George Boyle
A Ukrainian Catholic wedding ceremony is a beautiful and solemn occasion, rich in tradition and symbolism. The length of the ceremony can vary depending on the specific rituals and blessings included. On average, a Catholic ceremony can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour, with some extending up to an hour and a half. The unique aspects of a Ukrainian Catholic wedding, such as the Betrothal, the Order of Crowing, and the sharing of a common cup of wine, can add to the duration of the ceremony. The wedding celebration itself can also last for days or even weeks, with dancing, singing, long toasts, and feasts involving the entire community.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Average length of Catholic wedding ceremony | 45 minutes to 1 hour |
| Length of a Catholic wedding without mass | 30-45 minutes |
| Length of a Ukrainian Catholic wedding with Divine Liturgy | 1.5 hours |
| Parts of the ceremony | Betrothal, Order of Crowing, Nuptial Mass, Communion, Recessional, Hymns, Scripture readings, Entrance, etc. |
| Wedding rituals | Sharing a common cup of wine, ceremonial walk, circling thrice, kissing wedding icons, blessing ceremony, paying ransom, etc. |
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What You'll Learn
The Betrothal and blessings
The Betrothal, also known as the engagement, is the first part of a Ukrainian Catholic wedding ceremony. During this stage, the couple exchanges rings in the church and promises to wed. They then ask both sets of parents for their blessings. Upon receiving these blessings, the couple enters the church together to be crowned as husband and wife.
The blessings from the parents are an important part of the Betrothal. The parents present the couple with icons of Christ and the Mother of God, which will be held by the Starosty (male) and Starostynia (female) during the ceremony. The icons symbolise the intercession of the Virgin Theotokos, which is often requested on behalf of the couple. The couple then enters the church together, signifying the transition of their relationship from a secular union to one that is sanctified by the Church and by God.
The wedding ceremony itself is filled with blessings. The couple circles the korovai, a tall, round, decorated wedding bread, three times, kissing the icons of Christ and the Mother of God. This is an affirmation of their belief in the Holy Trinity and God's presence in their lives. The priest then blesses the couple, saying:
> "God… bless their comings and goings. Give their life a great store of good things and receive their crowns in your kingdom, keeping them without spot or stain or reproach for now, always and forever, and ever."
The couple also shares a common cup of wine, which signifies that in marriage, all things are shared equally. This cup of wine, known as the "common cup of life", reminds us of the miracle at Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine, choosing a wedding to enact his first miracle.
The ceremony concludes with the singing of "Mnohaya Lita" (God grant them many years), and the couple makes their way out of the church and into their new life together.
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The Order of Crowning
The Betrothal
The Betrothal is the first step, equivalent to what we know today as an engagement. During this stage, the couple exchanges rings in the church, symbolising their commitment to one another and their promise to wed. They then seek the blessing of both sets of parents, signifying the importance of familial approval and support.
The Procession
The young couple, having received their parents' blessing, then embark on a procession from the home of the bride to the church. This journey is more than just a physical transition; it represents their first steps as a married couple, with the community bearing witness.
The Crowning Ceremony
At the heart of the Order of Crowning is the crowning ceremony itself. The couple enters the church, reaffirming their commitment and consent to be crowned as husband and wife. The priest places crowns, often made of myrtle, upon their heads. These crowns are not merely decorative but carry profound symbolism. They represent the glory and honour bestowed upon the couple by God, signifying their victory over sin, death, and evil through their sacramental marriage. The couple is now seen as the king and queen of their own kingdom, their home, which they will rule with wisdom, justice, integrity, love, peace, and harmony.
The Common Cup
Following the crowning, the couple partakes in the sharing of a common cup of wine, known as the "common cup of life." This act symbolises the unity of the couple, reminding them that in marriage, all things are shared equally. It also recalls the miracle at Cana, where Jesus chose to perform his first miracle at a wedding, thus bestowing immense dignity upon the union of man and woman.
The Ceremonial Walk
The newly crowned couple then engages in a ceremonial walk, circling three times to affirm their belief in the Holy Trinity and God's presence in their lives. During this walk, they kiss the wedding icons of Christ and the Mother of God, held by the elders. The couple is led by the priest, who guides them on the path they will now walk together as husband and wife. Hymns and troparias are sung, reminding the couple of the sacrificial love they are to have for each other throughout their married life.
The Priestly Blessing
As the wreaths are removed, the priest offers a blessing over the couple, invoking God's favour and protection upon their new life together. This moment marks the conclusion of the crowning ceremony, sealing their union with divine grace.
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Hymns, music, and scripture readings
Music, hymns, and scripture readings are integral parts of a Ukrainian Catholic wedding ceremony. The wedding services in the Ukrainian Catholic Church are unique and have remained almost entirely unchanged since their origination centuries ago. The ceremony is comprised of two separate parts: The Betrothal and The Order of Crowing, each taking place at different times.
The Betrothal is what we refer to today as the engagement, where the couple exchanges rings in the church and promises to wed. The Order of Crowing is when the couple asks for blessings from both sets of parents and enters the church to be crowned as husband and wife. During the ceremony, the couple circles three times, kissing the wedding icons of Christ and the Mother of God, held by the Starosty/Elders. This ceremonial walk is led by the priest, who holds their united hands, and a hymn to the Mother of God is sung, along with the troparias to the Holy Martyrs. This walk symbolizes the couple taking their first steps as a married couple, and they are reminded to centre their lives upon Christ.
Hymns and music are a significant aspect of the Ukrainian Catholic wedding ceremony. The Saints Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church emphasizes the importance of singing in church and its connection to prayer. The church encourages vocalized singing, with songs that are spiritual in both content and execution. The Saints Peter & Paul Ukrainian Catholic Church provides resources for church music, including scores and recordings of Ukrainian sacred music, hymns, and liturgical additions. These resources are available in Ukrainian and English, with some pieces in Old Church Slavonic.
The scripture readings during the Ukrainian Catholic wedding ceremony are carefully selected to reflect the spirituality and symbolism of the occasion. The readings may include passages from the Old Testament, such as Psalm 33, and the reading of Holy Scripture and the Psalter. Saint Paul's letters to the Ephesians and Colossians are also commonly included in the scripture readings, emphasizing the importance of singing and making melody in their hearts before the Lord.
The length of a Ukrainian Catholic wedding ceremony can vary, typically ranging from 45 minutes to an hour and 20 minutes. The duration depends on various factors, such as the inclusion of a nuptial mass, the number of hymns and scripture readings, and other elements like homily, music, and possessions.
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Communion and Nuptial Mass
The Nuptial Mass is open to all members of the parish, even if they do not know the couple personally. The order of the wedding may vary slightly depending on the church, but the majority of the following components are present. The altar is prepared for the liturgy of the Eucharist, and the bride, groom, and their guests can help with the preparations. The priest will say prayers for communion, and the couple will kneel before the altar for the priest's blessing. The priest will invite the couple and the guests to share the sign of peace. The Lord's Prayer (the Our Father) is then prayed aloud, in silence, or sung by all in attendance. The couple may approach the altar to kneel before the priest, or the priest will stand before them. The priest will then invite the assembly to join in silent prayer for the couple. Extending his hands over the couple, the priest offers the nuptial blessing.
The couple may then exchange rings and vows, and the priest will declare them "husband and wife". The priest will recite a solemn blessing over the newly married couple, their families, and friends. Everyone present will participate in the blessing by repeatedly interjecting with an "Amen" in unison. The witnesses may then sign the marriage license in front of the assembly but never upon the altar. The newlyweds then lead everyone out of the church.
The duration of a Ukrainian Catholic wedding ceremony varies, with some sources stating that it can last around 45 minutes to 1 hour and 20 minutes. If the wedding is in a Divine Liturgy, it is likely to be around 1.5 hours long. The length of the ceremony depends on whether the wedding is celebrated with or without Mass. A wedding without Mass is shorter and can take up to 45 minutes.
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The ceremonial walk
During the ceremonial walk, the couple holds hands, and the priest leads them in a circle while a hymn to the Mother of God and the troparias to the Holy Martyrs are sung. This serves as a reminder for the couple to embody sacrificial love in their marriage. The couple also kisses the wedding icons of Christ and the Mother of God, held by the elders.
The length of the ceremonial walk is not specified, but it is part of the overall wedding ceremony, which typically lasts between 45 minutes and 1 hour. The duration can vary depending on various factors, such as the number of guests, musical selections, and readings.
Ukrainian Catholic weddings are known for their rich traditions, rituals, and symbolism, with some practices remaining unchanged for centuries. The ceremonial walk is a beautiful and meaningful element that leaves a lasting impression on the couple and the witnesses.
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Frequently asked questions
On average, a Catholic ceremony can take 45 minutes to 1 hour. The actual length depends on whether the wedding is celebrated with or without Mass. A wedding without Mass can take up to 45 minutes. A Ukrainian Catholic wedding ceremony with a Divine Liturgy will probably be around 1 hour and 30 minutes long.
A Catholic wedding with Mass includes a specific set of readings, prayers, and music that are meant to bless the couple on their wedding day. The Mass is the heart of the Catholic wedding ceremony.
The wedding services in the Ukrainian Catholic Church are unique as they have remained almost entirely unchanged since their origination centuries ago. They are comprised of two separate parts: The Betrothal and The Order of Crowing, each taking place at separate times. The crowning ceremony is another important aspect, where the bride and groom are crowned as husband and wife.
The sharing of a common cup of wine, or the "common cup of life", signifies that in marriage, all things are shared equally. It is a reminder of Christ's first miracle at the wedding in Cana, where he turned water into wine.
Music and singing play an important role in Ukrainian Catholic wedding ceremonies, with folk music and hymns being a part of the celebration. During the ceremonial walk, a hymn to the Mother of God is sung, as well as the troparias to the Holy Martyrs, reminding the couple of their sacrificial love for each other.
