Ring Bearer Role In Orthodox Weddings

In Orthodox weddings, the couple's wedding sponsor or the priest may exchange the rings between the couple's fingers three times, which signifies that the weakness of one partner will be compensated by the other. The rings are usually placed on the third finger of the right hand as the right hand is considered to have a rich and symbolic history in the church. However, some Orthodox Christians in America and Europe wear their wedding rings on the left hand, which is more common in Western culture.

The role of the best man

In an Orthodox wedding, the best man is known as the Koumbaro. The role is not always included in Greek Orthodox weddings, but when it is, the Koumbaro is responsible for preparing the groom for the wedding ceremony. This includes helping him get dressed and shaving him, which symbolises trust, reliability, and closeness between the two men. The Koumbaro also has the honour of exchanging the couple's wedding rings three times during the ceremony.

The Koumbaro works alongside the Koumbara, the bride's maid of honour, who leads the women from the bridal party to the bride to help her get ready. The Koumbaro and Koumbara are also selected to be the godparents of the couple's future children.

In addition to these duties, the best man in any wedding tradition is usually responsible for organising the groom's bachelor party and making a speech during the wedding reception. The best man is also often tasked with looking after the wedding rings before and during the ceremony and ensuring the groom and groomsmen arrive on time and are dressed correctly.

The placement of the ring on the right hand

The prayer recited during the ring exchange references Moses and God's right hand:

> "Your own right hand, O Lord, armed Moses in the Red Sea. Yea, by the word of Your truth were the Heavens established and the earth set upon her sure foundations; and the right hands of Your servants shall be blessed by Your mighty word, and by Your uplifted arm."

By placing the rings on the right hand, the couple is reminded that everything they do is with God's help, and that He watches over and protects them.

Some ancient customs also suggest that a devil sits on one's left shoulder and an angel on the right, so choosing the right hand symbolises siding with God.

While the tradition of wearing the wedding ring on the left hand is widely recognised in many Western cultures, the placement of the ring on the right hand in Orthodox weddings is a meaningful and intentional practice, reflecting the couple's religious beliefs and cultural background.

It is worth noting that some individuals choose to wear their wedding rings on the right hand due to personal preference, comfort, or to avoid damage to the ring during daily tasks, especially if they are left-handed.

The blessing of the rings

The Service of Betrothal begins with the priest offering prayers and blessings for the couple and their rings. The priest then blesses the bride and groom with the rings, declaring the betrothal in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This is done three times, first from the groom to the bride, then from the bride to the groom, to symbolise their lives becoming entwined as one. The rings are placed on the couple's ring fingers on their right hands, as the right hand is seen as having a rich and symbolic history in the church. The right hand of God is believed to be the one that blesses, and Jesus sat at the right hand of the Father.

The priest or the koumbaros then exchanges the rings three times between the couple's fingers, representing that their weaknesses will be compensated by the other's strengths. The newly betrothed are seen as incomplete apart but made perfect together. The rings themselves symbolise God's pledge to remain with the couple always and to protect and support them.

A final prayer is read, sealing the couple's acceptance of the rings and their mutual promise of betrothal. The rings are then exchanged three times again, adding the meaning that their marriage is being enacted by God. The couple is now engaged to be married before God and can proceed to the Service of Marriage or Crowning.

The exchange of the rings

The exchange of rings is a pivotal moment in an Orthodox wedding ceremony, and it is steeped in symbolism and ritual. The wedding ceremony in the Orthodox tradition is made up of two services: the Service of Betrothal, or Engagement ceremony, and the Service of Marriage or Crowning. The exchange of rings takes place during the former.

The exchange of rings is preceded by the Doxology, a small prayer that glorifies God, and the opening petitions, which are similar to prayers. The petitions are a list of requests to God, asking for blessings for the couple and their loved ones. Two short prayers are then recited, acknowledging that the couple stands before God, pledging to enter an "indissoluble bond of love".

The rings are then prayed over three times for the groom and three times for the bride, while they stand in silence. The priest blesses the rings, making the sign of the cross while holding them and declaring the betrothal. The priest may also press the rings to the bride and groom's foreheads three times each. The rings are usually placed on the third finger of the right hand, as the right hand is seen as virtuous and symbolic within the Bible and the Church. The couple stands in silence during this ritual.

The prayer used is: "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 prayer is said three times, first with the groom's name, then repeated with the bride's name. The rings are then exchanged between the couple's fingers three times by either the priest or the koumbaros (best man). This signifies that the weakness of one partner will be compensated by the strength of the other.

The exchange of rings is a solemn and meaningful part of the Orthodox wedding ceremony, sealing the couple's commitment to each other.

The symbolism of the rings

The wedding ceremony of the Greek Orthodox Church is an ancient and evocative service that unites a man and a woman "In Faith, and in Oneness of Mind, in Truth, and in Love", acknowledging that their love is rooted in God, who is Love itself. The Eastern Orthodox wedding ceremony is also an ancient rite full of profound symbolism and meaning. The couple is led through the ceremony by their priest and their koumbaros, a best man who remains an important figure in the couple's life.

The wedding ceremony is composed of two services: the Service of Betrothal, or Engagement ceremony, during which the rings are exchanged, and the Service of Marriage or Crowning, during which prayers are offered for the couple, the crowns of marriage are placed on their heads, the common cup is shared, and the ceremonial walk takes place around the table.

In the Eastern Orthodox Service of Betrothal, the priest makes the Sign of the Cross with rings over the bride's head while declaring three times: "The servant of God (Groom) is betrothed to the handmaid of God (Bride), in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen". Next, it is declared three times again over the bride's head with the names reversed, after which the rings are exchanged three times, either by the priest or best man. The priest asks God "to bless this putting on of rings with a heavenly blessing and that an Angel of the Lord will go before these Your servants, all the days of their life."

In the Orthodox tradition, the rings are placed on the third finger of the right hand. This is because, according to Biblical knowledge, it is the right hand of God that blesses; Christ ascended to the right hand of the Father; and it is to the right that those who will inherit eternal life will go. Some ancient customs tell of a devil that sits on one’s left shoulder and an angel on the right. Others believe the right hand has a stronger meaning because Jesus sat at the right hand of the Father – in a special place of honour.

The rings are then exchanged three times on the fingers of the bride and groom by the best man, further expressing and witnessing that the lives of the two are being brought together. The exchange signifies that in married life, the weakness of one partner will be compensated by the strength of the other. Apart, the newly betrothed are incomplete, but together they are made perfect.

Most people assume that the wedding rings represent faithfulness and trust toward one's spouse or a pledge of love. However, none of the prayers used in the wedding service suggest this meaning. Instead, the rings represent the faithfulness of God. In the prayers of the wedding service, the priest prays:

> "Therefore, O Lord God, Who have sent forth Your truth to Your inheritance and Your promise to Your servants, our fathers, who were Your elect, do You give regard unto this Your servant (Name) and Your servant (Name), and seal their betrothal in faith, in oneness of mind, in truth and in love. For You, O Lord, have declared that a pledge is to be given and held inviolate in all things."

In the prayer, the priest also mentions the giving of rings throughout Scripture:

> Joseph – “By a ring Joseph was given might in Egypt…”

> Prophet Daniel – “…by a ring Daniel was exalted in Babylon…”

> Tamar – “…by a ring the truth of Tamar was made manifest…”

> The prodigal son – “by a ring out heavenly Father showed compassion upon His prodigal son, for He said, ‘Put a ring upon his right hand, kill the fatted calf, and let us eat and rejoice’.”

In other words, the rings symbolize God’s word that He Himself will seal the marriage in “…faith, in oneness of mind, in truth and in love.” The rings symbolize God’s pledge to remain with us always, no matter what. This is what the rings mean.

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