Lyla Dejesus
A Greek Orthodox wedding is a traditional ceremony steeped in ancient history and symbolism. The ceremony is a sacred rite, rich with rituals and customs that have remained unchanged since ancient Greece. The wedding consists of two parts: the Betrothal Service and the Crowning Service. The couple is led through the ceremony by their priest and their koumbaros, a best man or woman who remains an important figure in the couple's life. The koumbaros is also responsible for exchanging the rings and crowns. The wedding ceremony is approximately 45-60 minutes long and takes place in a church.
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What You'll Learn
The Betrothal Service
During the Betrothal Service, the priest blesses the rings in the form of a cross over the heads of the couple three times, then places them on their right hands. The sponsor (koumbaros/koumbara), who is also an Orthodox Christian, stands before the couple and interchanges the rings three times. This exchange signifies that in married life, the couple will complement each other's strengths and weaknesses.
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The Crowning Service
The crowning is followed by a reading of the Gospel, which tells of the marriage of Cana at Galilee, where Jesus performed his first miracle, changing water into wine. This wine is then given to the married couple, symbolising a transformation from old into new, and a passage from death into life.
The Dance of Isaiah includes three sections: the first speaks of the joy that Isaiah the Prophet experienced when he envisioned the coming of the Messiah. The second reminds us of the martyrs of the Faith, reminding the newlyweds of the sacrificial love they must have for one another. The third is an exaltation to the Holy Trinity.
The ceremony ends with the removal of the crowns, and the priest saying:
> "Accept their crowns in Your Kingdom unsoiled and undefiled; and preserve them without offense to the ages of ages."
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The role of the Koumbaros
The Koumbaros (man) or Koumbara (woman) is a crucial part of a Greek Orthodox wedding. The Koumbaros is equivalent to the best man, while the Koumbara is equivalent to the maid of honour. However, in the Greek tradition, they are much more than that.
Firstly, the Koumbaros/Koumbara must be a baptised Greek Orthodox Christian. This is because they must take an active part in the ceremony. They act as a witness on behalf of the Church and guide the newly married couple in their religious life. The Koumbaros/Koumbara is usually the godfather or godmother of the couple's future children.
The Koumbaros/Koumbara has several important duties during the ceremony. They assist in the crowning ceremony, one of the most important and beautiful parts of a Greek wedding, and the ring exchange. The Koumbaros/Koumbara exchanges the wedding rings and the wedding crowns for the couple during the ceremony. They also hold the ribbon tying the crowns as the couple takes their first steps around the altar as a married couple.
In addition to their role in the ceremony, the Koumbaros/Koumbara also traditionally covers the costs for the religious aspects of the wedding, such as the marriage crowns, the priest's fee, and the silver cup and tray used in the ceremony. They are also responsible for supporting the bride in the lead-up to the wedding, including helping with wedding planning and ensuring she arrives at the chapel on time.
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The Common Cup
Following the common cup ritual, the priest, and sometimes the koumbaros (the couple's sponsor and best man or woman), leads the couple three times around the altar, on which a Bible and cross rest. This ritual dance predates Christianity, originally representing the dance around the Ark of the Covenant. The choir sings three hymns as the couple circles the table, taking their first steps as a married couple, with the Church (through the priest) leading them.
The koumbaros presents the couple with two crowns joined by a white ribbon, symbolising their unity. The priest places the crowns on the couple's heads while they face the altar, and the koumbaros then swaps the crowns on the couple's heads three times. The crowns are to stay with the couple for life, and some couples are even buried in them.
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Pre-wedding counselling
Couples are required to attend a minimum of four premarital counselling sessions with a priest before their wedding. During the initial meeting, the couple and the priest will set the dates and times for the subsequent sessions. These sessions are designed to be instructive and insightful, covering a range of topics essential to a successful marriage within the church.
The counselling sessions provide an opportunity for the couple to explore and discuss the religious implications of their marriage. They will learn about the unique rituals, symbolism, and prayers that are part of the Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony, such as the Betrothal Service, the Crowning Service, and the exchange of rings. Understanding these rituals and their significance will help the couple actively participate in their wedding ceremony and fulfil their roles.
Additionally, the counselling sessions delve into the social and moral expectations of marriage within the Greek Orthodox Church. The couple will be guided on the roles and responsibilities they will assume as a married couple, including the importance of mutual support, equality, and unity in their union. They will also be advised on the social norms and decorum expected of them during the wedding ceremony and as a married couple within the church community.
Through pre-wedding counselling, couples are empowered with knowledge and understanding, fostering a strong foundation for their upcoming marriage. It ensures that they enter their marital life with a clear comprehension of the religious and cultural context of their wedding and married life within the Greek Orthodox Church.
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Frequently asked questions
A Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony must take place in a church.
A Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony consists of two parts: the Betrothal Service and the Crowning Service. The Betrothal Service includes the Doxology, Opening Petitions, Two Short Prayers, The Exchange of Rings, and the Closing Prayer. The Crowning Service consists of five sections: The Prayers, The Crowning, Readings from Scripture, The Common Cup, and the Dance of Isaiah.
The Koumbaros is the best man or sponsor of the wedding. They are an important figure in the couple's life and will likely be the future godparents of the couple's children. The Koumbaros exchanges the rings and the crowns during the ceremony and holds the ribbon as the couple walks around the ceremonial table together.
