Deborah Chan
St. Basil's Catholic Parish and St. Basil the Great Greek Orthodox Church are two churches that perform weddings. While the churches share a similar name, they are distinct from each other. Both churches have specific requirements for couples who wish to be married there. These requirements include marriage preparation programs, counselling, and providing specific documentation. Additionally, there are guidelines regarding the music, photography, and videography for weddings held at these churches. However, there is no explicit mention of any fees associated with using the church premises for weddings. Therefore, it is important to contact the respective churches directly to inquire about any potential costs or requirements for using their facilities for wedding ceremonies.
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What You'll Learn
St. Basil's Catholic Parish wedding requirements
St. Basil's Catholic Parish has several requirements for couples wishing to marry in the church. Firstly, the couple must contact a priest at the parish at least one year before the desired wedding date to begin marriage preparation. At least one partner must be Catholic, and the couple should live in the immediate area or have a previous connection to the parish or the University of St. Michael's College.
The wedding ceremony at St. Basil's is a sacred worship tradition of the Catholic Church, and all planning must conform to the Church's understanding of marriage as a sacrament. Weddings usually take place on Saturdays at 11 am, 1 pm, or 3 pm, or on Fridays at 2 pm or 7 pm. Other days may be considered in exceptional circumstances. A wedding rehearsal is scheduled for the Thursday evening before the wedding.
Couples must complete a formal Marriage Preparation Course and submit the certificate, along with other necessary documents, to the parish. These documents include a civil license, valid for three months before the marriage, and a recently issued (within six months of the marriage date) certificate of Confirmation for Catholics or a baptismal certificate for non-Catholics, along with proof of freedom to marry. Non-Catholic Christians must also present an updated certificate of Baptism. A notarized statement is also required.
Music for the wedding is coordinated by the Director of Music and Principal Organist, Dr. John Paul Farahat, who assigns musicians from the Saint Basil's roster. The cost of musicians ranges from $700 for a cantor and organist to $1750 for a choir and organist. All fees relating to the wedding must be submitted at least two weeks before the wedding date.
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St. Basil's Catholic Parish wedding music costs
St. Basil's Catholic Parish in Toronto offers wedding music services coordinated by their Director of Music and Principal Organist, Dr. John Paul Farahat. Couples can contact Dr. Farahat via email to discuss their musical preferences and receive information about music and fee schedules.
Generally, the cost of a cantor and organist is $700, while a choir and organist will cost $1750. These fees are separate from the customary giving for a wedding at St. Basil's, which is $700 for the use of the church building. This amount is consistent with the practices of the Archdiocese of Toronto. Registered parishioners can include this amount in their weekly collection and receive a tax receipt for their total givings for the year. Non-parishioners will receive a tax receipt for $700 at the end of the wedding season in November.
All fees for weddings at St. Basil's, including music costs, must be submitted at least two weeks before the wedding date. Couples are also responsible for providing various documents, including civil licenses and baptismal certificates, at least three weeks before their wedding. Weddings at St. Basil's typically take place on Saturdays at 11 am, 1 pm, or 3 pm, with Friday weddings accommodated at 2 pm or 7 pm if they do not conflict with the Saturday schedule.
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St. Basil Orthodox Church marriage guidelines
St. Basil Orthodox Church upholds the sanctity of the marriage bond, which is a commitment between a man and a woman, as expressed in the Bible through Christ's sacrificial relationship towards the Church. The Church considers marriage to be a sacrament, a sacred oath of loyalty unto death between the couple and their Lord Jesus Christ.
Pre-Marital Counselling:
Pre-marital counselling is required for couples intending to marry at St. Basil Orthodox Church. The rector or priest will provide guidance and advice, instructing the couple on the Orthodox Christian teachings of marriage. This should be done well before wedding plans are made so that the couple understands and follows the Church's teachings. The counselling will include the following:
- Procreation of children is not the sole purpose of marriage, but marriage presupposes a desire to have children.
- The couple should pray for God's blessings on childbirth and family life.
- The couple should understand the sacramental nature of the marriage bond and the Christian understanding of marriage as expressed in the Scriptures.
Verification:
The priest will also verify the following:
- The couple's baptism and church membership.
- In the case of a mixed marriage, the non-Orthodox spouse's baptism in a Christian community in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- A civil marriage license.
- Documentation of prior marriages, including death certificates or civil divorce decrees. If the previous marriage was in the Orthodox Church, an ecclesiastical divorce decree is also required.
Timing:
The most appropriate time for a wedding is Sunday, following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. Weddings may also be held on Saturdays with written permission from the diocesan hierarch. Marriages are not to be celebrated during fasting periods and Major Church Feasts.
Remarriage:
The Church recognises that marriages sometimes end due to human weaknesses and sin, and in her mercy, may grant permission to remarry through the diocesan hierarch. A clear statement of repentance and the desire to remarry for salvation is required. Under no circumstances can there be a fourth marriage.
Mixed Marriages:
The Church blesses mixed marriages between Orthodox Christians and non-Orthodox Christians under certain conditions:
- The non-Orthodox partner must be a baptised Christian who confesses the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
- The couple should agree to baptise their children in the Orthodox Church and raise them in the Orthodox faith.
- The Orthodox partner should not consent to have children of the union baptised outside the Orthodox Church.
- A petition for a mixed marriage must be submitted to the diocesan hierarch for his blessing.
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St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church wedding planning
Planning a wedding at St. Basil Greek Orthodox Church? Here's what you need to know.
Firstly, you must respect the seasons, times, and days during which marriage may be blessed. The most appropriate time for a wedding is on a Sunday, following the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. If you wish to hold the ceremony on a Saturday, you must submit a written petition for consent to the diocesan hierarch. If permission is granted, the ceremony will be scheduled at a time that does not interfere with the priest's service.
Next, you must ensure that your marriage is recognized as sacramentally valid by the Orthodox Church. This means that the Sacrament of Matrimony must be celebrated by an Orthodox priest, of a canonical Orthodox jurisdiction, according to the liturgical tradition of the Orthodox Church, in a canonical church, and with the authorization of the Metropolitan or Archbishop.
In terms of pre-wedding preparations, pre-marital counseling is required, except in rare cases with the blessing of the bishop. This counseling should include instructing the couple on the Orthodox Christian teaching of marriage, including the understanding that procreation of children is not the sole purpose of marriage.
For weddings at St. Basil's, a civil license is required, and this is valid for three months prior to the date of the marriage. If either party has been married before, a clear statement of repentance and the reason for desiring to enter a second marriage must be addressed to the diocesan hierarch.
On a practical note, St. Basil's provides musicians for your wedding from their roster, and their Director of Music and Principal Organist, Dr. John Paul Farahat, will coordinate all musicians once preferences have been discussed. Additional documentation regarding music and fee schedules will be provided during this meeting.
Finally, when planning your wedding liturgy, couples will receive a letter from their designated Liturgy coordinator to be forwarded to their photography and videography team. This letter outlines guidelines that facilitate the photographer/videographer in their task while respecting the sacredness of the wedding liturgy.
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Basilica of the Assumption wedding fees
The Basilica of the Assumption in Baltimore, Maryland, is a sought-after venue for weddings. It is the first metropolitan cathedral in the United States and the Co-Cathedral of Baltimore.
Couples must pay a fee of $2,000 to use the Basilica for their wedding, minus any amount contributed to the offertory in the previous year. For instance, if a couple donated $1,500 in the last year, the fee for using the Basilica would be $500. This fee is separate from the $250 non-refundable deposit required to reserve the church. The balance is due at least one month before the wedding.
If the couple is not a parishioner of the Basilica, they must provide a letter of permission from their pastor agreeing to allow their wedding to take place at the Basilica. They must also submit a letter of suitability from the diocese of the priest/deacon who will officiate the wedding if they are from outside the Archdiocese of Baltimore.
The Basilica's musicians, including organists, vocalists, and other musicians, are an additional fee, as are flowers and any offerings to the priest or deacon. Couples must make cheques out to each individual musician and mail them to the Basilica at least two weeks before the wedding. If an outside organist is used, a $250 "bench" fee must be paid to the director of music.
Other Information
The Basilica schedules weddings on Saturdays at 10:00 am, 11:00 am, and 2:00 pm, with rehearsals taking place the Friday before at 4:00 pm. The Basilica requests that couples set a firm date at least six months in advance of their wedding, although it is recommended to call as early as possible to increase the likelihood of availability.
To reserve a wedding date, couples must provide proof that they are parishioners at a Catholic parish and have arranged for a deacon or priest to celebrate the wedding. Either the bride or groom must be Catholic.
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Frequently asked questions
No, there are several fees associated with getting married at St. Basil's Catholic Parish. For example, a cantor and organist will cost $700 combined, and a choir and organist will cost $1750 combined.
St. Basil's Catholic Parish requires that at least one person in the couple is Catholic. The couple should also live in the immediate area or have a previous connection to the parish or the University.
St. Vasilios (Basil) the Great Greek Orthodox Church has several requirements for marriage, including that the couple must not be related to each other and that neither person is already married to someone else. The Church also prohibits marriages between Orthodox Christians and non-Christians.
The Basilica of the Assumption requires a $250 deposit and a letter of permission from your pastor agreeing to allow your wedding to take place at the Basilica. The fee for the use of the Basilica for weddings is $2,000 minus the amount contributed to the offertory in the last year.
