of Betrothal, also known as the "Service of the Promise," where the couple's commitment to each other and to Christ is sealed. The priest then performs the Service of the Crowning, which consists of several rituals: The Prayers, Readings from Scripture, The Common Cup, and the Dance of Isaiah. The priest also blesses the couple's crowns and rings, which are traditionally gifted by their Orthodox Christian wedding sponsors, known as the Koumbaro (best man) and Koumbara (maid or matron of honour).
The priest also performs symbolic gestures, such as lifting the book of the Holy Gospel between the couple's clasped hands, reminding them that only God can separate them. While a first kiss is not part of the Orthodox ceremony, the priest may allow for this expression of love. Additionally, the priest is responsible for explaining the steps of the Wedding Sacrament to the couple and their guests, ensuring that everyone understands the significance of each ritual.
In summary, the role of the priest in a Greek Orthodox wedding is not merely that of an officiant but also a guide, counsellor, and educator. The priest ensures that the couple is prepared spiritually and emotionally for their marriage and that they understand the sacredness and seriousness of the sacrament they are entering into.
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Pre-wedding classes and pre-marital counselling
A Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony is one of the most ancient Christian rites, rich with symbolism. The ceremony consists of two parts: the Service of Betrothal and the Service of the Crowning. The latter consists of five sections: The Prayers, The Crowning, Readings from Scripture, The Common Cup, and the Dance of Isaiah. The entire ceremony typically lasts 45 minutes to an hour.
The Greek Orthodox Church considers marriage a privilege granted to those who have properly prepared for such a serious endeavour. It is not merely a private transaction between two individuals. Thus, pre-marital counselling is mandatory for couples intending to marry in the Church. The sessions are guided by an Orthodox priest and cover various topics, including:
- Exploring the sacramental nature of marriage as viewed by the Orthodox Church
- Awareness of practical issues and problems that may arise in the initial years of marriage, such as romance, intimacy, in-laws, finances, and family life
- Communication and conflict resolution skills to navigate disagreements and arguments
The Greek Orthodox Archdiocese Center for Family Care has developed a three-part marriage preparation program called "The Journey of Marriage in the Orthodox Church". This program is designed to address the unique needs of couples preparing for marriage in the Orthodox Church. The program includes workshops, seminars, and interactive classes that provide couples with the tools and knowledge to build a strong and lasting marriage.
Additionally, couples are encouraged to meet with their parish priest, who can offer guidance and support throughout the marriage preparation process. The priest can also provide information about the necessary steps to be completed before the wedding.
Research has shown that couples who participate in marriage preparation programs have a lower divorce rate than those who do not. These programs emphasise the importance of learning to love with Christ-like love and allowing God to change and guide them through the challenges and disagreements inherent in married life.
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The role of the koumbaros/koumbara
A Greek Orthodox wedding is a rich and ancient tradition, full of symbolism and rituals. The ceremony is usually around 45 minutes to an hour long and consists of two parts: the Service of Betrothal and the Service of the Crowning.
The Koumbaros/Koumbara, or wedding sponsors, play a significant and honoured role in a Greek Orthodox wedding. They are to be guides for the couple throughout their marriage and will likely become the godparents of the couple's future children. The Koumbaros is the male sponsor and is always the best man, while the Koumbara is the female sponsor and will be the maid or matron of honour.
The Koumbaros/Koumbara have several responsibilities before and during the wedding ceremony. Firstly, they are expected to provide certain physical items, such as a letter from the priest confirming their good standing as an Orthodox Christian, the Stephana (wedding crowns), a silver tray with koufeta (candy-covered almonds) and rice, and two candles. The Koumbaros/Koumbara is also responsible for exchanging the wedding crowns three times during the ceremony, one of its highlights.
In addition to these ceremonial duties, the Koumbaros/Koumbara may also be involved in pre-wedding traditions such as the "krevati," a home celebration where sheets and linens are exchanged, and arranging a boy's night out. They are also expected to pay for certain expenses, such as church fees, the Stephana, and the jug and glasses for the wine.
Being chosen as a Koumbaros/Koumbara is a great honour and signifies that you are immediately considered part of the family. It is a role that carries significant responsibilities and symbolic meaning within the Greek Orthodox wedding tradition.
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Frequently asked questions
The wedding ceremony is approximately 40 minutes to an hour long.
One or both members of the couple must be a member in good standing of the Greek Orthodox Church and be a pledging Steward for the current year. The couple should also be attending services regularly.
The koumbaros/koumbara is the male/female sponsor of the union and must be an Orthodox Christian. They are to be guides for the couple throughout their marriage and will likely be future godparents of the couple's children.
The wedding consists of two parts: the Service of Betrothal and the Service of the Crowning. The latter consists of five sections: The Prayers, The Crowning, Readings from Scripture, The Common Cup, and the Dance of Isaiah. There is also an exchange of rings and crowns, but no exchange of vows.
